Welcome back my friends and I hope you are having a productive and happy May 15th.
How goes the writing? Are you kicking out the words and feeling good about it? I hope so because you are one of the special people. You are right there with all the other artists, writers and musicians who bring beauty into this world through your craft. Take it seriously, be proud of what you do and never give up.
TIP OF THE DAY
Persevere! There is your tip for the day. You must be made of the right stuff if you want to succeed in this writing business. You cannot be discouraged when your writing is not recognized and immediately praised. You need to persevere!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“After being Turned Down by numerous Publishers, he had decided to write for Posterity.”
George Ade (1866 – 1944)
Sound familiar? There are two points worth talking about in that quote. One has to do with being turned down by publishers. This is a way of life for a writer, and those who succeed are not necessarily the best writers but rather they are the writers who did not give up.
I sold an article to a magazine yesterday. It was the second article sold in two years of sending in submissions. Now true, I do not submit articles every single day but still…two in two years? Why keep trying, right? Well, if you have to ask that question then you are not a writer. We keep trying because that is what we do, and that is the only way to get published. The odds are against us but we keep trying.
The other part of that quote I want to talk about is writing for posterity. I can only speak for myself, but I find great comfort and joy knowing that what I write will live on long after I am gone. My words will continue to float around the internet for years after I die, just as the words of all writers before me still live on. I am writing a legacy and it will be a forever legacy. I love that thought and you should too.
BOOK OF THE DAY
I have spotlighted this book before but I want to do it again. This book is so important for those of you who plan on submitting work to agents, publishers or editors. It is the Writer’s Market and you can find it here on Amazon.
What’s so special about this book? Well, it has all the information you will ever need to submit your work for publication. It has hundreds of pages of magazine listings, agent listings and publisher listings. It has submission guidelines for each listing, and it has useful information about query letters and other tools you will need.
I buy this book every year because I consider it the Bible of Writers! Check it out on ebay and you might find a year-old copy for cheap.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Looking for a little inspiration? Maybe you will find it in this picture.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
The Autumn House Contest can be found here. The entry deadline is coming soon, so check it out and see how it feels to you.
MORE TOMORROW
Yes, parting is such sweet sorrow, but time is short and I have a few submissions to make. When the writing stops the promotion starts, and when the promotion stops the writing starts again. Welcome to the life of a writer.
Hopefully I will see you all tomorrow…same time, same place.
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Billy, no one can ever say that you don’t practice what you preach!
Perseverance is something I’d buy if I could.
Lizzy, if I could give you some of mine I would. 🙂 Hang in there, mom…I have the feeling having a little one underfoot has a lot to do with your work output.
I totally do agree with you about pereserving in writing and must tell you that you and your blog always help me. It is your friendship and just knowing that I do have support from you and others like you that help so much on those rare days where I would love to just do nothing! Thanks 🙂
Janine, what I love about the HP community is that the members are so giving. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t receive support early on….I’m just giving back my friend.
Yup, rejections can be so tough to accept. It’s like gulping in really hot water. I admit, I am very dejected that day, but fight back the next day!
Surprisingly, the next day, my writing is very deep and gets appreciated by many!
Congrats on your second published article, Bill.
You are a rock!
Thank you Ruchira. Something inside of me will not allow me to quit…and I suspect the same can be said for you. 🙂
Awesome prompts and inspiration. I love the highlights you have here, too. Keep up the good work, BB. 🙂
Thanks Cyndi! I will do exactly that my friend.
I am afraid of the whole submission process and the rejection–and yet I am starting to save out some work for that process–so wish me perseverance my friend–
And congratulations not just on having a piece accepted, but on staying with it–
Audrey, I suspect that your fear is a fear many writers understand….and yet….we must overcome it if we want our writings to reach a larger audience. Good luck my friend….I’m pulling for you…and thank you!
Wow, you are such a persistent man!
I agree, writing isn’t just about making money or being “accepted” every time, it is about getting your voice out there, writing for the thrill of it, and our words living long after we are physically gone. Okay, so you didn’t say all of that, but that is what I think, in a nut shell.
Another inspiring article, as usual. I am really enjoying your posts, even when don’t comment. You’re my writing information source of the day, and my inspiration. Keep it up! Many people appreciate what you do, Bill.
I hope your week is going well! It is halfway over already. I have a Wednesday off from work, which is giving me an extra day online, and to get off my butt and run errands and finish organizing my apartment. Sometimes it is so hard to step away from the computer!
Kathryn, I really appreciate your kind words. I want to inspire people…I want people to realize their dreams and go beyond anything they thought was possible. That’s always been my desire in writing. Thank you for validating that.
Have a great day off my friend and yes, it is hard to leave this damn computer. LOL
Bill, I just went into Amazon to buy the book. As is habit, I read the reviews first. Many reviewers stated the 2013 version of the book is poorly indexed, the publishers aren’t broken down into genre, the type is too small, etc. What are your thoughts on the 2013 publication? I will go by what you have to say rather than the reviews that are posted on Amazon.
Well, Sha, the type is always small in that book because there is so much information in it. As for the indexed thing, I honestly haven’t had any problem following it. The publishers are listed alphabetically, but their genres are listed clearly at the top of each section….the magazines are listed by genre….I don’t know…go check out the 2012 version and see what the reviews are for that one. I have never had a problem with this book. My feelings are that there are people who are never satisfied.
Thanx Bill, that’s all I needed to hear. I will buy the current version. Your judgement and opinion are always trusted!
You are welcome, Sha!
So proud of you Bill! I know you just keep going and pushing no matter what, so to see that you succeeded with all your efforts, gives me a lot of hope! Have a brilliant day friend!
Thank you Mel! You kind words mean a lot to me…they really do. 🙂