It's true! Are there some universal truths with writing? Yes, and there are things that are true for MOST writers (which is what I spend each school year trying to get through to my high school students), but each writer and situation is unique.
Absolutely. I tell my editing and coaching clients at writewithoutborders.com that they need to follow a schedule that works for them and not feel that some writing guru has the answer and they must do as she says.
It’s really thought-provoking article. My own journey as a writer has been very convoluted. There have been a lot of detours and backtracking. Fortunately, as you wrote, if we are aware and accepting of change, then we can use it to grow as a writer.
And that's the way it is with all of life, right? It's just that so many people want creative work to work differently than the rest of our lives. That's not realistic. And embracing the reality that life happens can open us up to tremendous opportunities.
My writing journey started with a big prize for a short story and major publication, but I found myself drawn to many other genres and many of my 27 books are nonfiction. I have friends who only write crime fiction year after year--that would have made me feel to constrained.
Me too. But then I was a catholic reader from elementary school onward: adventure, mystery, sci-fi, history, natural history (especially dolphins), mythology.
I first realized that writing was a business when discussing with my editor at St. Martin's Press how long the book of short stories should be. He steadily unreeled the possibilities of length and the retail price of each book at the specific length. It helped me become deeply active in my own career in terms of publicity and I sent myself on tour for a year, on and off, when the book came out to good reviews. The expense paid off as it generated press coverage and many invitations to do readings at different venues. He made a prediction that's mostly come true, that I would earn more via speaking gigs than royalties. Canny editor he was.
With my Kickstarter next week and plans now to officially publish the book in September, I'm looking for ALL the local opportunities to sell my book in the fall leading up to Christmas. I'm not even looking for local celebrity, just getting my work out into the community and building a base audience that way.
Sounds like being a writer is to be something of an explorer - you have to find the ways that work for you and you alone 🤔
It's true! Are there some universal truths with writing? Yes, and there are things that are true for MOST writers (which is what I spend each school year trying to get through to my high school students), but each writer and situation is unique.
Absolutely. I tell my editing and coaching clients at writewithoutborders.com that they need to follow a schedule that works for them and not feel that some writing guru has the answer and they must do as she says.
It’s really thought-provoking article. My own journey as a writer has been very convoluted. There have been a lot of detours and backtracking. Fortunately, as you wrote, if we are aware and accepting of change, then we can use it to grow as a writer.
And that's the way it is with all of life, right? It's just that so many people want creative work to work differently than the rest of our lives. That's not realistic. And embracing the reality that life happens can open us up to tremendous opportunities.
I like how you said that you “let the writing talk to you”. This kind of receptivity seems to be key for me, too.
Not always easy, but the writing is so much better when we do that.
Keep up the great work Sarah!
Thanks!
My writing journey started with a big prize for a short story and major publication, but I found myself drawn to many other genres and many of my 27 books are nonfiction. I have friends who only write crime fiction year after year--that would have made me feel to constrained.
I would get bored 😂 Also, I have too much to say about the real world around me 😜
Me too. But then I was a catholic reader from elementary school onward: adventure, mystery, sci-fi, history, natural history (especially dolphins), mythology.
I first realized that writing was a business when discussing with my editor at St. Martin's Press how long the book of short stories should be. He steadily unreeled the possibilities of length and the retail price of each book at the specific length. It helped me become deeply active in my own career in terms of publicity and I sent myself on tour for a year, on and off, when the book came out to good reviews. The expense paid off as it generated press coverage and many invitations to do readings at different venues. He made a prediction that's mostly come true, that I would earn more via speaking gigs than royalties. Canny editor he was.
With my Kickstarter next week and plans now to officially publish the book in September, I'm looking for ALL the local opportunities to sell my book in the fall leading up to Christmas. I'm not even looking for local celebrity, just getting my work out into the community and building a base audience that way.
Did you see my piece this week in Lit Mag News?
No! (End of semester so I'm buried under research papers that I'm still feverishly grading.)
https://litmagnews.substack.com/p/rejection-doesnt-have-to-hurt
I remember end-of-term grading. Glad to be done with it.
I've always felt that the absolute best way to learn and grow as a writer is to write.
Yes!