What You Won't Do

For some reasons, writers are notorious for spouting what they won't do when it comes to honoring their profession,

== I won't self-publish.
== I won't pay an entry fee for a contest.
== I won't write for free.
== I won't wrote for less than ten cents/word.
== I won't do Facebook.
== I won't travel to self-promote.
== I don't have time to blog.

As a previous administrative director, which meant one of my departments was human resources, I used to tell people never to put what you couldn't do on a resume. Now, as a writer, I advise others in my profession to only talk positive in a query.

Don't say you are retired which can insinuate fixed income, limited resources, or inability to travel to young eyes. Instead of saying retired, say you write full-time and your  time is your own to promote and write.

Don't say you are a new writers without clips. Instead talk about your strengths and knowledge about the subject matter being pitched.

Don't say you are fresh out of school trying to find your place. Say you have a degree and propose you have the qualities that would make for a good employee, columnist, freelance contributor.

It isn't about what you won't do. You define yourself too tightly and tell the world that you can be narrow-minded. You also tout your weaknesses in many people's perspectives, and in this day of rampant competition, you want to be remembered for who you are, not what you aren't.

Instead, state what you PREFER to do. Hear how pro-active and positive that sounds?

You prefer wholesome writing (you are not anti-erotica).
You like contests (you aren't anti-entry fee).
You promote heavily online and in your region (you aren't anti-travel).
You maintain a website (you aren't anti-blog).

Ears perk up when you define what you aren't, but that's how people cull who's in their world. Nobody likes negative. You might be selective, but let your positive choices drive your image, not the negative. Be remembered as the one wearing the white hat.