I’m a Writer.

You’re a writer. Now what?

I’m a writer. There, I said it. It wasn’t easy. I’ve been writing all my life, but it’s different when it’s marketing material or an article for a newspaper. There is something incredibly personal about sending your imagination out to the world via fiction writing. For many writers, it’s the story you always hoped to find and read but nothing out there quite hit the mark. It’s the topic or idea that’s been baking in different shapes and forms over the years and now there is no excuse not to put it on paper. For me, it’s a bit of everything – including life experience.

            When you sit down and begin to write, it’s an entirely different ball game. It’s serious now. You have to really think things through. Characters, plot, prose, length . What are you hoping to achieve or what do you want your reader to take away from your story? Then, if you can get through all of that and poke holes in your writing, you get trusted feedback from a circle of readers in your life and go through several revisions. What then? Many of us sit on it. We don’t know what to do. Our work is as polished as it’s going to be, including professional editing and feedback. Quite frankly by now, we’re sick to death of the story and either never want to write again or have already started our next project.

            Sure, there are resources available to writers, but honestly, it’s all theoretical in the sense, if you are a first-time author with no industry connections, no social media followers, none of the things that could help get your work out there, then what? Does that manuscript get thrown into the drawer labeled, “Completed Bucket List” or maybe you reserve it for some sort of family legacy contribution for future generations, and just give up. Those can all be acceptable actions, but for the people who want their work out there, what do you do? You’ve hit a wall, right? Most likely you’ve already been sending out query letters to agents, publishers hoping someone would respond with even a simple “no thanks” or, if you’re lucky, some actual feedback, which you’re finding is anything but typical. The industry is too big, too busy. You don’t have that “in” required to get a second glance.

            Amazon, self-publishing are all good options. It will get your work out there, but the marketing will be on your shoulders and that is daunting for most people. Where do you even begin? The expense alone can be a complete roadblock for many. I plan on creating some blogs to help with some of this. I am by no means an expert and just getting my feet wet myself, but perhaps we can do it together. My first word of advice? Don’t give up. You are not alone, even if it feels that way. Second, I highly recommend reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing. As a prolific accomplished writer, he knows a thing or two. His advice is sage, but also practical and encouraging.

            Until next time… keep typing and keep querying! Just because you aren’ t published, doesn’t mean you’re not a writer.