What Not Not To Wear

As a writer, there are a few articles of clothing that are must-haves. So fling open your closet door and make sure you can pull these garments off a hanger…

Something Bold

It takes courage to send out a manuscript. Your writing shows what’s on the inside of you and that’s scary when you reveal it in a public forum. What if…gasp…an editor doesn’t like it? That’s why you need to cloak yourself in boldness and send your work out anyway.

Something Comfy

This is for the days you’d rather park your rear on the couch and eat bonbons instead of slogging away through writing the next chapter. You know the one. The stinker in the middle of your WIP that you need to make exciting, but you’ve kind of run out of steam. Slap on a cozy sweater, grab a cup of java, and hunker down until you’ve got that chapter finished. You can always edit later.

Something Businesslike

Yeah, you can get away with writing in your jammies and bunny slippers, but there will come a day when you’ve got to meet with an agent, an editor, a publisher. Your pink fluffy robe will NOT cut it no matter how adorable you think it is.

Something Perky

Rejection stings plus it’s depressing. For days like that, pull out an item that makes you smile, even if your family’s tried to pawn it off on Goodwill several times.

Something Partylicious

Keep at it long enough and eventually you will have some kind of success. You don’t have to wait around for the big one—the contract with a major publisher. Celebrate the small victories along the way, the proposal that’s requested, the contest that you won, the invitation to be a guest on a well-known blog.

Something Heroic

Last but certainly not least, you should have a Super Hero Cape within easy reach. Come on. Admit it. You’ve always wanted to be one but took to writing fiction because it’s more socially acceptable than winging around town in a cape and tights.

If you find your closet lacking in any of these areas, go ahead and make a trip to the mall. But honestly, did you really need my permission to go shopping?

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas…professionally, however, for the past 10 years. Her latest release, UNDERCURRENT, is available by Risen Books. You can find her at: Writer Off the Leash, www.mmgriep.com or on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest.