I contacted Brenda Novak, Denise Swanson, CJ Lyons and Bob Mayer and here is what they had to say:

My advice is probably the simplest in the world. It’s one word: Believe. If you believe in your own ability, you won’t take no for an answer. You’ll keep writing and networking until you get your break, and then you’ll jump all over the opportunity.

Brenda Novak

The best advice I ever received was from husband when I was very close to giving up. I had finally gotten an agent after several years of trying, but it had been eighteen months and she hadn’t sold my book. Around the end of February, I said to my husband that if she hadn’t sold the book by summer I was going to pull it and quit writing. His response was that as things were there was a 50/50 chance that I might or might not ever get that book published, but if I didn’t leave it out there, let her keep submitting it there was a 100% chance that the book would never be published. She sold that book in a three book deal on March 18.

Denise Swanson

The best advice I received about writing came from Jeffery Deaver who told me “Remember, the reader is God!”  He meant that as a published author we need to keep our audience in mind, putting our egos aside, to ensure they get the most entertaining read possible.

After he told me that, I began to write my first drafts for me–fun, fun, fun!  But his advice allowed me to then divorce myself from my ego during revisions and focus on giving the reader the best story possible, asking myself at every point: what would make this better for the reader?

The best advice I’ve discovered for myself is exactly what I use as my own credo and teach my writing students: No Rules, Just Write!

If you have the vision, passion, and commitment to make your dreams come true (and believe me, it takes all three!) then you don’t need any rules.  Stop looking for the “right” way and put your butt in the chair and get to work.  No Rules, Just Write!

CJ Lyons

 Best publishing advice I’ve received?

 1.  A book is all about character.

2.  Don’t worry about the market:

3.  Write what you are passionate about.

4.  Networking is very important.

Bob Mayer

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Thank you, Brenda, Denise, CJ and Bob. 

 RU Crew, what is the best advice you have ever received?

 Join us on Wednesday when Tracey Devlyn explores the Beta male. Are they hidden gems or wallflowers?