Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Do You Need a Special Hat for Writing?

"Do You Need a Special Hat for Writing?" by Joan Y. Edwards

Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards
Do You Need a Special Hat for Writing?
I've always heard that a writer needs a special hat to wear when he/she is writing. Do you need a special hat for writing? What do you think? Perhaps you need a hard hat. Sometimes, you may feel like you need a bullet-proof vest and helmet to filter negative criticism. The trouble is when you wear such a bullet-proof helmet and vest, you stop the bad things from going through, but you also stop the good things from going through. Even when wearing a bullet-proof vest, the impact of the bullet may be enough to knock you down.

I suggest instead that writers need a transformer shield around you to filter the words of rejection and criticism and translate them into words to better yourself and get to your goal. You want the negative words transformed into words that inspire you to reach higher. You want words, beliefs, and actions that enable you to grow in your personal life and your writing skills, too.

Just like a character in one of your books, you may have inner and outer conflicts that try to stop the publication of your work. Keep a journal. Write down your feelings and body reactions to the comments of editors and agents. Then put these descriptions into your writing. If your own and other people's negative words and actions are put into the filter and stirred in with God's graces and blessings, they come out in words and actions that mold you into a stronger person and a better writer.

Realize that just because one person says something bad, that doesn't make it true. It is one person's opinion. It does not make the statement a fact for you...unless you believe it.

One publisher says, "This doesn't mean our needs." There is a publisher for your story. It might not meet one publisher's needs, but there is a publisher for your story. Search and you will find it. Look for a publisher of similar books and explain how your book has a clever twist to it.

One editor says, "The market for this book is too small. We won't make any money on it, therefore we won't print it." There is a small publisher or magazine editor who will take a chance on your small niche publication. Look for ways to show that even this small niche will have thousands of potential readers. It can make more money than anyone ever imagined from it. Search and you will find it.

If a special hat helps you believe more in yourself, choose a hat. Believe in you and your stories. Believe in your writing no matter what other people say. Believe in you and your stories, especially when no one else believes in them. Believe in them, no matter what your circumstances are. Treasure your stories. Clothing may make the man, but inner belief, writing skills, perseverance, and determination make the story. Hone your skills. Keep writing. Keep submitting. You will be published again and again.

Joan's Elder Care Guide release June 2015 by 4RV Publishing.
Check out my Never Give Up blog.
Joan Y. Edwards


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12 comments:

  1. How about a Magnum PI style baseball cap?
    Or something from one of the Harry Potter books (which I never read and have no interest in.)
    Our a nice fascinator. (I know someone who uses this.)
    Then again, there is the humble straw hat!

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  2. Dear Sweedie-The-Cat,
    Thanks for writing. I love your suggestions for hats for writers. All of them sound really good. Perhaps you could use each of them, depending upon which type story you're writing.
    Good luck with your writing. Have fun doing it!
    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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  3. The jobs I do at the computer would require constant switching of hats, so I work away bareheaded.

    Thanks for the article, Joan.

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    1. Dear Vivian,
      You're welcome for the article. Thanks for writing. I understand what you're saying. Perhaps there's a hat for jack-of-all-trades or Queen of Publishing. Being bareheaded let's all those great ideas flow!
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  4. What a wonderful comment about stirring in "God's graces and blessings"! Gives me goosebumps. Thank you, Joan! People who want to wear a writer's hat WILL find a publisher with perseverance.

    I don't have a special "hat", but I like coming across small things that remind me of characters in my stories. The collection sits on a shelf at my desk as a reminder that I'm the only one who can bring them to life--and I've gotta keep at it!

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    1. Dear Suzanne,
      Thanks for writing. I'm glad you liked my stirring in "God's graces and blessings." I believe you're right, writers will find a publisher with perseverance.
      Celebrate you and your writing.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  5. Joan,
    A transformer shield sounds like a great tool. Every writer should own one!They could even ditch the hat!

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    1. Dear Linda,
      Thanks for writing. I'm glad you like the transformer shield. You're right. It does sound like a great tool that every writer should own one. Funny that you could even ditch the hat for a transformer shield.

      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  6. Cute post, Joan. I used to mention all the hats a mother wears; a chauffer, a cook, a teacher, a nurse, etc. I'd say I need a hard hat to stick out my baby & sometimes face rejection or ridicule. I use a librarian hat to do research. Since my debut novel came out with 4RV last year, I've put on a speaker hat, one I never thought I'd wear.

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    1. Dear Janet,
      Thanks for writing. I like the different hats you wear. Isn't it amazing how we can do more than we ever thought we could or would? I'm very proud of you. Keep on trying on new styles of hats! Enjoy your writing.

      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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  7. LOL I tell my grandsons I have a Grandma shield. You're so right that as a writer, you need to have enough self-confidence to ward off negativity. And, you need perseverance.

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  8. Dear Karen,
    Thanks for writing. That's pretty neat that you have a Grandma Shield. What powers does it give you? Might be a story in that. You are so good to share with others. I hope this works as a shield to ward off negativity and keep you going!

    Never Give Up
    Joan Y. Edwards

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