SUBMIT: A. give way; yield, B. surrender (oneself) to the control of another, etc., C. present for consideration or decision.
All of these definitions apply to the writer’s life, but the last definition (C) is the one I’m going to touch on today. For some of us submitting (presenting for consideration or decision) is too hard to handle. In our mind, the thought of sending something off could literally scare the hair off of a bald man. A few might even think the earth would topple off its axis if we put that envelop into the slot at the post office. Trust me, neither of these absurd things can or will happen if we submit.
Personally, I think it’s FEAR which keeps us from submitting. We’re afraid to let go of our masterpieces. Petrified someone will reject the piece we’ve worked so hard to perfect. “But, nettie. . .my. . .manuscript. . . it isn’t ready. I can’t send it in…yet.” I agree, it probably isn’t completely polished, but unless we release it, we’ll never know what might happen.
Has it ever occurred to us that sending our precious work off doesn’t always bring bad news? It could also bring a letter of acceptance from a publisher we’ve only dreamed about. When this monumental event occurred for me, I’m almost certain the angels in heaven sang the Hallelujah Chorus. . .okay, maybe that’s a little much, but I know there was a celebration going on up there. And, it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t submitted my stuff.
Ask anyone who’s been published. They’ll tell you there’s not a specific formula. For me, I’m a seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, so I guess that’s what kind of submitter I am, too. Just send it. Take a chance. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you join me and submit something this week? When you find out you didn’t die from actually doing it, do it again and again. It doesn’t hurt to submit and one day (SOON) you will get to say the words you’ve only imagined, “I’m a published author.”
nettie
S - Sending off our work creates in us
U - Unbelievable stress and untold strain.
B - But, if you hold on to them until they’re perfect
M - Masterpieces could go unread, unpublished.
I - Instead of touching someone else’s heart.
T - Take a chance – SUBMIT – imagine the possibilities.
