3 Ps on the Path to Publishing

Ten years ago, I made the commitment to write toward publication. I told my husband it was a choice I wanted to follow, no matter how long it took. I never realized it would require ten years before my first book was published by a traditional publisher.

As I look back, I recognize three major behaviors I needed to succeed.


Persevere: It's easy to quit. It's harder to keep going especially when rejections fill your in-box. If you persevere, you will improve. Read craft books, books by talented writers, and seek critiques of your work.

Prioritize: Time has a way of sucking you in. For the good and the bad. If you choose to write, then you must make writing a commitment in your life. I tell everyone I work from home every day. That means limited phone calls and that I also schedule my writing time. I take writing seriously as my business. It is no longer a hobby especially when I have an agent waiting for the next book. 

Pray: All the time. I pray every day God would guide my writing and that my words might touch one person. I pray He gives me the ideas I need to write and gives me the stamina to finish and not quit. 

No one ever said writing is easy. When someone tells me they have always wanted to write a book, I ask, "What's stopping you?"

Add these behaviors to your life and your answer will be "Nothing!"