Is there really such a thing as writer’s luck? I’ve read many interviews where the author claims his or her success came about due to good luck. The more famous, the more I hear about the luck part. No matter if you are a writer-in-training, published or even famous, you know what really goes on behind the scenes. A lot of hard work, that’s what. Learning, experimenting, falling flat on your face at times. Being rejected, trying again, being rejected some more. By the time you’ve permanently moved into the rejection room, you probably think if you didn’t have bad luck, you wouldn’t have any luck at all.
But, if you are persistent, you practice (and practice) and you are patient enough, one day the rejection you expect will turn out to be that first “yes.” Does that sound like luck?
Writing Tip For Today: With good writing, luck is more about forces over which we have little or no control. Factors such as consumer trends (who knew vampires could enchant fans of Jane Austen?), finding just the right agent or editor who believes in your work or even collective “right” time for new ideas or styles constitute what we call writing luck. The rest is all work, practice and the willingness to put yourself out there (whether that means submitting, entering contests or promoting your work). Don’t be afraid to throw your writing at the reading wall and see if it sticks. If not, it’s only a matter of persistence, practice, patience–and a little luck.