by Michelle Sass Aleckson, @MchelleAleckson
Call it perseverance, a thick skin, or simply fortitude. One thing is certain, you need guts to be in this industry.
Good writing requires a certain amount of vulnerability. Ernest Hemmingway said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Not every writing session is quite so dramatic, but you get the point. Writers put themselves out there.
And then that writing is edited, critiqued, and judged. The editing is necessary to grow and hone our stories and skills. But then we authors actually go out and ask for reviews! Talk about gluttons for punishment.
So if you’re just getting started, or maybe you’re a seasoned author looking for some encouragement here’s a few things to help you build that emotional strength.
- Take time to think about why you write? Do you do it for the accolades or do you do it for the joy of writing? If you’re doing it for a good reason, that won’t change because of one bad review.
- Find writer friends who get it. Some edits are tough. Rejections are even harder. But spend any time with other writers and you’ll know you’re not alone. Everyone goes through these things as an author. They will know best how to commiserate. Ice-cream and sympathy go a long way. 😉
- Be teachable. Not only do we need strong emotional muscles, we also need them to be flexible. If you’re not willing to learn, adapt, and let go, you probably won’t make it far. There are times to stand your ground and you’ll need wisdom to know when that is, but there’s a lot to discover through the difficult editing processes if you’re willing to release your work into an editor’s capable hands and listen to them.
- Avoid knee-jerk reactions. When you’re facing something difficult in the writing process it is natural to have a strong emotional response. Give those emotions their place and a safe release, but don’t take any immediate action that could harm your career. Believe me, give it a little time. When the feelings are not quite so intense sift through the helpful and the not so helpful in that edit or review. Let the logical side kick in and then decide how or if to respond.
Whether you seek traditional publication or go indie, you’re going to face tough times. You will doubt. You will wonder why you ever thought you could write. You might question your own sanity at times. But if you’re willing to stick with it, there are glorious moments that will make it all worthwhile. Moments like the first time you see your name on the cover, when you hold your book in your hand for the first time, that sweet note or message from a reader your story touched. Those are the times we treasure in the writing industry. So, hang in there, friend, and go write your story.
The key to solving a kidnapping…
Lies buried in her past.
After witnessing her aunt’s abduction, veterinarian Talia Knowles will do anything to find her—even as the kidnappers set their sights on her. But missing memories from her past might hold answers she didn’t know she had. And relying on neighboring ranch hand and ex-marine Noah Landers could be the key to finding her aunt and discovering the culprit’s true motives.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
After growing up on both the east and west coasts and traveling the world, Michelle Sass Aleckson now enjoys living the country life in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. She loves rocking out to 80’s tunes on a Saturday night and playing board games with family and friends. She’s a graduate of Novel Academy’s Storycrafter course, and she won the 2018 Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense and the 2018 Cascade Award for Contemporary Fiction.
She writes contemporary stories full of romance, grace, and, yes, a little sass too. You can connect with her at michellealeckson.com!