7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Pat Esden

This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers (this installment written by Pat Esden, author of BEYOND YOUR TOUCH) at any stage of their career can talk about writing advice and instruction as well as how they possibly got their book agent — by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning.

Pat Esden, author of A HOLD ON ME (Feb 2016) and BEYOND YOUR TOUCH (August 2016) both from Kensington, is an antique-dealing florist by trade. She’s also a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and the League of Vermont Writers. Her short stories have appeared in a number of publications, including Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, the Mythopoeic Society’s Mythic Circle literary magazine, and George H. Scither’s anthology Cat Tales. You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

1. Time, patience, and career paths.

It can take a long time to sign with an agent and get a traditional publishing deal. Self-publishing is faster. But both come with time management benefits and issues. In traditional publishing, the author has essentially no control over the time schedule. But with a team of professionals working on a book’s production, the author is left free to focus on creative endeavors. Self-publishing gives the author control over the speed with which a book will be released. However, time spent overseeing a book’s production will leave the author with less time to write. In either case, don’t rush. Don’t be stubborn. Both paths or a combination are equally legitimate. Make your choices based on what works best for you personally, your career goals, and your book. Be patient and honest with yourself.

(Why writers should put their e-mail online for all to see.)

2. Comparison books are important.

It is very important to include one or two comparison books when pitching. Comparisons give agents and editors an idea of what to expect when they open your manuscript and it helps them see where the book fits into the current market. However, finding comparison books after a novel is completed can be difficult. Instead of waiting until afterwards, try reading a variety of books that have some similarities to yours before you start writing—for example, they could be in the same genre or have the same theme but have a different setting or tone than you intend to use. But don’t just read authors you’re familiar with. Pick up books by popular authors that you have never read, especially those published in the last ten years. Often comparisons are hard to find because you have unintentionally limited the scope of what you’re reading.

3. Synopses and blurbs.

Writing synopses and blurbs before you begin writing a book may be the best choice for some writers. This doesn’t mean they won’t need tweaking once the novel is completed; writing is an organic process afterall. But doing them ahead can help you stay on track while you write. Plus, it can help you not get distracted by subplots and secondary characters when it’s time to create the final synopsis and blurb.

Hook agents, editors and readers immediately.
Check out Les Edgerton’s guide, HOOKED, to
learn about how your fiction can pull readers in.

4. Don’t forget to celebrate along the way.

Celebrate small achievements—such as finishing your pre-writing synopsis. It’s easy to forget that these milestones are important. Put stickers on a calendar to keep track of the days you reach your writing goals, finish drafts, and send out your first query. These steps are huge. Without them the larger achievements wouldn’t stand a chance of happening.

5. Prepare ahead of time.

Hurry up and wait. This pretty much describes all stages of the journey to becoming a published novelist. The trick is to prepare for the ‘hurry up’ stage during the long waits. Work on blog posts, your website, other novels, or anything you may need in the future while you’re waiting to hear back on queries or mired in the long silence after submitting a requested manuscript. Don’t let downtime be a void filled with stagnation and fretting. Do things that will make your life easier when the rush hits.

6. Refill and refresh.

Use downtime to get out of your own head. Go to conferences, support other writers by attending local book signings and talks. Take classes to expand your writing skills and bolster weak areas. This is a great way to reenergize and remember that everyone—no matter what stage of the writing journey they are at—encounters difficulties and joy.  You’ll return to your writing inspired and most likely with new writing friends as well.

(Without this, you’ll never succeed as a writer.)

7. Write what you love.

Last but not least, be brave. Dig deep and write the story you’ve always wanted to create. This applies not only to stories that are emotionally difficult to write, but also to stories that feel too fluffy or not important enough to be worth writing. Funny picture books, sweet romance, stories that address important issues, stories that titillate . . . all genres and categories of books have a place in this world. Be true to your dreams, write with honesty and all your heart.

——————

Check Out These Great Upcoming Writers’ Conferences:

• Sept. 9, 2016: Sacramento Writers Conference (Sacramento, CA)
• Sept. 10, 2016: Writing Workshop of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)
• Sept. 10, 2016: Chesapeake Writing Workshop (Washington, DC)
• Oct. 28-30, 2016: Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference (Los Angeles, CA)
• Nov. 5-6, 2016: ShowMe Writers Masterclass (Columbia, MO)
• Nov. 19, 2016: Las Vegas Writing Workshop (Las Vegas, NV)
• Feb. 26 – March 3, 2017: Writers Winter Escape Cruise (conference/cruise departing Miami)

Your new complete and updated instructional guide
to finding an agent is finally here: The 2015 book
GET A LITERARY AGENT shares advice from more 
than 110 literary agents who share advice on querying, 
craft, the submission process, researching agents, and
much more. Filled with all the advice you’ll ever need to
find an agent, this resource makes a great partner book to
the agent database, Guide to Literary Agents.

Other writing/publishing articles & links for you:

• Stretching The Facts In Historical Fiction.
• How To Write A Fast-Draft Novel.
• Published Authors Are Unpublished Authors Who Never Gave Up.
• Agent Spotlight: Allison Devereux (Wolf Literary Services) seeks Nonfiction, Literary and Upmarket Commercial Fiction.
• Follow Chuck Sambuchino on Twitter or find him on Facebook. Learn all about his writing guides on how to get published, how to find a literary agent, and writing a query letter.

The post 7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Pat Esden appeared first on WritersDigest.com.

from Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents Blog – WritersDigest.com http://ift.tt/2cHU11I
via IFTTT