Two days ago, I realized that a blog I used to read every once in a while had shut down...because the author did not want people who she knew keeping up with her thoughts.
Three days ago, I sent an email to Luke Raftl with some thoughts on his writing, and with an admonition for him to be careful about who he opens his world of writing to (side note: more thoughts inspired by this email conversation will show up in a blog post next week).
Four days ago (actually, it was more like seven days, but this progression of numbers is fun), my guest article on the Writer's Digest Guide To Literary Agents blog was posted; the article - paraphrasing, because...really, you should read it yourself - basically encourages writers to realize it is never time to give up writing. Not only did about half the commenters responding to the article say it came at "just the right time" for them, but several also mentioned the juxtaposition between my post and so many other posts they read - posts that give them statistics about how tough it is to get published, or how lucky you have to be, or how 'it might be prudent for all you little wannabes out there to give up on your silly dreams.'
What the heck.
Why all this negativity?
Why all this exploration of publication and sales numbers and target markets?
Somewhere in the murky past of our collective Writing World, the craft of writing got turned into something that has to do with money. But truthfully, writing has nothing to do with money. We write, firstly, because we love to write, and we write, secondly, because we want to share our stories.
Any of you who purchase a copy of The Great Lenore will find that I dedicate the book to readers. I tell readers, 'If you buy one copy of this book and loan it to all your friends - Thank You. If you buy a copy for you and a To Loan copy that you loan to 50 people who never purchase the book themselves - Thank You.'
Writing is not about making money; neither is writing about becoming famous, or loved, or honored. Sometimes, these things result from writing. But truly, writing is about writing.
Steer clear of those authors who try to pretend like they are more special than you because they are published. Avoid those weeds of dissenting voices that try to convince you this will not happen for you.
If you are writing, it is "happening for you" already.
Writing is about writing. Remember this. Everything else is bonus.
Learn how you can
have fun by littering.
Play nice and share with others
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Posts
Beautiful words, Jordan.
ReplyDeleteWhen you begin to write, it is exactly as you say it is. It is about writing itself, putting your life on the page and the thrill that this provides. You don't really look much beyond the next line, page, chapter.
Then you get to the end, or near the end of something big. You think to yourself "hey, this is pretty good, I'd love to get this published so that others can read what I have to say."
Your thoughts are still pure, but you look into your options properly for the first time. You start a blog and tap into the collective minds of the online writing community. It all seems so overwhelming, so hard to crack.
This is where you risk being warped, being corrupted. At least this is what I saw happening to me.
You mentioned groupthink in your email to me the other day, and though I was already vaguely aware of the possibility, it brought everything I was slowly working through internally into sharp focus. In your mad scramble to find the answers to your publishing and querying and editing questions you can so easily forget why you picked up the pen and put it to paper in the first place. You read about self-publishing sales figures and 'gatekeepers' and author platforms and forget about the real issue.
Most people mean well, but we all need to keep our individuality, our reason for writing, alive. Thanks for reminding us all that.
(By the way, the cover art for 'the great lenore' is just fantastic. Kudos for whoever is responsible for that!)
"We write, firstly, because we love to write, and we write, secondly, because we want to share our stories."
ReplyDeleteYou speak the truth, my friend. No matter what happens to make me question my path, this is the foundation that puts my doubts to rest. For close to two years now, I have been writing seven days a week; at least five are spent on the W.I.P. and the others are spent blogging, journaling, or doing some sort of reflective or creative writing. I love it. I never drag myself to Borders; I enter enthusiastically, ready to leave my world and enter another. And I stay there for hours. It has become my career. Jobs provide money, but careers provide intrinsic rewards a 'job' could never offer. Sometimes, our job and career are one in the same, but I have learned that doesn't have to be the case.
I think a lot of the negativity stems from many of us feeling the world has beat us up. On my recent post, a number of comments referenced how tough it is to be 20 something these days, and it is true. I am fortunate to be at the end of my healing process after taking some hard hits. Actually, I feel ashamed I allowed myself to self-destruct over something so meaningless. External factors do not define my destiny, and I owe this realization to my writing - the craft, process, creativity, and most importantly, the friends all showed me how to move forward. I no longer write out of anger. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone else. So, regardless of the final outcome, my W.I.P. has served its purpose, and I am doing something I never thought I would actually sit down to do.
