The Business End

       The dream of authorship, it is not for the weak of heart.  I have the heart of a writer.  I love to put marks on the page that come together and create a story.  It really is just about that, for me anyway.  This may sound weird but in my head, I have all characters that literally push their way forward and demand that I share the world they live in.  I can actually hear them speaking, see them moving and feel the excitement and sadness as they show me what is happening in their lives.  

          I think the thing is that I am discouraged because of the "business" of writing.  Why can't we just write and send out our work? If it is a good story, it will sell.  It is not that easy.  There are literally THOUSANDS of books (many very good ones) on HOW to write. Books on plot, scenes, dialog, characters. Formulas on how to write that are tiresome. Let us not forget how to be in the BUSINESS of writing, agents query letters, contest that are costly and stressful.  There are not just books, but webinars, and conferences and groups all about HOW to be published! For a person like me, it is discouraging.  

I just want to write, I just want to share the amazing tales of the characters in my head.  I think you will love meeting them.  They really do have fascinating lives. I have begun a journey with a new friend.  He has a story to share.  I have agreed to write it down.  It is going to be scary, because when I am done, I have to deal with the business of writing.  It is my dream to share his story with the world we live in. Wish me luck as he and I work together to bring something to this world that will engage and bring happiness to the ones that share the story.  

On the business end, wish me luck. I am not about that end of things. I am capable of the queries and the tediousness of the business, but my heart lies in the words.  I hope I can overcome the business to bring you the stories. Know this; there are hundreds of thousands of authors out there that struggle with the business-- I guess that is why we seek agents. People that understand the contracts, the details and allow us to tell the stories.  

In hindsight, I suppose I should thank the agent that will one day see my stories and say..."OH, yes sign this girl UP!" I look forward to meeting you!  

Rejection. Does it really suck? Nahhhh!

Today I got another letter.  It essentially said in a lovely way, "Thanks but no thanks".  It hurt for about a minute.  However with the sting still there, inside I felt something else bubbling up.  It is joy.  I know rejection is probably the worst feeling in the world.  I've had my fair share. No matter the reason--love, work, art, social ties it doesn't matter it always hurts when you pour yourself into something only to me met with -- rejection.

I propose we take a moment to reflect on what professional rejection, really represents.  (I don't want to touch on romance as it is so individual and multifaceted.) Instead I would like to look specifically at rejection of your work. Perhaps this sharing is on a small scale, such as friends and family. It could also be on a grand scale such as submitting your work for potential publication or even a proposal that may put your job on the line.  Art, the written word, business proposals (think Shark Tank) -- your work the thing that matters to you.  The thing that you create in the center of your being and dare to share it with another human being hoping for some form of validation that you are not wasting your time/life.

LET ME BEGIN THERE:
IF it comes from your heart. It is NEVER something that is unworthy.  Why you ask? Because you are worthy.  It is not something that another can place a value on, it is YOU, and you are priceless.  The truth is professional rejection makes us stronger as artist, writers, business persons.  It often pushes us to try harder, stretch our thinking, to learn more, dig deeper.  It betters us.

If you are considering giving up because someone/thing has turned down your work. Perhaps it was not your heart at all that you  poured into that thing.  When your heart belongs to your work, you can't put it down because another person simply said, "Thanks, but not this time."

In many ways, putting your work out there for another to judge or critic makes you a winner.  Many artist, writers, business persons never take that leap.  They sit in the corner hoping one day that someone will walk by and notice their work. They call it humility, what it really is -- fear (of rejection).  It is okay to be strong enough to say I want people to see what I have done here.  It's okay really.

Think if the greats never shared their work, but instead waited for someone to hopefully notice. Which more than likely would never happen.  That would mean never a piece by Edgar Allen Poe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen King-- think where the world would be.. fewer movies that's for sure. Benjamin Button would be but a lost tale, as the Great Gastby.  Never would just the single word "It" have sent shivers up my spine. Never would I have an image clearly in my mind when a person says "Cugo" or "Carrie". Single word titles that strike fear into the hearts of many.  English teachers everywhere at a loss on how to explore the Gothic writings, the poor Tell Tale Heart still beating yet not a soul would know. The Conquer Worm never explored.. the horror of it all.

I learned a long time ago when I was so desperate to be a published artist that many times, it is not the work that is not worthy, but the circumstances.  Perhaps your piece did not work in that "issue" or that time.  That does not mean it never will. My first layout was published many months after I had submitted it. In fact I forgot that I had submitted it!  I now have over forty layouts published in every major magazine in the industry. Why am I telling you this?  It means you must keep trying. Don't give up!
Rejection is not a reflection of YOU instead it means-- that at this time-- in this place, right now it doesn't fit.  That doesn't mean it wont EVER fit.

NEXT I would like to address the concept of  "You don't do it to be published."

POPPYCOCK!   I am going to turn my gear toward writing for a moment but this applies in many places. If you don't write to share your stories, then why are you writing?  Keep your personal journal and it doesn't matter if the structure is solid, or the characters are developed.  IT IS OKAY TO SEEK OUT PUBLICATION FOR YOUR WORK. It doesn't make you prideful, or any less the artist because you  have a longing to share your stories/work.

