Sample Article:
Be Teachable, Then Spread Your Wings And Fly
By Alyice Edrich

Tired of the rejections and the long waits between no’s, I set out to prove to myself and the world that I had what it took to make it as a freelance writer and author. I studied everything I could find on becoming a more proficient writer, including joining a few writer-only forums. I allowed myself to be critiqued by my readers, my peers, and by professional editors. Then I reluctantly, but humbly, took their advice to heart.

Over time, my writing dramatically improved and so did my confidence level. Sometimes, I still look back at what began as choppy, awkward sentences and laugh as I ask myself, “Did I really think that was good writing?” Then, there are moments of complete and utter awe when I look back at a piece I wrote with such heart and conviction and have to ask, “Who really wrote that?”

Writing can be a very hard road for writers. We put our heart and soul into every word, we put countless hours into research, thought processes, and edits; and we play waiting games that can last days, weeks, months, and even years.

Yet, I wouldn’t change one ounce of it, because I am doing what I truly love. I am shaping the lives of others through written words and I am making a difference.

When I first started my career as a freelance writer, I wanted to be published in every magazine, on every shelf, in every bookstore. And, I wanted a few print books to boot. Then the strangest thing happened and the direction of my writing career changed forever. I became the self-published author of an electronic book and the publisher of The Dabbling Mum—an electronic publication geared towards BUSY parents.

The electronic book was difficult to write because I didn’t have an editor or a publishing house telling me what to write, how to write it, and when to have it completed. But what I did have was an audience of hungry entrepreneurs looking for answers.

My first draft sold a handful of copies, but didn’t receive any feedback—positive or otherwise. I was worried that it wasn’t good enough, but was too afraid to hire an outside editor (err, opinion). Then I received an email that changed that book forever. A retired pastor dropped me an email to let me know that while the book had good substance and was well-written, it was missing vital information. The book left him asking questions he didn’t know where to find the answers to.

Had I been un-teachable, I would have missed a great opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. But because I wanted my book to be the best it could be. And because I wanted it to stand up next to the millions of books sitting on bookstore shelves, I rewrote that book and sent the pastor the second draft—free of charge. Not only did he love the rewrite, he offered to pay for the book a second time. While I turned his money down, I did accept his wonderful praise and thus began my career as an e-book author.

Today, I’ve written nine e-books, compiled three anthology e-books, and have been privileged to be included in an additional four e-books and three print books by other compilers—all while running a very successful, electronic magazine with a weekly e-zine.

If I could share one bit of advice to new authors, it would be:

• Stay teachable.
• Never think you’re above critiquing.
• Always remain courteous and professional.
• Never give up.
• Oh, and above all, when something isn’t working, don’t keep trying to make it work.