You Can’t Make Them All

One of my favorite quotes is “Learn from the mistakes of others; you can never live long enough to make them all yourself.” I would tell you who said it, but the experts (and Google) seem to be confused, as I have found it attributed to Groucho Marx, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Woody Allen. Wouldn’t that make a fine dinner party?

I recently taught the “Newbie” class at a writers conference, designed for new writers who had never attended a conference before. When I teach a class like this one, I am transparent and talk about my mistakes. And, oh, I have made so many when it comes to writing. Here’s my confessional, designed as a cautionary tale of what not to do.

1.       I sent out things that weren’t ready yet. I arrived at my first writer’s conference with a printed copy of what I thought was the next bestseller. I knew someone would offer me a contract by supper on the first day of the conference, and then I would return to the event the next year as the keynote speaker, with my published book in tow. Well, that didn’t happen—it still hasn’t happened. I finally realized I needed more training and more information about the industry. Guess what? Many, many years after that first conference, I am still learning.

2.       I approached editors/publishers/agents without a proper pitch and plan. At my first big-time conference, I made appointments and had no idea what to do with them. I had no one-sheet and no planned pitch. I’m sure those people look back and chuckle. With many conferences under my belt now, I realize the importance of pitching and planning (Hey, that sounds like a book—don’t steal my idea!).

3.       I didn’t follow up on offers to send in my work. Yes, I was one of those people, who got an invitation to send samples to an editor but didn’t follow through. I’m still kicking myself. I let fear and a sense of unworthiness keep me from connecting. One particular (unnamed) person intimidated me so much that I almost quit writing. I have learned now that editors, agents, and publishers won’t actually eat you, and rejection won’t kill you.

4.       Speaking of rejection, I let it keep me from pursuing my goals. One year I had a promising “bite” from an editor. I submitted my work and almost immediately received a stinging rejection. I didn’t write for months after that. I have learned the hard way that rejection is part of a writer’s life, and I can’t let it get me down.

So learn from my mistakes, and keep writing and pressing toward your goal. God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, and I am certainly living proof.