 It makes you a writer/artist. I am so tired of others saying... "I don't write to get published." I call you out!  IF you are not writing/creating to be published then why are you sharing?  Is it that fear that you will forever be rejected by the publishing houses?  YES that is what it is.  The fear that others may not find value in your work?  YES that is what it is. I say to that... RUBBISH... keep submitting don't be a coward.  It only makes you stronger when you are rejected.  You re-read that piece or as an artist  you may reconsider your color scheme/and design or even reconsider the proposal and how to make it stronger.  Rejection changes your thinking. It makes you LOOK at your work.  If you submit your work and it is rejected, use that to build your craft not tear yourself down.
Learn from rejection , don't be hurt by it. Yes the sting will always come, but when you feel that sting, when it hurts and you begin to question yourself, smack yourself in the face and say, "OKAY how can I make this better?" Then try again! and again! and again!

Be strong and don't EVER let anyone/thing make you feel small or less valuable. You are still learning and trying a work in progress until your last breath is taken.

I have a final quote that I want to share...

"A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." Richard Bach (Freedom with Writing)

That says it all. Never give up-- not on the things that matter.


Oh and this is good too!

UPDATE: I have submitted to two more magazines after writing this post today. Fingers crossed but if it's not to be, that's okay. See makes us stronger ;)

Stephen King-- On Writing

 I have a lot of books on the craft of writing. Why?  My previous rant about reviewers saying that they didn't learn anything or that the book was full of quotes/self promoting authors really was meant to challenge writers to seek to learn from everyone.

 I then started reading Stephen King's memoir on the craft of writing. (Stephen King - On Writing. A memoir of the Craft.) He immediately states that many books on the craft are B.S. (his words not mine.) I took a moment to reflect.

I still stand firmly that we all have something to gain from reading books and articles on our craft.  You never know where inspiration my hit.  I took a moment to examine the idea that a lot of books on the craft are not substantial. I decided that for a seasoned, successful writer such as King that may be true.  For a writer that is still learning it is not.  I know I have a long way to go and every bit of constructive criticism and every ounce of suggestion to improve my writing is welcome.  I know every industry is littered with competition.  It seems everyone I meet wants to or is striving to become the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. The truth is there are lots of talented people out there, with potential and they just need to foster their skills.  I like to think one day I will be able to say my book was good enough to print.  I may reach that goal but I can say this, a part of being good at anything means you are capable of accepting that there are always those that are better than you-- and more importantly, you can learn from everyone.

For many years I taught art classes, I was the "expert" in the room.  I remember the moment in my arrogance I made a statement and one of my student (new to the craft) pointed out another possible solution.  It was an easier way, it made sense, I was humbled.  I have never forgotten that day, that moment when I realized "Yup you may be the expert, but you still have a lot to learn."

There is a lot of great advice and ideas in craft books. They help to gain confidence. They point out thing that we love about the stories we read as a "technique".  They help us grow as writers.

I love King's book -- honestly it has left me laughing out loud a few times. He really is a very humorous man. I unfortunately am not a fan of the horror genera. I have not read many of his books--because the scare me.  I don't like to be scared.  I am however aware that he has a great deal of knowledge in my craft and I could gain greatly from reading his book, so I am.

Take every book you read, on the craft, novel, short story and poem and turn it into a lesson. Absorb what you love and take note of what you don't.  The stuff you don't  like is often something that you can learn from. Ask yourself, why don't I like this?  Break it down and make it something you can learn from.

I do love this quote from Mr. King. It inspired me to take the first step, and tap out the first pages of my own story.

 

Reviewing Reviews.

I have been reviewing some books over at Good Reads.  I spent a lot of time reading the reviews (by other readers) on a book by James Scott Bell called Plot and Structure.  You can get the book through Writer's Digest, in Book Stores or like everyone else in the world, order it on Amazon.

 I recently completed this book and was adding a review when I noticed a string of reviews that were in my opinion harsh and in some ways unwarranted.

When I ordered the book I had just finished reading an excellent book called " The Story Within" By:Laura Oliver.  Which I had also read several reviews.

What do both of these book have in common?  They are books written on the craft of writing.  I find book like these and several others to be inspiring and fun to read. I love reading about something that I love to do, write.

What I discovered while reviewing the reviews horrified me, writers are really hard on each other. Many of the reviews were from fellow craftspersons that seemed to be  looking to find the magic formula to success. (I believe the formula only exist in the form of lots of hard work.) I was heart-broken when I read a few reviews that bashed the authors and said they did not bring anything new to the reader. Must be nice to know everything about writing--you are telling me that you did not get inspired, nor find one thing that you said if even only to yourself  "Ahh that is a great idea."  HA!  I say poppy-cock!   If this is truly the case it may behoove you dear reader to reexamine the book, or for the benefit of all us others --write a book and enlighten us.

Here is my plea.  Writers, craftsmen and women, story tellers please lighten up.  I was deeply disheartened that some of my fellow writers felt they were entitled to tear apart another's work, simply because they felt the book didn't tailor to their needs.

The excellent writer is humble enough to recognize that (s)he can learn from every book on the craft.  Not one of these books said their preferred method of writing was the only way. In fact, I believe both of them clearly and repetitively stated that the ideas were just that, ideas and method that may work to increase or improve ones writing.  They simply presented ideas and ways to better ones skills.

Take this thought, do with it as you please but humble yourself seek out tidbits to make your writing stronger, not chunks to tear apart a fellow artist.  I implore you all to learn from each other and unless your name is Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, JD Robb (Nora Roberts) or some other amazing craftsperson that I don't have the time nor space to list take a self-evaluation, learn to learn, uplift each other. Be proud of your craft and confident in yourself to know you still got a lot to learn baby.  In fact, I would bet that the previously mentioned authors would agree they too are always learning from their peers.  

Just a thought for the day.  Now I'm going to go write!