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Write From Home
Kim Wilson
P.O. Box 4145
Hamilton, NJ 08610
Tel: (609) 888-1683
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Dabbling for
Dollars . . . .
Just Do It: A Pep Talk for Writers
by Alyice Edrich
Copyright © 2004, Alyice Edrich
Okay here is the low down on writing and making a
career of it. You have to go through several rejection letters in order to get a
"Yes." And even when you receive a "YES," you still have to go through rejections
before you get your next resounding, "YES."
Rejections hurt and sometimes they can suck the creativity right out from under
you. But you have to remember that everyone receives a rejection letter at one
time or another—even the best authors in the world still receive rejection
letters. The only way you will ever succeed is to write, edit, submit, wait, and
start all over again the next day, and the next day, and the next day.
If you really hate rejection slips and feel querying publications is a waste of
both your time and your energy get out of the writing business because
truth-be-told, there is no way around it. Whether you bid on a writing project
for a small or corporate business or send a query letter to a small or large
publication, you'll have to endure both rejections and the waiting game.
You'll have to wait to hear whether your article was accepted or rejected.
You'll wait to hear if any edits need to be done. You'll wait to find out when
your payment has been sent, and you'll wait to hear when your article will be
published.
The only way you (or I) will ever become the accomplished, well-respected
authors we hope to be is by getting out there and just doing it. And to help you
psych yourself up for reaching freelance writer success, I've included the
following "Just Do It"
tips:
→
When doubt creeps in as it often will,
Just Do It!
→
Make yourself a daily (or weekly) goal sheet
and find someone to keep you accountable. Just Do It!
→
Write one query letter a week.
Just Do It!
→
Tailor each query letter towards a minimum of
five publications. Just Do It!
→
Don't have postage stamps this week? Send
your query letter via e-mail. Just Do It!
→
Write something every day. It doesn't matter
if you're writing a goal sheet, a letter to an editor, a letter to a friend, an
apology note, an entry in your journal, a sentence in hopes of turning it into
an article, or a paragraph for the book you're working on.
Just Do It!
→
Never give up. No matter how many rejection
letters you receive, don't give up. It's at the moment you're ready to throw in
the towel that a break will come through and some editor will want to publish
your article. Just Do It!
→
Turn rejections into learning lessons. Did
you receive a rejection letter in the mail? Read between the lines. Is there
anything useful that can be used to help better your writing? Was there an
invitation to send another article idea? Take the time to write something this
week. Just Do It!
→
Take the hint. Find yourself receiving far
too many rejection letters with notes about improving your quality of writing?
Improve your craft of writing. Get yourself to a writing class, writers'
conference, or critique group today. Just Do It!
→
Break writer's block. If you find yourself
experiencing a major writer's block get out of the house. Find something fun and
creative to do, and don't forget to bring along a notepad and pen (in case
something pops into your mind). Just Do It!
→
Believe in yourself. Don't second guess yourself,
and don't wait until your query letter is 100 percent perfect.
Just Do It!
No matter how many times you find yourself frustrated enough to walk away from
your dream of becoming a successful freelance writer, remind yourself that every
accomplished writer had to start at the bottom at one time or another. Then pull
out your Just Do It tip sheet and give
yourself a pep talk.
Alyice Edrich is a freelance copywriter who
specializes in helping small businesses succeed— on the Web. Visit her at
http://thedabblingmum.com for free
business-related and freelance writing articles, today.
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Have You Read...
I Wanna
Win
by Cheryl Wright
If you want to win writing contests and earn that elusive tag of
'award-winning writer' or if you just want to hone your skills, this book will
point you in the right direction.
New to freelance writing?
Read
this informative article.
Read
Glossary of Writing Terms
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Writing
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