10 Steps Writers Can Take To "Get The Call"

Writers hear time and time again of authors who "got the call." Their drive and desire to become a true professional writer has come true! They got a call from an editor or a publisher saying they are ready to move forward. They loved their story. They believe in the author.

And the rest of the authors sit back and wonder what they did wrong? Are they missing something? 

The reality is that there are a lot of things you can do to increase your chances to moving to the professional side of your writing. Please note that I did state "increase your chances." I stress this because this business is ALWAYS changing and if anyone ever tells you they have a guaranteed method, they probably also have a bridge in NY to sell you. 

Here is the list:

1. Have a thick skin I am just going to start with this one. Things are not always going to go your way. This is a business where everything is subjective. Every book is not for everyone. Some will like your writing and some will hate it. Be prepared for people to say no. Be prepared for reviews that do not go your way. Be prepared for people outside of your family to pass on your writing. If you can't handle criticism, then stop now.
2. Learn writing as a craft If you have been on this blog, you know I have said this as well. Writing, like every other profession out there requires learning how to do it properly. Let me say that being really good at any job out there does involve some inherent skills that some of us have and some of us don't have. Still, we can learn. Remember that doctors don't start doing surgeries. They go to school. Writing is no different. You have to learn how to write. You have to learn why you do the things you do in your story. You have to learn how to read other author's writing and figure out what he or she really did to make the story work or not work. This WILL TAKE TIME
3. Learn and understand the publishing business If you don't understand how a piece of writing becomes a book, then you have a lot to learn. You need to understand the realities of making money in this business. You need to learn about the roles of all those who guide your book to that book shelf. This is not stuff you learn from talking to your BFFs on social media. It means learning the business. Learn from the professionals. 
4. Join a professional writing organization I am really stressing professional here. You might be part of a writing group that meets at a library or church basement. You might be part of a group that hangs out once a month (or weekly) to have wine and talk about your writing. That is a good start, but the professional organizations are the way to go. These organizations help you find the legitimate editors and agents. These organizations help you network. I want to also add to this one that there are many of you who ditched on your professional organization because of social pressure from other authors. It might be time to go back and rejoin. I have talked to a lot of writing groups who all "left that organization" and are now realizing they are lost. They stayed together on social media, but now are finding their connections to editors and agents are gone. They are now finding the successes they saw are no longer there. So what is the take-away? Join the organization. 
5. Surround yourself with successful writers This does connect back to the previous thought, but if you are learning from people who are in the same situation as you, then this might not be the group for you. If the person reading your story doesn't know how to sell his or her own story, then you are learning from the blind. Go take a look at all of the successful people out there in every other business. It is always interesting to note, they all hang out with the other successful people. We often try to associate it to the fact that they all have the money to hang out together, but that is just a side effect of that success. Think about in school. The A students hang out together because they work together. Hmmmmmm? Kind of freaky, isn't it?
6. Be willing t continue learning I have always been frustrated to find people in writing, who, after they sell that first book, seem to be "too good" to attend a workshop and learn something. I have been teaching since I was 12 years old. I started teaching leadership workshops to adults through the Scouting program. The one thing I noted every time is that you should walk away from a workshop learning at least one new thing. Successful writers are always learning something about their craft. If you can't keep learning, then it is time to quit. 
7. Research what editors and agents want beyond genres Quit sending your story out to EVERYONE. This is not just throwing darts and hoping something sticks. This is all about market research. There are a lot of people out there representing romance and women's fiction like I do. But guess what? We all like different things. You need to take the time to learn the specifics of what that editor or agent likes about your genre. Do they like specific types of characters? Do they hate certain plots? Do they like or hate things as simple as first or third person? Dig deep!
8. Take the time to follow editors and agents to learn Just because you think you figure out what the editors and agents want, don't rush it. Follow those people on social media. See what they are doing. Read what they are editing. Start looking at your writing and determine if it really fits. 
9. Write a query and synopsis that "sells you and your writing" You query and synopsis is nothing more than your cover letter and resume you send out to potential employers. You need to think about this query and synopsis like someone who is reading it for the first time. Based on what you just wrote, would you really want to read more, or would you pass on this project? Think not as a writer but someone on the outside. Are you selling your writing and you as a package that someone will want to invest in?
10. Always moving forward Successful writers are not just about the one book they are writing. Successful writers see a future. No, they are not looking at quitting their day job. They are thinking about their next book. They are thinking about how to advance their career. Right now, if you are just looking at the current book, then you are not ready.

I am leaving you with a couple of additional thoughts. FIRST, as I said earlier, there are no promises. SECONDLY, this is not going to be easy. Be prepared to work. FINALLY, this is going to take time. Quit rushing things.