A writing "don't do" and a "must have"
If you want to be published, there's something that you don't do, and something that you must have.
First, the "don't do." Vampire books are scorching hot. So are demons, shapeshifters, werewolves, and pretty much were-anything. So you sit yourself down to write one of these blazing hot and irresistible to agents/editors/readers-everywhere books. Only one problem -- you hate all of the above books. You don't read them, but you want to write something that sells, so you're determined to try.
Don't do it.
Don't waste your precious writing time, or destroy your sanity trying to write something that you don't read, love, and adore. One, the result won't be very good (because you don't like it), and two, you'll be miserable (because you don't like it).
Write what you love to read. That way if it takes you years and years to get published (like it did me), you'll at least be happy with what you're working on because you're writing the book that you want to read but couldn't find.
On to what you "must have." The four "Ds" -- drive, determination, desire, and discipline. All of these are must haves for continuing to work on a project even after you think you have probably been rejected by every agent/editor/publisher in existence (just like I thought). You have to believe in your project enough to give up (or at least limit) doing the things that you love: watching TV, a social life, and that thing you remember from waaay back in the past called "free time."
When you get "The Call" every last sacrifice will have been worth it.
Trust me.
Your TV-less, quasi-hermit, but very happily published author,
Lisa
First, the "don't do." Vampire books are scorching hot. So are demons, shapeshifters, werewolves, and pretty much were-anything. So you sit yourself down to write one of these blazing hot and irresistible to agents/editors/readers-everywhere books. Only one problem -- you hate all of the above books. You don't read them, but you want to write something that sells, so you're determined to try.
Don't do it.
Don't waste your precious writing time, or destroy your sanity trying to write something that you don't read, love, and adore. One, the result won't be very good (because you don't like it), and two, you'll be miserable (because you don't like it).
Write what you love to read. That way if it takes you years and years to get published (like it did me), you'll at least be happy with what you're working on because you're writing the book that you want to read but couldn't find.
On to what you "must have." The four "Ds" -- drive, determination, desire, and discipline. All of these are must haves for continuing to work on a project even after you think you have probably been rejected by every agent/editor/publisher in existence (just like I thought). You have to believe in your project enough to give up (or at least limit) doing the things that you love: watching TV, a social life, and that thing you remember from waaay back in the past called "free time."
When you get "The Call" every last sacrifice will have been worth it.
Trust me.
Your TV-less, quasi-hermit, but very happily published author,
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:35 AM
3 Comments:
Quite right, Lisa. You must write what moves you. It's what will keep you writing however much or little you sell. I wouldn't give up too much outside life; that's sometimes where inspiration comes from. But, yeah, you gotta have those four "D's" to make it!
I read somewhere -I think it was in an article in Writer's Digest. Sorry I can't give a proper credit- that if you try to write something just because it's popular, chances are the trend will have peaked by the time your book is published.
Yet another reason to stick with writing what you love. :)
Robert, I definitely don't give up everything. ; ). And I schedule a night off at least every two weeks.
Exactly, Chicory.
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