Luke - I could not have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, and as for the cover art - I forget that you showed up late to the party. Long before you arrived on this site for the first time, that process was documented. Jamie Keenan designed the cover. Yes, the same guy who did these covers. As well as these covers. Some serious, serious talent going on there.
And Paul - I wonder if you realize how far you have come along just since you and I began corresponding. It truly is amazing to behold. And I know that you will continue to "come along" a long way still.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME POST! You are absolutely right and I fully agree.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. Very inspirational!
I will always write just because I love to write...everything else is just extra.
Thanks for this. Needed it. :)
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes writers get sidetracked on the path to publication - simply because it's a difficult road to travel. I have my days, but always I'm drawn back to heart of what I love 'writing'.
ReplyDeleteI've had pressure from well meaning friends waiting to see what I've written. Few outside of writing, truly understand the time and dedication that we apply to our work. And that last statement sums up something that at times hinders the process; the word 'work'.
When we stop enjoying what we love and start to approach our days like a harnessed responsibility and pile on expectations...of course we're going to sour on the beauty of creating. (And yes, that is one long ass sentence.)
For me? I need to remember the first page I ever typed, the first line, the first word which inspired me, and keep it close. We forget our beginnings and look too far into the future. Losing the joy of the present.
There are many of us on this journey. People who will encourage and keep you afloat if you're willing to allow them in. Writing doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor.
Yes, it would be nice to get a good payout for all our efforts, but if that's the only reason someone sits down to write a book, they're already missing out. Me? I want to write. I want to write from somewhere deep inside, a place few ever get a glimpse of.
In the end, if you want to write, all the hard work is small in comparision. Write. (Hugs)Indigo
Firstly: thank you, as always, for a great post! I had a discussion (okay argument) with someone the other day about exactly this. I was trying to explain to this person that writing, to me, is a journey and that the outcome (getting published, becoming a household name and by default a millionaire - gotta love it!) is not important. They did not agree with me, having just spent a great number of years trying to find a publisher and we all know how disheartening that can be :)
ReplyDeleteBut still, in my mind, writing is a journey. I have been at it since I was a little girl, who used to read the dictionary for fun, and have three non-fictions in various stages (of decay?) either handwritten or on my computer. The first one was terrible and I did not need anyone to tell me that. The second one was marginally better. The third one saw the light of day and I submitted it but even though I too knew that it was not 'commercially sustainable.' The fourth one is fantastic - even I can see that! I will be over the moon if it gets published and if it doesn't I will also be over the moon. Why? Because I finished it, that’s why.
My life took a tragic turn a couple of years ago when my ten year old son died in a fire (I share this at my own peril since personal information has a tendency to backfire on one, but then what are we if not human beings with feelings?). Overcoming grief has truly helped me gain perspective. I write because I love doing it and because it is part of who I am and, like so many of you, I devote a huge amount of time and energy and emotion into it but somehow the criticism is just that: people, who don't know me, making assumptions about me. I know who I am and I know where I come from and that! is more than enough to make this journey worth taking. And quite frankly nothing, and I really mean nothing, can compare to the emotional roller coaster I have been through so: bring it on, I’m ready.
As usual Jordan, you manage to sprinkle hope on the rest of the writing community. I'm glad you posted this, because the article I read yesterday, in Childrens Writer, was all about writing as a business, and how prospectively profitable writers all need one, if they want to take writing as a career. This may be true, but it sure sucked the soul outta me. And it's usually such an up-lifting publication.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of blogs, I look at mine like a mental gym. Anyone who wants to be good at anything, needs to practice..a lot. My blog is where I go to flex my writing muscles everyday and keep my brain fresh. It's also excellent slight of hand, as it gives everyone something to read, while I work on other projects. I am an evil genius..muahahahahha
Keep up the good work...
Paige
Thanks, Jordan. Always inspiring. Since I've started blogging just a couple of months ago to get my name out there while I look for publication possibilities, I've found that the writing and the sharing and communicating with others is what I've been most happy with. I still want to get my work published in book form, but I've never been as satisfied with myself as I have been in the last couple of months. No amount of aspiring can match it.
