My wife might argue with me about this, but I’m specifically talking about growing up as a writer.

When I first started down the writing path I can honestly say I had visions of fame and glory. Mind you, those visions didn’t last very long as I started to research the entire writing life. All the research I did served to make me more paranoid about my own writing’s quality and the actual chances any of it would ever see the light of day.

I (somehow) managed to get past the paranoia and self-doubt and kept writing. It wasn’t great, but it continued to get better. I began to submit the occasional piece. When I did so, I waited and stressed. When it (invariably) came back rejected I was crushed and spent countless hours evaluating what went wrong and gradually built my writing confidence up to the point where I started writing again.

That continued on for some time with the amount of stress I experienced decreasing marginally and the time I spent with my self-confidence in tatters decreased too. I moved from sending out a story and not writing until I received the next rejection to where I could send something out and actually work on new stuff (at a reduced level).

I’m finally to the point where all the evaluation is going away and I’m able to submit more than one story at a time. I’m also actively writing while the work is out in the wild. Case in point, I have three stories out currently: a YA novel, a fantasy novel and a fantasy short. I’m also writing and podcasting. Oh yeah, and I’m NOT stressing about the stuff that’s out there (well, not too much, anyway).

And it’s working for me. I’m no longer paralyzed by doubt. If a story isn’t accepted by one publisher, there are others that might like it. It’s a good place to be.

Where are you at in your writing life?

Personal Update

As I mentioned above, I have three stories out right now. I should hear about the YA Novel contest soon (good or bad). I already have another market lined up for it if it is rejected.

The fantasy novel was sent out as a partial a couple weeks ago and a full last night. I’ve been told to expect a response in the next three weeks. I’ve got to line up another market for it if it’s rejected.

The short story was resent two days ago and I will probably hear back within two weeks. I already have a couple places to send it should it not get picked up.

That’s not even including the new writing. In long fiction, I’m still writing and podcasting ‘GalaxyBillies’. I will be spending some time polishing some of the short fiction I wrote a while ago to send out too.

Busy times. Fun too.

Tags: fantasy, Galaxybillies, irreverent muse, Michell Plested, publisher, science fiction, submitting, writing, YA

I came to a realization the other day: despite everything I am doing right now, I need to do more. A LOT more.

How is that for an obscure opening statement? Do I mean I need to walk more, eat more or watch more television? No.

I need to do more to get my name out there in the writing world. Sure, I’m blogging, podcasting, tweeting and facebooking. I’m querying and submitting to contests and publishers (and soon to agents). It’s not enough.

I’ve got to start writing articles and short stories for various markets. I’ve got to get onto forums and special interest groups. Why? Because I can NEVER get my name out into enough places.

OK, I think that’s clear enough, but what brought me to this realization?

My friend and self-proclaimed mentor, Simon Rose (www.Simon-Rose.com) did it without even realizing he was teaching me another lesson (that’s at least one more beer that I owe you Simon). Simon was my guest for the 1-year anniversary episode of ‘Get Published’. As soon as the episode was posted (and before I had a chance to tell him it was available) he had already begun to spread the word about it. I have absolutely no idea where all he posted about it. All I know is I saw an immediate spike in activity on my site.

For those of you who have been listening to ‘Get Published’, you know that I’ve had some pretty well-known (at least in the podisphere) guests. When those interviews were posted I usually saw a bit of a spike of activity. Nothing like this though.

If you haven’t listened to the show, Simon is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author who writes primarily for Middle Grade and YA Audiences. He also holds workshops, teaches classes for various organizations, does school visits and a plethora of other things that would take me quite a while to cover. He has a good-sized fan base and I expected his interview to garner some interest.

What I didn’t expect was his interview to CRUSH every other one I’ve had.

I don’t say this to make any of my previous (or future) guests feel bad or self-conscious. I merely say it to prove that having one’s name out in a variety of places (and mediums) is a powerful thing. One I severely underestimated.

I am taking steps to change that.

Thanks for the lesson, Simon. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Personal Update

As I just said (above), I’m looking to increase the areas where I place my writing. I’m already looking at sending some of my writing to some non-paying (but highly read) magazines. Beyond that, I’m going to continue looking for opportunities to write for others as well. If you know of such an opportunity, please let me know.

Tags: blog, contest, Galaxybillies, Get Published, irreverent muse, Michell Plested, podcast, publisher, simon rose