I'M A HORRIBLE PERSON!

    Well, okay, I'm not really horrible, lazy is a better choice of words. I'm lazy about posting because I post everywhere else but here. And you know what? I've got plenty to say!!!

    For all of you writers out there who struggle and sweat to produce an awesome finished product. Then, you suffer and wrestle with feelings of inadequacy in order to get it into the hands of an agent or editor. This is for you.

    And why? Why go through all of the torment? The answer is simple: you want to get your novel into the hands of readers who are going to tell everyone they know what a wonderful book it is. Isn't that the goal? Any of us who write understand. Readers love reading; we love writing. To the point that we have to write as surely as we have to breathe. Let's look at exactly how that plays out.

    First: the idea. You've contemplated a situation and it's birthed the idea for a story. Characters have come alive in your head, and you can't stop the noises, the voices, the twists and turns of a plot.

    Next: the unfolding. You can't sleep without the characters whispering their hopes and desires into existence. Like a needle poking you day and night, you begun to experience their hopes and dreams, fears and emotions in such a way that you can't function without putting some of them to pen and paper, or, keyboard and computer as it were.

    And more? Mapping it out. You dig in, bring them to life. Bring their stories to life. You scribble or peck tirelessly getting it all into some sensible format so that you do them all justice. YOU are their voice. YOU are their advocate to get it right. So you write, rewrite, edit, and rewrite some more until their narrative is exactly what it should be. And you'll know because until it is, you won't find any peace.

    And finally: release. You put worries aside and allow someone else to read your work. This, is perhaps, the most difficult part. They might hate your "baby" and say vicious things. They might patronize you and give it a thumbs up when it still needs work. They might call all of your dialogue "stilted". SIGH. But still, you know it has to be done, so you continue to allow them to read.

    Toughest part: taking criticism. Know when to accept and when to reject criticism. If one person tells you something, it's an opinion that you can take or leave. If two tell you, you might want to listen and decide if they're onto something. If three tell you? Hmmmm, you might want to see it as something that seriously needs to be addressed. And we all know how important Beta readers/Critique partners are. They are GOLD! So, once again, you're rewriting.

    In the end: the birthing. Your fellow readers AND you will be happy with the final product. Most importantly, YOU are pleased that you've told your characters' story, and you feel confident that now it's time to move on. You can safely try to put it into the hands of an agent or editor. Don't hesitate to "trust your gut" before moving along. If you still have doubts, don't go forward, but if you feel at peace, move on.

    Remember this, readers are waiting to hear from you. They just don't know it yet. And BTW, don't quit with the first rejection. Rejection is part of the process. A part none of us likes, but part, nonetheless. You've got this. Never quit. Keep at it and one day ...