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The Keys to Writing Success: Write, Submit, Repeat by Rochelle Melander

birthday-girl5 May 2015

Note From Rochelle

Dear Writers,

Happy May! I’m celebrating my birthday this month. For me, that means more walks and events with family and friends. For you, that means a special discounted price for my Jumpstart Your Writing coaching package. Let me know if you’d like to set up a phone consultation to see if the package is right for you.

Happy Writing! Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach

 

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What does it mean to be a successful writer? I’ve gathered ideas from some of the most successful authors in the business. Here’s what they say:

Writers write. When we go to networking events, and someone asks: “So what have you written?” —they want to hear about the award-winning, best-selling books you’ve published. But, being a writer is about what we are doing today and not what we’ve done. Listen to John Irving: The way you define yourself as a writer is that you write every time you have a free minute. If you didn’t behave that way you would never do anything. Got that? Go write.

Writers submit. John Campbell said: The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home. Writing for yourself is fine, but if you want to make a career out of writing, you’ll need to submit your work at some point. Make a long list of potential agents, editors, or publishers, take a deep breath, and submit to a few of them. When a rejection comes (and it will), go to the next person on the list and submit again. Keep trying until you get accepted!

Rejection happens. If you submit your work, you’re going to get rejected. The more you submit, the more times someone will tell you no. Here’s what Barbara Kingsolver said about rejection: This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.

And if you need a bit of encouragement to keep going, look to this bit of wisdom from Calvin Coolidge:

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

 

IMG_0091About the author. Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author, a certified professional coach, and a popular speaker. Melander has written ten books including Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It). As the Write Now! Coach, she teaches professionals how to write books fast, get published, and connect with readers through social media. Get your free subscription to her Write Now! Tips Ezine at https://www.writenowcoach.com.

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