Writing Advice
By Lani Diane Rich
© 2005 Lani Diane Rich All Rights reserved
Aspiring writers are always looking for advice, and most experienced writers are typically willing to give it. That said, there are so many different ways to make it in this business that I almost feel like I need to put in a disclaimer that what I have to say really only speaks to my experiences, and the very best advice I have - for writing and for life - is to follow your gut. If your gut says you should be writing Arthurian romances when it seems like there's no market and no agent wants to touch it, follow that instinct. I got two words for you on following your gut: J.K. Rowling.
That said, the advice I do have goes in two directions - the craft of writing, and the work of selling what you write. If you want to be a professional writer, be prepared to wear both hats. Helps if you're a Gemini.
The craft part of my advice is very simple, and is basically cribbed from Stephen King's "On Writing." Although there are lots of wonderful books on writing, I'd be wary of getting into them too early in your career, before you have a chance to know where you stand. However, good ol' SK really hits the nail on the head when he says, "Read a lot, and write a lot." I think it's the most valuable advice any writer can get. The rest of it is stuff you'll get to if you just read a lot and write a lot.
I apologize if that seems lame, but it's what I've got.
Now, to the Writing As A Professional side of things... oy vey, baby. Get out the aspirin. Here's your basic to-do list.
WRITE THE BOOK. I know. Sounds obvious. But you'd be surprised how many people actually try to sell their writing while skipping this vital step. Once you've established the fact that you're capable of finishing a book, you can sell on proposal. Until then, finish the book. Trust me.
GET OVER YOURSELF. That sounds horrible, but it's true. If you haven't subjected yourself to the trial-by-fire that is a critique group, start. Build up that thick skin, love. Publishing is like a big hockey game and you're the puck. You're going to face rejection upon rejection, even after you get an agent. Often, even after you've sold to an editor. And then, when you are published, it's guaranteed that you will, at some time in your career, get a scathin review. It never ends, no matter how successful you are, so just accept that a) what you're doing is worthy and b) it's impossible to please everyone, so don't try. You want your audience - the agent that gets you, the editor that gets you, and the readers that get you - and you need to block out everyone else. And don't expect it to be easy; finding your perfect agent and your perfect editor is like finding the person you want to marry - only the one that is right for you will be right for you, and you've got to keep diving into that haystack to find that needle. Make sure you're both tough and stubborn enough to do it.
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