Hey! How are you doing this week? Are you getting back into the swing of things now that the kids are back in school? Can you believe that 2007 is almost over? It seems like it was Christmas just yesterday, and now it’s almost Christmas time again!

Writing is a hard job. You have to take the time to commit yourself to just sitting down and jotting your thoughts onto paper. Anyone who has experienced writer’s block can vouch that this career is definitely not for everyone! But if you’re one of the few who has the ability to write, then maybe you need some tips on getting started.

1. Set aside at least an hour each day to just sit and write. It doesn’t matter what you write. Just get the creative juices flowing. I have mentioned before that Roald Dahl, renowned children’s author of books such as The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda, would set aside time each day to just sit and write about what he saw. As a result, he wrote many wonderful books that were created from things he noticed in his own yard.

2. Write about what you know. If you’ve never been to Europe, don’t try to write a book based on that culture (unless you plan on doing a lot of research!) Instead, write about things that are happening in your own neighborhood and add your own creative elements. Go to the mall and just observe people walking by. Everyone has a story, and you can usually create your own based on what you see people doing or wearing.

3. Don’t edit yourself. This is something I catch myself doing often. Just write your story. Once you’re done, then you can go back and do the rewrite. For now, just get your ideas down on paper. They don’t have to be perfect. After all, you’re the only one who is going to be reading them at this point in the game.

If you’re still having writer’s block, change your surroundings and try something new. You never know who or what will show up or what kind of story may develop.

To your success,

Katie

Hello, Fellow Writers!

I’m sorry I haven’t written all summer on my blog, but I have had my plate full with various projects (including growing my family), so it has been hard to focus on this blog! But I hope that you haven’t stopped writing while I’ve been silent. I haven’t. In fact, I have a new story in the works, which I hope to get published once it is completed. I have some publishing friends who are encouraging me along the way, and that is a key ingredient to any successful publication!

I know that it can become overwhelming to try and find your place in the writing world. It seems as though everybody and anybody believes they can write these days, especially celebrities (Ghost writers, consider increasing your rates at this point!) So how do you keep from getting lost in this dog-eat-dog industry? Submit, submit, submit!

But where do you start? Consider submitting short stories, poems, essays, or articles to various magazines and websites in order to “get your name out there.” If you have a manuscript ready for review, buy or borrow from your local library The Writer’s Market or any other writer’s guidebook to find out what publishers are accepting in terms of manuscripts these days. Don’t send your historical fiction manuscript to a publisher who specializes in science fiction! You are only setting yourself up for rejection.

Even if the first publisher rejects your work, keep sending it out to other prospective publishing houses. Don’t just choose the ones you are familiar with either! Some of the best books have been published by lesser-known houses because the manuscripts were simply lost in the “slush pile” at the larger, more well-known publishing house. Don’t be discouraged if you are rejected over and over again. Take each rejection as an incentive to go after the next publisher with even more fortitude. Believe in your workmanship!

If you feel that you have been rejected too many times to count, then perhaps you should seek an outside opinion. Allow someone you know to be an honest critic to give you advice on your manuscript. Take their advice and make those changes. Agents are also a really good source to let you know if you have a manuscript that is publishable. Most agents won’t charge you a fee until your work has been accepted to be published. Then submit, submit, and submit again!

Don’t give up! Just because celebrities make it look easy doesn’t mean that it actually is for most writers. That doesn’t mean your story’s not good. It just needs to be read by the right person at the right time. Visit www.writersdigest.com for help with your manuscript and feedback from editors and publishers.

Don’t give up! You have the drive to write, so keep writing!

To your success,

Katie