by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

One thing I hear at every writers’ conference from new writers is that they “want a book.” Everyone wants a book, and they have a preconceived idea of how they think it will happen. Those writers have a story. It may be finished, but more than likely, it isn’t. They’ll take that shred of a story and begin to pitch it, convinced they’ll leave the conference with a signed contract and at least two agents vying for their representation.

I know some of you are chuckling, but the truth is, this is how many new writers come to a conference. They aren’t being cocky, they have the fairytale version of how publishing works. We can’t fault them for it, but we can gently educate them.

Many new writers are not sure what they want to write, much less be able to pull it off. For example, I brought two children’s stories at my first writers conference. One was completed, and the other was nearly finished. I’ll never forget sitting in front of the amazing Jessee Florea and having him ask me what I wanted to write. I suppose he got a deer-in-the-headlights look because I responded, “Well, I’m not sure, so I pulled two little stories together. I need someone to tell me if I have anything worthwhile to offer.”

If you’ve ever met Jessee, you’ll know he rates 100% on the kindness scale, and he shared that kindness with me. “These are good, Cindy. Of course, you need to finish them.” Wise advice.

“I know. I just…this is…”

“Oh,” he said. “This is your first conference.”

I nodded as he pulled out a notepad and made a few notes for me. Jessee may never remember that one-on-one meeting, but I will never forget it because the things he jotted down for me were amazing. “What do you enjoy reading? Do you want a career to make money? Are you a quitter?” Three simple questions that helped guide and change my writing career. Why? Because those questions granted me permission to write what I wanted, not what everyone else said I should. They became the basis to help me define my desire for my writing career.

He kindly went through each question, sharing what he wanted me to gain from them. Knowing what I enjoyed reading gave me a clear place to start. Write what you read or what you love. I loved Appalachian historical, but I’d not read anything new in that genre since Christy in the 1980s. Jessee smiled and said, “Then maybe you’ll be the first to write in that genre again. That’s an achievable goal once you learn the craft.”

The next question wasn’t so hard to answer. Everyone wants to make some money writing, but I wasn’t sure if I knew how. “Articles. Write for magazines,” Jessee said. But the last question was the game changer. “Are you a quitter?” I answered an emphatic no. “I’ve never been a quitter.”

“That’s good only those willing to persevere succeed.”

You could say that was my wow moment. I understood clearly the three things I needed to land on to start a path toward becoming a successful writer.

As a new writer, it’s hard to define your dreams for a writing career primarily because you’ve not been in the industry long enough to know what’s available. I remember taking my son to college and sitting in an assembly where all the incoming freshman students were in attendance. The professor stood at the podium and announced, “By the end of next week, you’ll need to declare your major.”

I was stunned. How could a bunch of seventeen and eighteen-year-old young adults know what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives when they’d only experienced high school football games and homecoming? The point is, give yourself a break as you attend a conference. Don’t pressure yourself to head in directions that you may not have a burning desire to do.

Walk through this industry and look at the opportunities. There’s nothing wrong with not having a desire to write a book. I recently spoke to a book club where one of the ladies said, “I have no desire to write a book. I want to write useful things that give immediate help.” That was a fantastic admission on her part, and all she wanted was permission to write articles. Your desire may be as a journalist or an article writer. You may be a devotion writer or a technical writer. Allow yourself the opportunity to explore the massive amounts of opportunity, and then write what your heart leads you to write. Learn the craft of writing because the craft, be it fiction or non-fiction, does not change.

Writing should be something you love at every turn. It should be a passion that leads you to be determined—not a quitter. I’m pleased to have become friends with Jessee through the years, to talk about writing and even grandbabies, but more so, I’m grateful for those three simple questions he jotted on paper. They helped me define who I am in the writing world by giving me direction.

Seek out those who can help you find your calling in the publishing industry. Listen closely to their advice, and then follow it. You will be glad you did. And Jessee…thank you.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.