By Katrin Schumann

The best advice comes from people who have been in the trenches. Battled the highs and lows, enjoyed successes and perhaps been disappointed--or delighted--by the unexpected.

I recently asked some of my writer colleagues, friends, clients and former students--all now published--for advice they wish they'd known before launching into the process. Here are the top twenty tips:

By Katrin Schumann

Instead of feeling grateful I was annoyed. My husband and I were wandering among the 18^th century gravestones, talking books. 

He was excited. “And then you can have the guy, it’s set in modern times, maybe he’s an international spy or a drug lord or something big, and he’s thinking back on what happened with his mother and that’s how you tell the Ibiza story?”

By Katrin Schumann

Do you ever really struggle to find just the right book to fit your mood? When I’m deeply embroiled in my own writing, I get particularly fussy about my reading material. I want to be inspired and energized—I really don’t want to think: How the hell did THIS get published?

So when I find a book that grabs me and won’t let go, I’m filled with pure delight and gratitude

By Katrin Schumann

I've had a hard time writing these last few months, and yet I've written a lot. Many writers and artists are wondering "What's the point?"-- and I've fallen into that trap many a day. Who cares about my little imaginary drama when real life dramas are playing out in such astonishing ways? 

When there's political and cultural upheaval, some artists are galvanized, and some are overwhelmed.

By Katrin Schumann

Let's say you're going to The Muse & The Marketplace in Boston (May 5 - 7), and you've taken the plunge and decided to sign up for the Manuscript Mart. You're going to meet with an agent or editor one on one to get an unvarnished, professional opinion of your work.