SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE?

TO ERR IS HUMAN; TO WRITE IS A CRIME

Perhaps the greatest thing missing from too many writers lives is SUPPORT.  "So, you think you can write?"  Whether this cruel question is asked, writers are often told, you cannot write.  You will never be a writer, author, poet, etc.  The cruelest form of this comes in two varieties, family and experts.

YOUR WRITING IS PATHETIC

No, I did not mean to say prophetic.  That would be too nice.  Family can be your worst writing enemy.  They know where to stick the knife, so you feel the maximum pain.  They know what part of you, to bury the hatchet in.  Cruelest of all, they can be this way with the best of intentions.  Whether it's authors, film stars, musicians, or business people, some people have lived with the torment of family seeing them as a failure in everything they do, especially what the person does BEST.  I'm talking very famous and successful people.  So, if you lack family support in your writing or other goals in your life, you are not alone.  UNDERSTAND THIS, detach yourself from this cruelty, then use it in a positive way. 

I would be shocked if family ever decided I can write, but that's fine.  It is sincere the way they feel and they mean no harm.  In that sense I am lucky.  This allows me to look at their criticism, then realize something very important to know as a writer:  THERE IS A LOT OF REJECTION.  I won't say this is not hard on a person, but I have set a goal to accept REJECTION for what it is, a momentary thing, which can't happen, if you don't act to get published.  Just like ACCEPTANCE can never happen, if you don't act to get published.  So, your worst critics should be brushed aside, as a temporary impediment, to getting to where you are going, which is getting your writing published.

I AM THE EXPERT!  MY OPINION COUNTS!

True, the expert's opinion counts.  Whether an agent, editor, reviewer, critique group made up of professional writers, or any of the other writing experts you encounter on the road to publication; you should listen to their opinions, but remember, it IS opinion.  A piece of trash for one expert may be a classic to another.  You especially want to disown in your mind, any expert who attacks you or your work, personally.  Like the turtle or the snail, you must plod along on your journey to where you are going.  What is worthless in today's market, may be gold in tomorrow's market.  You are a writer / author as long as you do not stop.  Search out the experts who believe in what you write.  Assume the rest don't know what they are talking about, despite being experts.  The good thing is most of the experts have a vested interest in seeing you succeed.  It's called MONEY.  Agents, editors, and publishers can starve as much as writers, if they fail to support publishable work.  Unlike family, they need to live off what you do, so keep writing.  Still, I admit, experts can be very destructive to a writer, if they are a sick human being.  Smile and keep moving along.  In the end, you will achieve VICTORY.  (Understand, most experts do their best to HELP YOU.)

ENCOURAGED, I HOPE

I hope I have encouraged you to keep writing, not worry about critics, use the negatives for positive results, and love what you do.  There is plenty of discouragement, mountains of frustration, toil, and heartache in writing.  You are working toward that moment of JOY that comes one day.  Don't forget that.  By the way, when you find yourself published?  If it's a book, send me an autographed copy.  I WOULD LOVE TO READ IT!