Kevin Lucia, one of five new bloggers at Relief, introduces his first blog series on the path to publication.

We all have dreams that require time and patience for fruition.  Unfortunately, we live in a “now” generation; we want success now, not later, and it seems as if we’re always looking for a short-cut to our end goals.
The writing world is no different.  In an age of best-selling mega-authors, many have bought into the romantic dream of the novelist’s life: a carefree existence sipping wine in a country cottage or trendy Manhattan studio-loft, pounding out one bestseller after another. I know this first-hand; I had this same dream.

Someone forgot to mention, (or maybe we just ignored), the most important truth about a writing career: it’s hard work, offering little immediate returns or fame. Getting published is like making the NAVY Seals; most wash-out before they get past “week one,” and like getting into the NBA, even if you do make it, there’s no guarantee you’ll get “off the bench” and make it into the limelight.

Author Brad Listi recently blogged that pursing a writing career without a doubt certified a person as completely insane because of how hard it was.  Many folks don’t think this way; I know I didn’t initially. I hardly imagined writing a novel was like breathing, but I clearly remember my dreams of never having to work again as I feverishly hacked away, (hacked is a good word), on my very first manuscript in college.
Though I’ve published no novels, I have published quite a few nonfiction articles and a handful of short stories. And even with this track record, I don’t have infallible answers, only the realization, (gleaned from hindsight), that if it weren’t for a few key changes I made based on the advice of far other worthier folks, things would be different. Over time, I’ve learned things I wish someone had told ME fifteen years ago, and they fit into the following four maxims about a writing career:

1. No Batteries Included, Patience Required—The question is not only “how much energy do you have?”, but also “How long are you willing to wait?”
2. Hats, Coat, and Thick Skin Only — listening to and valuing critique, taking direction, and playing nicely is almost always a requirement.
3. A Plan In Hand Beats Wandering in the Bush—There’s no ONE right path to publication, but there are paths, and plans for them.
4. Be Willing To Sacrifice What You Love Most—You will be forced to rework some priorities…and it’s not the ones you think.
5. Nuts and Bolts: Cover letters? Writers’ Market? Places to Send Stories and/or Articles?

Join me next time, as I will elaborate on each of the previously mentioned maxims!