Not Going To Frisco: Day 1

Welcome to Writing Biz Reality.

IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION

Do you have the confidence to write the book that's been teasing your consciousness? To secure an agent to represent your work? Or perhaps in a different writing arena to apply for a professional blogging job? To write ad copy?

The Big Picture

Let's look at the big picture. Do you have confidence in your ability to have a successful writing career?

Arthur Ashe, as great a human being as he was a tennis champion, once said: "One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation."

How much confidence would Vince Young or the Manning brothers have in their ability to win if they sat around drinking beer and watching TV instead of attending football training camp?

Athletes know the value of preparation. That's why Tiger Woods hits a few hundred golf balls each day, lifts weights, and runs a few miles. That's why Venus and Serena slam tennis balls around every single day. Look at any professional athlete and see how they prepare to compete.

Let's break down what Arthur Ashe said. To be successful, you must have self-confidence. To be self-confident, you must prepare.

Pseudo Math Formula

If it were a mathematical formula, one might write:

Preparation = Self-confidence

Self-confidence = Success

Therefore, preparation = success.

Now, ask yourself, what have I done to prepare? You can apply this to any endeavor, not just writing. Substitute the words or phrases that speak to what you are trying to achieve in asking yourself these questions.

Have you prepared by learning your craft? Have you mastered grammar? The narrative elements necessary to tell a story? Have you learned how to write a synopsis? A query letter? Have you studied the body of work in existence from past and contemporary writers?

Have you practiced your craft on a consistent basis to develop a good work ethic? Have you completed at least one manuscript? Have you written enough to know how long it takes you to write a manuscript?

Have you studied the business end of your chosen career? Do you understand contracts so when you're offered one you'll have a working knowledge of what the clauses mean? Have you obtained agent representation? Have you joined professional organizations to educate yourself about your chosen career and also to take advantage of benefits they offer?

Takeaway Truth

Preparation is a step by step process of building a foundation of belief in your ability to achieve. That foundation is called self-confidence. In the end self-confidence makes you believe in the inevitability of success. Your success.