Cintia asked Debra Webb:

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?

Debra Webb Cintia, first congratulations on knowing what you want. Sometimes we go through life never making up our minds. Now, the truth is you're not an aspiring writer, you are a writer. Remember that. Next, ignore all that negativity. This isn't about what happens to other manuscripts, this is about yours. The one absolute that will prevent you from becoming a published writer is if you DON'T write. So write. Write a little bit (even if only a sentence or two) every day! If possible, pick a time and a place (like your home study or bedroom, wherever you can have some quiet) and write that little bit everyday. If you do this, writing will become a habit. And when that time of day arrives, your brain will know it's time to write and it will be ready to create! We are humans, creatures of habit so make writing a habit of yours. Keep writing until you finish a story. Short story, full length novel--whatever! Just write it! Then write the next one and the next one whether the first ones sell or not. This will hone your skill! I wrote numerous short stories and 5 full length novels before I sold one. Always remember that selling a manuscript to a publisher does not make you a writer--WRITING makes you a writer!

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