Encouraging News

Top Ten Do/Don't Tips for Writers
by Lori Z Scott

Sometimes I feel like a minister. It seems that whenever people learn I'm a writer, they have an overwhelming urge to confess to me. Their confession? "I've always wanted to be a writer!"

If you're reading Spirit-Led Writer, you are sure to understand such spontaneous breakdowns. Since I benefited from mentoring early in my career, I'm eager to share some helpful information. Therefore, I created the following list of tips to help new or intermediate writers on their way to success.

Must DO's:

1. Buy a market guide. Buy a current Writer's Market, Children Writer's Market, Christian Writer's Market (compiled by Sally E. Stuart), or other market guide that reflects your interests. Many consider the Writer's Market a "must have" for writers—especially beginners—who want to write for the general market. Each of the various market guides published by Writer's Digest books, has:
    
   • helpful articles written by established authors
      
   • URLs and contact information for each listed publisher or periodical
      
   • publisher/periodical manuscript needs, and submission preferences
      
   • information about writing conferences and contests, and much more

Can't afford to purchase a market guide? Check out one from your library. If it's an older version, visit the respective website to double check contact names since editors often change.

2. Attend a writers conference. Many book publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. Due to this restriction, there are only two ways to get an editor from on of those publishers to look at your work: 1) have an agent present it (but most beginning writers aren't ready for an agent), or 2) meet an editor at a conference. Writers interested only in submitting articles also can benefit from attending a writers conference. Not only do conferences give writers an opportunity to connect with magazine editors, but they also offer workshops to help writers hone their skills. Check out Shaw Guides for a list of upcoming Christian and general market conferences.
    
3. Join an online writers group. If you are a Christian, I recommend The Writer's View 2. (The Writer's View for more advanced/professional writers, and is also excellent.) Several other writing groups are available specific to your interest, including The Christian Writer's Club and The Christian Children's Writers List.
    
4. Read writing blogs. Some good ones:
    
   • Randy Ingermanson’s Advanced Fiction Writing
      
   • Terry Whalin’s The Writing Life
      
   • Chip MacGregor’s blog

Another one, charisconnection.blogspot.com, contains tips and insights from several different Christian writers.

5. Take an online writing course. Some are offered for free, others have fees. Taking courses online gives you the chance to develop your writing skills while working from the freedom of your own home. Shop around and see what appeals to you. I enjoyed F2K's free course at 4-writers.com. Writer's Digest offers online writing workshops at www.writersonlineworkshops.com.
    
6. Subscribe to a few ezines. Ezines can provide writing tips, contest information, and information about writing opportunities. Writers can get many of these ezines at little or no cost. I've heard good things about absolutewrite.com, relevantprose.com (Christian author Mary DeMuth's site), and writersdigest.com.
   And of course, you can subscribe to Spirit-Led Writer's update zine to know when new content is online!
    
7. Get help! Before submitting your writing, ask someone to critique your work. You can pay a professional editor to edit book proposals or longer works, but for shorter articles, stick with a willing friend who possesses good language skills. Joining a critique group is also a great way to receive feedback on your writing.
    
8. Start small. As a beginner, know that there is a higher demand for magazine articles than for books, and the turn around time is faster. To gain publishing credits, consider submitting articles, fillers, and inspirational essays. Market opportunities include compilation books like Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort, which regularly call for story submissions. (The great thing about these opportunities is that they provide tips, themes, samples, and word counts to guide you. The downfall is that they usually ask you to sell all rights to the story.) You can also find publishing opportunities online.
    
9. Maintain Focus. Focus is essential to publishing success. Want to know more? Read my article in the April issue of Spirit-Led Writer. It will help get you thinking about the things you need to focus on in order to succeed as a writer.
    
10. Wait on Success. Rejoice if you meet with immediate success, but don't expect it. A lot of writers will testify to the fact that they received numerous rejections when initially submitting work for publication—and, in fact, still do. It's part of the rollercoaster life of a writer.

DON'T Ever:

1. Pay an agent "reading" fees. Any agent worth their salt will not charge to represent you. (They get a slice of royalties or a percentage of your fee.)
    
2. Enter a contest without checking it out first. Some are frauds. Before entering, make sure that the sponsor is reputable. Also, look for contests with any or all of the following:

 
• low or reasonable entry fees (if applicable);
   
• cash prizes;
   
• manuscript critiques (included in entry fee); and/or
   
• publication of winning entry as a prize.
   
3. Submit manuscripts without a proper cover letter (if required).
    
4. Submit without studying the publication. Submitting something without knowing the guidelines or the publication's style is the fastest route to rejection. Browse the respective website for recent articles, editorials, etc. Or pick up back issues of magazines at libraries, garage sales, or from the publisher (usually, free or for the cost of postage). (If you want to publish a book, try browsing a catalogue from your target market.)
    
5. Submit unedited material. Always edit your manuscript several times before submitting. If you are uncertain about a grammar rule or a word spelling, look it up! (Strunk and White is a handy resource.)
    
6. Call an editor for status checks. While editors provide telephone numbers, most do not desire calls about the status of submissions. Instead, after the time specified in the guidelines has elapsed, start with a friendly email inquiring about your manuscript's status.
    
7. Self-publish without research/counsel. If you desire to self-publish, research your options before committing. Unless you have a speaking platform, a large following, or a brilliant marketing plan, self-publishing might not be the best option for you. There are several reputable companies available, such as Winepress and ACW Press. A writer friend of mine in Nebraska likes Lulu.com.
    
8. Quit your day job. Unless you can afford it, don't quit your day job. If you plan to write full time, you need to have months of savings in the bank to hold you through the lean times. And, unless you are J.K. Rowling, there will be lean times! A better idea for beginning and intermediate writers is to learn the craft, build a reputation, and establish regular assignments before making the move from part- to full-time freelancing. And, even then, be sure it's the right move for you and your family.
    
9. Stop learning. Read excellent writing books such as On Writing (Stephen King), Book Proposals That Sell (Terry Whalin), Bird by Bir (Ann Lamott), and Writing the Breakout Novel (Donald Maass).
    
10. Give up easily. As mentioned above, in the "Do" section, writing success takes time. So, keep working at the craft...and keep submitting.

Time to Write

If "I've always wanted to be a writer!" is your confession, then make the commitment to write. Check out available blogs, books, conferences, and ezines to develop your skills, find markets, and publish your work. As you write, keep this list handy to smooth your path to success. Once you've committed the tips to heart and your clips start pouring in, pass the list along to everyone who tells you, "I've always wanted to be a writer!"