TECH: Advice?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 1 June 2009

Writer's Digest, August 2006, pages 60 and 61, have an article by Jeannie Greeley with the title, "Inspiration Points." The focus is on advice for aspiring writers, in particular from people who are already writers. "Inspiring newbies without giving a false sense of success..." What do writing instructors and published authors recommend?

It takes a village. Join a community to stay inspired. Some kind of writing community helps. It's a shared creative environment, and it's a public commitment. It's good modeling.

The truth about payday. "Honesty is the best policy... about how much the writing life pays." Or doesn't pay. The average advance for a work of fiction is from $5000-$10,000. Do the math. How many novels can you churn out each year? Then comes the hard question of how to combine a 9-to-5 job that you can live on with writing. Some people go for mindnumbing jobs.

Coping with rejection. Rejection letters are part of the business. Wallowing in it doesn't help. Figure out a strategy that works for you to respond -- whether that's a short break and pep talk, sending out another copy, or whatever. But do expect that you are going to get lots of rejections.

Inspiration: fact or myth? How important is inspiration? Writers' opinions vary. Christopher Castellani says "any writer who blames inactivity or a dry spell on lack of inspiration is just lazy." Creating a book is "lots of hard, laborious, meticulous work." Others admit that inspiration helps, but it's not enough to get you published. Perspiration -- following through -- determination is what makes publication.

The sidebar suggests six ideas for helping you stay on the road:

1. Keep a list of comfort books -- reread those authors that inspire you to write to remind yourself.
2. Celebrate your accomplishments. Whether they are small or big, you've done something for your craft. Reward yourself.
3. Visit writing websites and read about other writers' accomplishments.
4. Talk to experienced writers about your situation. Most of them are happy to share tips.
5. Make a list of reasons why you want to write. This is your list, so be as silly or melodramatic as you want. Personal affirmations don't have to make sense to anyone else.
6. Take revenge. You can respond to rejection letters in private or even post them on RejectionCollection.com

Sounds like good advice to me?
Write!