I am, by no means, an “expert” at this writing thing. I continue to make mistakes like it’s my job, and will probably continue to do so—much to the chagrin of my Jedi Agent.
That said, I read certain things on FB or Twitter that make me wince, while resisting the urge to pat their head and say, “I thought that was a good thing once, too.”
So what are these things I’d love to say to the newbie? The same things I would tell myself if I had to do it over again.
NUMBER ONE
Take your introvert self up by the neck and shake her until she stops being so damn scared to get out there. The Internet is not the enemy. You are if you don’t use it. Google your ass off. First search should be: genre, word count. I think this my first, biggest misconception. Thinking more words is best. It’s just not true.
NUMBER TWO
Here’s your chance to give in to your inner STALKER! Stalk publishers, agents, and every writer you find. Make it your life’s mission to learn from them. I swear they won’t mind.
NUMBER THREE
A reader does not a writer make. Yes, reading is a must if you want to be a writer, but that doesn’t make you a know-it-all. It doesn’t even necessarily make you a good story-teller (or show-er, actually). There are tons of online workshops that’ll teach you everything you need to know. Joining your local writer’s association won’t hurt a bit, either. I swear. Best thing I ever did—ten years later. Thanks for that, Introvert Me. Bang up job holding me back.
NUMBER FOUR
Your family is lying to you. Stop lying to yourself by believing every word they say just because it’s positive feedback. What you need is another writer going through this right along with you. Or even better, someone well into this process who can show you where you’re going wrong. Don’t know where to find one of those? Refer back to NUMBER TWO. My best crit partner—the most honest person I know—is another writer I stalked on the Internet.
NUMBER FIVE
Rules are guidelines, not the end all, be all. You shouldn’t follow friends off a bridge, and the same goes for those rules. Keep them in mind, but you can’t always be true to the story if you have to force it into shape according to what some rule told you.
If you had to do this all over again, what advice would you give yourself?
My advice would be: STOP ENJOYING PLAYING WITH THAT STORY OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN YOUR HEAD AND GET IT DOWN AND OUT THERE!....shameless introvert, you understand, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteYES! Stop second guessing the end result and give it a try! I fooled w/ my first idea for YEARS before finally settling down to write it. What a waste of precious time that was...
DeleteJedi-agent approves.
ReplyDeleteIf only we could go back in time :) If I COULD, I'd tell myself to wake the hell up and do what I love. To be relentless. To learn. To soak up books. To write down all the stories in my head I thought would never mean anything. To ignore the people that told me I couldn't make a living writing books. I'd also tell myself to hunt down Misty Waters, future crit partner extraordinaire :)
ReplyDeleteI would tell my newbie self to not be afraid to ask questions. The introvert in me was often more worried about sounding like an idiot. Now I don't care. I just ask whenever I need answers because how else will I learn?
ReplyDeleteIf I'd asked more questions back when I started writing, it might not have taken me 10+ years to get my first contract!
That could be my story! Asking questions are so important!
DeleteGo and learn the trade. Writing is a craft, a skill, just like engineering or architecture or gardening or cooking. You MAY be able to wing it - but it's easier if you learn the basics first.
ReplyDeleteTo say the fact I am very stunned at what you informed. You discuss plenty of exciting details, nice and outstanding style you have got here. It’s certainly one of the most useful things on this subject I’ve ever study.
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