Cintia asked Helen Harper:

I'm an aspiring writer, but I'm dealing with two things: I get discouraged every single day because 96% of manuscripts are rejected, and I haven't had an idea for years, literally. There's too many people wanting to be writers, and knowing there's so much competition just kills me a little every day. When I get motivated, immediatly something appears about the industry that kills it. Any tips on how to deal with this?

Helen Harper It's a whole new world in publishing. It doesn't matter if the vast majority of manuscripts are rejected because you can self-publish yourself - and competition is always a good thing! In any field, it can push you to do better and be stronger.
Years ago (MANY years ago!) I wanted to join the civil service. I heard about how difficult the entrance exam was and how over-subscribed it was and I decided that there was no point in even trying to get in. There was nothing more stupid I could have done - I defeated myself before I'd even started. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten a position but, because I didn't try, I never gave myself the chance to be successful.
Perhaps you should change the parameters of what makes success. Writing anything makes you successful - especially if you enjoy doing it. Maybe it will lead to a published book but maybe you'll just enjoy writing. Maybe the book will be the next Harry Potter and maybe it won't. But if you don't try, then you'll never know. There are always plenty of naysayers. Forget about them and focus on what you want. Everyone has dreams - and if you don't try to achieve them then how will you know what's possible?
As for ideas, the more I write, the more ideas I have. Create a character and place them in a situation, then see what happens. Sometimes they can take over the story for you!

Good luck, Cintia. You've got this.

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