One thing that I noticed during my book tour was how many people would like to be writers or authors.
A couple of times, writers approached our table at signings. They wanted to know our secrets for getting an agent or getting a publisher. And, yes, the word “secret” was actually used by one of the people.
My mind boggled a little at the thought of boiling all the publishing advice down into the quick sound bite they seemed to be looking for. Avery Aames, who was with me, was very good to point to helpful reference guides for writers— Literary Marketplace (which you can also get an online subscription to) and Writers Market, and the need to direct queries to the right agent instead of doing a blanket search.
I was glad Avery jumped in because honestly, I’m not sure how I would have answered that question in less than twenty minutes (which was time I didn’t have.)
Thinking on it now, I’d also recommend that people read books in the genre they’re writing to make sure they’re in line with the market expectations for the genre, read industry-related blogs—written by agents and editors as well as writers, that they find an objective person to help critique their work, and that they learn how to write a query letter from sites like Query Shark, The Rejector, Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent, and Pub Rants. This is all assuming they’ve really got their manuscript in excellent, submission-ready shape.
Avery also mentioned the need to develop a thick skin and persevere, which I thought was a very good point. She and I both got our share of rejections before landing our agents and publishers (I was actually rejected at least once by the agent I currently have.)
Avery might disagree, but I thought the writers looked a little disappointed with her on-target advice…and maybe were hoping for a magic bullet. Sad to say, there really isn’t one—it’s just a combination of luck, perseverance, research, and practicing the craft.
Then there were people I’ve spoken to recently who’ve looked at me sadly and said they always wanted to be a writer.
For those folks, I’m quick to respond, but I think I need to develop a more sympathetic approach. Actually, my approach is more reproach. If you’ve always wanted to write, you should write! It may not be the luxury of hours of writing (it’s not for me), but you can fit in ten to fifteen minutes a day if you really want to. That’s exactly what I did seven years ago with Sesame Street playing in the background as I scratched together a first draft. If you write a page a day, you can have a first draft in less than a year.
And these people clearly wanted to write. They really looked like they were on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams when they were talking to me about their hope of writing.
Plus—they spoke in the past tense as if it was too late to try to write. It’s never too late. I’ve not seen a single agent or editor who wants to know how old we are in our query letter. All they care about is a good story. It is too late, though, if we’re dead before we try to pen something. And then that is a shame.
What advice do you have for people looking for an agent or publisher? And what do you tell people who say they always wanted to write (because I think I need some sensitivity training for that second question.) :)
What caught me from this blog was the line, “Then there were people I’ve spoken to recently who’ve looked at me sadly and said they always wanted to be a writer.”
I hear this too. But these same people have a common thread. They’ve wasted large portions of their lives. If they really wanted to write, they would have done so. Seems like beer, partying, and having a good times was priority.
Stephen Tremp
I’m very happy as a never-to-be-published hobby writer. And I have a very interesting job, so I would never give up that, which means I don’t have the time to be more than a hobby writer. No ambition, no disappointment >:)
Cold As Heaven
I fear I’m like you – I reproach them and say that if they really want to write – they’ll write. On eof the best known authors in Norway used to get up an hour before work and write then, until he was done and got published. Now he’s a full-time crime author.
Thanks for the advice.
Elizabeth – First, thanks so much for those useful resources. I’ve met my share of people, too, who say they would love to write. I usually respond by telling them that people who want to write have great stories inside them, which I admire. Then I suggest exactly what you mention: just write something, even if it’s only a few paragraphs, each day. In my experience, there are a few reasons that people who “always wanted to write” haven’t written. One is a busy life (and writing even a couple of minutes a day helps with that one). The other is that the task is too intimidating. Your resources are really helpful with that, and so is the message that writing even a few sentences is…writing.
Wait! You mean there’s no secret handshake? No secret code phrase you put in your query letters?
Since I came into writing late, I haven’t had that “always wanted to be a writer” thing going. And many people are grateful that I share the fact that I had my AARP card for some time before starting to toy with writing.
Thick skin, perseverance, patience, and Read. Write. Read. Write.
(And I’m talking a little bit about not sweating the small stuff over at my blog today, which is kind of a tie-in–are we back in sync?)
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
It is truly amazing how many people want to write, be writers, get published, whatever. And one wonders.. why? It can’t be for money as it’s not a path to wealth, success or even to a decent living. Most who do it write for love of the craft and the desire to tell a story, so if someone has that desire, what’s holding them back?? Maybe the question they’re really asking is how can I be a huge success with very little effort?
