Phase Four is “The Call.” You know the one. If you’ve been writing for any length of time, it’s the one which we constantly cheer our peers for when they receive it, wish it was us, hide the green, jealous, monster and order pizza, extra cheese and pepperoni.

I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation by a published author and the premise of her talk was “be nice” and I think of that every day. Be careful of who you step on, on the way up the ladder, because you’ll meet them again on the way down. As I have yet to receive the call, tell you of a publication date and the end-cap displays and such, but what I can say is that those within our RWA group who have received “the call”, I am truly happy for them and purchase their books as soon as they’re available, tell my friends and family and even strangers, that I know this author and he or she is a great story teller! Oh, I also throw in a suggestion that if they purchase the book, I could probably get it signed for them. I give them a business card, (name familiarity) so they can call, who knows what doors that could open.

Well, the prize and my final phase, is Phase Five. Publication. Hmmmm, ponder that for a moment. Publication. Not many words in the English Dictionary have more impact in the writer’s world than that, well, with the exception of rejection, but, we’re thinking positive here. Phase Five is another stepping stone and once you get there, you have to stay there. And fate plays a part even here. How cruel is it to have destiny achieved, realize your dream of having your work published, in print and see it for the first time on the bookshelf, receive your first fan letter only to have your contract expire and a difficult time acquiring another. It happens and if it happens to me, I will again lean on my critique group, family, God and my local pizza delivery places. Because always remember, fate can be cruel and Domino’s delivers.

Lori Kolin Mofield

Rejections are the stepping stones to publication.