“Someday I’d like to write a book,” they say, as if it’s akin to taking a stroll or, at worst, a difficult five-mile hike.
But it’s closer to scaling a mountain. Scaling a mountain with dozens of rest stops along the way, each with a sign that reads, “Sorry, mountain unclimbable. Turn around and go home.”
Those with the notion that writing is some haven of ease and comfort, that it’s not a constant daily struggle of epic proportions, just. Don’t. Know.
Of course, then you get those aspiring writers who are, to put it charitably, a bit delusional. They think their every word is gold, refuse to learn the business side of writing, and feel a sense of entitlement. They’re entitled to praise, they’re entitled to never hear criticism, they’re entitled to do things their way, they’re entitled to publication.
Whatever. Seems to me they should read and adsorb Jennie Nash’s excellent post, Five Reasons Good Writers Fail. There is wisdom in them thar hills.
It gets no easier from there. Disregard the smooth-sailing story your published friend told you. Even my own road to publication was an anomaly. We can fool ourselves into thinking that if we want it bad enough it will happen, but no, the world doesn’t work like that. As a writer, you will be rejected. A lot. You’ve GOT to come to grips with that. I’ve said before that rejection letters are not a bad thing, and it’s worth hearing again because you’re going to see plenty of them. From editors. From publishers. From agents. Just keep writing and learning and trying to improve.
It’s also worth knowing what NOT to do when you’ve been rejected. For instance, when seeking an agent, don’t be a whiny amateur. The always-direct Janet Reid has some very sound advice on this subject. ACT like a professional and you will be one step closer to BEING a professional.
But hey, don’t take my word for it. I’m just another schmuck chugging along trying to make it work, too. Hit up the Absolute Write forums and see writing for what it really is instead of what you daydream it is.
