Asking for advice.

[Binkie The Clown]

2. About 30 years ago I wrote two novels. Both SciFi.

The first got a speedy form letter rejection. The second got a letter from the editor complimenting parts of the book, and listing specific things I should work on improving before submitting it again.

I should have jumped at that opportunity, but instead, day-to-day life problems, and a messy divorce got in the way and I never followed up on the corrections, and never resubmitted the ms. The real pity is that I had a casual friend who was a successful published SciFi author, with several novels to his credit, and he offered to help me with it.

Looking back on it, it remains one of my deepest regrets. "I coulda been a contender." But I let is slip by me.

Don't make that mistake. The hard work it takes to finish a novel only last a little while. The regret for not finishing that novel lasts forever.