The Boulevard of Broken Dreams – what a sad, sad line. I am one who is determined to live out her dreams no matter what. It’s never too late. I learned to play guitar chords at 50. I took singing lessons at 56. I’m singing at retirement communities at 61. It took 10 years to write and publish my memoir, but I did it. I feel sorry for people to just give up without trying. Nike has it right. Just do it. Perhaps that’s what you can say, Elizabeth. Just try.
Karen
Great post! I think too many people look for a “Secret” when there really isn’t one. Many want to be writers but the truth is, they already have the power to be and don’t know it. It’s all about making time :)
I don’t think my answer would be any better – just do it!
I’ve had the same experience, Liz … people thinking there’s some ‘secret’ to being able to be a published author. Heck, there’s no secret … it’s all about doing your research, networking, writing, marketing, promoting yourself, perservering, and doing all the hard work involved! It’s like asking what is the ‘secret’ to being successful at ANYthing, hmm?
Marvin D Wilson
To say “If you want to be a writer, WRITE!” is not a reproach. It’s a rallying cry. If they don’t see it that way, then they don’t want to write, they just want to “be” a writer.
I’m sorry, but a dream that’s never been attempted is not “broken”. It’s still in pristine condition in its box on the shelf, unused and unloved. It doesn’t get broken until it’s been played with heavily.
Your advice is excellent. I’d only add a quote from Seth Godin: “Safe is Risky.”
I hate when people say they wish they could write like me! I had a job while writing my first draft too. It’s not that they can’t write, it’s that they can’t persevere in writing. OR, they believe writing is this fun HOBBY where they can just pop out a book in a matter of months and make big money.
CD
So many don’t want to know there’s work involved – or they have a preconceived notion of the process and when you tell them something different, they either shut down or deny your explanation.
I think a lot of people get caught up in the romantic ideal of being a writer and not the day-to-day often grim reality. They don’t think about looming deadlines when you know in your heart you have no ideas, or the pangs of self-doubt. I think they picture words flowing ceaselessly from their fingers as they finish the next definitive work within a month which is immediately published with a six figure advance.
Ah well.
I don’t know what I’d say if someone said to me they always wanted to write. That’s a tough statement to answer! I’d probably say just write! Educate yourself about the publishing industry and write a lot and read a lot. What else can you say in a couple minutes? I think that sums it up, lol.
I think your advice, and Avery’s, are right on the mark. I think people have no grasp at all that perserverence is the most important quality a writer can have–that one page a day DOES make a book in a year. From the outside, that is baffling.
I think though, the OTHER thing they don’t get is how much work is needed to REWRITE. I totally thought my first draft of my first book was pretty darned clean. I swear I did. So getting people into the blogosphere of information and reality checks is a great way for them to find much of what they need. In the end, there is no substitute for making our own mistakes.
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This is something that has perplexed me for a long time. It seems that many people think you become a writer by booting up your computer one day and discovering a brilliant novel on the desktop with your name in the byline. All you have to do then is ship it off to ecstatic editors, practice your signature, cash checks, and repeat (since these magical novels start appearing every six month or so). These folks are the ones that need the “Wanna be a writer? Then write!” line.
There’s one other camp, though, that I’d like to point out. This is the camp of people who have all sorts of great ideas and start to write about them… but then get “writer’s block.” At that point, they don’t know what to do so they put the book aside or even think “I’m not meant to be a writer, I don’t have the gift” and give up. To these people I say “It’s not easy for anyone, you just have to take a kamikaze approach and dive into it, even when you don’t feel like it or don’t know what to write.” Sometimes they take the advice, sometimes they don’t.
Michelle Kleih
Since I’m me, my response to that question is usually, “Then do it, baby!” Which is my take on your, “you should write” thing. I don’t hang around in conversations like that for long, though. The proof is in the pudding. Or writing. Erm…yes. :)
Stephen:
It makes you wonder what other things they haven’t tried to do that they needed to do.
Cold As Heaven–But at least you’re *writing*. I can totally understand someone who is completely satisfied writing for himself or herself. That was me for a long time, too. But people who feel the need to write and don’t act on it really baffle me.
Alexandra–And he made the time for it so he eventually made it as a writer. I think if it’s important enough to us then we can work it in.
Karen–I think a person almost has to be a little nutty to want to be a writer. The only real rewards are creative satisfaction (and sometimes even that is fleeting.)
Journaling Woman–Thanks for coming by!
Margot–Exactly. And that the words don’t have to be (and won’t be) perfect when we write them…that’s what revisions are for.
Alex–I like that answer. :)
The Old Silly–I’m sure we couldn’t be the only ones who get these questions. You’re right–it’s like asking what the secret to success is. Hard work! That’s the secret.
Clarissa–It’s a little frustrating because, really, we’re all just making time. It’s not like we have more hours in the day.
