by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It’s Halloween, the perfect time to mull over fear.
I read a lot of really scary stuff online. None of it has to do with monsters, either. There is a lot of both advice and just negative blanket statements out there for writers to deal with–most of it well-intended, but some of it ultimately unhealthy for writers.
Here are a few examples of the scary statements and advice that writers hear:
Reading is losing to the competition, especially to social media and gaming.
True. But, if you think about it, people are actually reading more, I think, than they used to. When I was growing up, everyone was watching TV and on the landline phone. Now they’re reading–it just happens to be micropublishing. They’re reading Facebook posts, blog posts, Twitter posts, text messages. But everyone is reading–and writing–more. Instead, consider experimenting with online writing platforms like Wattpad.
There is a ‘wall of content’ for writers to compete with.
Yes. But what’s our ultimate goal? If it’s writing for a large audience, we may have to make shrewd sacrifices to make our stories stand out. Possible solution: make sure our book stands out with an excellent cover and editing. If commercial success is important, write more in line with the market.
Write first thing in the morning before checking email, social media, or doing anything else.
I personally ascribe to this one. But I live with people who are not morning people. This method would not work for them or for many people. Instead, write whenever you hit your creative peak each day.
Outlining is the best method for professional writers. If you’re not an outliner, you may feel that you’re not working as productively as other writers. But whatever works for you is the best method for you. Only re-evaluate if your writing isn’t going as well as you’d like.
Adverbs are to be avoided at all costs. They have their uses. Maybe you just need to evaluate if you’re leaning too heavily on them in your project.
Traditionally published writers get marketing help and support. Unless you’ve written a blockbuster, the marketing most writers receive is simply bookstore placement and a mention in the publisher’s catalog.
Show don’t tell. This advice works well sometimes and not so well at others. If you’re wanting to increase pace and develop tension quickly (an action scene, for example), then you’ll want to tell instead of show. More on this from editor Linda S. Clare.
An interest in making money means you’re not a serious artist. As far as I’m aware, even artists have to eat sometime. I think it’s valuable creating books that encourage people to read (and to pay for the entertainment).
Traditionally published writers make more money than self-published writers. Some of them may. My own experience didn’t corroborate this statement.
Writers need long periods of time to focus on their writing. For some writers, there’s never a perfect time to write; there’s never a time when they couldn’t be doing something else important. Sometimes writing in short segments of time, finding 10 or 15 minutes at a time, is the best way to accomplish a writing goal.
Writers write when they hear the Muse speaking to them. Many writers never feel particularly inspired to write but sit down and make the inspiration happen as they go.
Do you hear any advice or blanket statements on the market that make you feel uncomfortable? Which ones did I miss?
What's Scary: for Writers: Click To TweetPhoto credit: source via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Thank you Elizabeth. Conflicting views on the best way to publish is something I have been seeing a lot.
You should be exclusively with Amazon and KU, that’s where the money is / KU page counts have changed and writers are being paid cents instead of dollars / ebooks are the way to go, print is dead / you need to go wide and publish in all formats.
You could get very discouraged if you listened to all of this conflicting information.
As for writing for money – my favourite 19th century author Anthony Trollope calculated how much he was being paid per page as he finished each one. He was being paid a nice advance agreed beforehand for his very successful novels, many first published in weekly/monthly magazine instalments (Wattpad being a modern equivalent). If it was good enough for him….
Irene–Oh, good one! Yes, KU. :) That could be a whole scary blog post right there!
I think Dickens also subscribed to Trollope’s viewpoint. It was a good one!
@ Elizabeth – thanks for this … the dreaded fear of finishing is mine … yes we do seem to be reading more, but are we thinking and evaluating … I like your Wattpad idea (reminder).
So much to write about … or start with memories – they can be added to … and remember branding: setting out one’s stall.
I must change my habits to write in the morning, and do the rest later. Your other points are excellent … planning, just getting going, get one done – and you’re on your way …
Thanks for this fearful post – jump the hurdle and go for it … tomorrow the spooks won’t be there! Happy Halloween … cheers Hilary
Hilary–“Setting out one’s stall” is a fantastic image! And perfectly put.
Happy Halloween to you!
If I wrote first thing in the morning I would spend all my time editing, because it would be an incoherent mess.
How about all writers need a newsletter? Yeah, well, that one’s probably true…
Alex–Mornings are just not good for everyone.
As sad as it is to say it, yeah that one’s probably true. :) And you know I started about 4 years in on that newsletter, ha!
Excellent points, Elizabeth. I think with anything we do, we have to tailor it to our own needs and abilities. What works for one person might not work for another but a part of it might.
Mason–Good point about adapting what might work for our own purposes. Hope you have a great week!
Awesome post, Elizabeth! Ugh, some of this supposedly well-meaning advice ticks me right off because it does scare people and it stops them from writing. At least it did me, when I was first starting out. Now, when I read those types of advice – especially the ‘always or never’ bits – it makes me want to poke the advice giver in the eye.
Best advice I ever received? “Give yourself permission to suck.” Because you can always fix the writing in editing, but you can never fix what isn’t written. =o)
B.E.–It can be overwhelming because you’re trying to do everything ‘right’ and not really focusing on what works for you.
