Do Your Research and Follow Your Instinct.

This has been a tough week because it is one where it reminds you that as much as there are good people out there who mean well and want to do the right things, sadly there are others who, are not so nice. In the writing industry, it is a very difficult to know how to deal with controversy, and not get in a bad situation. It is an industry that has many gate keepers. You need to convince an agent to buy into your story, and then they need to convince a publisher, that they should buy your story.

Now anyone in business knows there are always those who are out for themselves and sadly every day we hear stories of corporate greed. But this is very hard for writers. Writers put their hard personal effort into a piece of work and then hope someone will give them a valid shot at success. Just for someone to open a door that they can possibly walk through and work hard to get some success.

Sadly I hear that in writing, which is so hard to begin with, this type of nasty under handed behavior is very real as well. It makes me very mad to see that the writers who do all the work are the one's who get back stabbed by those in positions of gatekeeping. From agents to publishers I have seen the bad side of the behavior that is obvious. From agents who only want to be half on board and don't really care to publishers who say one thing and do the opposite.

So please if something seems wrong, or you are not sure, look, ask questions, speak to those who have experience. The idea of following your gut in business applies to writing as well. Ask and research and don't assume based on past reputations. Look and if you see a red flag, question it, before you act.

Writing is a hard business and like any others you need to focus on you, and how successful you can be, but like anywhere else, do your due diligence. If it looks wrong, question, it may well be.

Stay focused and overcome and use your instincts, don't give up, and don't let bad people win, because it's a matter of rising above and focusing on moving forward.

I believe that you can and will succeed .