What I wish I could have told my younger self about the author life

I celebrated a milestone birthday yesterday, and it wasn’t one I thought I’d be okay with, because turning 50 sounded much older than my 30s-40ish brain. I certainly don’t feel any older, and that’s a good thing because I need my zest for life to show up in my 20-30-year-old-ish heroines. It’s what I love about writing younger characters. The joy of experiencing new things and finding love in unexpected ways. It’s also a time when dreams are big, and the heart yearns for accomplishment. 
If I were to ask my younger self about where I would be in my author life, I think I would have said I’d have written a dozen or more books by age 50 and be consistently attending writing conferences. I’d be doing summer retreats and showing up for publishing events. 
The reality is, the author's life is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to be an author; it just takes determination, hard work, luck, and a whole lot of love for writing. 
I wish someone had told me, as a young writer, not to fret about getting an agent or publishing a book by a certain age, and that rejection is part of the process. Publishing is not an easy task. It’s why I wish I had been told these five things when I was a young writer to keep going.

​It’s okay to be rejected even if you’re a professional writer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a best-seller or querying agencies; every writer will experience rejection multiple times before getting a yes. Being rejected means you’re not giving up, and you’ll keep trying until you get to where you want to be.
 
You’re always learning. 
Everything you experience, take it as a learning opportunity to write about it, or to grow in your profession. Life experience is what you need to connect with readers. Meeting new people and connecting with writers and industry professionals will build your career. 
 
Expect the unexpected.
The publishing industry changes. There can be new editors or new imprints, and new opportunities. Just because a writer has an agent or editor doesn’t mean that they’ll be with the author forever. Change happens. It’s part of the industry. 

​Give yourself credit even when you feel like you’ve failed.
Querying an agent, submitting a story to a publisher, or entering a contest. Just because you don’t get the answer you were hoping for doesn’t mean you’re failing. Every opportunity you give yourself is one step closer to accomplishment. 
 
Don’t compare yourself to others.
If you’re a writer, write. You don’t have to be anyone else but you. Make time to do what you love. Focus on your goals, not what someone else is doing. What you write is special to you and vice versa. Be supportive, stay positive, and love what you do.
 
An author’s life means a writer doing what they love and nurturing their muse.
You do this because you love it, not because you need to be someone else.
Celebrate your milestones in writing, in life, and find enjoyment in the little things. You deserve it!