Okay, technically the book hasn’t been published yet, but I had to differentiate between the author before and the one after the contract offer. Getting the contract offer is by far the coolest thing, but that was a month ago and in this day and age of the ever changing it’s old news. I’ve told everyone I know and I recommend doing that because you might be surprised by the results.
It just so happens that a lady I know, Sandy, one I’ve known going on nine to ten years, is in a writing group. We had no clue that the other was a writer. Anyway, she and a half dozen or so other ladies get together and read their stories to one other. When she learned I was getting published, she told her writing group and they’ve asked me to talk to their group about getting published.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
……okay, I’ve got the giggle under control. But really isn’t that cool?
So now I’m thinking about all the things I want to pass on to them. What are the most important things they need to know? And what’s the one thing I hope they take away from my visit with them?
When Sandy asked me about doing this, I obviously said yes and told her about my friend and fellow author, Tonya, who talks about paying it forward. So what would you pay forward? And if you are an author or writer what is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten in your career and think I should pass on to this group of writers?
17 comments:
Aww...thanks for the shout out!! Yes! I completely believe in paying it forward so when I started down this writing journey, I've paid it forward in each stage of the road. My best advice is to tell writers to write. Get into a schedule and write every day. Even if it's crap! The crap will get better and better. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Another thing to let them know is how important a critique group is. Mine is priceless!
Thank you, Tonya. I definitly agree with writing everyday, learn or read something about writing, but do something connected to your writing goal everyday.
When mentioning the critique group part, Calisa, I'll have to tell them how resistent I was to this, but when you find the right person or group, you're right, it's priceless.
What others said - write regularly, and get feedback from someone besides family and friends. Also, finish the project! And revise. Writing is as much revising as it is writing (at least for me). Have fun with your talk!
Believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. Don't change your voice in writing your stories just to fit a trend. You wouldn't do that to yourself, so don't do it to your characters. And lastly, be patient. This isn't an easy road, but then anything in life that's worth having, is never found on a path well trodden.
Thanks Jennette. I definitely spend a lot of time revising and editing my stories. The actual writing is easy, making it publishable isn't.
It's not either you got or you don't. It takes learning a skill and you're right, Joelene, that takes patients. Lots of it.
LOL! How very cool to have your first Pubbed Author Preso!
Hmmm, best advice... there are a lot of good ones up there, so I'll tip towards, "In a world of e-pubs vs NYC, don't forget the small presses. They cover a lot of middle ground."
This is particularly true if you're writing for a niche audience.
Tina - this is exciting news! 2011 is off to a great start for you! (In more ways than one!)
If it's scary, do it. This includes asking a critique partner to read it, an agent to represent it, a contest judge to judge it. Put it out there.
Yep, pretty cool, Kristine. And how I wish I could convey everything its taken me so long to learn. And I will toot the horn of small presses since that's who is publishing me. Thanks for commenting.
Man, why does it have to be scary? But you're right, Keri. Letting someone read my work was the hardest. I got over the agent and editor pretty quick since I wouldn't have to face them unless they wanted to rep me. But to let a fellow writer, a critique partner, someone I'd see face to face at a chapter meeting was extremely intimidating to me.
Believe in yourself. Get feedback from a pubbed writer. Write EVERY DAY!!!
Christina, congratulations on your wonderful news (again!) and on the chance to give others advice.
I have to say the biggest piece of advice I wish I'd learned earlier is "it's never going to be perfect." For years I'd write and rewrite, never wanting to market the book until I felt it was the absolute best it could be. And while it's good to be polished--it's better to be professional. Write the book. Get it out there. Write the next book. (And get it out there, too)
This isn't easy, but it's the best thing you can do for your career-and nothing teaches you how to write faster then real feedback from industry professionals. :)
Congratulations again!
Ny advice? Persevere. If you believe in your book and you have good feedback from people whose opinion you trust, don't give up after a few rejections. Every time you get a rejection send out another query letter. One day it will hit the right desk at the right time.
Excellent advice and it all leads back to never giving up on your dream. Doesn't matter if it's scary, hard or frustrating, and it will be all those things, if you want it bad enough you have to keep trying. Thanks!
My advice...don't put yourself so high on a pedestal that you think you can't possibly improve your writing. You can always make it better. Even the best of the best would love to go back and revise some of their earlier works.
And never be afraid to ask for help. There are so many authors out there that have experienced things and know their way around the block. And most, would be more than happy to help their fellow author out.
And lastly, never forget your fans. No matter how many (or how little) you acquire over the years, remember that without them, your books are merely ink and paper.
I apologize for being late to this party again, Christina. But I am here! Does that count?
BTW, when do you meet with them?
And congrats on the second contract darlin!!!
Ah Renee, it definitly counts. I'm usually the one late to a party so I understand. I appreciate that you've taken the time to stop in and leave a comment. I know how busy you are and what a crazy exciting week you are having.
I meet with the group on the 15th. I've compiled a list of all the advice folks have posted here and other things I want to make sure I pass on, lessons I've learned so far. I'm excited to help them the way you and others have helped me.
Thanks again.
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