~ By Samanthya Wyatt
I’ve seen several authors offer tips on Goal-Motivation-Conflict, Editing, Research, Interviewing Characters, and their journey to being published. Authors sharing information is one of the greatest gifts I’ve received.
So today I’d like to share a few things I hope would be beneficial to any author who wants to be the best they can be.
First of all, if you are not already a member of RWA, join! So much information is available. With the support of RWA behind you, you have a great chance of accomplishing your dream. RWA opens many doors for an author. From there you can join chapter groups, groups in one genre, critique groups, and other groups where members offer support. There is nothing like shared information between members and you make so many friends.
Take as many workshops as you can. In today’s world, you need to be up to speed on what an editor wants and sharpen your skills so you can give it to them. Whether it’s GMC, POV, edits, plot, story building—you can never learn too much and you may be surprised at how much you will benefit. Classmates share ideas, ask questions maybe you never thought of. I even took a website design class and created my own website. www.samanthyawyatt.com So sign up. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.
Don’t be afraid to enter contests. It took years of putting words on paper, and having the courage to enter a contest. Don’t enter to win. Enter to learn. Feedback is important and you need to look at it as constructive and not insulting. You don’t have to like or agree with the judges, but you should learn from them. Turn criticism into drive.
And most important—Don’t give up! Don’t expect success overnight. It is a long, hard process. If you are determined, keep trying. Judges’ comments made me more determined and work harder. In 2013 I was a finalist in the Golden Rose Contest. The Right One went on to be awarded Second Place. I did a pitch session with SAVVY Authors and one of the editors with Soul Mate Publishing asked for a full. Another editor asked for a full of my contemporary Something More.
Every one of these things created the author I am today. I am a RWA member, I’ve joined four chapters via internet, and I’m a member of Savvy Authors. By keeping my spirit and turning criticism into drive, I am proud to join the list of published authors.
Samanthya Wyatt loves a good romance story. She left her accounting career, married a military man traveling and raising her children in the United States and abroad, and now lives in the Shenandoah Valley. Her dream of being published came true with Soul Mate Publishing. She writes contemporary and historical romance, and is currently working on a sequel in the One and Only Series. She enjoys penning a story with strong characters, a bit of humor, and active scenes.