To Discouraged Writers & Authors

THIS IS A TEST:

Lack-of-publication is something of a test; a test to see, if you will continue the necessary battle to become published. Literally thousands, if not millions of people, are waiting to read what you write. While trying to get published, keep in mind, you are not trying to get published for yourself alone, but for those thousands, even millions, who are waiting for you to introduce your work and yourself to them. If you find those thousands or millions of readers, your duty to look for new readers continues.  Readers come and go, so new readers must be acquired, for their sake and yours. 

CASINO ODDS ARE BETTER, BUT...

Publishing, is like walking into a casino, expecting to win. The odds in a casino may actually be better than in publishing, but for a writer, not as rewarding. Writing is in your blood. Wake up every morning, happy and grateful to be a writer. Find what you like in your writing, your characters, your ideas, etc. Yes, find the positives. Dwelling on the negatives or things beyond your control will do no good. You wouldn't tell a great musician to stop playing to concentrate on drawing, because he's bad at drawing. So, don't dwell on your negatives.  However, seek to write better, create better characters, find fresh ideas, etc. Write for yourself, but write to your reader. Give the reader your best effort.  Your reader is your friend and ally in the publishing casino.

RAISING YOUR CHILDREN:

Stories/books are your children, let's say, adopted children. You will have to fight for your literary children's present and future.  Feed, clothe, and nurture them to their own success.  Remember, each one is unique.  When they belong to the public more than you, they're grown.  Expect visits, even unexpected visits, from them, as with your real-life children.  Be proud of each one, even the prodigal sons, among them.  Love and cherish the precious moments you have with each literary work before its published.  Once your literary works are on their own (published)...need I say more?

BOOKS IN THE VAULT:

I'm convinced there are books locked in the vault of your heart trying to get out.  I am convinced the books will find their way to publication. Why?  Because you want to be published. Will publishers agree? Maybe not. Publishers have passed on many writers, who went on to be discovered and are legend today.  Whatever publishers may think, they are known to change their mind on a whim at times.  (Or so it seems to writers.)  Your duty is to have works available for publication.  Timing is often the final arbiter in life.

WHAT'S IN YOUR CONTROL:

What's in your control is to write, seek advice, improve, and submit. Everyday, find positive reasons why you write. Believe in your writing, for that is believing in your literary children. Don't believe in or swear by the publishers; tolerate them, if you must.  Don't worship them, for they are not God.  Yet, you can't keep your literary works locked in a vault; they must see the light of day.  A strict rule must be that literary works only go in the vault for safe-keeping.  Your literary works are a charitable treasure, to spend, to enrich the minds and hearts of others.  What you give in literary abundance will return to you in greater abundance.  One more time, the vault is for temporary storage.  Write and write some more, until publishsers see, the light of the greatness of your works.

CONCLUSION:

If you are published, show respect and gratitude for the process that "discovered" you, although you have always been there to be found. It's an insane process, but your writing conquers the chaos, bringing a little sanity to the process, called, publication. Call it, "The Taming of the Publisher."

Hope I have encouraged you in your writing and efforts to become published.  Best of luck to you.  Like you, I am learning:  NEVER GIVE UP!

EPILOGUE:

Future author Sara Raasch was the inspiration for this post, which began as a comment I made on her Blog.  Whether young or old, the desire to be published by a reputable publisher can be a painful process to go through.  If you would like to check out Sara Raasch's Blog, she can be found at:  http://seesarawrite.blogspot.com/  Be patient with her.  She's in the throes of writerhood.  This is your chance to get to know her before she is published.