I Have a Dream Of Being a Writer ... But

Dear KrauseHome my boyfriend's articles have been published in papers in five countries now. And he started like you: with a wish to write and fear of rejection. Luckily his articles were rarely rejected. This is how he got there and how you could get there too. 1. Love writing. You probably do, otherwise you would not have posted your post. But put your heart really into it. I don't want to play the stickler here, but I noticed some mistakes in your post (capitalisation mainly). Just as it hurts a good musician to hear a tune out of key a writer should cringe at a writing mistake. The freelance market is very tough. It is very easy to get rejected. And mistakes like this will get you rejected. So get used to writing always correctly, even in your casual writing. 2. My boyfriend had already been published in some technical magazines when he decided to do a journalism course by correspondence. He had thought he knew the tricks, after all he had gotten published in large reputed magazines. But after the first lesson he realised how little he knew. So I recommend you buy some books on writing or even consider a course, if you haven't done so yet. 3.Set yourself a goal. His goal was simple. He aimed at having submitted at any time at least one article to a paper. Like this there was always hope that he would get published. 4. The best way of getting over your fear of rejection is - not getting rejected in the beginning (further down your career you will automatically not mind any more). Therefore don't try Time Magazine try your local papers first. Aim low, then increase your ambitions slowly. 5. Read a lot. 6. Let others review your writing before you submit it. Maybe post it here and ask for honest and tough feedback. Good luck.

Hi KrausHome. Sorry can't give you any tips on writing but I just wanted to tell you that don't be discouraged. Sooner or later you will find that kind of break you need to shine. Even the great minds failed so many times. Thomas Edison tried and faile a hundred times before he got successful in his inventions. Because of his patience, courage and determinaton we have a light bulb. Because of him we have light. So don't give up. Keep on trying. Remember quitters never win. Take care and I hope you will find inspiration and motivation to go on trying. Have a nice day.

If I really wanted to start writing for real money I would start submitting my work to my local newspaper companies without payment. I would probably call them every so often asking if they were hiring freelancers and what kind of coverage they were looking for. I would take low payments to begin with to get my foot in the door. And i would never decline an opportunity to write an article, no matter how much I didn't like the topic!

I found out that I do better writing in my blog/journal than when I submit articles. Do you have a blog or journal that you can post your articles? Also get experience by writing letters to the editor and/or posting in different magazines such as Time Magazine.

If you dream of going above and beyond what you are already doing, have you considered getting a copy of 2007 or 2008 Writer's Market? It's a plethora of resources for writers to find an audience for their work. There is a huge listing of magazines, publishers and agents and what they are looking for, how much they pay (or in agents' cases what their cut is), and submission guidelines. It's a great help if you want to be able to get published and quite possibly paid more than what you are at the present moment. Also, for the here and now, a subscription to Writer's Digest is WELL worth the money. Find what works for you too. You have to be sure to try to get published where your writing style will shine. Some are quite successful with AC or Helium. These places wouldn't exist without people who are anxious to publish content (and before I get responses defending this, I am not knocking it). I am merely saying that a writer should stick with what makes them happy. And yes, I am a member at Gather and Helium, though, admittedly, I have only published a few items, as a personal choice. I am at the point now where I am working more toward a long term goal, trying to flesh out some ideas I have for some novels (which is what I truly want for myself), while others enjoy a more journalistic approach. Neither is a wrong route, but the novel route is what I feel is right for me at this time. It helps to associate with others who understand how you are feeling, and it also helps to work on your writing skills, no matter how good you are, or how often you have been published. Give yourself some challenges and work towards your goal after you have figured which direction you will go. I often give myself little writing challenges to help with my creativity, and it does help get the creative juices flowing, in addition to giving me ideas that may not have occurred to me. And like any creative person, you will be your own worst critic. Try not to count yourself out before you even get started just because things are slow for you. That doesn't mean you are an inadequate writer, but quite possibly it is more likely that what you are writing isn't what they are looking for at the moment.

I have always wanted to be a writer also, it's been my most consistent aspiration since I was 4 or 5. No matter how much encouragement and praise I receive from my associates, I still fear rejection from editors or people in the writing industry. In an attempt to raise my confidence, I go to many writing seminars or "meet the author" days, and take along manuscripts or excerpts of my work along for them to read and critique. I definitely think that we need to be rejected a few times in order to learn, and certainly receive and respond well to constructive criticism. Don't give up on your dream, just keep at it, send out some manuscripts and keep positive! Good luck.

Fear is one of our big hindrance to reach our goal, i myslef also dreaming to be a good writer and not just a good writer but someone who have remarkable name in the industries, same as you i also try magazine and lot of site like this but i know i have to write but for how and where i will start that is still a big question mark to me, as of now i just right what ever comes into my mind, i always shot down special events,thougths and everything and keep it on my safe so when the right times comes i have something from the draft.

Well, from what I can tell you are articulate and have a talent for saying the right thing at the right time to someone who needs to hear it. Maybe it is the type of writing that is not working for you? Because you are obviously good at writing itself. Perhaps you should try an advice column blog or in a local publication?

I have been writing for AC for several months and just lately they have been turning down most of my attempts, even though they were buying almost everything before. I think their library is just getting full of the same type of stuff. Try writing articles that are unique and you may have better luck with them. Are you aware of Constant Content? They accept articles and sell them to third parties who are looking for content. I would recommend trying them. They are very particular about spelling, punctuation, and grammar so carefully edit everything before you submit it. They also have a list of requested content which can give you some ideas what to write about. http://www.constant-content.com/?aref=8083 Get past your fear of rejection and just keep trying! If you don't try you never will succeed!

Well, there have been a lot of writers whose work was rejected many times before it was accepted. If you are looking at becoming published, beyond online content, you might want to take a writing class. It's a good way to improve your writing as well as make contacts and meet like-minded people.

A number of authors started by writing short stories for magazzines, then when they got published expanded some of them into full length books, this may be another way to start a writing career for you. Everyone has at least 1 book in them, sometimes its just difficult to let it get out.

I am also, my biggest dream is to become a writer, I like to write an article, I think words are the best expression of human feelings tool, but I do not know how to improve their writing skills, maybe I fit writing, I may not confident ..

when our articles are turned down it does not mean that we have to stop on what we do. this is a good way to improve ourselves and to prove that our articles are worth reading. there are some sites whre you anpost your blog for free, you may want to try that if you want others to read want you write. someways to imporve our writing, which is what I domyself is read,read and read many books or articles. from this you can get insights on how you willstructure your article and also some ideas you can add to your topic. in writing article, be sure to write about one topic only where all the ides you put in writing contribute to that topic. do not make broad or generalize topic people want to read about specific ideas. well, that are some which I can dhare withyou...read and write, read and write, read and write.. and then sooner you'll get better.

Hi KrauseHome, i wanted to add that there's really no reason for you to be feeling down.If your writings are being rejected at a particular place,then its probably not the right time or place for you to go to.You can surely try elsewhere because you know,"One man's trash is another man's gold"!Also I think that at times like these when you are doubting yourself,you might want to seek into the place where you feel most comforted and into the depths of your imagination and determination,where you are always right and strong.Its just a temporary phase and is ought to pass away.Cheers and good luck!!!

You have to somewhere. I published my first series of chapbooks in 2007, then I got a blogging job, now I also write for a women with disabilities website (in the leadership section). Try, try, try! All they can say is no and you'll survive that. I gaurantee...

Actually writting is not a big deal as people think. I write time to time and i have writen 5 books and many articles but i write not for the commercial purpose. it only for religious purpose.

One of my dreams is to be able to publish one novel. I don't care if it sells or not, the important thing is to get it out there. Don't be afraid of rejection. Everybody gets them ... even the best writers started out that way. So just keep on writing. As they say practice makes perfect. Persistence will pay off in the end. Don't lose hope -- your moment will come. ;-)

There is no need to be afraid of rejection of our writing by publishers or somebody else. First of all we must develop the habit of thinking ourselves on any event which is happening around or which has happened in the past or which is or which are likely to happen in the future. Visualisation of the thoughts is the most important thing. After that we should inculcate the habit of thinking to draft on paper in the systematic manner we may feel better. Initially we may not be successful, bu in the near future we get the habit to draft our thoughts on paper in the systematic way and the language which is appealing to readers whereby a sound wave length is developed between th writer and the reader. When such a wave length is established the auther gets a sound response from the readers. Thus the writers write ups bring him more and more demands.

You've received some great advice here. I do writing at AC as well as a few other sites. I've also done some freelance SEO articles. I find that many of the freelance job offerings are not worth the pay unfortunately. I have been lucky enough to have been published in trade magazines, a hobby magazine and a local newspaper. Each of these required a different style of writing and it takes me alot of time to make certain that I am writing in a style that fits the publication. Also, because I'm not a regular newspaper writer I have to spend alot more time double check AP style issues too. I've gotten the most information, support and advice by belonging to a local writer's club. Perhaps you could find a group like that.

do you really like writing? if you do ,then just dtick to it ,remember there is a way ,there is a win but if you don't ,you must think carefully about it ,causr though you you will succedd one day ,but since it is not your own will ,it will be hard to continue