Conquering the pitfalls..

 As authors,we all have days when we can't find the words that would help hone our message. Sometimes we can't find an idea that will engage our readers. Mostly I think it's fears that creep in and try to spoil everything for us. Are we going to let those doubts take a victory lap? Here's what we can do to pulverize those trepidations:

• Don't let failure have power over you: Everyone hates failure because we remember how it hurts. We remember the disappointment when we fall short of our goals. What can you do to turn things around? Failure is a great teacher. Let your last mistake help lead you to victory. If your sentences were too long, go after those unnecessary words. Was conflict the culprit? You can add more tension and more struggle to your main character. There's always a solution and you can find it with a little effort.
• Have someone you trust read over your work: That doesn't mean you should ask your mom or your best friend to critique your work. Are you wondering why? If I asked my mom, she'd say anything I wrote was stupendous.  She'd try to convince me I'd be a shoo-in for the Newberry Award! Is that going to help you write your best story? It's not likely. You need to have an objective person check over your work. That person who's most likely to find your flaws so you can correct them.
• Remember, there will always be those with the wet blankets: Keep in mind that there are people who will always tell you what you are seeking is impossible. They seem to thrive on pouring rain on your parade.  How do they know? You may not even know what you're capable of, so how could other people know for sure? There are people who are naturally negative. Block out their opinions. Positive thoughts and actions are what will help you triumph over adversity.
• Revise, revise and revise more: If you're anything like me, you don't do your best work on the first effort. I revised my first book, Tails of Sweetbrier at least 13 times. Don't be satisfied with anything that isn't your best effort. Your readers deserve nothing short of your best.
• Look for over used words: Keep in mind how easy it is to use the same phrases over and over. When you reread your work do you find too many unnecessary words like " I guess" or " I think?" Look for words that don't advance your plot. If words or phrases are not helpful, why are they still there?
• Perseverance is the key to success: No matter what you tackle in your life, perseverance is the one ingredient you can't be without. If you never give up on your dreams, you will prevail!

I hope these suggestions help you write something amazing. Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog!