Qualifications for a Work from Home Writer

One of my favorite quotes comes from Jessamyn West. "Talent is helpful in writing but guts are absolutely essential." In my opinion, she just defined a key qualification for work from home writers. Hers is a quote I keep on a 3x5 card, and read for a little quick inspiration. It came in handy today when I received an editor's response to an e-query I'd sent a few days ago.

The letter was brief. No, they can't use my piece. I didn't take the rejection personally. I know that editors need good writing to fill their pages, and even though I'd studied the magazine and their guidelines, the idea just wasn't right for them at this time. I sent him a quick thank-you-I'll-try-again e-mail.

Maybe that's what Jessamyn means, in part, by guts. The guts to put yourself back mentally as quickly as possible, and try again. For as long as it takes.

I sold television and radio advertising for a number of years. It, too, was tough, and I didn't have the guts right away to handle those not-so-subtle messages from businessowners 'Get-outta-here-I-don't-want-to-advertise-on-your-lousy-station.' Then Tim, my sales manager and a super-salesman, gave me the best piece of advice I've ever gotten: "Keep those balls in the air." Simple, huh? Tim defined that six-word inspiration like this: Make your cold calls, make proposals, and you'll get your percentage of the sales. It worked then, and it'll work in other sales settings. Writers are, after all, salesmen, too.

Talent is the foundation to your life as a writer. Guts build the house.