Cintia asked Karen Witemeyer:

I'm an aspiring writer, but I'm dealing with two things: I get discouraged every single day because 96% of manuscripts are rejected, and I haven't had an idea for years, literally. There's too many people wanting to be writers, and knowing there's so much competition just kills me a little every day. When I get motivated, immediatly something appears about the industry that kills it. Any tips on how to deal with this?

Karen Witemeyer Hi, Cintia. There's no doubt about it. The publishing industry is tough and those who want to succeed in it have to be tough as well. Even once you're published, there are still tons of discouragements waiting to be battled: bad reviews, poor sales, the stress over whether a new contract will be offered, the reality of a shrinking market.

There are three strategies I use to combat the negativity. First, choose to focus on the positive. Ignore the doomsayers and listen to those who are excited about writing. Let your heart be encouraged by positive critiques and feedback. Take joy in watching others break through and tell yourself you can do it, too.

Second - learn everything you can about the industry to increase your chances of being successful. Attend conferences, read blogs by editors and agents, join professional organizations for your genre and soak up all you can from the veterans who have blazed the trail before you. Wandering around in the jungle by yourself can get you lost or eaten. Walking a well-trodden path with a guide increases your odds of survival.

Third - Remind yourself why you want to write and tune out the rest of the noise. Write because you love to create stories. Focus on the stories, on the characters, on the joy of creating and don't worry about the statistics. You can't keep your head in the sand indefinitely, but there's nothing wrong with taking a break from the noise every now and then and reminding yourself why you wanted to be a writer in the first place.

Remember - those who succeed in this business are the ones who persevere. It took me six years to get my first publishing contract. Hang in there.

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