No matter how much practice, preparation and perspiration you sacrifice for your writing, sometimes a brick wall pops up. The hot original idea you had for a nonfiction book comes out written (or ghost-written) by a celebrity. The writing conference everyone insists is THE ONE conference you must attend if you ever want to get anywhere is also so expensive that even putting up your first-born child as collateral won’t cut it. You get another rejection notice that reads: “This is a highly subjective business, and another agent may feel differently about your work.” Ouch.
Writing Tip for Today: The business of writing, that is the selling end, really is highly subjective. You as the writer, are entitled to a highly subjective reaction. But only for 24 hours. Then it’s back to work. Consider these things:

• Agents aren’t kidding when they say they must literally fall in love with a project. A literary agent who doesn’t fall in love with your work probably can’t sell it for you in today’s competitive and ever-shrinking market.
• Stealing ideas doesn’t happen often, but it probably happens now and then. Most of the time, however, ideas happen to come of age or an event will help an issue or topic rocket into public awareness. Don’t waste your time trying to copyright your stuff to protect yourself. The moment you write something it’s automatically protected by copyright. If you are really nervous, stick a copyright notice on your work.
• Writing conferences across the country boast about success stories from participants. All well and good if you can afford it. In these hard times, be aware that a conference can’t catapult immature writing to fame, can’t guarantee you’ll meet Dream Agent, can’t replace the hard work involved in the 10,000 writing hours of an apprenticeship. If you can’t get to a conference now, keep writing, take local classes or find a critique group. Plan to attend one next year, but research which conference suits you best, based on location, teaching staff, cost and accommodations.