Where should I start?

[jasperd]

I have such a passion for writing fiction but have always been afraid to go for it because of inevitable rejection. I have a book written and was wondering if most writers freelance until they are published. I have no degree and thought that would be a good way to earn some credentials. I have several articles published for newspapers and was considering trying my luck with magazines. If it is not something that is necessary for getting a book published, I would rather not. I am not crazy about non-fiction but if it is crucial to having my manuscript accepted than I will put forth the effort. Please advise.

[mscelina]

Take your current manuscript. Rip it to shreds. Edit, edit, edit. While you're editing, if the urge strikes you to writer some short fiction or magazine articles go ahead. It is a good way to build up credentials, but those credentials are nowhere NEAR as important as a polished, well-written manuscript. If your book is good, it doesn't matter WHAT your credentials are. You just have to be prepared to be hard on yourself and your work before you start the submission process. In the meantime, work on a good query letter, synopsis, and blurb. That way when you're ready to submit, you'll have all the tools at your disposal to do so with ease.

Good luck! :)

[Joe Moore]

Excellent advise from Mscelina. Remember that EVERY writer was once a first-time author with no previous writing credits. Your book must stand on it's own merits. If it doesn't, no amount of credentials will change an agent or editor's mind. Good luck.

[Dave.C.Robinson]

If it helps you, write other things. However, what helps one may not help another with the exception of making sure the manuscript is as good as it can be. It sounds like you've beat the biggest hurdle and finished the book. Your next step is going to be making it the best you can, and then making your query and synopsis the best you can.

[NeuroFizz]

If you have a fear of rejection, you are in the wrong business. It's every bit a part of writing fiction as is writing "The End." But with practice, persistense, and attention to developing your understanding of the writing craft, success can be found. You've made a huge start. You've finished a novel length story. Work on it, polish it, and in the meantime, start your next one. It would probably help to get some honest, hard-hitting opinions on that first one, too.

[Jamesaritchie]

Freelancing nonfiction is unlikely to help at all with writing fiction. Nonfiction credentials will get you nowhere in the world of fiction. If you want to publish fiction, you have to sit down and write fiction. Lots of it.

Why worry about rejection? Aren't you already rejecting yourself and your book by not going for it?