So, I will say this - if any of you who are not writers ask me if you should become a writer - seeking to be published - I will say "NO!!! Run for the hills and take up knitting instead!"
Seriously, I think if I'd known what was involved in trying to become a published author, I'd never have started. But it's from the innocence of not knowing that writers are indeed born. We have a dream, we feel a book within us that we feel must be shared and off we go. JK Rowling's billions may beckon us, as may the prospect of fame. Yes, well... Of such things are dreams made.
Here's the truth - it's a long hard slog and JKR was a phenomenon, not a usual occurence.
To become a published writer - and heaven knows, I'm not there yet - yet being the operative word - you need to have:
an awful lot of tenacity,
the ability to persevere, to rewrite and rewrite again,
the hide of a rhinocerous,
the patience of a saint,
the pushiness of a... well a pushmepullyou-thing,
and a determination that goes beyond the bounds of what is rational for Joe and Josephine Soap.
I'm quite convinced, at this stage, that becoming a rocket scientist is easier than becoming a published author.
But here's the thing - if this is what you want to do, if this is what you have to do - then you do it. You write, you edit, you rewrite, you ask for critiques from fellow writers, you support your fellow writers (okay, if you like you could go off and lurk in a lonely garret with a mangy mouse and some green cheese), but you work at it, you learn, you grow, you rewrite some more, you network, you enquire, you attend conferences and read books on writing and then you rewrite again. You may put aside one manuscript unfinished and start another. You may finish three manuscripts and realise they're all rubbish and move onto the fourth. But this is part of the journey and you just keep going, and going, and going.
And that, let me tell you, is just the start...
Those writers who are published or about to be published will tell you that getting the publishing deal doesn't mean it stops there - no, that's just the end of the beginning and still a long way from any sort of end.
So now, hands up all those who want to be writers? Hey?! Where'd you all go?!
I'm working on developing a thick hide...
27 comments:
I'm hiding!
Good luck.
Agree whole-heartedly. Many a time I've felt like giving up. From a practical point of view, the whole process just doesn't make sense. But then we writers share a secret. The pay may be rubbish (OK, let's be honest, non-existant), but we're doing the most interesting job in the world.
Yes, agree with everything you say an the comments, but in the end, I've written since before I could hold a pen and I can't imagine life without it. I love the writing community, which has really developed with social networking sites and the retreats and conferences and somewhere along the way publication has become part of my life and I feel blessed that my words are read and will be read. But it is a hard path and you have to both really want it, be really hungry for it and also, really believe in your work, to stick at it.
Just work, don't stop, that's right, more work, keep going.... you know you want to!!!
xx
You put it so clearly, Nicky. But hey, you must do what's in your heart, no? I never knew there were so many people writing out there, or that the trek was so long and arduous. I understand that after/when you get published, you are sent off to do readings, conferences, appearances. You have to be young, ambitious, with means to survive before money begins to pour in, and an accomplished public speaker and publicist before your book becomes a household name.
Uh. I'm hiding too, as Lizzy is. The stage is all yours. I'm glad to be on your friends' list tough.
I think it easy to know when a book is good, well-written, meaningful, pulling you in, all that. So I always thought or believed, maybe I can do it too? But I guess I`ll step back, thank you for your advice, Nicky! Maybe I can do the translation of your book, and then you come on reading tours to Germany?
Very true! But the question is, If there was a cure for this afficition would we take it? I doubt it. I think that's when we would run for the hills.
You nailed it here, Nicky! And many times I too feel like throwing in the towel, but I can't get away from it...even if I do take long breaks from it ;)
Well, writers are exposed to the opinion of publishers. If they don't like it, we won't know whether the public would.
Well said, girl. I agree with you, it would be easier, the path more well-defined, to become a rocket scientist. But where's the fun in that?
Not me, no way. I'm a consumer, not a creator, of books.
But hey, you need us as much as we need you. :)
I agree with everything you say. I can't give up though, I love writing. Besides, what else can I do? I'm not really good at anything else.
I agree totally! I love writing, have written for as long as I can recall, have begun countless books and shelved them all.
I don't think I have the hide to promote and speak about my book. So I'll continue to be a consumer!
You, on the other hand, are doing it! You are an inspiration.
I shall just write for joy, and read others who have worked so hard.
Hang in there.
