Rejections suck, no doubt about it. However, it’s what you do after getting rejected that can determine whether or not you will ever be a successful writer. So let me share my experiences. Remember, your reality will likely differ from mine. Everyone’s writing path is unique. But the takeaway message I’m trying to convey is “Don’t give up too soon.” Wasting Your Writing Years The first time I attempted to find an agent, I sent out about 90 queries. In … Read More »

Something I hear a lot is, “Why don’t published authors want to help newer writers?” or someone will say, “I just need a quick look at my query, my opening chapter, my whole manuscript!” Or, “I don’t know why that author won’t refer me to his agent.” Well, there are a lot of reasons. For one thing, authors are busy. They have contracts with deadlines. There are a lot more unpublished writers than published ones. Published authors probably already have … Read More »

Since this is my first post for the FWA blog, it seemed appropriate that I talk about beginning a novel, or any piece of writing, really. Now, I’m not going to get into plotting vs. pantsing vs. plantsing. That will need its own post. So let’s assume that you’ve already done the planning work, in whichever way you do it, and you’ve already completed any research necessary to write your piece. Great! You’re all set to start writing, right? Hmm … Read More »