So, I know that it's been a while. I'm sorry. I've got an explanation, but that's for later.
Anyway, it's time for Tip #30! And that is to take a shot at anything. Not with a gun, of course, but just to try.
I've got an example, and it makes me really happy just thinking about it. I'm working on a story about a girl who can't speak because she was injured as a child. To make it realistic, I needed some info about injuries of the throat and what her injury would've looked like.
So, to the computer! The internet was helpful, but I wanted to know a little more. And then I had an idea. The Mayo Clinic has an email contact on their site, so I decided that I would ask. It was hard to get the wording to sound right and not like I was a serial killer, but I managed.
Anyway, about a week later, someone replied! They answered all of my questions and really helped me to make it a believable side effect of this injury.
That was probably one of the coolest things to happen, but if I didn't ask, it would never have happened.
Writers really struggle with imposter syndrome. We all feel like we don't deserve to write and that nothing is going to work and that everything we try is doomed to fail. But it's not. If you are polite, and you explain yourself, a lot of people will help you with your writing, for free! It didn't cost anything to send an email, just took a little time.
So, give it a shot! Send the email, write your book, publish, send it to reviewers. The worst they can do is say no, and then you try again with someone or something else.
Now for what I've been up to. I recently applied for a multitude of jobs, one of which was a position as a ghostwriter. I interviewed for the position, and just finished a practice project that was meant to assess my skills. I really don't know where I stand right now, but the editor loved my project. There were positive comments all the way through.
Basically, I didn't have to apply for this job. I almost didn't. When they contacted me for an interview, I wanted to curl up and hide. But this is essentially my dream job, and, as far as I can tell, it's in the bag. It's incredible.
So. Take that step you've been running from, Stop editing, start sending it in. Email someone. You never know what can happen. And you've already failed if you don't try.
