I've got a plethora of advice for other writers.
Heck, I've got a plethora of advice for everyone on almost any subject. Ask my friends!
If I could offer up one piece of advice on getting published it would be this:
Get better before sending your stuff out.
I've been writing for publication for about eight years now.
I spent most of that time spinning my wheels.
I started writing non-fiction articles and got a couple of things published. But, mostly, I got rejected.
Why?
I didn't know my craft well enough. It's been said by others and I'm paraphrasing here: it takes eight years to become a doctor. Four years to get just a basic bachelor's degree. Why do people who want to be writers think they can just scribble something down and send it off for publication?
Don't know, but that's the way I did it. For Six years! Now, I wasn't a complete idiot. I did read lots of how to books and articles, but the truth be told, I didn't take all the advice literally. I was going to be the exception. I sent my stuff out with typos because, well, it didn't make that much of a difference, did it?
Eight years later, I can tell you, YES IT DOES!
My first eye opener was at the 2004 Blue Ridge Mountain Writer's Conference. I sat down next to (my now very dear friend) Ane Mulligan. She looked at my MS (manuscript) and pointed out some no-no's. Yeah, yeah I thought, whatever. She smiled and said, "okay, you keep it that way, but you'll see).
And see I did! I finally got to the point where I was tired of form rejection letters and I did something about it. Better late than never.
I joined an on-line writer's critique group and they tore my work to shreds.
I was in a state of shock. I thought I was good. I thought I had talent. How could they do this to my baby?
I did have talent, but I wasn't good. I licked my wounds, made the changes and reread my work to see if they were right.
Surprise, surprise. They were. I've since left that group to go on to a tougher group. The crits don't hurt anymore, believe it or not. The tougher the critique, the more grateful I am to the critiquer for taking the time.
Now, I'm still waiting for my big break and my first book contract but there's a big difference. Two years ago, I recieved form rejection letters, nearly every time out. I don't anymore. I'd like to say never but that wouldn't be completly honest, I'm sure I've got one or two of those still lying around without dust. But, almost never.
Now, I get phone calls or handwritten notes on what the prospective agent, editor would like to see or why they can't buy it. I get compliments and smiles and requests to see more.
While those things don't pay the bills, they do keep one going.
So, to recap, my advice: Join the toughest writer critique group you can find and hug the cactus. (That means embrace the painful critiques).
And don't just embrace them: Do what your team suggests. Of course, sometimes advice is wrong, but if 2 people say the same thing, take notice. If 3 or more do, they've probably got a point.
Just like I did when I started this. Though, now I can't remember...oh yeah, before you send your stuff out, get better and let others help.
Or, you can do like I did and wait for a pile of rejection letters and then take my sage advice. Either way. Your call.
Monday, July 18, 2005
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My Top Advice for Prospective Authors
Monday, July 18, 2005
1 comment
Hey Fadi! good to hear from you. To answer your questions:
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't know of any publisher who specifically publishes stuff from someone whose 2nd language is English. If the stuff is good,it's good and will eventually get published. No different set of criteria as far as that goes.
My critique group's name is "Penwrights". It's generally by invitation and you would have to submit a writing sample and be accepted. If you're interested you can let me know and I'll get you the info. They're a tough group full of amazing talent.
Thanks for mentioning Saving Eden.
That book is finally done and is being shopped around by my agent. No bites yet. Boo hoo.
The benefit of having a blog: it gets you writing every day. Its always good to link up with writers. And getting your name out there is never bad. Thanks and G.B.