Writers can use this good bit of advice from Craig Ballantyne: Plan ahead. Always have two solutions for every obstacle.
- Whenever you send out a manuscript, already know the next place you'll send it if the first is foolish enough to reject it.
- Do the same when you approach an agent--have another one waiting in the wings.
- If you can't find a traditional publisher, be ready to consider self-publishing.
- When you're working on one project, have another in mind as the next one. If you have any thoughts about it, jot them down and put them into a folder.
Having a back-up plan reduces the anxiety inherent in this line of work and makes it easier to keep going.
(Another thing that helps is having a writing coach in a book--and that's what you'll get in my book, called, not too surprisingly, Your Writing Coach. It's published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller. This holiday season consider supporting your local independent book store by doing your Christmas book buying there.)
