Advice from an Unknown Author

Recently, I met with a friend and his author brother, who had a few questions about getting published.

Since I’m only an expert on my own experiences, I warned him I had so much to say that I’d talk his ears off. To the gentleman’s credit, he brought Elmer’s glue to reattach them. Good thing because what started as a brief meeting grew into a four-hour gabfest.

I hope that by jotting my writerly thoughts here, they might help fellow authors with similar questions and concerns. Also, by putting them in print, I hope to follow my own advice.

Many writers (including me) like quick, easy answers. Sadly, the writing process involves so many spinning plates that it’s not always quick or easy.

We also want to be right about what we write. That makes sense. This is our baby! We’ve birthed it with great pain and disfigurement. Therefore, our literary child must be loved and adored by all. Except …

Except for those days when we review the awesomely amazing words we’d previously written. What felt like pure genius yesterday can only be described today as excrement too vile even for a monkey to hurl at passersby. The good news is … that rollercoaster ride is part of the process.

Years ago, I attended a reading by author S.E. Hinton, famous for The Outsiders; That Was Then, This is Now; Rumble Fish; and Tex. At one point, she admitted there were days when she believed she’d written drivel. I remember thinking at the time, I feel the same way. That means I’m a writer!

Actually, the writing part is what makes someone a writer.

Now, for the advice:

#1 – Read

Writers must read, read, read! My dear mother spoke those same words when I was a young, reluctant reader. I’ve since reformed and can now agree that Mom was right. Writers should read everything, not just their chosen genre. Some writers will only read great books, but those novels can be so flawless it’s hard to tell how the author made everything work. That’s why I suggest reading and studying the bad stuff. Exposing yourself to clunky dialog, rough transitions, and hokey descriptions will teach you what NOT to do.

#2 – First Drafts

Writing a first draft can be challenging. You’re starting with a white screen or a blank page. How on earth are you going to fill it? Once you start that early version, it’ll probably look ugly. That can be doubly discouraging if you compare a rough draft to one of your polished pieces. So, don’t compare. Just accept your first draft for what it is; an unformed blob that yearns to be a story.

Hints During the Writing Process

Shorten your attention span. If you’re easily bored, you’ll try so hard to amuse yourself that you’re bound to entertain your readers.

Keep the momentum going. Too much description/exposition slows the story. If possible, incorporate necessary information into the action.

Know your characters so well they seem like real people when you talk about them. Lifelike characters make dialog writing easy. Just “listen” to them speak, and write what they say.

Keep most of the character’s backstory to yourself. Let the reader gradually learn about your character through action and dialog.

Love your story more than your words. That way, you won’t mind cutting unnecessary verbiage.

#3 – Let it Breathe

This suggestion is tough to follow if you’re excited about your project. Still, put the draft aside for at least a few days, preferably in a drawer or dark corner of your closet. After the piece has “seasoned” for a bit, bring it back into the light. Now, you’ll see it with fresh eyes. With luck, you’ll spot a few bits of dialog or description that hints at the story’s future greatness. Embrace those nuggets of awesomeness. They will motivate you to keep writing.

#4 – Edits

This phase of the writing process is the most fun. You’ve already recognized your nuggets of awesomeness. Now root out all the lumps of crappiness and polish and transform them into a scene that sizzles. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when the story makes you leap to your feet and race around the coffee table, laughing like a maniac.

#5 – The Next Step

If at all possible, attend a writer conference. For an additional fee, you can speak one-on-one with an agent or editor. The meeting is called a “pitch session.” It involves giving approximately a 25-word description of your book and a “comp” – comparing your book to one already published. You’ll have a limited time (usually ten minutes) to wow that agent/editor.

Breaking your story into its essence is an egregious task but well worth the effort. Just make sure to prepare both items ahead of time. If the editor should happen to say to you, “How does it end?” Be sure to have an answer. Or, talk really fast about a subplot until the time runs out. That second option isn’t recommended, but the editor asked for a synopsis and the first three chapters when it happened to me.

#6 – Never Give Up

Keep trying and submitting to publishers. Rejections are expected. When they come, and after you’ve grumbled about the injustice of it all (which is part of the process), ask yourself, “Was my manuscript rejected because I sent it to the wrong publisher, or do I need to make more edits?”

#7 – Acceptance

After your book gets accepted, you’ll probably work with an editor. Remember, it’s a partnership. You both want the story to be its absolute best. In the majority of cases, the editor knows what that is. There might be a few times when that editor doesn’t know the story as well as you do. Politely explain your reasoning if you disagree with a suggested change to a scene. You’ll probably get to keep your scene if your reasons are legit.

#8 – Marketing

I hope to have more on marketing in the future, but I’m still working on that side of the biz. I’ll keep you posted.

Until then, happy writing!