Sage Writing Advice

A friend of mine is struggling to find the motivation to write her next novel, amidst the trials of being in her early 20s.  We’ve been discussing writing careers and the fact that I’ve known she had been in this industry a good five years and it made me think back on what if I had to do it all over again.

What if at 21 (legally) I had to start my writing career all over again, in the changing face of publishing, what would I do?

With the fake promise of success in self publishing, I’d avoid that route altogether.  Starting out, I know nothing of the business and trying to reinvent the wheel to cheat people out of what seems like it should be my cut sounds ridiculous.

Obviously, I’d write.  Richard Castle’s screensaver is NOT off the mark as it taunts him (and me) to write.

I’d continue to read, first and foremost.  More e-books, more print books, not so much to see trends but to gain a sense of style that sells.  Hopefully i have at 21 years of age enough brains to realize this is a business and printing artsy shit writing won’t make me money though it might help the struggling (read, dying) artist in me.  I would read a wider spectrum of romance and erotica than I currently do now so I had a huge pool of words to draw from, phrases that catch my eye, words that whisper temptation and guarantee marketing potential.  Hell, I’d probably read outside my genre even.

I’d watch more movies.  I’d watch a TON of movies to stuff my mind full of imagery and realize that a book, like a movie only shows the good, important parts if it’s done well.  I’d watch a LOT more adult films too, to jog the erotic writer’s imagination.

I’d write more.

The jury is still out for me, on whether I’d join an organization like RWA or not but having taught to numerous chapters I’d have to say I’d lean towards finding the money to join the national chapter AND a local club because the support there would be great but the education they give to writers is unparallelled.

I’d continue to educate myself on topics of interest.  BDSM was a fix for my personal issues, who knew it would turn out to be a hot selling genre.

Whenever I got the chance, I’d submit something.  I’d wait impatiently for feedback and hope and pray, but I’d write the next big thing in my mind while I’m waiting (I do this now thankfully) because what sells books is still the first well written story, followed by another one. Oh and the caveat to that is I’d LISTEN to the feedback and not treat my manuscript like a baby, but like a product.

I’d make a LOT of friends in the publishing industry and make DAMN SURE I made a good impression on them.  I’d control my self destructive urges (if I had them) and come off as someone who is dedicated to the passion of writing, but I wouldn’t appear too eager.  I lost a job once that way, I wouldn’t want to lose an opportunity with an agent or publisher the same way.

I’d write more and submit more.  I’d set up a flexible schedule that allowed for me to stop and eat, do daily chores and have a life.  As of now, I tend to not have much of a life and if I didn’t smoke cigars I’d never leave the house.  Yup, it’s ALL because of the publishing business.

I’d probably date a little but remain single.  This is important for some of us because the stress of being a writer means there are probably not a lot of dollars coming in at first, and that stress on a long term relationship can take a toll.  I was lucky.  Really, really lucky.

While I’m writing more, I’d start developing an audience for my voice.  With my determination I’d have the drive to write, but just because you write a great erotic masterpiece doesn’t mean it will sell if no one is aware of it.  I’d also develop the audience for me.

I’d definitely help those I can but I’d focus mostly on my career at such an early stage in the game, because that commitment and dedication are paramount to a successful career when you’re older and have been in publishing long enough to actually know who the first e-publishers were.

We’re near the end of this so I’ll break it into two parts, the other part appearing on Authors Promoting Authors, then back here when it’s my turn.