Time for a cheerleading post. One of the most important things an aspiring author can do is to write stuff and submit it. Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many of us just keep writing, keep polishing and keep...not sending our work out.
Yes, we want to do the best job we can on our stories. But we also want to get published and advance into our calling. At some point we need to take the scary step of submitting our work to editors (and agents if you are so inclined).
The work you submit is going to be rejected. Submit it anyway. We need to get used to rejection and get used to getting up, dusting ourselves off and submitting it again. Write your story, edit it for typos, submit it to your critique group, mak
This is why it is useful to write short stories even if your passion is for novels. Write both. Spend one day a week writing a short story. Or take a month off after finishing your first draft of your novel and try writing a short story a day. Short stories are a great way to polish the craft of writing, to get feedback and to get used to sending your stuff out. I wish I'd figured this out two years ago, when I decided AGAINST writing short stories in favor of writing my second novel. Sometimes I can be both lazy and stupid. Don't be me.
I have two short stories out for submission right now. I should have more and when I get a few moments to myself (which should come after holidays end. Parents are in town), I'll take some of the stories that have been rejected already and try to find another home for them.
I know I might be preaching to the choir here. So be it. Write. AND submit your work. Do it today.
Yes, we want to do the best job we can on our stories. But we also want to get published and advance into our calling. At some point we need to take the scary step of submitting our work to editors (and agents if you are so inclined).
The work you submit is going to be rejected. Submit it anyway. We need to get used to rejection and get used to getting up, dusting ourselves off and submitting it again. Write your story, edit it for typos, submit it to your critique group, mak
This is why it is useful to write short stories even if your passion is for novels. Write both. Spend one day a week writing a short story. Or take a month off after finishing your first draft of your novel and try writing a short story a day. Short stories are a great way to polish the craft of writing, to get feedback and to get used to sending your stuff out. I wish I'd figured this out two years ago, when I decided AGAINST writing short stories in favor of writing my second novel. Sometimes I can be both lazy and stupid. Don't be me.
I have two short stories out for submission right now. I should have more and when I get a few moments to myself (which should come after holidays end. Parents are in town), I'll take some of the stories that have been rejected already and try to find another home for them.
I know I might be preaching to the choir here. So be it. Write. AND submit your work. Do it today.
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