Tuesday Takeaways!

By Donna Cangelosi

I recently posted a question for published authors:

"If you had one takeaway or bit of advice for a new writer, what would it be?  I immediately received over a dozen responses from some of the finest writers I know! And they kept coming!  

1. "Take time to learn your craft."  Sharon J. Wilson
2. "Always keep a notebook handy to write down ideas, quotes, things that you appreciate and never stop writing." Sandra Wirtel
3. "Read, write, join SCBWI." Jodi Moore
4. "Be patient." Susan Hughes
5. "Find a great critique group." Ariel Gordon Bernstein
6. "Find a great group of writing friends." Andria W. Rosenbaum
7. "Remember that every book you read, webinar you watch, idea you jot down, moment you spend thinking about a story counts as time you spent on your writing." Rebecca Koehn
8. "Persevere." Janet Slingerland Hammond
9. "Join SCBWI and critique group(s). Get your BIC [Butt in Chair] and go for it." Janet Bielonko Deenihan
10. "Read, Write. Read. Rewrite. Repeat often." Cheryl Scott Keely
11. "Don't rush." Jill Esbaum
12. "It does not get any easier just because you have been published." Savannah Hendricks
13. "Don't just read picture books- analyze them! Also ask yourself what you liked about a book, what you maybe didn't like about a book, and what you might have done differently. Study what goes into a story beginning, middle, and end. Study the word play. Etc., etc., etc.". Tammi Kippes Sauer
14. "Don't give up on your dream!" Lauri Fortino
15. "Get betas." Anne Hendricks Childress
16. "Make your manuscript perfect and your marketing tools more perfect before you shop it. Learn the craft and join a critique drop early in order to have a polished story." Jeri Fay Maynard
17. "Educate yourself of the publishing process. Take off your rose colored glasses but never lose a sense of wonder." Cindi Goodeaux
18. Write your dreams on a notebook every morning. Nuria Otte
19. Join groups like STORYSTORM and 12x12! Find great critique partners. Never give up! Chana Stiefel
20. ​Have faith in yourself and listen to good advice from published authors. Mary Nida Smith​
21. Wait before you press send. Andria W. Rosenbaum
22. Patience. There are no shortcuts. It's up to you. You will make mistakes. Persistence. (Full description on aileenwstewart.blogspot.com. Aileen Stewart
23. Persist. Never give up writing. Ann Martin
24. Connect with your inner voice. Find your tribe. Do a lot of work! Don't be discouraged. Master your craft. Develop a creative practice and creative process. Get professional feedback. Develop forever friendships. Arree Chung
25. My advice from PiBoIdMo2014 HenryHerz.wordpress.com Henry Herz
26. When you feel like your dreams are delusional, remember that the deep desires of your heart are always true. Don't give up! Sign up for the next writing event you can find with your tribe. Persist! Gretchen McLallen 
27. Reach out! You will gain support, encouragement, information...everything you'll need to help you on your journey. Vivian Kirkfield
28. Persist. Joan Leotta
29. Focus on your craft, not on publication. Ironically, that will help you get published faster. Take your time. Don't submit too soon. Wait until you are ready. Julie Foster Hedlund
30. When you're book comes out, say yes to everything. I went in blind to some of the most amazing experiences of my life. Genevieve Petriello

  31.    Always choose quality over quantity. Betsy Kemper​