For a beginning writer to make it, several things are important to keep in mind:
An editing/critique group is essential. An honest critique is worth gold. Don’t defend your writing. Ever. Get serious. Set regular hours. Work hard. Be real—write real.
I joined an ACW critique group upon Cec Murphey’s invitation. Cec and my mother started a critique group back in the 70’s. In 2001, I attended my first writer’s conference. I spotted him signing books at his table. Okay, God, if he’ll say anything encouraging to me, I’ll keep trying. Cec invited me to join his Atlanta editing group that day! Later, he said, “Do you realize you have a flair for fiction?” Of course I didn’t. He’ll never understand what that one sentence did for me (along with some mighty tough editing!).
Scott Kays, father of six and busy businessman, stays late once a month and opens his office to writers of the ACW critique group. Patrick Borders and Jennifer Schuchmannare my closest local writing friends, also members of the original group. Nan Snipes is a great friend and fantastic editor. Patrick also runs a ghostwriting business called Platinum Prose. They’re the kind of friends who run alongside of you and say, "You can do it!"
I’m part of the Marble Shapers—a group of eight women (Peggy Frezon, Susan Karas, Catherine Madera, Wanda Rosseland, StephanieThompson, B.J. Taylor, and Mary Lou Reed) who formed an online critique group after attending the Guideposts Writers' Workshop in 2004. We named our group after hearing Elizabeth Sherrill’s teaching. From Guideposts staff, Elizabeth Sherrill taught how good writing begins with a chunk-like marble of information. The writer must carve away unnecessary stone to discover the hidden story.
Fourteen Christian writers bonded together to form a blog for teenage girls. Through our blog, I've cyber met Tricia Goyer, Suzie Eller at realteenfaith.com and Jenny B. Jones.