Top 10 Things New Authors Can Do to Guarantee Success
In case you’re interested, over at Horror-Web I am being “interviewed”. That is, I’m a willing target and you’re free to pop over there and throw any question you want at me. I thought I’d post my answer to this question about ten things, as usually asked by writer, and all around sweetheart of a guy, James A. Moore. The challenge lies in seeing if I can actually come up with ten things. Some of these may overlap, but I’ve got space to fill.
1. Read. A lot. Learn from what’s been done and respect the genre.
2. Write. A lot. Write for you and respect the craft. By that I mean write for your artistic sensibilities first and find your unique voice. Then continue to improve and push yourself as a writer.
These answers remind me of being back in “Sunday School” when you knew that the answer to just about any question the teacher asked was “God”, “Jesus”, “Pray”, “or Read the Bible.” Of course these are the first answers to this question, but in someways they shouldn’t have to be. They are like reminding someone to breathe and poop. So though they shouldn’t count as answers I’ll let them stand because they take up two slots.
3. Think through your career. I don’t think enough writers think through their careers. In fact, I know a couple writers who need to think bigger. Too often we’re satisfied with just getting published rather than continuing to aim at the biggest markets. [Talking to professional writers about their stories floating around in “exposure only” markets is like bringing up an actor’s porn past?] This leads right into ...
4. Get paid. If you want exposure, do it through good venues. I realize that, despite our daydreams, we probably won’t be getting rich from writing; but even so, why give your stuff away free in the name of “writing for the love”, gaining fans, or exposure? [Though, I admit, there are exceptions.]
5. Submit. It’s the ABSs of successful writing: Always Be Submitting. Stories do you no good in your drawers. (Before I make the obligatory “good things in your drawers” joke) Also, think of your stories as your writing resume. You want to put out as good a product as possible since you (never know when you) are always being interviewed by new potential readers. And editors.
6. Maintain a professional image. Your web site, your message board, your blog, your appearance; all of this is part of your submission package. It was strange when I began to think of myself in terms of “product”, but in a lot of ways, you are developing your brand. And your brand name is what agents and editors will encounter and factor in when they think about dealing with you.
Also, don’t trip over your persona. I’m still thinking through this, so please ignore my rambling. The main thing I keep reminding myself is: Don’t be an ass (unless an ass is who you are, I guess, but still, try). It’s a tricky balance sometimes: being yourself but knowing when to not be “too much” of yourself. Let’s face it, especially among the small press contingent, sales can increase or decrease due to one’s online persona. I’ve been turned off by an author’s boorish behavior as often as I’ve made purchases based on how pleasant the author was. Plus, editors want someone they perceive they can work with.
7. Network. Writing is a solitary venture. The business of it, however, is not. At some point you have to venture out of your cave, push your comfort zones, and put yourself out there. Conventions. Community (read: message boards). Pro organizations. Make friends (you can never have too many friends).
8. Promotion. Well, insert something about promotion. I suck. It’s needed, but I suck at it.
9. Be teachable. You are always a work in progress, so don’t get a big head. You’re never above listening, especially to people who’ve been doing this writing thing longer than you have.
10. Persevere. Develop a thick skin, especially for criticism, and keep plucking along. Honestly, the dirty little secret to getting published boils down to don’t give up. If nothing else, let all the crap that you “know you can write better than” that gets published be your inspiration to keep trying.
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Comment on this bit of rantus interruptus anyway you want (I don’t know where you’re reading it from) or just do so at my message board.
1. Read. A lot. Learn from what’s been done and respect the genre.
2. Write. A lot. Write for you and respect the craft. By that I mean write for your artistic sensibilities first and find your unique voice. Then continue to improve and push yourself as a writer.
These answers remind me of being back in “Sunday School” when you knew that the answer to just about any question the teacher asked was “God”, “Jesus”, “Pray”, “or Read the Bible.” Of course these are the first answers to this question, but in someways they shouldn’t have to be. They are like reminding someone to breathe and poop. So though they shouldn’t count as answers I’ll let them stand because they take up two slots.
3. Think through your career. I don’t think enough writers think through their careers. In fact, I know a couple writers who need to think bigger. Too often we’re satisfied with just getting published rather than continuing to aim at the biggest markets. [Talking to professional writers about their stories floating around in “exposure only” markets is like bringing up an actor’s porn past?] This leads right into ...
4. Get paid. If you want exposure, do it through good venues. I realize that, despite our daydreams, we probably won’t be getting rich from writing; but even so, why give your stuff away free in the name of “writing for the love”, gaining fans, or exposure? [Though, I admit, there are exceptions.]
5. Submit. It’s the ABSs of successful writing: Always Be Submitting. Stories do you no good in your drawers. (Before I make the obligatory “good things in your drawers” joke) Also, think of your stories as your writing resume. You want to put out as good a product as possible since you (never know when you) are always being interviewed by new potential readers. And editors.
6. Maintain a professional image. Your web site, your message board, your blog, your appearance; all of this is part of your submission package. It was strange when I began to think of myself in terms of “product”, but in a lot of ways, you are developing your brand. And your brand name is what agents and editors will encounter and factor in when they think about dealing with you.
Also, don’t trip over your persona. I’m still thinking through this, so please ignore my rambling. The main thing I keep reminding myself is: Don’t be an ass (unless an ass is who you are, I guess, but still, try). It’s a tricky balance sometimes: being yourself but knowing when to not be “too much” of yourself. Let’s face it, especially among the small press contingent, sales can increase or decrease due to one’s online persona. I’ve been turned off by an author’s boorish behavior as often as I’ve made purchases based on how pleasant the author was. Plus, editors want someone they perceive they can work with.
7. Network. Writing is a solitary venture. The business of it, however, is not. At some point you have to venture out of your cave, push your comfort zones, and put yourself out there. Conventions. Community (read: message boards). Pro organizations. Make friends (you can never have too many friends).
8. Promotion. Well, insert something about promotion. I suck. It’s needed, but I suck at it.
9. Be teachable. You are always a work in progress, so don’t get a big head. You’re never above listening, especially to people who’ve been doing this writing thing longer than you have.
10. Persevere. Develop a thick skin, especially for criticism, and keep plucking along. Honestly, the dirty little secret to getting published boils down to don’t give up. If nothing else, let all the crap that you “know you can write better than” that gets published be your inspiration to keep trying.
###
Comment on this bit of rantus interruptus anyway you want (I don’t know where you’re reading it from) or just do so at my message board.
posted by Maurice Broaddus at 6/06/2005 12:52:00 PM
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