How New Writers Can Build an Impressive Writing Resume with Zero Experience

Aspiring authors are frequently advised to build a writing resume in effort catch the attention of an agent or editor. The reason? Agents and editors search for writers who are not amateurs. They want to work with writers who have proven themselves to be skilled in their craft and experienced with words and deadlines. When they see a list of publishing credits beneath your name, they will gain respect for you as a writer. It gives them a reassurance about your ability to produce quality, publishable-worthy content.


At least, this is what goes through my mind as I review submissions for Hartline Literary and Illuminate YA.


But I’m sure this advice might cause some inexperienced writers to cringe. How is it possible to build this kind of shining writing resume when your writing has only been published on your blog—if that?


Here are ways you can start now at building a writing resume that will cause your submission to stand out in a slush pile:



               1. Submit guest posts to blogs and online magazines. 


Online publications are often searching for new content to build their database. Not only is this a great way to build your credibility as a writer, but it will also give you more exposure and help to establish your online visibility and platform.


Where to find this:


Use an online search engine to find blogs and online magazines that publish articles to the audience you hope to reach. (For example, if you hope to target a Christian teen audience, consider submitting an article for the blog to my magazine, PursueMagazine.net.)





               2. Write for your school and/or church newsletter. 


Where to find this:


If your school publishes a newsletter, ask if you could contribute an article to build your writing resume.



Same goes for your church newsletter. Find out if your church releases weekly newsletters; if so, ask how you can submit an article that meets their approval and guidelines. Many new writers have found this to be the best way to get their feet wet in the writing world.



               3. Enter writing contests. 


Placing in a contest is one of the best ways to establish credibility as a writer. There are several writing contests you can find online that offer a variation of categories to enter—such as short stories, flash fiction, devotions, articles, novels, etc. Here’s a plus: Some of these writing contests are judged by literary agents and publishers.


Where to find this:


WritersDigest.com holds multiple contests each year. TeenInk.com offers writing contests specifically for teen writers. Many writing organizations and writing conferences offer annual contests for unpublished writers as well.


(Side note: Recently, a teen writer sent a proposal to me at Hartline and stated that her work had been critiqued in a contest by an editor at Penguin/Random House. This editor told her that, out of all the manuscripts she’d critiqued in that contest, this writer’s work was the most promising. You better believe this gave me a new level of respect for this writer’s work!)


               4. Publish your work in magazines. 


After you’ve worked to establish yourself as a writer by publishing articles for free and/or writing for your blog, consider submitting your work to print publications. Again, find magazines that are targeted to your specific audience and publications that will build your expertise in a certain field. If you’re a fiction writer, search for magazines that accept short stories or flash fiction pieces.


Where to find this:


The latest Writer’s Market Guide (or Christian Writer’s Market Guide) is the best way to find a list of current magazines that are searching for submissions. Be sure to follow the specific writing guidelines listed in the writer’s market guide, and adhere to the specific theme if there is one.


If you begin to feel as though building a writing resume is annoying work that cuts into your book-writing time, remember this: Any time spent working with words is an investment into your writing career. Writing for blogs/publications will increase your visibility, validate your expertise, and help you practice writing quality content on a deadline.


Then, when an agent or editor receives your submission, they’ll know you’re not the type of writer who rushes toward achieving publication. Instead, you’re in this for the long haul. You’re dedicated and a hard-worker. You know what it takes to be a career-novelist, and you’ve already worked hard to invest in your career by first taking the time to build an impressive writing resume.


Do you have tips to add to this list? What’s the biggest struggle you’ve faced as you’ve worked to build your writing resume with zero experience?

How to Make a Manuscript (More) Perfect: Guest Post by Katie Clark

About Katie:


KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes inspirational romance for adults as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, and The Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

How to Make a Manuscript (More) Perfect

Guest Post by Katie Clark

@KatieClarkBooks

Here’s an honest to goodness truth. The first novels I wrote were in high school. I think I wrote a total of…four? Maybe five. I never expected anyone to read them (and no one ever did read them!). I was writing only for my own pleasure.


Skip forward a few years, and I wrote a novel that I decided I wanted to share with the world. Only, I had a problem. I had no idea what to do with it once I’d written it. How could I make it better? How could I make it professional? I didn't know how to edit. Seriously. I tried and failed miserably.


I needed help! After asking around I received a few book recommendations on editing. I did some reading and figured out a better way to do things. Everyone has to find the process that works for them, but hopefully these tips can put you on the right path!

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1. I write first, edit later (after my manuscript is completed). 