ReplyDeleteIt Just Got Interesting
"Steer clear of those authors who try to pretend like they are more special than you because they are published. Avoid those weeds of dissenting voices that try to convince you this will not happen for you."
ReplyDeleteIt could be coincidence, or you could be psychic. Either way, had I not read those words last night - or early this morning, rather - I might have had the same terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day poor Alexander had. I read a post this morning that did just that. It was probably not the objective of the post, but it was the outcome nevertheless. And yes, there was some truth delivered, but it was delivered in a way many will find hurtful. Bottom line, I didn't care for it.
I share this not because I'm angry, but because I was reminded how much I enjoy the positive vibes shared here. I was instantly reminded of what drew me to this site for the first time (My name is so-and-so....) I remember being so moved by your insight, and so appreciative of that perspective, I reposted your thoughts and allowed my readers to be filled with the same positive energy. And I believe it was that post that initiated our correspondance.
I feel sorry for the people who will walk away from that 'other post' feeling hopeless. At the same time, I am thankful for the relationships and encouragement I obtain through my writing network, because I choose to interact with those who, for lack of a better phrase, will 'give me a buzz.' It's why I'm selective of who I allow into my writing journey.
Had I read that post a year ago, I probably would have quit. I would not have been capable of digesting that information and still moving forward. Now, I'm in a better place. As you mentioned above, it's why I shut out the negativity, because it CAN take you down if you let it. No thanks; I'll steer clear of those who spit poison through their words.
Office Girl - Glad it helped!
ReplyDeleteTrish - Isn't it funny how the things we "need" seem to find us at just the right time.
Indigo - "...of course we're going to sour on the beauty of creating." So well put!
Marlene - I feel bad that such an incredible set of thoughts is confined to a humble "comments" section on a humble post. Keep fighting - everything will fall in place!
Paige - What a depressing view of writing! Glad you're not letting it suck the (evil genius) soul outta ya!
Brent - I love your use of the word "sharing" there; you hit the nail on the head - sharing feels good.
Paul - Funny, I was actually thinking about that "Aspiring Writer" post today - thinking about the strong reaction you had to it. I believe it was one of the comments on the "When Is It Time To Quit Being A Writer?" post that made me think of it. You're right - positive vibes are so much more enjoyable than any of that other mess.
The process of writing has split as you say from craft to money. Sometimes these are found together, more often than not this is not the case.
ReplyDeleteBut it is something we cannot get away from, so I accept it with a shrug. Life, goes on.
Writing is both harder and esier because of this split and because of the internet. We can find like minded individuals far easier now than ever before. Of course we tend to find many that are not of like mind. But like writing we shrug and continue.
Perhaps, if we were truly honest with ourselves (and can we - who are the most self deceitful of creatures- ever be truly honest in that regard) and sat back, recognising all the negativity within and without, what would we do about it?
I have the capacity to loathe some writing just as I love others. Like music we recognise when something insn't our taste. But hopefully, and here is a big hopefully, we can still recognise craft. Writing is intrinsically lonely. We all know and understand that. But why then do we seek affirmation from others at every corner? Why do we NEED support with the written word?
Because we're human. Because we have failings and because we need each other. I am the worlds' greatest hermit. I have the capacity to withdraw even in good company. Yet I still recognise the need to keep writing what's inside onto the outside.
Keep writing keep sharing and keep reading. After all you can't please all the people all of the time (though pleasing your bank manager goes along way - so I'm told haha)
Thank you for the kind words JM - you are truly an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI'm (still) on the path of finding an agent but have had some promising nibbles lately. I recently read what I consider a negative and disheartening post from an author basically telling us unpublished writers that it's silly to celebrate the small milestones and to think we'll ever profit from our work. In a word, give up and don't even bother trying. What?!
I certainly don't write for the money, because I realize there's not much to be made in this industry. I don't write for the fame. Fame? Ha! I write because I've been writing since I could hold a pencil in my hand or peck at the keys of my mother's typewriter (yes, typewriter).
Increasingly I've been turning away from the writers, agents, and publishers who continually write about how difficult it is to get published. So what? I'm still going to write. No matter what.