Writers are an odd lot.
I can say that, because I am one. So I speak from
experience, not judgment. Like all creative people, we tend to feel things more
deeply, reacting poorly to criticism.
We also have no perspective at all when it comes to our own
creations. Because a lot of us begin writing as a hobby, we also seem to have a
lop-sided view of the publishing industry.
So today, I’d like to clear up some common misconceptions
and share some things that successful writers never say.
1. Uh…I guess…uh…I
write. So…I suppose that makes me a
writer…sometimes. CUT. IT. OUT. If you are serious about writing, even if
you don’t get paid, you can call yourself a writer. So repeat after me. “I am a
writer.”
2. I’m a much better
writer than the majority of the published writers out there. This is for
the small percentage who don’t have trouble telling everyone, “I am a writer.”
Some of you believe you know more than everyone else. I hate to break it to
you, but you don’t.
3. Sure, I don’t need
to write today. I’ll go to lunch with you. Successful writers make spending
time putting words on paper (or a screen) a priority. If we want to be taken
seriously and have our time respected, we must set the example.
4. I don’t need to
read books. I’m a writer, not a reader. Besides, I don’t have time to read.
I am not kidding. I’ve actually had writers tell me this. We need to spend time
reading, and reading widely. Read outside your genre and learn what works and
what doesn’t.
5. I don’t need an
editor. I have a sharp eye and can catch anything I need to in my writing. Yes,
many of us do have an editor’s eye. That’s a good thing. But that is NO
substitute for an editor. We are blind when it comes to our writing. We see
what is supposed to be on the page,
not what is.
6. I can’t afford to
attend conferences. I know conferences are expensive, but they’re also
vital to moving forward in your writing career. There are a lot of ways to fund
a conference—from asking for money from family and friends instead of gifts for
holidays, to writing small articles for pay and saving that money. Conferences
do three MAJOR things for writers:
- They provide a place to learn the latest industry standards and techniques.
- They provide a place to network and talk to writing professionals, like editors, agents and published writers.
- They provide a place to network with other writer.
7. I decided to
self-publish because traditional publishing just takes too long. I’m glad
to say that self-publishing—when done with professionalism—is now a respected
option. Beyond that, there are a lot of good reasons to self-publish. But using
self-publishing as a short cut is NOT a good reason.
8. I don’t have a
target audience, everyone loves what I write. Every book has a primary
audience. Yes, there are books that a lot of people enjoy. But if you write to
a specific audience, you’ll have a much better finished product. Not to mention
the fact that book stores will know where to shelve your book.
9. The rules don’t
apply to me. Yes, I’ll be the first one to agree that there are exceptions
to almost every single rule you ever hear about writing and/or publishing. BUT
we can’t look at ourselves as that exception. Follow the rules and let the
exceptions be a wonderful surprise if and when they happen.
10. The first part of
my book is just information the reader needs, the story starts on page 70 (40,
60, 90, etc.). I really have lost track of the number of times I’ve had an
author say this to me. Here is my response. If the story starts on page 70,
that’s where your book needs to start. Trust your reader, and trust yourself,
and skip the background information.
11. I’m not a
marketer, I’m a writer. If this really is true and you absolutely refuse to
market your work, then be prepared to pay. You’ll have to hire someone to
market your book because marketing is a joint partnership between the publisher
and the writer. That’s just the way publishing works today.
12. The publishing
industry is dying. No, not really. It’s definitely changing, but it’s not
dying. There’s a difference. Learn to adapt with the changes, but realize books
and people who write them aren’t going anywhere.
13. I already have a
book contract, I don’t need a literary agent. Now you need one more than
ever. There are those who will argue this point, but here are my thoughts.
Because of the rapid changes in publishing, contracts are brutal. You need
someone in your corner, advocating for you. After the contract, you still need
someone to help with possible (really probable) hiccups in the publishing
process. If you don’t like your cover, or the copy editor isn’t doing a good
job, your agent can be the bad guy and go to bat for you. This makes it
possible for you to stay on good working relations with the publisher.
14. I don’t need to
work on social media until after I have a contract. This is another that
makes me cringe. Editors and agents award book contracts based on a lot of
things. Now days, one of those things is whether or not an author has solid
online presence. The lack of a presence may not always keep you from getting a
contract, but it will affect the way you’re viewed by prospective buyers. Smart
writers build an online presence while they’re working on a book, so everything
is in place when they begin pitching.
15. Published authors
don’t need to take classes or read books on writing. Successful writers
know there’s never a point when you’ve arrived. Lifelong learning isn’t just a
buzzword, it’s vital to stay current in the publishing industry.
Even though I slanted a lot of the points toward books, all
are equally applicable to writers of shorter works. These are things that I
believe you’ll never hear a successful writer say. I’d love to know what you’d
add to this list. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