But sometimes as I’m writing I know that something is going to have to be changed. How do I know it? Because I might think of something I want to add, or take away, or I might come up with an idea I like better. Instead of scrapping everything I’ve already done, I make notes to myself and keep moving forward with my manuscript.


For instance, if I mention on page one that the main character graduated from the University of Alabama, but later I realize she needs to have attended college in Texas, I make a note right in the manuscript. I use a Word program so I can add “notes,” but whatever method you develop for yourself will work just as well.


Then, when I'm ready to begin editing, the first thing I do is go through and make all the big changes I've reminded myself to make in my notes. This works for big plot issues (foreshadowing the bad guy’s identity?) as well as smaller detail issues (like the color of your hero’s eyes). Warning—this process can take a while! Sometimes it will require some major rewriting, but you must be willing to do the hard stuff.


2. I go chapter by chapter. 


When my big plot issues and small detail issues have been fixed, I start at chapter one. I go through it two or three (or ten) times, smoothing out each sentence and making sure I've said exactly what I want to say, at exactly the right time. Sometimes this has to do with rearranging paragraphs to make sure I’ve given proper details at the proper times (for instance, it’s a good practice to give a few brief details of new characters or settings when they’re first introduced…instead of three pages in when the readers have already had time to develop their own opinions on what someone looks like!). Other times it has to do with using exactly the right words to convey a specific feeling. When I'm pleased I move on to the next chapter.


3. I work on the beginning and the ending. 


Once I've gotten my chapters in shape, I work on fine tuning my opening and ending to make sure they hook and then satisfy the reader as best as they can.


4. A final read through. 



During this read through, I do two things. First, I check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors—this is very important if you want to look professional and be taken seriously! Second, I focus on making sure each word choice shines.


For instance, in one manuscript my main character owned a bakery, so I went through the manuscript and made a few changes to bring out her “baker’s” voice—I made changes like turning “I was so sad” into "I was so depressed I raided the baker's chocolate!” It really helped the writing pop.

What about you? Do you have anything special you do when it comes to your editing process? I'd love for you to share!

*What were those editing books recommended to Katie? 

•  Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas

Tweetable:

How to Make a Manuscript (More) Perfect @KatieClarkBooks http://bit.ly/2r0G4Db #amediting #amwriting

Dear Young Writers, Don't Give Up Yet: Guest Post by Caitlin Lambert

About Caitlin: 

Caitlin is the mind behind Quills & Coffee, where she shares tips, tools, & encouragement for writers. She writes YA sci-fi/fantasy novels, and is currently querying her second book, WHAT LIES ABOVE, while drafting her third. When she’s not writing or working, you can find her reading, composing piano, and adding endless destinations to her travel bucket list. Or quite possibly eating dark chocolate. 

I'm pleased to welcome Caitlin Lambert to my blog today to share her encouragement for young writers. As an 18-year-old, Caitlin is familiar with the struggles that young writers are faced with along their path to publication. If you've been facing writing-related discouragement or doubts, I'm sure her writerly reminders will provide just the jumpstart you need to get going again! 

Dear Young Writers, Don't Give Up Yet 

By: Caitlin Lambert @ CaitlinALambert 

Hi everyone! Thank you Tessa so much for having me. Today I’m talking about something very dear to my heart – being a young writer. 

Writing is hard, no matter the genre, and no matter how long you’ve been doing it. Being a young writer is a unique kind of difficult. We face different challenges and, many times, different stereotypes. In recent years, more and more twenty-something-year-old authors are breaking into the literary world and finding success. But what about teen writers? A number of teen authors have been discovered and gotten their work out there (including the wonderful Tessa Emily Hall), but their journeys were not easy. 

When you know in your heart that this is a gift God has given you, and that your dream is to be published, it will all work out for the good. Nevertheless, He doesn’t promise it will be easy, and experience attests to that. Here are a few difficult lessons I’ve learned over the years. 

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Your First Novel Might Not Be “The One” 

I’ve talked about this over at my blog before, and it’s very close to my heart. Why? Because I learned it by experience, and it was something that almost broke me as a writer. I started writing my first novel when I was twelve, and back then, I knew very little about how the publishing world worked. I was confident that I would be able to secure an agent. I dreamed about my book cover, and what it would be like to walk into a bookstore and see my name on the shelf. So two years later when I started querying, I was crushed to get nothing but rejections. 

Now, rejections do not always mean you should give up. However, what was even more heartbreaking was for me to realize that much of what the agents were saying was true --- my first book was not ready for publication, and probably never will be. I received so much encouragement, but I was still incredibly discouraged. After this, I didn’t work on another novel for TWO YEARS. Thankfully, God brought me back to writing, and I began to realize that even though that first novel will never make it into the world, it taught me so much of what I know today as a writer. That book was not a failure because I learned from it. 

