Writers Round Table
What is the best writing advice you ever received?
Jannine Gallant This wasn’t advice, but something I learned that I hope will benefit others. Quite a few years ago, I went shopping online for an agent, sending out dozens of query letters. After being ignored or rejected too many times to count, I was thrilled to receive acceptance from a company who only wanted to be reimbursed for the cost of copying and mailing my manuscript to publishers. The amount they were asking for was reasonable, so I sent them off a check and waited for the contract offers to start pouring in! After a year and a half (with intermittent contact saying these things take time) I discovered the whole company was a huge scam. Sure I lost money, but I also lost valuable time. Before you sign with anyone (agent or publisher), make sure you check them out thoroughly. An hour or two of your time could save you a lot of heartache. Predators and Editors is a great site to start your search.
Find Jannine Gallant here: http://www.janninegallant.com/
C.R. Moss Plant butt in chair and write every day. Turn off that internal editor and just write.Granted, sometimes I think this bit of advice is easier said than done—life gets in the way, the editing muse won’t shut up—but still, the advice is sound if one wants to be a successful writer.
Find C.R. Moss here: www.crmoss.net
Mariposa Cruz A friend who wanted to get me involved in a home-based business venture lent me one of his empowerment tapes in hopes of recruiting me. The speaker emphasized the key to success was treating the venture like a job not a hobby. Show up every day, not dabble when you feel like it. It dawned on me Hey that could apply to writing! I decided to forego my friend’s marvelous opportunity. Instead I organized my submission files and added writing-related projects to my calendar. By taking a business-like approach, I accomplished more with my writing and still had fun.
