One of my favorite quotes is “Learn from the mistakes of others; you can never live long enough to make them all yourself.” I would tell you who said it, but the experts (and Google) seem to be confused, as I have found it attributed to Groucho Marx, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Woody Allen. Wouldn’t that make a fine dinner party?
I recently taught the “Newbie” class at a writers conference, designed for new writers who had never attended a conference before. When I teach a class like this one, I am transparent and talk about my mistakes. And, oh, I have made so many when it comes to writing. Here’s my confessional, designed as a cautionary tale of what not to do.
1. I sent out things that weren’t ready yet. I arrived at my first writer’s conference with a printed copy of what I thought was the next bestseller. I knew someone would offer me a contract by supper on the first day of the conference, and then I would return to the event the next year as the keynote speaker, with my published book in tow. Well, that didn’t happen—it still hasn’t happened. I finally realized I needed more training and more information about the industry. Guess what? Many, many years after that first conference, I am still learning.
2. I approached editors/publishers/agents without a proper pitch and plan. At my first big-time conference, I made appointments and had no idea what to do with them. I had no one-sheet and no planned pitch. I’m sure those people look back and chuckle. With many conferences under my belt now, I realize the importance of pitching and planning (Hey, that sounds like a book—don’t steal my idea!).
3. I didn’t follow up on offers to send in my work. Yes, I was one of those people, who got an invitation to send samples to an editor but didn’t follow through. I’m still kicking myself. I let fear and a sense of unworthiness keep me from connecting. One particular (unnamed) person intimidated me so much that I almost quit writing. I have learned now that editors, agents, and publishers won’t actually eat you, and rejection won’t kill you.
4. Speaking of rejection, I let it keep me from pursuing my goals. One year I had a promising “bite” from an editor. I submitted my work and almost immediately received a stinging rejection. I didn’t write for months after that. I have learned the hard way that rejection is part of a writer’s life, and I can’t let it get me down.
So learn from my mistakes, and keep writing and pressing toward your goal. God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, and I am certainly living proof.
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Another great post that made me smile.
Lots of great advice. Thank you!
Thanks, Carlton. Making mistakes is a great way to learn. You’ve heard the story about the two pottery classes? In one, students were required to make 50 lbs of clay pots by end of term for an A. In the other class, students were required to fashion one pot — albeit a perfect one — for an A. By term’s end, the best quality pots were produced by the quantity class. After throwing 50 lbs of pots, they’d gotten good at it while the rest had a lot of theories about ceramic perfection as well as a pile of clay. So, go on. Make mistakes. Make a ton of ’em. And eventually, we’ll be watching you on the live stream in the overflow room as you deliver the keynote address at America’s largest Christian writer’s conference.
Good advice for newbies or oldies.
The essence of blogging! Helping others learn from our mistakes! Thank you for sharing!
Nice post! We’ve all made those mistakes, I would guess 🙂
I agree – great advice! Advice that I will keep in mind as I write, picturing myself as the next great keynote speaker! (ha ha)
Thank you for being so honest. I’m guilty of having committed all 4 of the above mistakes. LOL This part of your blog post could be made into a refrigerator magnet for all writers: “editors, agents, and publishers won’t actually eat you, and rejection won’t kill you… keep writing!”
Thanks for including the point about rejection. Rejection is just a part of a writer’s life. The mantra has to be “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Even hugely successful authors experienced rejection early in their careers. Rejection should just make us want to try harder not spur us to give up and go home.
You are a great example of someone learning from their mistakes and continually improving…I keep seeing your name posted from this article or anthology, etc. so you must be getting it right! Connie and I are going to start following you around at conference to catch on to some of your networking skills : )