#amwriting Like a Basketball Championship Series

 So you are working on your novel, and you  think it's pretty good. Then you start querying it, and agents tell you they aren't "feeling it." You open up your manuscript and look for the holes, find where to add the spice, pluck out the bad bits.

It's kind of hit or miss at this point. You've been working on this baby for more than a year, so what do you do now?

Put it away for a week at least.

Take it back out, and read the whole thing like a book. That's what it is, right?

Whatever you do, you do not give up.

Cue, LOCKER ROOM SPEECH:

You write this book like it's Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Sure you were down 3-1, but you came back, baby. You stormed onto the home-team's court and played like a boss. Even after many had villified you for changing teams, they loved you when you returned.

You don't know the word NO, and you are not a loser.

You have coaches and trainers who guide and mold you, but at the end of the day, it's all up to you. You have to write like you mean it, edit like there is no tomorrow, polish and revise to make room for that trophy. This is it. 

I write because I have stories in my head. I write because I love it. Never do I sit down and think, damn, I guess I have to write today. There is no place I'd rather be than in front of a story I am creating. I love my characters, and I want them to find readers who will love them, too.

Writing can be a solitary game, but you must remember there are people out there to help: critique partners, beta readers, editors, and agents, Listen to all of the advice and feedback. Then use what feels right. Just because the story came out of your head doesn't mean it doesn't need a little massaging. Flowers grow because we feed them, give them sunlight and water.

Feed your story. It's Game 7, and the heat is on. (Sure, go ahead and mix metaphors.)  Do not give up. That is not an option.

You got this!
That's my story, what's yours?

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