I like your best advice! That’s a good one.
I’ve heard those scary things, too, Elizabeth. And I think it’s all too easy to fall into that trap, especially if you’re just getting started in your writing career. But the truth is, we all have a different path to writing success. I think we all have to work that out for ourselves.
Margot–At least we have plenty of advice! :) But it can take a while to figure out what works best for us.
Traditionally published authors used to get more help marketing, but not anymore. That’s a reality check for most authors when they realize they still have to do all of the marketing.
Diane–Exactly. Now the only help they get is with covers and editing.
Hi Elizabeth–Happy Halloween :) These are scary things–they all make me stress out if I let them.
I’d really like to know what you and everybody here make of the KU situation. Has it hit you hard? Is it being fixed? I heard that it is the Page Flip feature that is causing entire books to be recorded as having only one page read. That could be career-destroying.
Meg–Happy Halloween to you!
I’ve read the same thing, but I’m one of those who didn’t do KU. I’ve heard it works best with fewer books or if you’re a newer author, maybe. Although it doesn’t seem to be working well now! I know it’s worked well for writers in the past, though. I’d like to hear from others on how it’s working for them.
Oh my, but this week a group I was visiting got into the whole your not an artist if your a pro (making money) thing. I was please that most of the people slayed that notion down!
HR–I’m glad to hear that! That almost never used to be the case and I’m hoping we hear stories like yours more and more often!
I used to be scared by the thought that I would not succeed at writing. Now, that I know I definitely will not, the pressure is off, and I just write what is in my heart. :-)
Visit me on my blog today, please — as Mark Twain spins a tale of his harrowing night spent in a haunted plantation in Hawaii — being Mark there are laughs along with the scares. Let Mark know how you enjoyed it — he gets depressed when he thinks no one likes his stories — and being haunted by a depressed ghost is no fun!!
Roland–I think it’s good that the pressure is off because that’s stressful! But you never know…keep following your heart and it may intersect with monetary success. :)
Popping over now!
Let’s not overlook “I have a great idea for a novel; will you write it for me?” Scary enough when a stranger says this kind of thing; way worse when it comes from family or close friends. The response can be tricky … to me, it’s right up there with, “Writing is easy,” though my response to that one is a lot more rehearsed …
Al–Very scary, indeed!
I usually will go with: “I wish I could, but I’ve got so many of my own ideas that I’m booked up for the next 40 years…” :)
BTW, I write every morning and have been doing so for 7 years now, even when I’m working, regardless of how I feel or tired or busy … writing comes first. And I write until I am no longer emotionally focused, for whatever reason, which seems to be in the 4-7 hour range. It requires sacrifice to set up a life like this, so writing should be the priority. I’ve produced 7 novels … just in case you read this, Elizabeth, how does one choose the right editor for the right editing job?
Al–That’s fantastic! Your dedication and hard work is clearly paying off.
I think this article by Carla Douglas and Corina Macleod for Joel Friedlander’s blog probably sums up the process of matching an editor to an editing job well: https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/04/4-levels-of-editing-explained-which-service-does-your-book-need/ .
I maintain a free list of freelance professionals (including editors) if you need a starting point for looking.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of “I don’t have enough time to write right now.” Thanks for reminding us that short bursts of writing can be very productive.
LD–It’s how I do most of my writing. Thanks for coming by!
I completely agree that a lot of this is terrifying… it boils down to some ethos that one size should fit all, when in fact it doesn’t. Nothing scarier than being shoved in a box and told to fit! Thanks for the debunk on a lot of these!!!
Hart–I don’t know of anyone who fits into a box, especially writers, ha! Thanks for coming by.
All excellent points. I really loved your perspective on how people are reading more, just in smaller snatches. I suppose that’s why I love flash fiction. So quick and easy.
Crystal–I think flash fiction and short stories are really having a resurgence now…like the Kindle Shorts program. It’s great that people are still enjoying reading, even with lots of distractions!
Great post, Elizabeth. I don’t know about the statistics as to whether people are reading more or not, but what I can say is that I can’t stop reading and everyone I know personally reads a lot – both fiction and non-fiction. The schools I previously worked in promoted reading which was great but recently I spoke to a school library lady who told me that kids weren’t interested in ‘real’ books these days, they all read on their phones or tablets – as long as they’re reading. But I do love to hold the ‘real’ deal myself :)
Nicola–I love my ebooks for trips….but I’m like you–I do still really enjoy holding a book! Thanks so much for coming by.
Awesome! It’s amazing how many statements become repeated as truths when they’re really just opinions! :)
Jemi–Amazing, for sure! Hope you have a great week. :)
Hi Elizabeth, this blog is a new look. Or I haven’t stopped by in a while. And I always see people reading from their cell phones. I do. I’m wrapping up the Harry Potter series for the third time, this time on my Samsung Note 4.
Stephen Tremp
http://www.stephentremp.com
Stephen–Hi there! That’s a great series to read for a 3rd time. :) I read mainly on my phone too, because I know I’ll have it everywhere I go. Sometimes I still read printed books, but my phone is the mainstay.
All scary statements with just enough truth to them to make a writer wonder what to do. Thanks for putting them together in a big list along with disclaimers.