There are a lot of people out there who want to be writers. Actually, they want to be Writers, with a capital “W”. There are forums and blog posts and endless online (and offline) debates about what constitutes a Writer vs. a writer… how many hours spent making words, can bloggers use the title, are we afraid to offend or don’t give a shit what people think… but in the end, what really matters if you want to be a Writer, is whether or not you are willing to submit something for publication.

How many of you just broke out in a sweat?

Submission can be a scary thing. The idea of sending our work out into the world to be read by others (even if we don’t give a shit what they think) can send chills down our spines and suddenly we remember there are five loads of laundry waiting to be folded and you need to run to the store. Not that I’ve ever done those things. Today.

But look, submission has to happen. It is the only way, if you truly are a Writer, to get the words in your head out into the world where they can be loved on and appreciated and smothered with rainbows and kisses.

I know what you’re thinking.

Of course I know. The world can also hate on and disembowel and stomp our precious words into a smear that is scraped off the sole of its shoe on a curb in front of Dairy Queen. And it’s true. Smear happens. So pick that smear up and wrap it in a napkin and dive into a large M&Ms Peanut Butter Monster Cookie Blizzard, because you know what? Every. Single. Writer. has had that happen to them. If you happen across someone who says it hasn’t, they’re lying or they’re a Unicorn and you need to keep reading because the next one in line had it happen 357 times before getting published. Stephen King’s wife pulled pages of his first published novel, “Carrie”, out of the trash to encourage him to keep at it. It isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.

Start small. Shop your words around to local publications, ask friends if you can write a guest post for their website/blog. Write a letter to the editor… whatever it takes to get you over the terrifying hump of hitting “send” for the first time. You may not be Joyce Carol Oates**, but you may be the best writer who has offered to work for the local free paper in your town.

I dare you. Make a list, get the editors’ names and email addresses, and submit some examples of your favorite blog posts or short stories. Stephen, Joyce and I will be so proud.

** you may be BETTER!!!