You know, this phrase kind of gets to me in a way. I don’t think you ever BECOME a writer. I think you’re always a writer at heart and then maybe something happens in your life or you’re at the point in your life where you’ve matured enough to finally put pen to paper, so my point is…whether you’re published or not, if you sit down every day and write stories then you’re a writer, plain and simple. And if you’re really serious about your writing, you’ll work to hone your craft constantly. I’m always learning…either through attending classes, by critiquing another author’s work, reading or just paying attention to a turn of phrase when someone speaks, because I know someday I’ll utilize what I’ve learned in my own books down the road.

Which brings me to my next point…getting published. I write because I love to…er, well, maybe it’s also because I have to (those characters in my head just won’t stop talking! LOL! ), but I do try to stay involved in the industry as much as I can. I check out several industry blogs (see my sidebar to the right) or other author’s blogs who are usually a font of information. Thanks to Tawny Taylor’s blog post, I checked out this editor/author’s blog post about sending in manuscripts to editors vs going through the agent route. What an informative post! I’ll be adding Jason Pinter’s blog my sidebar! When you read his post and then the comments you’ll see that one person said she’d sold straight to an editor. While that is such an inspiring story, I’ve found those instances are rare. Beyond writing the best book you can, one point Jason makes that I feel could use some extra air time is to DEVELOP A THICK SKIN. It’s so true. Yeah, I know we spend hours/days/weeks/months on our books, but a rejection, either from an agent or an editor, isn’t personal. I’ve had my fair share of rejections and I’m sure I’ll see more. It’s part of being in this business. Sure rejections can get you down, but just don’t let them make you give up. If anything, let them encourage you to try harder…polish that manuscript or start a new one. Never, ever, ever give up! Stick to your aspirations and always believe in yourself.

I would like to go back to that one person’s comment about selling via a personal meeting with an editor. Her circumstances may be rare, but she brings up a valid point. NETWORKING is just as important in the publishing business as it is in any other business. Yes, it’s true we are artists creating a piece of work, but by going to conferences and doing other things like attending and/or teaching classes yourself, you’re not only honing your craft, but you’re showing editors and agents attending the conference that you take your career very seriously. Plus, you just never know when an opportunity to speak with an editor or an agent you’d like to work with might arise.