Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2008

By

Michele L. Tune

I really do feel this way, like I’m pulling the reins on myself. I know I’m holding myself back. I’m capable of accomplishing so much more than I do. I was born to write, to blog, to succeed as a writer. I know that. It’s hard to be confident in that sometimes, though. For me at least. How about you? Do you feel this way? Do you feel like you’re holding yourself back, like you’re your own worst critic?

As writers, we are on the silent side of the screen. We can respond to e-mails quietly. If we need to, we have the option to let an e-mail sit before we respond. Maybe we need to gain our composure if we’re angry or have some other strong emotion to the author of the e-mail. Or maybe we just need time to think of the best words to reply with. Either way, we’re safe. E-mail is a nice, quiet way to communicate – with words, which we’re comfortable with.

I’ve come across numerous blogs where writers are sharing these exact thoughts. Jennifer, at Catalyst Blogger, shared similar feelings in her post The Freelancer’s Guide to Giving Good Phone. It’s an older post of hers but it’s really stuck with me. I was surprised when she fessed up with her readers that she really isn’t fond of talking with clients on the phone. I guess I shouldn’t have been. So many of us writers are perfectly ok with peace and quiet (the ones I know anyway).

Do you feel like you’re pulling the reins on yourself? Are you holding yourself back? Are you still fantasizing about seeing your name in that dream magazine, but are too petrified to pick up the phone and call the editor? Could your business grow if you got out of your comfort zone? I’m sure it could. I know (with all my heart) that I would have those big dream credits tucked sweetly in my portfolio – if only I’d get up, climb out on that limb, and reach for the sky. After all, the sky is the limit. Right?

“But, it’s so cozy where I am, Michele.” You argue. And, you’re so very right! When you get comfy in any area of your life, it’s hard to do something different and get used to something totally new and there are some folks in the world who are absolutely scared stiff of the unknown. They have a “what if” syndrome. I’m guilty of that one myself. “What if” I call the editor and they never answer an e-mail from me in the future because they remember my name as the kook with the zealous voice who interrupted their lunch? “What if” I don’t succeed as soon as I’d hoped if I venture out into new writing waters? We can drive ourselves bonkers with all the “what if” questions.

Life is full of uncertainties, of mishaps and dangers and surprises we aren’t expecting. They’re around almost every corner. We have to learn to accept them, learn from them, grow from them, WRITE ABOUT THEM, and be all the wiser from them in the end. It isn’t easy, I know. But if we’ll stop pulling the reins on ourselves, we won’t have to sit and watch our writing come to a halt. We need to make sales, people! We need to move to the next level in our writing careers!

Are you ready to let go of those reins? Are you with me? What’s the first thing you’re going to do so you’ll be running free like the wild stallions? Will you call that editor? Pick up the phone and talk business with a client (maybe even ask them for a raise)? What is the first thing I’m going to do? Oh, I’m letting go. I’m writing this post from a coffee shop. How’s that letting go? I’m a hermit (big time)!! It’s a major breakthrough when I venture out into the public.

Big ole dream clips, here I come!!!!

Want to find out where the cyber highway leads me? Would you like to know when I share updates about my freelance writing and blogging clips, things I’m learning along the way, or even just stuff that happens in this writer girl’s life? Subscribe to my feed or subscribe by e-mail. I can’t wait to have you join me on my journey!

Here’s to writing (freely!) the cyber highway!!

By

Michele L. Tune

You probably can’t see the inspiring words on the front of this spiral notebook I bought yesterday.

These six words jumped out at me and spoke volumes to my soul! I had no intentions of buying a notebook, but I couldn’t resist this one.

It’s true, the door to our dreams is right in front of us—just up a head a little ways. Like the rainbow we talked about in the previous post, it’s there, we just can’t see it yet. All we have to do is stay on the path that leads to it – no matter how rocky the terrain gets – and have the strength to open our door once we reach it. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

Sometimes the only thing holding us back from our dreams is us. Yes, that’s right. Maybe we’re afraid of the unknown. Maybe we’re beating ourselves up, thinking we don’t deserve all the goodness that awaits us. Who knows? But the door is there, and we’re the only ones with the power – the key – to open it.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to unlock and open the door to your dreams? Do you have enough muscle to pull hard enough to yank that door open and flail it against the wall? Do you have enough ambition, faith, hopes and dreams to bust through with all your might? Think about it….

Keep watching for your rainbows, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the door to your dreams; it will enable you to have much success writing the cyber highway!

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: chiara_gianna

Ring a bell? Remember the old adage, Don’t count your chickens, before they are hatched? My Grandmother use to warn me of this all the time. Funny how grandmothers are never wrong.

I’ve learned this lesson (again) the hard way.

Let me explain: A while back, I received an acceptance letter from the editor of an anthology. It had been decided that my story would be included. I received, read, signed, and returned my contract. All was well–or so I thought. Months went by and I grew more and more excited about the thought of my special memory being published in this nostalgic anthology. I even told people my story would be included in this upcoming anthology!

Last night, I received a phone call from the editor. I thought it strange that an editor would call at night, but anxiously answered to find out the reason.

“Hello,” I answered.

“I need to speak to Michele Tune.” She said.

“This is she,” I replied.

“Oh, I’ll just go ahead and tell you,” She sighed. “It’s with a heavy heart, I must tell you that your story has been cut from the book.”

“Oh, ok.” I said, trying not to sound “sad”.

She explained in detail: They received so many submissions relating to the same theme, the publisher/editors decided to change the whole focus of the book to that angle, which meant 15 of the stories (although the editor assured me they were 15 very well written stories) had to be cut because they no longer “fit the needs of the book”.

This editor felt so bad. She told me she just felt terrible.

Of course, I told her it was fine (and, it is) because I completely understand. The theme of the book changed, with good cause. And, some of the stories no longer worked, and mine was one of them.

I’ve said all that to say this (listen up blogger/writer friends: Things like this happen. It’s sad, sometimes heart-breaking, but it happens. This is where a true writer “shines”.

It’s at times like these, a tender-hearted writer will push away from pen and paper (or in our day, keyboard), and let their dreams of being a successful writer fade into the far distance.

Am I sad? Yes. Who wouldn’t be? I see no point in telling a lie, when the fact is I’m really disappointed! Will I let this little bump in the road slow me down on my way to my dreams? No! I’ve learned that my greatest disappointments and rejections, come right before the best news I’ve yet to receive!

To top that off, after I sat down at my computer to try and decide which market I would send my story to next (because that’s what I do), I noticed an email from another editor. A big, fat rejection was in that email. There again, I began to toss that article around in my head and ponder the next market I would submit it to.

We are winners, either way. We will make it, but only if we persist and take the bad with the good.

Keep in mind that book authors receive 50 + rejections from publishers before their book manuscripts are accepted a lot of times. Could you keep submitting that manuscript?

It’s the faithful, dedicated, ever-learning, persistent writers who make it in this world. I’m going to be one of them, are you?

I have a lot of “eggs” out there. I continuously submit articles, inspirational stories, and query different publications. I receive a lot of rejections, but I’m also really beginning to receive a lot of acceptance e-mails “Good News from so and so”, etc. I love emails with”Good news” in the subject line!

I am very determined, so I will accept the reality that my story had to be cut, as well as the other rejection I received last night, and I’ll move on. That’s the advice I give, because that’s what I do on any given day.

Definitely follow grandma’s advice: Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched! (Our grandmothers knew what they were talking about.) When you receive rejection letters/emails or even find out your story/article has been cut, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and continue writing the cyber highway!