The above is a tweet from someone on twitter about a book they had finished reading. One day I hope for someone to say that about mine.
Even if just one person is blown away I would have done my job as a writer.
For now, I’m gladly putting in that work and am quietly looking forward to finally getting out there..
Happy writing or editing, bloggers!
Editing is hard work. It entails more that just deleting, replacing or adding words. There’s the whole framework to think about. Each scene, character, etc. but, the more you stick at it the better you get. How do I know? Never mind that I can now say I have the experience of editing furiously under my belt, but it’s as the saying goes, “The only way to learn something is by doing it”.
And, I’m enjoying it every last bit of it, so I’m not complaining.😜
I like watching reality TV… always have. I’m the listener in conversations. I can retell a story years later when everyone has forgotten.
I was once asked why I’m obsessed with people’s lives and my response has and will always be the same: I’m intrigued by the inner workings of people – why people do what they do. It’s the mark of a writer, no? We’re wired to want to know more about others.
At the beginning of university we were told by our lecturer to always carry a notebook to recall everything that caught our attention, and that book served me very well, especially with those 10 minute writing assignments.
What do you see as the mark of a writer?
How do you measure that you’ve been successful?
Is writing posts on WordPress your goal? Writing everyday? Completing a novel? Publishing a novel(s)? The financial payoff?
So, I’ve been thinking about what success looks like. What would be my ultimate goal?
I’ve written for various platforms and enjoyed every moment of it but still wouldn’t say I was successful. Maybe I’m just not living in the moment and constantly looking ahead – the glass half empty person. Does that mean if I get to publish my novel I won’t be satisfied, because my line of success keeps moving?
I think I’m realizing that I don’t actually have an ultimate goal. Hmm. Something to think about. 🙆
What I’ve (re)learned...
I’m a writer, and a pretty good one (according to my own standards). We have to believe that about ourselves or just maybe we’re in the wrong profession.
Anyway, where am I going with this… Here’s where: In between editing my novel I decided I’d try my hand at writing for a magazine that has often come in the post. As you can see from the title, epic fail.
It’s not like submitting to a magazine’s my first rodeo but the “good writer” thought winging it would suffice. Boy, was I wrong. It’s almost laughable now that I’m over the rejection.
So, here they are:
Study. Yep. Poor lil ol’ me had to relearn the hard way. Flicking through the mag and skimming a few articles just isn’t enough. I’ve been humbled.
Query. Haha. I know, I know, I only have myself to blame. Nothing like writing the whole piece and receiving a generated email rejection. Oops!
The negative is that first impressions count but the positive is, “if at first you don’t succeed try, try again” but start on the right foot, by doing the necessary legwork.
The End.
(Ego bruised but it’s not the end of writing.)
I had big plans for this year because I really thought editing was going to be straightforward. Boy, was I wrong.
I’m still editing, of course. I’m halfway through, but on the plus side I’m enjoying the story. And, maybe a little too much, sometimes. Hee hee.
One thing I’ve noticed along the way, is that even when I finish editing, I still have to go back and edit again. So, my work is not done.
How many times do you (propose to) edit?
How many agent/publisher rejections is too many? And, when does, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’ fall short?
I’m not sure I have the resilience needed for those letters, emails or no replies but fully expect that I’d have to dig deep to rise above them.
Let’s not forget famous authors have been through it. From Sylvia Plath, to JK Rowling, to Stephen King. Now, I’m sure they’re laughing all the way to the bank.
There are so many more who bare the rejection scars. We only have to do a quick Google search if ever we feel stuck in a rut and need that extra motivation. I’ll be sure to check them out when I need that push upwards.
Right, now it’s back to work for me. My novel sure isn’t going to edit itself.
