There’s nothing like looking at a page full of words that you’ve written and being less than enthusiastic about them. Or perhaps you have no clue where to go from here.

There’s a famous quote that says you can’t edit a blank page. How true that is…

Unfortunately sometimes I find myself just wanting to scrap everything and start over. And that is the first important lesson I want to share with you. Since I got The Call a year ago I’ve learned some things and taken to heart things that never made sense before. For what it’s worth…

• It’s okay to start over or try a new path. If something isn’t working try something else that might. Don’t delete anything though, you may need it later.

Other things I’ve learned this past year.

• Don’t be afraid to go for it… whatever it is.
• Don’t be afraid to ask question, no matter how stupid they may seem.
• Make friends in this business, not enemies. Network. Get to know people.
• Write, write, write.
• Promote, promote, promote.
• Have a solid marketing and advertising plan. Stick to it. Update it and expand it as you and your career progress.
• Don’t let others destroy your dream or steal your muse.
• Take your career seriously, even if no one else does.
• Write some more.

I asked a few of my fellow writers what lessons their learned since the got published and here’s what they had to say.

Paula Quinn (Lord of Seduction, Warner Forever) said:

• Not everyone is going to love your work the way you do. It’s ok. Write what you love anyway.
• The Recycle bin is not my enemy. It’s ok to throw away all those extra paragraphs I think are so good, but aren’t.
• Read read read. Read the genre you’re trying to sell. See what’s out there and working well.
• Listen to your editor. She knows the business, but don’t be afraid to ask questions and give opinions.

Amie Stuart (Hands On, Kensington Aphrodisia) said:

• Don’t waste time writing stuff you don’t love–it’ll show.

• The grass is often times greener on the other computer. Be sure you’re ready for whatever it is you want so bad, because I guarantee it has it’s own pitfalls and perils just like it does before you sell.

Sherrill Quinn (Seasons of Seduction – Volume 1, Elllora’s Cave) said:

• read, read, read–not just craft (how-to) books, but also in the genre you’re writing
• treat your writing like a business–that’s how publishers see it.
• don’t take rejection personally–learn from it and continue to grow and become a better writer
• if you don’t have one, get a critique group–people who won’t just gush and tell you how wonderful you are, but who will comb through your manuscript and give you honest (and kindly delivered) feedback.

4 Comments

• 

  By Donna, April 24, 2007 @ 1:50 pm

  Wonderful lessons learned and wise words to follow. I can apply these lessons to my reviewing as well.

  Thanks Madison for sharing
• 

  By Ericka Scott, April 24, 2007 @ 2:45 pm

  Lots of words of wisdom here.

  The only thing I want to add is: FINISH THE BOOK!
  I wrote lots of short stories and polished first and second chapters. Then, I wrote “a book”. It was a terrible mess and I’m still not sure it can be fixed. BUT, I learned how to finish the book and that was a huge accomplishment and the only thing that spurred me on to write a book that was publishable. The proof is in the finishing.

  Crystal Clear comes out May 18th from Cobblestone Press
• 

  By Amie Stuart, April 24, 2007 @ 6:12 pm

  And let me add….don’t be afraid to take chances and step outside your comfort zone. You might surprise yourself!
• 

  By madison, April 25, 2007 @ 10:37 am

  Well said, Ericka. Finish the Book! It’s an awesome feeling.

  Amie, excellent advice. You will definitely surprise yourself.

  One more piece of advice I had was don’t waste your time. It’s precious. If you can afford to hire someone to do your promotion, or design your materials, do so. It will save you time, you’ll be able to write more and both jobs will likely be done better. Each day you don’t write is one day you lose to fulfill your goals and finish your book. So write something, even if it’s just a sentence.

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