Nine Things I learned in 2011

1/02/2012 golden , learned , life , writing 0 Comments

Over the weekend I was thinking about the things I'd learned in 2011, and thought I should post them.

On Writing:

1.) Just because you revised your book several times doesn’t mean it’s ready to be sent out. Get critique partners first, and then start sending out the query letters.

2.) Before sending out query letters and a synopsis, have your critique partner go over it for you.

3.) Join a popular writing forum (hint: Absolute Write is a damn good one).

4.) Do a blog, even if you think nobody will read it. It helps you practice more with writing, connects you with others, and helps you build a platform for your book(s).

5.) Join Facebook as another avenue to get yourself out there.

6.) Do research on the literary world so you know how it works, so you’re aware of what’s going on and your options.

7.) Self-publishing doesn’t mean you’re a loser and that you suck as a writer. It means you believe in yourself enough to publish your own book and have the balls to do so.

8.) Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Just because some writers seem to obtain representation rather quickly, don’t mean your writing or story doesn’t have a chance. Everybody’s path/journey is different. Some writers were rejected hundreds of times before they found the right agent and publisher to represent their work, and then achieved great success.

9.) Shedding a bucket of tears is not going to get you any closer to your writing dream. Believing in yourself, your story, and not giving up, is the only way you’re going to make it.
　
On Life:

1.) Happiness is the most important thing (besides love), not how much is in your bank account, and working long hours at a stressful job you hate so you can have that sense of financial security isn’t worth your health, happiness, and life.

2.) Be yourself, and if people don’t like you for you than they’re not worth being in your life. You should NEVER change who you are in exchange for approval.

3.) The stock market is a joke. Need I say more?

4.) Trying to force something to make your life better is a bad, bad, idea.

5.) Just because you get an awesome feeling about something doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.

6.) Pining for a life you want is another bad, bad, idea. It’s okay to visualize that life and work towards it, but remain in the present and live the life you have now. Otherwise, you’ll make yourself miserable and you might be missing out on something really cool.

7.) When a tornado is heading your way, don’t stand around so you can see it, get your ass in the basement pronto.

8.) Never complain about the insurance adjuster to your insurance agent before the insurance adjuster inspects the damage to your house/property.

9.) When scheduling a connecting flight, make sure there’s plenty of time to get from one flight to the next.

So there you have it. 2011 is in the past, and now it’s 2012, the year of the dragon. I hope to God/Universe/All-That-Is, this year will be a damn good year for Kevin and me.

*fingers and piggies crossed*

*Eyes squeezed tightly shut*

Um, wait a minute.

Am I disregarding number six–pining for a life I want?

Crap.

Okay, hold-up.

Hoping for a better year isn’t necessarily pining for the life I want.

Right?

Just as long as I keep living this life in the NOW and enjoy it, I’m golden.

Yeah, that’s right. I’m already starting this year out right and right now I’m so golden. :)