by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales

Writing can be a tricky business, but there are many treats along the way … if we’re willing to seek them out.

First, we must get into costume.

It’s time to put our thick skin on (I picture a rhino. Or maybe a dinosaur? Better yet, a dragon!). This is not a business for someone who is overly sensitive and has a difficult time taking constructive criticism. Complaining about the editor who said something that hurt your feelings (aka “pride”) isn’t going to get you a publishing contract. Rejection can sting, but it’s not a death sentence. Throwing your second draft in a drawer after an editor has marked it up in red ink and swearing you’ll never write another word isn’t encouraged, either. You have a story to tell. Get into character and go for it!

Second, grab your bag (or pillow case or plastic pumpkin) and get ready to go.

There’s a lot to learn in this business that’s always changing. It’s easy to feel as if you don’t know anything, even if you’ve been writing for ten years. Between social media platforms, trends, shifts in the industry, editors or agents coming and going, how is one to keep up?

Remember that we are lifetime learners. Our education doesn’t stop when we graduate from high school. Or college. Or after we get our masters degree. We never know everything.

Learn to be an expert.

An expert is someone who is just a little farther ahead than the person behind them. We’re all experts at something. But we keep learning. And moving forward.

So take out that bag and get ready to fill it. Attend conferences. Read blogs. And books. Learn the business. Follow the leaders in front of you, and take the hand of the person behind you.

Don’t be afraid to knock on that door.

There’s a treat on the other side. Always.

You never know when you’re going to get a yes. But the answer will always be no if we don’t take the risk of knocking on the door. Doors don’t open if the person on the inside doesn’t know we’re standing outside, waiting for an opportunity.

Mentors. Agents. Editors. Publishing contracts. Movie rights. What treat are you hoping and praying for?

Knock. Because even if the answer is no, it’s God’s best for you. Because He knows which publisher will be the best for your book or platform. He knows if your project is ready or if you need to go back to your vision board one more time. He knows if your heart is ready for success or if you need to overcome one more thing before He can release you into that ministry of words.

Keep moving from door to door.

The publishing process is a journey. It starts with our obedience to the Lord’s assignment for our life. From the moment we sit and type our first word to the time we finally sign that contract to the day our book hits the market, we have an opportunity to watch God work in our lives.

I bet if you look back, you can find moments when you recognize God’s hand in your career. I know I can.

If we stop at door number three – maybe it’s our second rejection – then turn and go home, we’re missing out on the full bag of goodies in store. We’ve short changed ourselves. Don’t do that. Knock on the next door. Get the next Nugget bar. And the next one. Keep going until you’ve found the end of the rainbow. Taste the joy of success. Taste God’s goodness. Enjoy the journey.

Don’t let the ghoulies get you.

You remember them, don’t you? The kids who taunted you. Made you feel like you were lower than dirt. Maybe your costume was the same one from last year. Or you were going for a fantastic fantasy feature and ended up a fairy failure.

We’re human. We all make mistakes. Words escape our mouths before we have a chance to think about what we’re saying or how we’re saying it. We do things we know better than doing. And some of us (unfortunately) don’t feel good about ourselves unless we’re putting someone else down.

But for the grace of God…

Don’t let the ghoulies get you down. Remember who God says you are and what He’s called you to do. Go home and rejoice that His mercy is new every day. You have another shot at this business. And pray He puts a Snickers bar in the ghoul’s bag. Maybe they’ll wake up with a fresh revelation of His love for them, too. And instead of being (fill in the blank with a Snickers word), they’ll put on the new man they are in Christ and have a change of heart.

What are some of the best treats you’ve received along your writing journey? Let’s celebrate God’s goodness with each other in the comments below.

Alycia Morales is a freelance editor and writer. Her writing has been in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. Her editing clients have won several awards for their manuscripts, including finalist in the Selah Award. Alycia’s first ghostwriting project, The Spirit of Hospitality by Larry Stuart, releases in December 2018.

She is also the conference manager and the blog editor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

When she isn’t busy hanging out with her writing friends, her husband, and her four children, Alycia enjoys reading, watching TV, hiking, and crafting.

Follow Alycia at her blogs, Life.Inspired. and The Write Editing. She can also be found on Instagram and Pinterest.