The Business of Writing
Writing is a hard business on so many levels. Often, I wonder why anyone would bother. It’s also very baffling.
“I hate reading.” I hear so many people, especially the young, say this, and my eyes practically roll from my head. I want to scream, “Do what?” First, there was a time in history that not everyone could read or allowed to learn to read. For many decades, the poor, women, and people of color were not given the privilege of an education or reading. By not reading, so many opportunities were lost. A person who can’t read easily can be taken advantage of in business or legal matters. Signing a legal document without knowing what it says is dangerous. Furthermore, in the past, some groups were tortured or killed for attempting to learn to read. People protested and petitioned to be able to receive an education including reading. Some parts of the world, people are still denied the right to learn to read. But for some who have been afforded the opportunity through the blood, sweat, and tears of others, they willingly turn their back on it.
Another issue is the quality of writing. Oh, this is such a hot spot. No one I know has ever been born with the innate ability to write flawless, grammatically correct manuscripts. It is learned. One bias I have experience is a prejudice that native English-speaking authors are biased, elitist, and insensitive to non-native English speakers/writers. I’ll only speak for myself when I say I do hold high expectations in the books I write and read. I’m not perfect in my grammar. For one thing, I speak the regional dialect, and oh, there’s a lot that’s not grammatically correct about that. However, I was taught—and taught is the operative word—not to write as I speak. I spent years in school learning grammar, and I’m still no expert. Far from it! I must have editors and proofers and readers and computer programs to help. And even with all of that, my work still isn’t perfect at times. It’s my job as a writer to deliver a quality product to readers. That’s not hate or bias or elitism. It’s my job.
What other profession is there where some who enter it believe it is acceptable to deliver subpar goods? What surgeon thinks it’s acceptable to perform surgery without training properly? Just because someone is a “native” speaker/writer of any language does not automatically qualify that person to publish a book. The proper channels and steps still must occur. Editing still must occur. Proofing still must occur. There are no shortcuts or passes. “Native English speakers/writers” have the same issues as “non-native English speakers/writers”. The only difference is the degree. But even that isn’t a clean division of “native” verse “non-native” English speakers/writers. When I was school enrolled in English class, some students excelled while others didn’t. The grading system was from A (superior) to F (failure). Some students made As. Others made Fs. Then, there were others that fell in the range in the middle. It was obvious then that each student possessed strengths and weaknesses. Did that make one student smarter than other? Debatable. Did it mean some students were “better” or more “superior” to others? Perhaps in classwork but definitely not a people. All men (and women) are created equal. But that doesn’t mean one person may not be better in some aspect of life than another. And that goes for writing. Some people are stronger writers than others. However, that does not mean that a person can’t learn or improve his/her writing skills. And because a person has the ability to improve writing ability, that also means a reader should not have to lower standards and accept poorly written books.
Another assumption hard to swallow is that “anybody” can write. This is true in the same way that anyone can be a firefighter, engineer, physician, or Olympian. Yes, anyone can do it provided he/she trains hard at the craft. It is a matter of one deciding that writing is a profession one wants to pursue. But there is a lot of learning and a lot more than putting words on paper or in an electronic word document. One of the first hurdles, of course, is to complete a manuscript. However, assuming that has been done, a writer has to decide on what type of author he/she wishes to be—traditionally published, self-published, or hybrid. If traditionally published, one has to go through the query process or seek an agent. This may take several months or years to gain a publisher’s or agent’s interest. From there, it may take an additional year to see the work come to print. Few traditional publishers give huge advances to beginning authors these days.
Being self -published is no easy shortcut. These authors must be jack and master of all trades. Self-published authors are responsible for all of their editing, cover art, promoting/marketing, printing/formatting, accounting/bookkeeping, corresponding, and selling. These authors are responsible for all these costs upfront. Some vendors still view self-published books with a stigma and will not carry them in brick and mortar stores. Slowly, that is changing. However, the assumption is that self-published books are poorly written. This goes back to the issue of some writers taking shortcuts to publishing with the desire to have any work published regardless of the quality.
I had to misfortunate of having the wrong version of a story published. Somehow between the editing and e-book upload, the unedited version was used. Since I wasn’t the person who uploaded, I had no idea of the mistake until much later. Seeing the errors in print was painful. It did not represent my best work, and it troubled me to be judged by that one hiccup. The correct version was later uploaded, but I can’t imagine a writer not desiring to have their best work available to the public.
Accidents like these can damage reputations and hurt future sales as well as tarnish the overall self-publishing industry. Many people do not differentiate between self-publishing and vanity publishing, which are by no means the same thing.
Some people are fortunate enough to have their writing be successful enough to support themselves. In this category of writers, I’m including screenplay writers, journalists, speech writers, researchers, and clinical evaluators. This list isn’t exclusive. When a global view of a career in writing is taken, many people are successful. However, the narrower view of persons supporting themselves from writing fiction and nonfiction books, fewer people are able to make a living with writing. One reason is due to a crowded and saturated market. Thousands of books go onto the market each day. Great stories are buried in the pile and go unnoticed both online and in stationary bookstores.
These issues are just a few that make writing difficult. Many times, writers are under credit for the amount of time and effort they invest in their craft. Television makes it look so simple at times by portraying a lone writer posed in front of a computer sipping a hot beverage while daydreaming of stories. Stories have structure and story arcs. They require character development and sometimes worldbuilding. Many hours of research go into a story to bring an element of realism. Scenes must flow and have a logical order. Everything must be created from the imagination. Watching a two-hour movie may not be viewed as tedious. That’s because someone already has worked out the costume design, lighting, script, stunts, camera angles, the hiring of actors, etc. In other words, viewers are witnessing the final product and not the behind-the-scenes. The same principles hold true for a book. Numerous hours and months have gone into creating the final product that may take several hours to read. Therefore, it is hurtful for a professional writer to be told his/her writing is a hobby or pastime or requires little effort or skill.
The only reason I can conclude that writers write is that it is a passion that burns deep. It completes them to tell the stories they have burning inside. Many writers will measure success not in the number of books sold or money acquired but in completing a work and bringing enjoyment to others. #IWSG
Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feels free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.
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