Do you see what I see?
When I first began to write for publication, I had no idea what I was doing. I was uncomfortable attending workshops, afraid a "real writer" would ask me what I wrote. I wanted to blend into the background and not stand out. I watched those around me and I listened to speakers share their knowledge and experiences.
Slowly, I began to step out of my comfort zone. I smiled, greeted people by name and mingled at writer's guild meetings. Two years ago I attened my first Writer's Conference and pitched a book I had written. I felt so out of my league, but I didn't allow that to stop me.
I have met a lot of nice people who were very helpful. Soon, I was able to walk into a room with some degree of confidence. I began to share my knowledge and success stories. Now, I present at workshops, meeting and events. After having a story selected for publication by a national magazine, I was ecstatic. I was uncomfortable admitting that I seldom follow all the rules; in fact I've always submitted my work without query letters. I'm not bold and beligerent. I started out ignorant. I've always believed that my writing stands on its own, and if the editor is interested, my two sentence introduction will lead them right into the story, or not. I've always been willing to take that chance. The worst that could happen was someone would say, NO. And they did, frequently. But although I wanted to scream, "You dummy!" at myself, and the editor, I never stopped writing and submitting. Back then I spent a small fortune on postage.
Fifteen years later, having received my share of rejections and more than my share of acceptances, I am as proud as the chameleon, out in the open showing my true colors. I have rubbed shoulders and dined with editors and writers that you probably know, but I am not a name dropper and I do not put them or myself on a pedestal. We are all in various stages of learning, and sharing is part of the writing process. It is important to be kind to every writer.
I do not like the job of promoting my own work, but as a published writer, it is a requirement. Sometimes I feel as though I am imposing when I announce book signings, especially numerous times on social media. I never want to come off as boastful about new publication credits, but I am proud of how far I have come.
Some of you are stepping out of your comfort zones and submitting more. A rejection does not mean your writing is bad. It means your submission did not meet editorial needs ... this time. I have resent the same story at a later date or to a different publication and received an acceptance. You can't win if you don't come out and play.
I am still accepting stories for the upcoming anthology, Not Your Mother's Book...On Family. Please send something.
Now the part that I don't like: begging. The co-creator of Not Your Mother's Book...On Travel will be flying in from Washington state to meet/greet and sign books. I know St. Louis writers support their fellow writers. Let's show Theresa Elders a hometown welcome.
Please pass the word around that I will be signing, Not Your Mother's Book...On Travel, at Main Street Books in St. Charles, MO on Sunday, June 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. with Theresa, Sheree Nielsen, Greg Lamping and Sioux Roslawski. PLEASE come out and play, stop by and say, hi.
