It seems like a simple thing to do, but it’s amazing how many people refuse to open the door.

Almost every success I’ve ever had in life has come from me either jumping on an opportunity or creating one. My first book was published when a friend told me about a novella contest and I dropped what I was currently working on to write something for it.

The same friend told me about another contest, which resulted in a pretty nice book contract and the title of “the next Gillian Flynn.”

Right after I’d quit my first journalism job, a college friend told me about a freelance opportunity at the city’s biggest paper. I met with the editor, got the job, and when she said “If you ever see a story that’s right for us, let me know,” I resolved to pitch her at least one story a week. This led to a lucrative freelance career writing for every section of the paper, some magazines, and even national papers. Whenever an opportunity arose, I jumped at it.

I wanted to go to Africa but couldn’t afford it, and a photojournalist I worked with at that paper said, “Why don’t you see if a tour company will send you as a reporter?” During some downtime on my night shift that evening, I sent out some enquiries, and the first company I contacted sent me and my best friend to Africa for a month. (I suspect this was much easier back then than it would be now.)

When PitMad still existed and you could pitch agents on Twitter, I used it to land my second agent, who got me the biggest deal of my career so far.

And now, through the documentary series Crime Uncorked, I’ve met a kind fellow author who has referred me to her kickass agent–an agent who doesn’t accept unsolicited queries. “I told her to expect something from you in a few weeks,” my new friend said. Nah, I sent it today. I never sit on an opportunity like that.

The examples I could give you are endless, and I say this not to brag or prove I’m special. I honestly believe these opportunities are all around us, all the time. They’re usually disguised as extra work and things requiring initiative and sticking your neck out a bit. But are they worth it? Absolutely. I’m living proof.

When I used to go to writing conferences, there was usually an opportunity to pitch your manuscript to agents and publishers. I can’t even tell you how many authors got requests for their manuscript–which is worth its weight in gold in this industry–and then didn’t send it in. Was it fear of failure? Fear of success? Inertia? Forgetfulness? Who knows, but it likely cost them.

So if I can give you any valuable advice before I leave this earthly plane, it’s this: When opportunity knocks, for the love of whatever you believe in, please answer the damn door.

Has an opportunity ever changed your life? I wanna know. Please share in the comments.