Make Each Grain Count

When a writer is on submission, be it to agents or editors, each passing day can feel like a grain of sand that slips away. It is easy to get discouraged when days, weeks, and sometimes even months start ticking off. We understand that the grains~or moments~are precious but often we end up putting off any more writing and just waiting. All too often I hear writers say they are going to submit and see where that one goes before they move on and write anything else. If you want to make a career out of writing, that could quite possibly be the worst thing you could do.

Make every grain count. Start researching, brainstorming, and outlining for your next novel or project. Don't have any ideas? Read everything in your genre that is hot. Read some of the novels that aren't. Read outside your genre! Allow yourself to be open to inspiration of any and all kind.

Once you have your novel idea and are ready to start, set goals. Don't allow yourself to be aimless just because you're on submission. If you can get into a routine and discipline yourself to write every day then you'll be better prepared for getting an agent, a publishing contract, and making your deadlines. Besides, you'll feel better knowing you have new words almost every day. It will feel like you're moving forward, and you are. Prepare for success and you will reach it!