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What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

by Donna Earnhardt

I had only taken a few steps into my writing journey when I decided it was time to submit my fabulous, wonderful, “you’re-gonna-love-it-and-offer-me-a-bazillion-dollars” picture book.

Really, it was great.

It had three interesting main characters (count ‘em, three). It was chock full of lovely adverbs. And it was wrapped around a love story (rated G, of course!). Did I mention this lovely picture book was 4,000 words long?

Yep. 4,000 words.

So, this wonderful book and I were on our way. We were on our way to the bookshelves at Books-a-million. We were on our way to stardom. We were on our way to the top of the charts!

And I figured the best way to the top was to start there.

I called a major publishing house and asked for the head editor. 

Yep. The head editor.

Funny thing, one of the secretaries (or maybe it was an intern?) put me right through. She seemed perfectly fine with the whole thing.

The editor, on the other hand, not so much. Our conversation was short…but not sweet. He demanded to know how I got through to his office. Taken aback, I told him. I hope to this day that secretary (or intern)* didn’t get fired.

I crossed the line. I broke the chain of command. I obliterated rules that I didn’t know existed.

Making sure I knew the rules, however, wasn’t the secretary’s job.

It wasn’t the editor’s job.

It wasn’t anyone’s job…but mine.

If writing is my job – and I do consider it as such – then I need to KNOW my job. I need to know the ins and outs, chain of command and where the lines are. I need to know the rules.

And how do I find out this information?

Join a writer’s organization. There are tons out there. I am now a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

Join (or start!) a critique or writer’s group. (I’m a member of two groups. I learn new stuff every day!)

Buy or borrow the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s market and Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide. Soak up all the great info on the pages. (Really…get thee to a bookstore!)

Go to Writing Conferences. (There are conferences held all over the world. Shameless plug: click here for a great one!)

Explore online resources. Verlakay’s message board is a great place to start. You can find info on all things writing there!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes.  (But don’t be a slacker. Do your homework, too!)

Be assured, I’ve made other mistakes since THE CALL. Thankfully, I’ve walked away with no burned bridges…just a few singed manuscript pages!

5 Comments on January 13, 2010, last added: 1/15/2010