And Even More Writers Advice to Their Newbie Writing Self
It would be so awesome if we could go back to when we were just starting out in this writing journey and share some pearls of wisdom with the writer we were when we were newbies.
John Warner, workaholic, retirement failure, author of Emperor of the East Slope and the award- winning Golden Quest shares what he would tell his starting out writer self:
“To complete a book is a cherished milestone few achieve. To hold the printed copy in your hand rarefies your standing. OK, so well done! (Hope you never know how hard it is to market the damned thing!) Know that the urge that started this will never go away. You will always be an addict and frequent mind prods will urge you back to the keyboard when you are fallow. You may never be the addict that Nora Roberts is…but you may try.
The Internet is wonderful for quick and accurate research. Better than newspaper archives and libraries where I started out, pre-computers. Enjoy your technical advantage!
Should editors equate you alongside or above popular authors, be proud, but not prideful. Remember, they have agents, publishers, reputations, fans, sales and experience.
Read more. Suck in knowledge. Keep a notebook at your bedside for those three a.m. revelations.
Stick with your method. Just because you have no idea where a story is going does not mean it is not in motion and actually has an ending.
When friends stay up all hours enthralled and forget you are the author, you have achieved…something. When even critics have to read to the end, there is a victory.
Make contacts with other writers, associations and like-minded groups who will encourage you and suggest means. Writing is an insular endeavour but marketing is not.
Edit, edit, edit. Then edit again and get others to help. Subsequent editing will then be desirable.
Keep faith. Nothing will get done if you do not get started.”
Happy writing!