Though I've only pursued writing in recent years, I managed to pick up a few tips
that might save you unnecessary steps (and a little embarrassment).
1. Proofread anything you send to an editor, publisher or agent.
It may seem like something the average person would gloss over, but to professionals
in the industry, poor grammar and spelling indicate laziness and sloppiness.
2. Don't guess.
If you're not sure if a particular contact is male or female (i.e., their first name is Lee
or Lynn) don't assume their gender based on people you know. Simply write out their full
name. If you don't know what a literary term means, ask someone who knows a little more
about the craft. That way when an editor asks for a SASE, you won't send them a
Signed And Sealed Envelope
3. Be patient.
The entire process of turning what you scribble on paper into a fabulous book can take a
while. When you submit your story to an editor or agent, understand that you may not hear a
response for months at a time. In any given month, publishing houses receive hundreds of
manuscripts that have to be reviewed.
Even if they respond positively to your work, there is still the revision process, copyediting
and the book actually having to go to the printer.
If you're looking for overnight success, you won't find it in this industry.
4. There is no set age range for authors.
There are people being published right now who are in their 70's. There are teenagers with
bestsellers. Don't let people discourage you from pursuing this dream because they think you're
too old or too young.
5. You don't know everything.
Even if you're a seasoned writer, there is always room to learn, especially as
technology and literature changes over the years. I know authors who are considered experts
that still attend seminars and conferences---not to teach but to learn.
6. Get to know the Internet.
It isn't going away, and it holds a vast array of resources for writers, not to mention
the ability to connect you with remote parts of the world. You can research your topics
for hours after the library is closed; with online forums, chatrooms and email, you
can speak with other writers who might be struggling with the same issues you are.
7. Join a critique group or get a critique buddy.
You need someone unbiased and unfamiliar with your story to look at what you've written.
You already know why a certain character behaves a certain way,
and you may leave out important details your audience needs to make the connection for
themselves. A good critique partner will be able to point out these gaps.
When you do find a critique group, make sure it isn't full of "yes-men" who will say that
everything's great so they won't hurt your feelings. They aren't helping you to improve
your writing.
On the other hand, make sure you don't have a group that is so critical they make you cry
all the time and want to leap off the nearest tall building.
Look for a group or person who will give you honest feedback but can also applaud you for
what you did right.
8. Show, don't tell.
You may have heard this before from editors or in your critique group. Part of the joy of
reading a good book is being able to visualize what's happening in the story. If your character
is angry, don't tell us, "Heath was angry at Lana."
Show us how Heath would act when he's angry:
"Heath jerked the crystal figurine from Lana's grasp and crushed it in his fist."
9. Don't talk down to your audience.
This goes along with tip #8. Unless your audience is very young or reading an
instructional manual, they don't need everything spelled out for them. Trust them to know that
if Heath crushed the crystal figurine, he was angry. Don't write, "Lana could tell that
Heath was angry."
If Lana figured it out, your audience probably can, too.
10. Don't take rejection personally.
This is difficult for a writer to do. When you pour your heart and soul into something, you
feel personally affronted if someone doesn't appreciate it. Unfortunately, rejection is
something you'll have to deal with in this industry at one point or another. Allow yourself to
wallow in self-pity over the first rejection, but then put the rejection letter aside and get
back to work.
Know that the editor/agent is not rejecting you as a person.
A good way to think about it is to compare your story to a batch of cookies you've just made
from scratch. You offer them to your nextdoor neighbor and ask his opinion. He says they're okay
but doesn't want anymore.
Do you automatically think that you're worthless and should never bake again?
Of course not. You smile and take your cookies back home. You don't rock back and forth,
and wonder where you went wrong in life.
It sounds silly, but some authors do this when they get a rejection (I've even done it!)when
there may be absolutely nothing wrong with the story! Maybe the editor isn't looking for
anymore pirate stories right now, or maybe they know there are too many pirate stories out
there. Whatever the reason, it has nothing to do with you as a person. Getting a rejection
doesn't mean the editor thinks you're stupid or boring, so don't let it lessen your
sense of self-worth.