When you're right, you're right! Now that I have 1 book published (2 actually, counting the poetry play), a 2nd novel being shopped around, I've given myself the chance to say "enough. I'm done. I can't take this anymore." But alas, there's now another novel developing in my fevered brain. So what's a a girl to do?xo
I have many times told wifey that I would like to write a book. I have always enjoyed story telling and felt I could put pen to paper BUT...
After 30 years of grief aggro and stress I now want a quiet life where I can truly enjoy myself and hearing the grief you guys suffer I now feel this is not for me. When books publish themselves PLEASE let me know and I will think again, until then please accept my best wishes with all your future endeavours on this score.
I am happily knitting Nicky, shall I knit a cover for your book? your rhino? :)
Hey, does a childrens book count? one that's mostly illustrated? hmmm...
Most of the things that are ultimately worthwhile are totally uncomprehended and incomprehensible beforehand. Probably to the benefit of everybody, otherwise nothing would get done or be written.
Thanks for the insights though, they're particularly illuminating.
Keep well...
Hey - me, I do! I've just sent the book out today to three agents. First one I sent it to liked the story, thought the writing was strong, but thought it lacked a,b and c. I revised, within reason - do I want to change the whole feel of it? and now its off again.
I've always written just because it's what I love to do. This trying to get published thing is, as you say, HARD BLOODY WORK.
Not me. I have neither the patience, time or inclination and an inherent fear of rejection. Seriously, I don't know why you don't self publish I know two bloggers who have. They haven't made their fortune but they have made sales and done book signings.
Sounds like a hoot! Bring. It. On.
AV,
Don't worry, silence is good 'cos it lets us know that you're busy keeping your dream alive.
Never let go of your dreams!
'writing is the most difficult job in the world, with the possible exception of milking alligators' - sez me! ;) lol
Thanks, Lizzy!
Absolutely spot on, Beverley!
We do it because we have to, eh, Miriam!
Yeah, I wanna, you're right, FireByrd! ;-)
Absolutely right, Lakeviewer - I can imagine doing other things, but nothing that I love as much as writing - well, dancing perhaps, but I'm a bit over the hill to start up there...! ;-)
Geli, if it's something you want to do, feel you must do, then that's what you must do! :-)
Nah, I don't think I'd take it either, Margaret! :-)
I know exactly what you mean, Krysten!
The trouble is, publishers are so overwhelmed by submissions from writers, Ropi that sometimes really good stuff just slips through the cracks and is missed.
Yeah, who'd be a rocket scientist, eh, Elizabeth! :-)
Okay, Megan, so I'll write and you read! Sounds good to me! ;-)
I'm sure you're good at lots of things, Marie, but I think we all end up leaning towards that which we love best!
Aw, thanks, Marion - but there are plenty of writers who have to learn the art of self promotion, even if it doesn't come naturally - it can be done! :-)
Well, exactly, Sue! We just do what we gotta do! ;-)
You could always consider self-publishing, Mole, I think for now that's the closest books come to publishing themselves - but then there's always the bother of promotion... :-)
Yes, a children's book counts, Lori - and yes, knit me a book cover! :-)
Wise words indeed, Bart - so true!
Yep, Polly, the trying to get published part is hard work and gut wrenching too!
Because, Baino there's a "view" which says getting published by a real traditional publisher makes you a "real" author - and we're all inherently a bit snobbish about it! ;-)
Oh yeah, we keep rocking, Janey!
Not a chance, Steph, dreams are what keep us going when the going gets tough! :-)
Er, you've been milking alligators, Wolf! Eeek - I'll stick to writing, thanks! ;-)
not i, nicky... but i bet it's just a walk in the park ;) lol
So true Nicky. I haven't had fiction published but there is a lot of hard boring slog both before and after getting non fiction published. There is a lot of satisfaction, and pleasure of course, but it is rather odd that the balance of feeling good and bad seems to be just the same - or it is with me anyway. Moving goalposts I think they call it.
So you think, "Oh it'll be great when I get an agent." Then, "It'll be great when I get a publisher". Then, "My publisher/agent are being horrid to me". Then, "nobody's going to buy this", then ..... and then....
I think perhaps the solution is to see it as a job, with its good and its bad sides!
Coming in late here, but yay yay yay to everything you said. It's hard - but we wouldn't stop if we could.
And you're also right that it doesn't stop when (note!) you achieve the holy grail of being published. It's a paradigm shift, but the struggle just takes a different hue. Believe me - I know whereof I speak!
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