Advice to new/unpublished writers...

Recently, along with a bunch of other published writers, I was asked to speak at my local writer's group and to provide any advice I might give to newer/unpublished writers. Here's what I said: Keep writing. Don't take long breaks because you're frustrated, you think no one will ever see your genius, or you get rejected. Frustration is part of the process. Rejection happens to all writers. A lot. No matter what stage of your career. NY Times Bestselling authors still have project proposals turned down. And you're right. No one WILL ever see your genius if you don't finish a book and put it out there.

When you finish one project, give yourself a short break, but only a short one. Then, move on to the next one. I didn't sell the first book I'd written. I sold the fourth and the fifth books. The more you write, the more you hone your craft. And, you increase the odds of having a manuscript available that is the right type of project for the current market. You never know, the market could change and those prior books could sell later. But don't waste years mourning the fact you didn't get a publication offer on them. Move on.

Enter contests. I sold through a contest. Query agents and editors. But be selective about editors (only those you've pitched to who have expressed great interest in the project). You don't want to aquire an agent only for them to be unable to sell your book because you've already saturated the market on your own.

Dream big, but be prepared to be realistic if things don't happen quite the way you'd hoped they would. Lots of new writers have stars in their eyes about this business. They've heard stories of the first time author who got a six figure deal only just a proposal, or the first time author whose book went to auction and had four publishing houses fighting over it, etc. The truth is, those writers are NOT the norm. And if you get too focused on those types of outcomes, you may find yourself very disappointed when the reality of what most first time authors earn on their books hits. Remember: Dream big - because you have to believe it can happen in order for it to do so - but be realistic too. And realize that no matter how your dream plays out once it does come to fruition, it's exactly the perfect way for you. You may not realize it now, but you will down the road. The universe always has perfect timing.

I've continued to think about that discussion ever since. I wanted to say more, but time was short, and there were lots of authors there to lend their advice. (And some with much more experience than me!)

But I wanted to tell folks that the most important tip I can give them is this:
Believe in yourself. You are a writer. You can achieve your dream - whatever is - to finish a chapter, finish a book, win a contest, get published, or hit the NY Times. If you can't personally see - and feel - yourself meeting your goal it simply won't happen. That's how the universe works. So, no matter how discouraged you get, no matter how much those rejections sting, brush yourself off, move on, and keep writing. And in the famous words of Journey (yes, I'm dating myself here) "Don't Stop Believin'!"