So I’m safely back at my desk, with 14,672 submissions to read and an inbox that’s emitting radioactive sparks (actually, just kidding about the number of submissions: it’s really 14,671). One email, however, has particularly stuck in my mind, and I’m hoping my correspondent won’t mind me mentioning it (in the interests of the Higher Good of other readers). This emailer tells me that they’ve been wanting to write a book for ages and are now seeking an agent to guide them through the novel-writing process. Hmm, yes. Well actually, the best thing is really to write the novel first - BEFORE you seek an agent. But it brings me back to something I’ve mentioned before - that with so many support groups and networking opportunities available, it may be easy to forget that the real point of it all is . . . sitting down and doing the writing!
Which brings me to what I shall call the Mini Cooper School of Writing. You see, when I first came to the States last Fall, my husband very kindly sold the ‘man-car’ (a big black thing) and we invested in a snappy red-and-black Mini Cooper (please note, it does about 40 miles to the gallon which makes it quite a suitable Greenhouse vehicle). Boy, that is one sweet motor! One touch of my cowboy boot to the accelerator and those minivans are history . . . But I digress. The thing is, after toy-town Britain, driving here seemed very scary: such huge highways, so many lanes, so few road signs. It seemed all too likely that I’d be swept off down to Richmond or somewhere, never to be seen again. So, I spent a lot of time memorising maps, learning road names and even programming the Garmin - anything rather than actually venture out on to the streets! Until suddenly I got it: making mistakes was not only inevitable, it was actually the only way I was going to learn. There was no way around getting hooted occasionally at the lights or having rude signs made at me when I chose the wrong filter lane. It was all simply a necessary part of gaining confidence - and making sure I never made the same mistake twice. And gradually, very gradually, I’ve improved.
So don’t be scared. Boot up the computer, work out your plot and get writing. It may be rubbish, but in six months time you may be capable of something better than rubbish. Expose your writing to your harshest critic and keep working and working to improve it; be prepared to tear it up and start again if you’re not 100% happy with it. Don’t jump to find an agent - regard yourself as a writing in training, apprenticed to your craft. After all, if you were learning to paint would you think yourself ready to exhibit in a few weeks?
Put your pedal to the metal and get going. It’s a Mini Cooper world!
Posted by on 02/24 at 08:14 PM
That really is a great analogy! I know when I first started writing I was terrified to make mistakes; I didn’t want to waste time writing anything other than gold, so in the end I’d only write when I felt inspired. That was completely the wrong way to go about things.
To me, the only bad mistake is a mistake you don’t learn from. There’s no obligation to write perfectly the first time round. By giving yourself permission to make mistakes, you’re also permitting yourself to learn from those mistakes, and willingness to learn and improve is definitely one of the most important traits of a good writer in my opinion.
Posted by on 02/25 at 09:04 AM
I couldn’t agree more with both Sarah’s and Robert’s comments. My novel has undergone many changes as I’ve learnt the craft of writing. I can see a vast improvement to when I first began but I also know I still have a lot to learn.
I think the writing process is a constant one of learning. Like any master craftsperson, it takes time, dedication, unfaltering optimism (well, maybe not always unfaltering but most definitely a tenacity to keep at it.)
Life is a learning process and, hopefully, we learn from our mistakes - writing is the same.
There are some great websites out there that offer various styles of critquing. I could recommend one but I’m not sure if that’s allowed. If Sarah reads this and says it’s ok, I’ll let you know.
Best wishes with all your writing and aspirations. It’s not easy, it takes hard work, self-motivation, and determination.
Tracy
Posted by on 02/25 at 12:13 PM
Dear aspiring writers
In the competitive world of publishing and trying to find an agent, let alone achieve that publishing contract, you need to raise your game and make your work really shine.
It needs to be well-structured, well-written, well-polished, proof-read and edited. It needs to ‘sparkle’ to get noticed among the abundance of manuscripts on an agent’s desk, as Sarah’s blog testifies.
I would recommend a website for all aspiring writers that aims to do just that - and it’s free.
Reviewed by your peers, your work is critiqued and placed in a chart. There is a substantial reward, not monetary, if you make the top five.
Check it out - it’s well worth taking a look and participating in.
It’s called Youwriteon.
It’s run by the Arts Council of England and there are members from all over the world so anyone can join.
It can really help you get out of the slushpile and make it to the top. There are several authors that have achieved success through the site.
I can’t recommend it highly enough to raise any novice writer’s game.
Tracy
Posted by on 02/25 at 03:52 PM
I can’t agree more with this. I cringe when I think of my first novel (now safely tucked in a desk drawer where it can do no harm). In my wild enthusiasm, I penned a sprawling 178,000 word opus that wandered and meandered before collapsing in a heap.
The best advice I can give to new authors is not to faint if their first novel doesn’t find a home (exluding said desk drawer). I actually learned a lot with that first disaster. My second novel was less of a disaster and I still learned a great deal.
Writing is a process. We study the craft, read, and we write. It really is the only way to grow better.
A good writing group or trusted circle of beta readers is invaluable. Running a stop sign in front of a friend is much better than running it in front of a cop.
Cheers and happy writing,
~mary
Posted by on 02/26 at 07:59 PM
It’s so nice to see an agent that is encouraging and that offers sound advice. Kudos to you.
Posted by
Stacy T on 03/05 at 03:16 AM
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