Secrets

An aspiring writer asked a publisher “What’s the secret to getting published?”
The publisher said, “You won’t believe this, but you just need to show up.”

Huh?

Show Up – as in:

• Write consistently.
• Show up to writing classes, conventions and seminars, etc.
• Improve your writing to a professional level, and then keep improving.
• Query and submit until you get picked up - even if it’s years.
• Keep your deadlines.
• Be reliable.

Also, Be a Finisher.

• Finish that scene you’re avoiding.
• Finish the manuscript.
• Go back and revise. Take the steps necessary - which requires time and a lot of effort - to make your book shine.
• Send it out.

Now a few words on The ‘Why’ of Writing:

Recently I listened to Christopher Loke, editor of Jollyfish Press, speak. The first question he asked was, “Why do you write?” Everyone in the room grew quiet, and you could hear their mental wheels spinning. Before anyone answered, he said, “Please don’t say you write because you love it.”

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one there who looked shocked. Seriously? Don’t we spend the countless hours scribbling on any writeable surface, pounding our keyboards, and thinking through plotlines, because we love it?

I can’t quote his words exactly, but this is the gist of what he said next:

“I hope you write because you’re envisioning your story on a shelf in a bookstore one day. I hope you write because you want lots of people to read your stories. I’m a business man. I don’t want a writer who is just happy writing. I want and need someone who’ll bring me business, keep bringing me business, and keep my company healthy and successful. I really hope you see it as a job.”

Okay. That makes sense. They don't want someone who 'plays' at being a writer. They want people who show up and finish their stories.

I don't know about you, but I'd definitely love to see my book in print in a real bookstore. Sure, seeing writing as a job may take the glamour out of it, but who doesn't envision that glorious finish line: their own sweat-and-blood book in a Barnes and Noble?

I guess if we truly love writing, we’ll be willing to take the steps necessary to get our stories there.

So to close, I’ll be brief.

• Show up.
• Be a finisher.
• Aim high.

And then not only you, but your publisher and all your readers will love it.