How you write, how you work with others, how you see yourself and your stories means everything.

I’ve met too many talented individuals hold themselves back due to arrogance, ignorance, and or confidence issues. Positivism matters. So does realism. All good authors have a healthy dose of self-doubt plaguing them, but success doesn’t find anyone who isn’t looking, and rarely touches those who aren’t ready.

My attitude has blessed my career more than great writing. I sucked when I got my first paying gig. I’m not being modest. I really did.

I could have played the, “That’s just my style,” game when editors gave me tips, or told myself I was better than everyone else even though I could barely plot anything. Too many writers shoot themselves in the foot by refusing to accept changes to their work or obsessing over their shortcomings.

A positive outlook isn’t about thinking you’re better than everyone. It’s not about changing everything about your work until it’s unrecognizable to your original concept either. For me, it has been a simple journey.

 

Work on the story.

Get feedback.

Work on the story.

Trust that your editors know what they’re talking about.

Work on the story.

Trust your ideas.

Work on the story.

Love the process.

Work on the story.

Learn some patience.

Work on the story.

Keep your manners handy for when publishing gets frustrating.

Work on the story.

Be respectful when disagreeing with anyone you work with. (Unless of course they become unprofessional and cross socially acceptable lines-something I’ve rarely dealt with but have recently come across)

Promote your work and the people who help you.

Help others.

Promote your work.

Make time for everything you can.

Promote your work.

Appreciate every opportunity.

Promote your work.

Put all rejections behind you.

Learn from every experience you can.

 

After listing it all out, maybe it is more complicated than it seems to me since I’ve been at this for a while.

No matter what I say or do the work is what speaks loudest. The response is its amplifier. I am currently getting my award winning story, “Gold Bands,” ready to submit for the Missouri Writer’s Guild President’s Contest and no matter how far I’ve come there will always be that cramp in my stomach.

I always want more. That’s the problem with writing. You can’t stop.

I’m a word addict. As I’m subbing for awards I’m writing new work. Hopefully better work.

Hope keeps us going. But it is the ability to grow and change with a positive attitude that keeps moving me further.