Chalk Outline

You know how everyone who's ever put words to page has a bucketload of advice for the beginning writer? Endless rows of books in the writing section promise guidance, bolsterment, and the ONE piece of advice that is GOING to UNLOCK YOUR AWESOME POTENTIAL.

And for a long time I bought into that. I took classes in creative writing, read endless books on the subject, still to this day read article after article online about how to break through the mental hurdle of whatever your demon might be.

I think that's how you can tell you're still a beginning writer. Not how many clips you have but how many articles you're reading on how to write better. Moving on--

I tried every method, every guaranteed-surefire-success-maker touted by writers I'd never heard of (and some I had), kind of like the overweight person who buys every diet book, diet food, diet pill, determined to figure out how to lose weight without exercise and sensible meal regulation. Point being? Yeah. I didn't see marked success with my writing until I made up my mind to let it happen. Not that I'm a millionaire novelist yet but I'm plugging away at it. I finally started a rigorous routine of writing a set number of words every day, whether it was fiction or poetry or journal entries. Some days, the words aren't so profound. But they're necessary.

And it started to happen.

I picked up a critique partner, a coach, a few people who wanted feedback on their work. I network, have made contacts, enter contests, and read literary journals. I subscribed to a listserv (CRWROPPS, so should you!), follow Duotrope on Twitter, and carry a notebook everywhere. Not just to jot down ideas, but to record books and authors to check out.

That's what's been working for me. Putting energy into activities that feel like they're moving in a positive direction, outlining ideas, building, building, ever building--staying conversant with the industry--this is what's working for me. And most important of all, listening to what's working for me, not what I'm told will be successful for me.

So when I quit trying to live the lives others have already lived, I found my voice.