Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.
As true an old saying as there is. Recently in my quest for more information for my second manuscript I emailed someone to ask for permission to print and use some of his valuable research in my work, both for the fiction and possible non-fiction aspect.
You can well imagine my surprise when he not only agreed to let me use it, but said that when I was finished, and the book had come out to contact him and let him know so he could purchase a copy!
It floored me. I've gotten permission many, many times before and have always had a warm and open business relationship with those who I've contacted. However, this time I was shocked not only about the permission, but about the interest in where his work was going. Usually the agreement is a quick yes or no with a request to be credited and they leave it at that.
These are things that I would normally and naturally do out of respect for the author and researcher who has put together a resource I've used. I think the lesson here is that if you're willing to ask, if you're willing to push your boundaries for what you need or want good things may happen.
So, I challenge you. Ask a question today. Follow your dreams, check into a tidbit about your writing, email an agent or publisher and let me know how it turns out. May good things come your way with each question!
