10 Qualities for Success
by D. Anne Love, SCBWI Hawaii Chapter

Ego. Admit it. You're dying to walk into a bookstore and see your book on the shelf. A healthy ego is a good thing; just remember to be nice to those you see on the way up for you're bound to see them on the way down.

Vision. It's hard to get to your destination if you don't know where you want to go. Imagine what you want...in detail..every day.

Role models. Maybe you want to create a commercial character, such as Marc Brown's Arthur. Find a role mode. Read her work and study reviews of her writing. Learn all you can about she works, develops ideas, and her strategy for work.

Commitment. I forgot who said that most people don't want to write as much as they want to have written. Success comes when you commit yourself wholeheartedly to your work.

Courage. Nobody ever won the Newbery or Caldecott with a manuscript hidden in a desk drawer. Write the best story you can and have the courage to send it out.

Persistence. Everybody knows the story of Dr. Seuss and his 27 rejections. Editors are like us - real people with likes and dislikes. If a story is good enough to publish, eventually you'll sell it.

Talent. The good news is, most people who are determined to publish have at least a modicum of talent that gets better with study and practice.

Discipline. All the talent in the world will not get you published if you can't develop and see a project through to completion. Whether you write for an hour a day or more, stick to your schedule.

Education. When I began writing in earnest seven years ago, I had a vague idea of how to write a book but I needed more. I attended college classes, workshops, seminars, anything that could help me. The information you need is out there. Seek it out.

Willingness to sacrifice. Becoming a successful writer means you'll probably have to give up other things. Sleep, for instance. Financial rewards are few and far between, unless you win major prizes or get a movie deal.

This profession is hard, unless you genuinely love the work itself. If you do, then no material sacrifice is too great.

Good luck and keep writing.

D. Anne Love is author of the award-winning middle-grade novel My Lone Star Summer.