Success In Writing: Respecting Your Own Voice

By: Suzette Hinton
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:43:27
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What a beautiful crisp Autumn morning. While taking my son to school, I was awestruck by how vibrant the leaves were. I've often missed the beauty around me, being focused on my destination. Since my vacation at the beach, where my condo overlooked a lush, natural setting, I am more appreciative of nature. Whenever I feel cramped or fidgety, I know that it's time to go outdoors.

That's the wonder of nature. For me, it helps me experience something bigger than my little space on the planet. I become aware that something bigger than myself is at work. I see the sky that just seems to go on forever in a pool of untouchable blue. Have you ever wondered what makes the sky blue? You can't touch it, but you can see it. Even in a plane, you see it surrounding you, but no one can explain where it comes from and why it was in someone's mind to color it blue. Why not brown or green?

Anyway, here I sit at my trusty computer. Today's project is taking a list of potential writing markets and seeing if I have content that can be sent to simultaneous publications. It's quite a bit to juggle as different publishers have different guidelines for submission. Some don't care if you send your writing to various publishers; but they want to be notified if you get accepted. Others don’t accept reprints at all and require first rights.

While reviewing my list, I found some lucrative prospects. I must admit, I was disappointed when one of my pieces only brought $4. That was a let down as previous ones received higher bids. To me, the content was well-written and well-researched. Maybe there was no interest in the topic. Oh well, that the life of a writer.

What I try to do is find similar markets and send articles out simultaneously. This can be good and bad. Good in that it increases the likelihood that you'll get an offer. Bad in the sense that a lesser paying recipient may notify you that your article has been accepted. My apprehension is that a lucrative offer may follow but be rescinded once they know that your article has been accepted elsewhere.

Regardless, it's kinda cool to check my paypal account and notice that each day, I have additional money. A $7 here and a $4 there can add up. That within itself is gratifying for a beginning writer. To go from E-publishing solely for marketing purposes to getting paid for my content shows progress. There's a passage in the Bible that says, "do not despise the day of small things."

Yesterday, I mailed my first article to Essence magazine. I was filled with pride as I dropped my article into the mail box. I don't know if it will be featured, but I felt a sense of accomplishment, expansion and a respect for my own voice.

Back to the task at hand. I'm starting on a piece for submission to a writers magazine. I've seen a sample article and I feel that I can write to that level. In fact, I think my writing may exceed it. But I can’t be cocky. Several factors impact acceptance. I’ve found recently that interest in the topic affects purchase. If someone else has submitted an article prior to yours, the interest is not there. If what you submit is yesterday’s news, there is a decreased likelihood that you’ll get an offer. Some you have to be gifted and timely.

One thing's for sure, energy is being generated. I'm getting into the space of the writing world and I'm creating a stir. Saturating the market is key to getting noticed--I believe. So, even when I get feedback from a literary agent that says, "you're good but" or a work that I really poured myself into doesn’t get noticed, I know that at least my name is getting out there. Moreover, with practice, I am gaining skills to make my writing better.

I see myself as a person looking up in the sky. Passersby might glance upward but continue to go on about their business. Why? They don’t see what I see. An inquisitive party might engage me in conversation but he might decide to move on. But, if I maintain my posture—choosing not to waiver--someone will become interested. It's the law of attraction. What you pay attention to attracts attention.

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