It has been awhile since I wrote anything in Kate's Corner Magazine. I temporarily closed its pages to work on finishing book one of the Draegonstorm series. The Draegonstorm project, as many of you know, is where my main concentration is, and so its importance cannot be understated. Too often, writers will get sidetracked from their main "baby" if you want to call it that, and will lose the initiative to keep putting their all into that particular work. I wanted to avoid this trap, so I felt it necessary to focus solely on this project, especially since it is such an immense undertaking. My grandfather always did say "if you're going to dream, then dream big, and never let go of that dream. Only when you let go, does it cease to become a reality."
I want to share a little insight to new and upcoming writers. Dream big, but keep your determination. Stretch the knowledge of your skills and never assume you are good enough to stop learning. Every step in a writer’s career is one of new experiences and learning. Do your research, learn format, and be sure you tell the story through dialogue more than through narration. Narration is important to bring about settings, but the meat of the story should always be told by the characters themselves through their emotions, their own words and their own experiences.
Also, network, network, network… Go to conventions, work on your social media, and get yourself out there to see and hear what the public is looking for. If you stay locked in a closet working on your own thing without ever getting out there to find someone as interested in your ideas as you are, you will never achieve your publishing goals. Dare to dream, but keep yourself in reality when it comes to the amount of hard work you will have to do to get there.
Edit, edit and edit again. The average manuscript will usually end up being edited 60-70 or more times before you reach your polished final draft. Chances are, your final version will not even begin with the same opening it did when you first began your story. You will find it amazing how often your work shifts, changes and even takes on a life of its own while it evolves into that final masterpiece you wanted to write. Take classes on the art of creative writing and journalism. The information you gain through this education is absolutely necessary to growing as a writer and will only enhance your skills (and with it, your confidence).
Above all, do not give up if someone turns down your query letter. A rejection letter does not mean you are not necessarily a good author. What it means is that you must evaluate where the problem lies. First, you need to be sure to do your research on literary agents before you send that letter. Second, evaluate your own work. Is the format well done? Does the story have a hook and if yes, is the follow through strong enough that you don’t lose the reader? Does your work flow well? Are your characters well-fleshed out? Troubleshoot and find your answers to these questions. You can find books on every aspect of the writing industry from formatting to dialogue and everything in between. The quality of your work should be equally as strong as any knowledge you gain in the market through networking. Any contacts you make are worthless if your work does not meet publishing standards. Agents and publishers alike are looking for the next best-selling author and will not waste time on unpolished work. Good luck and keep writing!