| p>Writing is probably one of the easiest and the | | | | trust me, they will. Rejections are a huge part of |
| hardest things to do. It is easy because writing is | | | | a writer's life. Writers get rejected for bad timing, |
| all about thoughts and ideas and we all have them. | | | | lack of interest, and even poor writing. Writers |
| It's hard because putting those thoughts and ideas | | | | get more rejections in a single year than most |
| down on paper can be quite scary; especially if | | | | people do in a life time. |
| you want others to read those words. And | | | | Step Three: Read About Writing |
| scarier, yet, if you want a publisher to pay you | | | | Subscribe to magazines and free newsletters |
| for those words because with payment comes | | | | geared towards writers. Receiving a weekly or |
| constructive criticism and often, rejection. | | | | monthly boost of inspiration may be what you |
| There is no quick and easy way to get published, | | | | need to stay on path. When I first began writing, |
| but it is possible if you tackle your goals of | | | | as a professional, I found inspiration in the |
| getting published in five steps. | | | | successes of other writers. I found inspiration in |
| Step One: Write Every Day | | | | learning from other's mistakes. And I found |
| It's true that life can be one huge balancing act | | | | inspiration in many of the "you can do" how to |
| and that you will often find you have less time in | | | | articles. After writing became more natural, I cut |
| your day than you realized. So the first step | | | | back on many of the writing magazines, and now |
| should be to carve out some time in your day | | | | only subscribe to a small handful of writing |
| just for writing. Whether it is five minutes or one | | | | newsletters. I find that they keep me on track |
| hour, make it a priority to write something every | | | | and push me to succeed; especially when I see |
| single day. | | | | names in the industry that I recognize or names |
| Write about what matters to you in a personal | | | | of writers I've personally met. |
| journal. Write a letter to a friend. Write a | | | | Step Four: Pitch Your Ideas |
| paragraph in an article. Write a page in a book. | | | | Purchase a copy of The Writers' Market, or sign |
| Just write. Actively working towards your goal of | | | | up for the online database ( The Writers' Market |
| becoming a writer, by actually writing, will help | | | | is filled with submission guidelines, addresses, and |
| build the confidence you need to begin the | | | | editorial information for magazines, websites, and |
| submission process. | | | | book publishers. It's a great place to start your |
| Step Two: Join Writers' Groups | | | | writing career. Locate a publisher interested in |
| Join a local writers' group. If there is not a local | | | | what you have to offer and practice writing |
| writers' group in your area, look online. It is | | | | query letters that tailor to the needs of the |
| important to have an accountability group-having | | | | publication. |
| someone to be accountable to can help keep you | | | | Step Five: Submit Queries |
| from pushing your writing dreams to the sideline. | | | | Submit one query letter or article (based upon |
| And having a support system in place that truly | | | | submission guidelines) a week. As you begin to |
| understands your struggles as a writer can help | | | | feel more comfortable, step it up a notch and |
| you succeed when the rejections come in. And | | | | submit one query a day. |