The Invincible Writer
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Every writer could benefit from being more flexible in their writing. You should be able to write about anything from parenting to technology, and you should be able to do this even if you don’t know anything about the topic.
I know a lot of people will suggest that you become an expert in one certain area and that is also great advice, but with strong research skills you can expand your knowledge base. You will learn and become knowledgeable on multiple topics rather than being knowledgeable on only one topic. If you can be flexible in this manner you will find that more writing opportunities are available to you.
The “R” word
Rejection, yep, I said it. It’s going to happen. You are not going to get every writing job you apply for. You are not going to win every bid. If the first query you send gets a positive response you should consider yourself fortunate because it does not happen for everyone. You may go for what seems to be forever before you land your first private client but you cannot fear rejection. You should not let knowing rejection is going to happen at some point stop you either. Just be ready for it when it does happen, then you simply just pick yourself up and move forward.
Writers just remember to be confident without being overly confident. None of us are invincible and every super hero has had to face a few setbacks. At some point we will face people with negative attitudes. We can learn from other writers that know more than we do. If we do not travel different roads we may lose certain job opportunities. And, it is inevitable that we will face rejection. Having to face challenges will only help us grow so don’t shy away out of fear. Prepare yourself and face them head on.
Have you had to face any of these challenges at any point throughout your writing career? If so, how did you overcome them?
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6 Responses to “The Invincible Writer”
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Here I was trying to make an insightful comment when I see Crystal’s profile- reformed chickenshit cracked me up.
As far as writing goes- that’s not really my role, anymore. However, when it was, the big hurdle I hit was not taking rejection personally. Back when I first began on those bidding sites (Oh you know the ones), I would bid, get out bid by someone- only to go and see that their profile was littered with spelling errors, grammar problems and…then, their winning bid? Also horrible. It took me a while to realize- hi, bottom line. They were charging over half the price that I and many others were. So, duh, but at the same time you look at that and think, “My god, is this not valuable anymore?!”
TS Redmond Mize´s last [type] ..What April Means To Me
Twitter: CrystalJCase
says:
I think I just have Sandi convinced that I am a reformed chickenshit. The truth of the matter is I still have a lot of meetings to attend! lol.
I know it’s difficult not to take rejection personally. That fear of being rejected will cause a lot people to give up, but if it’s something they really want, they have to develop a tough skin and keep going, or they can attend some chickenshit meetings with me lol.
Crystal
Twitter: SheilaAtwood
says:
Crystal,
It is tough to pick yourself up after rejection. Although a rejection is a good chance to look at what might be wrong, there is a good possibility that there is nothing wrong except the audience you submitted too.
I will have a tendency to nit pick to death what has been rejected instead moving on.
Sheila Atwood´s last [type] ..2 Web Tools You Will Fall For- Hook Line and Sinker
Twitter: CrystalJCase
says:
Sheila,
Rejection is definitely hard to deal with, but I think having to deal with it can benefit a writer more than they may initially think it does. It’s not always easy to keep a positive attitude and move forward, but it is possible. It’s all in how you choose to handle the situation. And, as Sandi said in one of her posts “breathe in, breathe out.” When being rejected gets you down just take a little break, get yourself back together and start again! You owe yourself that.
Crystal
Crystal, you have a point rejection is really hard to deal with,but it strict criticism really rejection, it’s not like they are telling you your work sucks, it just might not be what they are looking for.
Anna Maria Piazza
Sales Manager http://www.bulbamerica.com
GE Bulbs
Twitter: CrystalJCase
says:
Anna,
I don’t mind criticism as I feel the feed back helps a person make improvements. If I had not been used to getting red marks all over my submitted papers when I first started college I probably would taken the criticism personal.
I don’t think anyone should fear criticism or rejection. At some point throughout their writing career it will likely happen so It’s great to prepare.
Crystal