for a rant!
Why are writers in such a rush to be published? I know, I know, it's the dream. We all want to hold our lovlies in our hands, smell the pages, sign them for all our fans, give them as presents on Christmas, and of course, high jack our friends for long car rides and tell them to READ IT! Yes, it's the dream.
It is my dream too. I want all those things sometimes so bad I think I could cry or throw up (yes, seriously). But I started walking down this road only six months ago and only wrote my first novel a year ago. My first book was horrible, terrible, but I learned a lot. My second was a middle grade book that I had a ball writing. My third was a full length YA. And now, I've begun another YA.
I can't believe how I've improved with each book I've written! The old adage is right, if you want to get better at writing, you have to write. No excuses. Just get it done. Don't stop at book one, write a second, third, fourth...
No, I'm not saying don't query the first or second because I'm sure going to, once I feel they're polished, but I'm also saying, what's the rush? You're probably not starving because you haven't sold any books. That's what other jobs are for.
The moral to my rant: don't be in a rush, just write, perfect your craft, and make connections with other writers (yes, make friends, just like in kindergarden). But the biggest thing you should focus on is to enjoy writing. Love writing. Be happy you can do this at all. Every single second of it. Fall in love with your characters. Drown in the worlds you build. Plan more ways to thwart your characters and figure out how to get them out of it.
So go! Write! And never, for a second, take for granted our ability to do what we love.
You got it, Sista. I'm there with you. Passion for what we do is key~ awesome post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You definitely captured the whole publishing frenzy. Strange how that takes over after the first book is written!
ReplyDeleteI'm linking this to my blog, I like it so much! betterwritethanwrong.blogspot.com
I needed to hear that! Thank you. I do love it and in the desire for publication, I've forgotten how much I do enjoy writing. I used to write to write. Then I joined a few writing groups who pushed me to query, and when I got close, real close to publication, only to have it all come tumbling down, they pushed me to query again. I want to be published, somehow, but I want to love writing again.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Misty- I thought you'd like this post ;)
ReplyDeleteCallie- I'm so glad the post meant something to you!
Angela- you're such a fabulous writer and inspiration, don't let the thought of getting published get in the way of that!
So true! I didn't query quite a few books I wrote because there was no point. Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteWe write because it's part of who we are. We publish to celebrate what we have accomplished. It's taken me about a year to finish my second YA, and you know what? I'm okay with that, why, because I have two young boys a husband a dog and a job, and I want to enjoy them all, plus writing. Good for you for putting things in perspective
ReplyDeleteYou can haz award!! Come by the blog :)
ReplyDeleteHere via Sophia's blog! I think I tend to waffle between extremes. At first I wanted to write just for me and not worry about the industry at all, but seeing all these agent and book deal announcements makes me think "I have to write the awesomest novel ever right now and then get it published ASAP!" This is a great reminder to take it slow and just enjoy the process. :)
ReplyDelete(This is me doing a little jig while reading your post.) Did you like that? Well, I liked your post! WAHOO! This is so dead on you deserve an award. Nice!
ReplyDeleteSeriously Juliana! You have only been writing for a year? What got you started? I always love to here those stories:)
ReplyDeleteWell, writing forever but only finished my first book about eight months ago :)
ReplyDelete