There are many authors out there who had to write a dozen manuscripts before they were published. If they had given up any earlier, they would never be where they are now. 

Rejections Make You Stronger 

Rejection is something that we will all face at some point in our lives. In work. In our dreams. Writing is no different. Learning how to deal with rejection young will allow you to seize your dreams and pursue them fearlessly. One of my favorite quotes is by Elisabeth Elliot: “God never denies us our hearts desire, except to give us something better.” Trust that every rejection is just His redirection. 

You Have Your Whole Life Ahead Of You 

Although we should seize every day and live it to the fullest, it’s also sometimes good to step back and realize that many authors do not even start writing their first book until they are in their twenties or thirties (or sometimes later). The fact that you have started in your teens is incredible! I will be 19 this year, and I am writing my third novel. By the time I am 20, I will have completed three full books (maybe more *smiles*). I know of many young writers who can say the same. Even if none of those books are published, each of them will have made you a stronger writer. With perseverance, your day will come. 

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If there is something I want you to take away from this post, it is to keep fighting for your dreams. There is a wonderful community for young writers out there, and I encourage you to get involved if you aren’t already. Being a young writer is hard. It can be discouraging. But it can also be beautiful and incredible. And one day, when you finally receive that “yes”, you will look back and smile at the long road it took to make it there. 

Connect with Caitlin

Website: Quills & Coffee www.caitlinlambert.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaitlinlambert 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaitlinALambert 

Thanks for sharing your insight, Caitlin!

Readers: What's the biggest struggle you've faced along your writing journey? What challenges have you come across as a young writer?

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The Three C's of Why Writing Conferences Are Valuable

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(NOTE: This post originally appeared in SoCal Christian Writer's Conference's newsletter. You can sign up for their mailing list by clicking here.)

I met my first publisher at a writing conference when I was sixteen-years-old. Since then, I’ve attended about sixteen conferences as a writer—both large and small—over the past several years. 

Conferences have become a priority in my writing life for their various benefits to the writing journey. Not only because they're an investment of my craft and career, but because I find connecting with other writers and learning from professionals to be both refreshing and exhilarating to my writerly soul. I recommend them to almost every aspiring writer I meet, even to those who are just setting out on their writing journey.

Although I could list multiple reasons as to why writers should attend a writing conference, here are the main benefits: 

1 - The Connections 

Personally, this is my favorite conference perk. The connections I’ve made at conferences have propelled me forward in my writing journey. Not only do you have a chance to make valuable contacts at a conference, you’ll also meet new writing friends—writers who are journeying along the same publishing path as you. Writers who can encourage you when you receive a rejection letter or show support when you sign your first contract. 

We’re on this writing journey together. Conferences remind you that you’re not alone in pursuit of your publishing dreams. 

Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, 2016

There’s also value in investing in the writing journey of other writers you meet at conferences. That’s what I love about this CBA industry: We take pride in helping one another. Whether that help comes in the form of referring a writer friend to your agent, spending time critiquing a friend’s manuscript, or providing an endorsement for an author friend. 

If I could use one scripture to summarize the value of making connections at a writing conference, it would be this: 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) 

2 - The Craft 

Where else can you learn about the ins and outs of the writing craft from professionals in the industry? From authors, editors, and agents you admire? 

In these workshops, you’ll receive insider secrets. The instructors know you’re paying your hard-earned money to attend a conference; therefore, they’re going to make sure it’s worth your time, money, and effort to be there. They know it’s only those writers who are serious about their writing dream who will invest in developing their craft by attending a conference. 

Sure, there are several books on the writing craft. But by attending a live workshop, you have the unique opportunity to experience personal interaction with the instructor, ask questions, and engage in conversation with other attendees in the room. 

Trust me: The pages of notes and potential handouts you’ll receive will be well worth your investment! In fact, I still have the notebook I used to take notes from my very first writing conference, and I occasionally use the notes as a reference tool when I need them. 

The first writing conference I attended at 16-years-old =)
Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, 2010

3 - The Contract 

I don’t believe we should attend a conference for the sole purpose of seeking a contract. If that becomes our focus then we’ll very likely become discouraged and miss out on other doors that the conference could open for us. 

It is true, however, as a conference attendee, you have a better chance of signing with an agent/editor at a conference as opposed to via an online submission. Why is this? 

Think about it: Agents and editors receive multiple submissions per week. It often takes months to weave through this slush pile; and the fact is, this isn’t the top priority of an agent/editor. But during a conference appointment, you’ll receive undivided attention. If you find an agent or editor who is intrigued with your pitch, then they’ll likely place your submission at the top of their slush pile and request your full manuscript. 

Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, 2014

As I mentioned earlier, this is only the foundation of the benefits that a writing conference can provide. You have to actually attend one in order to fully understand the value of this experience. Every time I’ve attended a conference as a writer, it became more than a business venture for me. It was almost a vacation. Only in a dream world can one spend a few days immersed in a culture that breathes life into their dreams! 

If you attend a writing conference this year, be prepared to come home with a notebook full of notes, handfuls of business cards, new relationships, memories, and a well full of inspiration and insight. All of these tools, resources, and connections will play a vital role in furthering you along your writing journey. And you’ll be one step closer toward achieving your writing dream. 

(You can view my complete conference schedule for 2017 by clicking here.)


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If you've attended a writer's conference, what was the greatest value you received from it? If you plan to attend one in the future, what do you look forward to the most?
Tweetable:
The Three C's of Why Writing Conferences Are Valuable @TessaEmilyHall #writerslife #amwriting http://bit.ly/2qnL5VZ

8 Ways Aspiring Authors Can Build a Foundation for a Novelist Career

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A novelist career isn't built overnight. Similar to any other profession, aspiring writers must invest necessary time (and money!) into turning their dream into a reality. However, unlike other careers -- such as being a teacher, nurse, or a lawyer -- there is no straight path to becoming an author. A degree in English or Creative Writing doesn't guarantee a career as a novelist, nor is it absolutely necessary for aspiring authors to attain one.

This is why I'm grateful that I began my writing journey as a teenager: It's given me the opportunity to lay a foundation for my writing career. I was determined, at that age, to do everything I could do to begin walking on a path that would lead to the unveiling of my writing dreams.

No, it's not easy, nor is there a shortcut. But if you, too, are a young writer who has dreams of becoming a career novelist, there are several things you can go ahead and do now that will build the foundation for your future career...

1. Take your writing seriously by setting goals and treating it like a career. This may involve replacing TV or social media time with writing. When you begin to view writing as a profession rather than a hobby, you may find that you become far more determined and motivated to stop making excuses and simply get the job done. 

2. Understand why you're passionate about writing and why you feel lead to pursue it. Consider writing down your mission statement or vision as a writer so you can be reminded of the big picture as you pursue publication. 

3. Invest in your writing education. Attend writing workshops and conferences. Read books and blogs on the craft. Enroll in an online creative writing course. Join a local or online critique group. Writing isn't just an art; it's also a craft, one that must be honed if one hopes to become a career novelist. A writer must combine both art and craft in order to produce a masterpiece. {Psst ... I offer a 3-month writing mentorship course for young writers here.}

4. Understand how the industry works and be informed of the current marketplace. Frequently check out the best-seller list and read popular books. Research how the publishing process works. Subscribe to Publisher's Weekly. You may want to check out the below blog series on how to navigate the path to publication:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

5. Gain experience in the field. Write for online and print publications; submit guest posts to blogs; enter and place in contests; write for your school's newspaper; join a writing organization. Not only is this great writing practice, but it will also get your name out there and impress agents and publishers when it comes time to submit to them.   

6. Build an online readership by creating an online presence on social media and potentially a blog. Engage with your followers. Provide valuable content. You may want to check out my posts on how to build a platform here.

7. Learn effective book marketing strategies and research how to become an "author entrepreneur". I'd recommend taking a course in business, if possible, to familiarize yourself in that area. If you become a novelist, then you will be considered a small business owner. It's also important that aspiring authors understand how to market their books, because this will be included in book proposals. Here's a great blog series by author, Melissa Tagg, on how to create a marketing plan.

8. Keep your future book ideas in a folder, and stay on the lookout for new story ideas. Agents especially love to work with writers who have the potential of producing several works rather than just one. (An exception is usually made if the writer has a huge platform, such as the pastor of a mega church.) You'll also want to flesh out about three of these future book ideas when you put together a book proposal. 

As you can probably tell, there's a lot more involved to becoming a career novelist than simply writing a good story. Amateur writers will submit their first drafts to agents and give up when the rejections roll in; professional writers -- writers who are in this for the long haul -- will understand that it takes hard work, excellence, education, and perseverance for their author dreams to come into fruition.

Sure, it might take several years before you begin to see your hard work pay off. But if it means that much to you, then those years of building a foundation will be pale in comparison to the fruit that you will soon bear -- fruit that will lead to the unveiling of your writing career.
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How have you begun to build the foundation for your novelist career? Is there anything you'd like to add to this list?

Tweetable:

8 Ways Aspiring Authors Can Build a Foundation for a Novelist Career #writing @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/2qpUfkB