5. Writer’s Block: The dreaded Writer’s Block! Enough to scare any writer into permanent retirement. Instead of retirement just consider a retreat from your writing.
4. Don’t Expect to Make a Fortune: Did you seriously think you’d get rich doing this? Write for the joy. If you make a living from it pat yourself on the back.
3. Don’t Go for Broke: I know you want to circulate your manuscript to everyone but it’s better to be selective. Target the right agents/publishers and keep more of your money in your pocket.
2. You’ve Become What You Feared: You’re a writer living in your parent’s attic. Keep heart, you might still make it.
Now for number 1 Pet Peeve………Drum roll please……..
1. The Rejection Letter: Remember it makes you tough like the skin of a rhino. If only you could grow a horn and charge at your critics.
I have written a book but have gotten rejection letters and it is not easy
But I know I will preservere
Congrats from one author to another on getting published
LOL I like the pic…it reminds me of me on a rampage.
LOL, Arvind can attest to that, right!
Hahaha
But in all seriuosness, I think that anytime you pursue something that is creative, you do it for the sheer love of it, and not for the acclaim or to neccesarily make a career of it. If that happens great, but it is all about immersing yourself in your passion and then creating something that is an expression of you and your passions.
What I think is hard is sometims exposing your ideas to the outer world since often times our inner most feelings are bare for everyone to see and criticize. But it can also be a beautiful process as those close to you find out new things about you, and realize a new side of you. Sharing your ideas with the world takes courage and a conviction in yourself!
Michelle,
Thanks you for your kind words. They mean even more coming from another author.
I am glad to hear that you will preservere. A rejection letter is only someone’s opinion. Of course, it’s difficult not to take it personally.
I see writing as a courageous act, since you open yourself to the world. Your writing is an expression of you. When someone says “no” to your book, it’s feels personal.
As writers, we are naturally sensitive. So we first need to separate ourselves from our work. Your book feels like your child and you naturally want it to protect it. Yet we need to maintain a life outside our creation, so that we take any news connected with our writing, whether an acceptance or a rejection, in stride. So continue to be engaged in life while pursuing a publisher/agent for your book.
The publishing world is difficult for beginning authors, yet all you need is one “yes” from that person who believes in your work as you do. What is your book about?
Interestingly enough, these peeves seem to be fairly close to those of people in other fields, including music.
Hi Arvind,
Arshdeep is a dear friend of mine, and she sent me this link. It’s really cool, by the way. Everything is beautiful. I wish you blessings in your writing. I am so into reading stuff with a spiritual angle, with my own views of that sort being broadly based on loving others and yourself, and learning about what others believe, through thier art, thier way of living, thier culture. So again Arvind, blessings from me to you and keep on going. It does take courage to be so transparent, but it is worth it, if you are sharing and growing your gifts. You have nothing to lose.
Peace,
Sherry
Hey there was surfing through the internet and found your page on google . Enjoyed the good read wanted to say Happy New Year and keep up the good work.