look at the competition

the quest to get published, and then read, and then really noticed as an author is no different than the quest of a musician, an artist, a salesman or a marketing person. we are all in the same boat, we face intense competition, usually lack of influential contacts and certainly a lack of experience (since this is only gained by doing something for an extended period of time, facing new and different hurdles). i have made the mistake in my career of saying that writing is even more difficult than most of these things because there are so many people writing, trying to get published and because writing requires a commitment that painting, music, a sales pitch etc. do not. while this may be it doesn't matter. the desired end result is the same for each person and therefore the obstacles which face each individual is not the important thing, the important thing is how one gets around them. it is vital to understand your obstacles, and when you do, figure out how to beat them, what do you have that everyone else doesn't that will allow you to succeed? once you know this-- keep your eyes on the end result, glance around you regularly to mark your progress, and definitely learn from your mistakes and your successes along the way.