Road to Publication

As a child, talking with imiginary friends and playing make believe seemed more real to me than everyday life. I guess these are the norm for most creative types. Personally, I just thought I was different. Unlike a lot of writers I've read about, I didn't know writing was my destiny until I was grown, married and had children of my own.

It wasn't until I met a friend that turned me on to writing that I realized something was lacking in my life. Though, to be honest, I should have recognized it much sooner than I did. There was always something missing, somethinhg I couldn't quite put my finger on. I didn't find it--it found me, and turned me on to a whole new world of endless possibilities.

My frustration heightened more during this time than any other time of my life. It seemed the more I learned, the more I needed to learn, until I became so discouraged, I considered giving up. Then it happened...

A part of me realized that for people to take me serious, I was going to have to get something published. Okay, that seemed easy enough---right? I began submitting my work to book publishers, agents, magazines, each time crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, only to have disappointment after disappointment. Where was I going wrong?

I started buying craft related books and devouring them, putting what I read into practice. Before long, I realized there was a key to success.

My first publication came in the late eighties. It was small, but gratifying nonetheless. I was hired as a reporter for a Christian newspaper. The job was short lived, for the paper went out of circulation within three short months, but I got a taste of publication. From that moment on, I never looked back. I went from that newspaper to another, to writing poetry. Teaching what I love most opened a door that helped me publish an article in a local fitness magazine. Finally in 2006, I fulfilled my dream, selling my first book: The Bodyguard was published by Whiskey Creek Press.

Now that my first novel is under my belt, it's time to focus my attention to the future. Time to get down to brass tacks, let the creative juices flow. It's not the time to get writer's block, lose your muse, stop or even slow down for that matter. It's time to plow full steam ahead.

Here is where I'm supposed to have great insight, give some wonderful words of wisdom for all those aspiring writers out there that are looking for some magic potion. Unfortunately, there isn't one. It takes two things to be a successful writer -- talent and perserverance, and not necessarily in that order. Keep on keeping on. Don't quit, don't give up, battle the uncertainties, fight discouragement, set your goals within reachable perimeters, and whatever you do, keep learning, keep writing, keep revising and never let what others say about your work stifle your creativity. Everyone starts at the same place. Don't let anything come between you and the written word. Write every day if at all possible, whether it be good or bad, just write. You can always revise later.

My words of wisdom, for what they're worth ...