The best thing about running for any political office (and losing), is that it prepares you for completing your first book (maybe your second, third; a short story, a poem, a script or a magazine article), and then trying to find an agent and being rejected by them. I ought to know. I have run for political office and lost, and I'm going through the process of looking for an agent, even though I have a proven track record with my first novel "Swap."

Which was easier, you might ask? Running for office was worse on my financial well being. Losing elected office to people who you know you are far superior than was a major ego blow, but I survived and have gloated over ever since that everything I campaigned on, and wanted to change DID NOT, and the county government I wanted to repair has been broken since (2000). In Mahoning County, shooting the messenger is second in fun to blowing up gangsters.

The famous Aesop fable "The Emperor's New Clothes," was really a prediction by that writer about a place called Mahoning County. He was right back then, and he is right today.

One of history' greatest statesmen -- if not the greatest -- Winston S. Churchill's famous quote of "Never. Never. Never. Give up," is something I always turned too, when the going was getting bad. It kept me going on a path to nowhere. This has led me to a new form of rejection -- writing and publishing.

It is a terrible feeling when you have run for office on a platform of good ideas. Spent your own money or money given to you by relatives and friends. Work your tush off, as you go to one event after another and you feel you gave everything to the cause, only to be beaten by the status quo.

In politics, second place sucks, and that is where I have always ended up. And, I never got a ribbon.

In writing, there is no second place. There is only rejection after rejection. That is why self-publishing has become so popular, and a route I decided to go down. Because, if I am successful in my own right, it won't be long before a reputable literary agent comes knocking.

I do not believe in "slush piles." I beleive that everyone who writes a book is talented. Only some get lucky enough to get noticed. The same can be said about acting. So many actors and actresses are talented, but only so many get picked. Painting is the same way. How many times have yougone to a museum and found that what everyone was raving about was trash, and something else that was on an obscure part of the museum wall, was just beautiful?

It's all subjective. You have to find someone in power to pick you.

Which leaves me to my last points. Don't give up if you want to stay in politics -- stay active. Maybe something will work outt later down the road that you never saw coming in the first place. And, only send queries about your writing to men and women who are affiliated with professional writer's organizations. They might not pick you, but they will be a lot nicer in rejecting you.

I know my queries are getting read, because my rejections are getting better.

And, no matter how bad today seems, it always could be worse.

For more please go to www.samsstories.com