As I write to you from my turret tower, my friend Carrie sitting on the floor with my dog Lola, I gaze out my window at my farm…

Wait, there’s no farm. Pardon me, I’m a bit punchy. I lapsed into Christmas in Connecticut.

I finishing a rewrite, How To Catch A Prince. It’s been a little over a month now. I know some people, who shall be nameless, Susan May Warren, write whole books from scratch in that amount of time, but I am not such a writer.

I’m getting fast but I’m like to mull. Chew. Think. I’m the kind of person who comes up with a fabulous retort or brilliant response to a conversation three days later.

But then no one cares to hear my amazing insight.

I process. Or iProcess. Whichever. I am a Macophile.

Anyway.

Writing is always about getting better. That’s been one of my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve worked really hard to improve my game. But it also slows me down. Makes me work too hard over things that don’t matter.

I over think things.

But here’s the deal. As new writers and up-n-coming writers, you have to constantly be improving your game.

Because you’re competing for a spot on the publishing team that hundreds of others are vying for.

A few years ago I moderated a YA panel at the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance.

Three for the four authors were under 30. But all three had been or published at twenty-two or younger. The two debut novelists were 22 and 21. The 28 year old was on her fifth book.

When I picked my chin off the floor, I was a bit wowed by their talent. Because all three were discovered off the slush pile.

They write fantasy and sci fi.

At the end of the panel, I was inspired. Keep writing! It can happen to them, to me, to you, to anyone.

But there were moments when I thought, “Oh boy, ya’ll will learn.” Their perception of the industry, book promotion and publisher support were a bit skewed but I loved their utopia glaze.

Here’s the thing. All of them had been writing since 13. They’d probably logged hours of writing before being picked up from the slush pile.

It’s important to keep writing, to keep learning and to keep reading.

Write your book. Then write it again. Then again. And again. One more time. Let the story breathe. Change. Yet tell the story you want to tell.

I love every chance I get to improve and change my manuscript. I love with each book I get to explore an new way to write, different parts of myself.

Yet at the end of the day, it’s about butt-in-chair, writing, seeking to get better.

Here’s a few tips for improving your novel and writing:

1. Let someone “else” read it. Go outside your friends, crit group and seek the advice of a professional. Pay for it if you have to.

2. Read up. What’s selling? What’s winning awards? What novel is everyone talking about? Read it. Study it. From concept to The End. Learn what makes a book sell.

3. Rewrite. So much of writing is rewriting. Do it!

4. Read a craft book. Attend a conference. Take an online class.

5. Take a break! Sometimes we’re just too close to our stories. Too tired. Take time to refresh your creative palette. Watch a movie. Read non fiction. Go to dinner.

The market is competitive. But it’s always been competitive. Don’t write “good enough.” Write “the best.”

Happy Writing!