Cintia
asked
Davalynn Spencer:
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?
Davalynn Spencer
First of all, Cintia, I apologize for just now seeing this question. A definite breakdown somewhere in my notification system! However, your question strikes a chord in many hearts.
My answer in a nutshell: Write anyway.
(And read Allen Arnold's book, The Story of With.)
My long drawn-out answer: If you are driven/called/pulled/inspired to write, then you are a writer. The world will always discourage you. Stop listening to it. Rather than being killed "a little every day," stir up that gift that trembles for release and put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard "a little every day." Fight back.
The words that form on the paper or screen don't have to be perfect or even imaginative. They just have to be there and then you can start working with them.
Yes, there is a lot of competition. Yes, there are rejections by the minute, but write anyway. Are you writing novels or articles? Big or small? May I suggest that you start small? Find an outlet for a short story or perhaps a creative nonfiction piece. Write a letter to the editor, a column for the newspaper. Take a writing course at a local junior college. Join writers' groups, attend conferences, find a mentor and follow him/her. (I suggest Randy Ingermanson if you want to write fiction.)
Seek and you will find. Knock - and keep knocking until the door opens. Don't quit. Never give up. I know this sounds cliche and platitudinal (now there's a new word!). But cliches become cliches for a reason: they're usually true.
So what if there are a lot of writers. Don't worry about them. Just write.
My answer in a nutshell: Write anyway.
(And read Allen Arnold's book, The Story of With.)
My long drawn-out answer: If you are driven/called/pulled/inspired to write, then you are a writer. The world will always discourage you. Stop listening to it. Rather than being killed "a little every day," stir up that gift that trembles for release and put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard "a little every day." Fight back.
The words that form on the paper or screen don't have to be perfect or even imaginative. They just have to be there and then you can start working with them.
Yes, there is a lot of competition. Yes, there are rejections by the minute, but write anyway. Are you writing novels or articles? Big or small? May I suggest that you start small? Find an outlet for a short story or perhaps a creative nonfiction piece. Write a letter to the editor, a column for the newspaper. Take a writing course at a local junior college. Join writers' groups, attend conferences, find a mentor and follow him/her. (I suggest Randy Ingermanson if you want to write fiction.)
Seek and you will find. Knock - and keep knocking until the door opens. Don't quit. Never give up. I know this sounds cliche and platitudinal (now there's a new word!). But cliches become cliches for a reason: they're usually true.
So what if there are a lot of writers. Don't worry about them. Just write.
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