This thought occurred to me as I began to plan for today's blog post.
I asked myself this question: "What am I going to write about today?"
I always ask myself that question.
But then, I asked myself a new question: "What will readers be expecting from me today?"
Last Friday, I posted a post called The Biggest Mistakes Writers Make When Querying Literary Agents. In preparation for the post, I emailed over 100 agents, asking them (as if I have to explain this) what the biggest mistake is writers make when querying them. I compiled all the responses I received into (what I believe is) the most comprehensive collection of answers to this question available anywhere on the internet. I expected the post to draw some new readers to the site, but I think I under-projected: In two and a half days, the post received over 1200 hits, and the number of public followers on the site grew from 111 to 133.
And so, you'll understand the basis for wondering, "What will readers be expecting from me today?"
I think that this question is the first step in a process that ends with the writer taking off their pants and walking bare-legged through thorn bushes.
I have grown this site with slow and steady progress (at a rate of about one new follower per post) by consistently writing posts that are beneficial to the readers who visit. I'm not all that funny with the words my fingers create. I'm not loud or controversial. But I am as passionate about literature, the craft of writing, and the pursuit of publication as anyone you will ever come across, and I try to help others grow in these areas as I continue to grow myself.
I don't pretend to compare Friday's blog post (which was mostly written by the agents themselves anyway) with a sublime piece of literature. But the popularity of that post certainly gave me a glimpse of the conundrum that springboards many writers into a pool of mediocre copycats of their own work.
The thing is, Cormac McCarthy will never write another "Blood Meridian" (something he recognized); Chuck Palahniuk will never write another "Fight Club" (something he did not recognize); J.K. Rowling will never write another "Harry Potter" (something we still have no clue whether she has recognized or not - and for the record, my money is on she has recognized this).
It's easy for a writer to look at their most heralded or most popular work and decide to follow that same formula. But look at the pantless-thornbush-jaunt this method has led Palahniuk into (as he seems to lose readers with every book he puts out there).
It's more difficult to create each new work as an entirely independent entity, following the "formula" of: What is pounding out from the inside of my heart right now? Okay, that's what I will write. Oftentimes, this leads a writer to create something completely different from that "most heralded" or "most popular" work of theirs, and in the short-term it might even injure the numbers that comprise their readership. In the long-term, however, this commitment to honesty contributes to the sort of lasting, enduring, and acclaimed legacy that someone like McCarthy has built, penning such disparate works as The Border Trilogy, No Country for Old Men, and The Road.
This post is longer than those I usually put out on this site (after all, you have other things to do at work besides reading my blog posts), but I wanted to make sure I completed this thought. That is to say: I wanted to make sure I wrote what was pounding out from the inside of my heart.
I am currently dealing with this problem on an even larger scale than this blog post: When I finished writing the first draft of The Great Lenore, I knew I had something beautiful - at the very least, I knew I had something publication-worthy. Even before I landed my publishing deal, however, I found that my new writing kept crashing and exploding like bits of confetti as I tried to create "something that would be a good follow-up to The Great Lenore." Finally, I recognized that I was falling into the trap so many writers fall into with their second novel: Creating something that is just like their first novel, but not quite as good. Since realizing this a few months back, my new manuscript has begun to become something beautiful...and something altogether different from The Great Lenore.
I hope to deal with this problem on an even larger scale someday (as the appearance of this problem on a truly large scale would indicate that a work of mine had entered the realm of Societal High Esteem). And when I do encounter this problem on a career-dictating scale, I hope to conquer it by continuing to do what I am doing right now: Writing what I have to write, and refusing to worry about what others might want me to write. In the long run, this will pay off.
Keep this in mind, Dear Writers. Someday, your readers will thank you.
Keep writing.
Keep chasing the story your heart tells you to chase.
Click on Lenore to take a 6-page sample out for a spin.
↓
↓
If you enjoy, please help by spreading the Lenore love to friends.
Play nice and share with others
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Posts
YES. I wrote what I jokingly call "My Masterpiece" two years ago. It was a joy to write, and it was beautiful, and there was a tenderness and shine to the characters. It was the first thing that I was truly, deeply proud of. But could I recapture that magic? Should I even try?
ReplyDeleteThe current WIP is full of snark instead of whimsy, combat boots instead of soft, downy mittens. I found the only way I could write something equally enjoyable was to veer away from the piece that I had written before. If they're too similar, it's easy to say that one falls short of the other. But if they're different, then it's simply apples and oranges.
Beautiful post.
-Mercedes
Mercedes - That last part of your comment is so true: If they're too similar, it's easy to say that one falls short of the other. But if they're different, then it's simply apples and oranges.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone should write something different specifically so that they have something different. But I definitely think that "something different" usually emerges from deep within each writer, and the key is to follow what emerges, rather than suppressing it and trying to follow "the formula of the first one."
Well done!
I just listened to a podcast by Brandon Sanderson dedicated to the topic of the "Second Book." He covered three areas: Writing your second book, publishing your second book, and writing the second book of the series. I'd recommend giving it a listen. This link will take you to it http://bit.ly/dPEJP2
ReplyDeleteI heard him say something interesting on another occasion. He said after he published his first book his agent and editor wanted to know what other works he had completed. Before publishing his debut novel Sanderson had written around 13 books. In his opinion none of the books were publishable. The editor and agent were anxious to get more of his work out there. Rather than giving them a subpar novel he told them he wanted to write something brand new. He mentioned that he's seen many writers have an outstanding debut novel, but their second is subpar because they've gone back to their "trunk novels," and let them be published. The writers didn't consider how their writing had matured between novels.
Sanderson just published a novel he'd written 15 years ago. However he rewrote it from scratch with new ideas and major changes from the previous manuscript. It titled "The Way of KIngs." I'd say it's in my top 5 fantasy favorites.
Mark - As always, awesome addendum to the post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Four years ago I choreographed my masterpiece and have been living in its shadow ever since. Nothing has been quite as powerful, but there have been a few interesting dances and, of course, the shift towards writing.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you have stories to tell, the propulsion will continue.
Sarah - It's great to get a perspective on this from someone who has dealt with it in their own life. And yes, "As long as you have stories to tell, the propulsion will continue." So true! The key, of course, is letting the stories be the propulsion, rather than allowing other factors to drive the work. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThis is a truth. I've often noticed that writers will try to re-write a fantastic book over and over (probably at least in some capasity presured to do so by their editors) but I never thought to apply that concept to blogging. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou speak the truth. Writing is subjective so you may as well write what's burning your soul rather than what others say is burning your soul. You have only yourself to answer to in the end, anyway.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is still working on his first piece, this was interesting to read. I often sit and wonder, typically during lengthy periods of writer's block, what I would like to tackle next. But then I remember that I didn't create the idea for my current story; the idea was created and came to me. When I read a book by an established author, I can tell if they are writing from the heart, or if they are trying to live up to their reputation and recreate something they've already accomplished. It does emanate from the page. When I discover an author I enjoy, I like to see different sides to them - it tells me about them as a person, and I enjoy learning that just as much as reading their work.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, wonderful advice.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog... glad to be here.
Taryn - "Writers will try to rewrite a fantastic book over and over" is a great way to put it.
ReplyDeleteElle - The subjectivity of writing is definitely important to keep in mind! I've always felt that if you write what drives you, the work will last much longer than if you write what you think might "sell well."
Paul - As always, your contribution is insightful and poignant; this is why I enjoy visiting your blog as well.
Jennifer - I'm glad you're here as well. Thanks for stopping by ;)
Thank you for your helpful blogs. I am your new addition for today's average of 1 per day...looking forward to more of your blogs.
ReplyDelete