As a writer and blogger, I’ve stumbled down many an alleyway
mostly due to naiveté.
Now I recognize how stooopid they were, those instances of
Doh! and I cringe.
In order to help the writers just leaving the starting gate, I have three big
Don’ts.
Since most writers have little time to dink around with long
posts, here is
Monumental Advice Number One
Tell no one that you are writing/have written a book. If you
have a spouse who supports you, it’s okay to tell them (she said grudgingly)
but use digression.
By keeping your writing career mum, you will avoid these Questions.
“So where is your book? I keep checking the NYT bestseller list but *insert the snark here* haven’t seen your name.”
“I saw this ad about publishing your own book. They call it a vanity press. Why don’t you use them?”
“It’s been three months since you finished the book and still not published? Wow. “*insert pitying expression*
Advice Number Two:
Do not disparage agents, agencies, or your fellow authors on
your blog. Self-inflicted wounds, i.e. shooting yourself in the foot, lose
their charm after the first direct hit. No good can come of offending your
potential clients and backers.
Last of the Three For-Heaven’s-Sake-Don’t-Do-This Rules
Posting rejections, the number of queries sent, the extra
pages requested might seem like a good idea. But do you really want your
followers to see this? Anytime I consider posting my stats, I refer to the Number
One and the inclination dies.
Do you have any deep regrets since starting this business?
I’d love to hear more from writers who committed the First Mistake, their
friends and family’s responses, and how they dealt with them.
Number two is very sound advice!!
ReplyDeleteI'm also amazed when people ask how many books you've sold or how much you've made. To me, that's like asking someone how much he gets paid at work.
Plus it is rude. I have rock solid opinions but hurting others feelings hurts me.
DeleteI do regret telling my family I was writing a book. They don't seem to understand why it takes so long. Lol Excellent advice!
ReplyDeleteThat is my biggest regret.
DeleteOddly, I don't get a whole lot of snark from people about my writing. I do get the occasional request to write another suspense/romance/erotica from friends who bought my little experiment when I self-pubbed it some years back. But I remind them that I've chosen YA and am pursuing it instead. Every now and then a stranger will ask me if I'll be the next JK Rowling. I resist the urge to tell them I'm not British, not the creator of HP and Hogwarts nor was it meant for me to, so no. Instead, I tell them,"I'd like to be just me, thank you kindly."
ReplyDeleteNumber two is just a NOOOOOO! Oh goodness, people must remember the industry isn't a hermit industry just because the writer might be a bit of an anti-social person. Agents and editors talk, exchange stories and names can be tossed here to there, adding a little asterisk to the ones that have said or done something just... ugh, what were they thinking?????
Number three...hmmm...I'm on the fence about this one. It can go either way. Be an encouragement to others like me who don't want to feel they're the only one getting rejection after rejection OR it could cause people to be like, "Uh, you know, maybe this writing thing isn't for you, you know, since NO ONE seems interested."
Regarding #3: I mean shelling out dough to print my book then asking friends and family to buy it. *shiver*
DeleteI believe self-pub, small press, or Amazon is a great way to go for some people.
It would seems like common sense, but of course, if it were so common, people wouldn't be doing these things all the time.
ReplyDeleteCommon sense ain't so common. That's for sure.
DeleteHa Ha! I'm stuck on Picard in full facepalm. That must be Data looking on and I can imagine his perplexed expression. Love it! :D
ReplyDeleteI've spent half my life in that same position. And without Data looking on.
DeleteNice, words to live by. I concur with all three! Especially telling friends and family.
ReplyDeleteIf I could only take back those conversations...
DeleteI agree! Definitely. I see posts where bloggers have listed their queries sent out, stats of rejections, and even a copy of the rejection letters. Ouch. That stuff is better shared via email with writer/critique friends. And YES--the family and friends thing. They can't believe it when I tell them it's at least 2 years before my book comes out, cuz publishers work 2 years ahead on their lists!
ReplyDeleteThank Heavens I have Charity to lean on when the Blues hit. The kindness, support, and outright companionship of writers humbles me in every way.
DeleteTo me #2 is just common sense :-D
ReplyDelete#3 is one I've always walked the fine line of, because I do talk about querying publicly, but I try not to get too much into details.
The big piece of advice I'd give to all new novel writers - it doesn't matter how much you love and adore your story. If no one else has read it and given you their thoughts, it's not done.
Great list!
Oh, yes! Number Four: acquire betas and CPs.
DeleteGood one.