Diane–They do tend to shut down. I’d like to hear you talk to them, Diane, because you’re so positive and motivating.
Terry Odell said… Good thing there’s no secret handshake or I’d have forgotten it already. My sorority wouldn’t let me in the door if I tried to do one.
I think writers would be very inspired by your story, Terry. And you’ve done such a lot of different things, too. Always good to keep growing.
We’re in-sync!
Laura–Exactly. Sometimes I’ll give them my email and ask them to email and I’ll send them links of resources. But they never seem to follow through with the email.
Karen–It’s never too late and people like you prove it over and over again. Look how much you’ve accomplished in just a few years! And you’re always reaching and exploring. It’s just a shame when people give up. I think you’re right–the Nike ad said it well.
Hart–I think it’s sort of like folks who look for the secret to weight-loss…and don’t want to hear that the secret is eating less and exercising! Because, what fun is that? And it’s the same with writing–just plugging away and writing and rewriting until we’re sick of our own stories.
Ha! I think EVERY draft I send to my agent or editor is clean…and then I’m so appalled when my edits come in…
Julie–It seems to be such a shortcut culture these days and sometimes there really just isn’t a secret shortcut.
The Daring Novelist–You make me feel better because I always feel like I’m not giving these folks what they want to hear. But they’re not giving me what I want to hear, either! I’d much rather hear about the folks who love writing and have 200 poems in their journals that they feel no need to share with anyone..but which make them feel creatively satisfied. *Those* are the people who make sense to me!
Ooh…I like that. Safe is risky.
Elspeth–I think you’re right. And I guess I can see why they would think that. We usually only hear about the star authors–James Patterson, King, Meyers, and not the midlisters. And then, of course, they’re seeing the finished, airbrushed product of our labors in the bookstores–not the drafts we’ve bled over!
Michelle–If only! Wouldn’t that be nice? My editors are usually very polite and supportive but definitely have sound ideas for changes (which I listen very carefully to), and the checks aren’t exactly paying off the mortgage. :)
I think you make a really good point. I’ve heard from a few people who’ve said similar things..that they had so many ideas and they weren’t sure which one to work on. Since many times a first book is a practice book, I totally agree with your advice–pick an idea that interests you and just dive into it.
Simon–I’m with you on that one. I’m never really sure what to say after that.
Elizabeth – This “tough love” YouTube says it all, I think. A message from veteran S.F. and paranormal-mystery author C.J. Henderson. (One caveat. C.J. lives in Brooklyn, where in-your-face communication is not only acceptable but preferable.)
CLICK HERE if you dare.
Write with joy,
~ Cleo
Elizabeth,
Perhaps it was because I had just eaten one too many cookies or that I caught sight of myself in the mirror but my first thought about your topic was the challenge of losing weight. so many of us, myself included have prayed for the magic “pill” or “potion”. Your post made me look at my desire to write…do I have the desire to be or an author or just to write for myself? That is definitely the first step…thatks for pointing the way!!!
Nanc
I think sometimes the reason people don’t achieve their potential in any field – whether writing or something else – is that they lack a sense of urgency and of the shortness of life. I know I was one of these people who had ‘always wanted to write’ until some unexpected life events made me realise I didn’t have an infinite amount of time left! Since then I have co-written ten plays for children and written four novels which I’ve worked on seriously. I don’t mind not being published because I’m not good enough (well, not so much, anyway!), but I would hate not to be published because I didn’t try hard enough.
I also use the perseverance line and suggest joining a local writing group and attending conferences where agents and publishers hang out. And I use the never too late or never too old line for people who stop by to say they want to write, using myself as an example.
I have noticed, however, that those who stop by for writing advice are less likely to buy a book than other readers who stop at the table. Why is that?
Your advice is direct and clear and spot on. What might make them sad is that it is actually work and dedication that get you published. Luck, where hard work meets opportunity. You inspire me every day when I remember how you write during those cracks of time in the day. It CAN be done. Ideal conditions are a fantasy.
So many think you just sit at a keyboard and “it” happens. They think it is only writing if it’s a bestseller. How many of you experienced a bestseller with your first try?
They only want to start at the top.
I’ve been writing newsletters and brochures and articles for church bulletins for years. I am as proud of that writing as I will be if I ever finish my wip.
When someone says they want to be a writer, simply ask them “Why?”
The answer (or lack of an answer) to that question would help determine whether you should encourage or discourage them.
Wow, what a tough question. It sounds like you dodged it expertly! I love how Avery answered it. I wish it boiled down to a simple secret, if it was to though, then that would be it. I recently parted ways with my agent and am searching for a new one. This time around I’m getting quicker, more detailed responses, and requests for partials almost right away. It does come down to careful selection and preparation.