So You Want To Be A Writer?

There are generally two responses when someone learns I'm an author.

One, they ask if I'm famous. To which I ask if they've ever heard of me. (Uh, sure...) I love those awkward moments. =)

Two, they tell me how they've always wanted to write a book. Most of them say it wistfully. But many are serious.

So today I thought I'd share some of the thoughts I have concerning writing as a career. First, I want to point out an excellent blog post by Nathan Bransford (I realize putting 'excellent' and 'Nathan Bransford' in a sentence is a bit of a redundancy), where he discusses why a potential lawsuit over the Agency Model of eBook pricing is a big deal. Actually, it's the comments I'd like to mention. Because the comments have a running theme of the future of book publishing being "scary for authors".

Which is why I'd like to address future authors with a few rules to live by. And please keep in mind that I am very pro writing. I love writers and future writers. But I do think a little reality-checking is a good thing. Also keep in mind this is just one person's opinion. As is pretty much any set of rules. So with that said:

Rule number one: Writing should be considered a hobby. If you are determined to become a writer, find a backup trade for your day job.

Okay, stop shouting. I know there are exceptions. Technical writing, for instance. I would, technically, consider that a backup trade. I'm talking about authoring fiction books. And I'm here to tell you that it's not all glitz and glamour, this fiction writing business. Actually, I can't think of any glitz or glamour. Sure, it's fun making up imaginary worlds and all. But there's plenty of stress. (I'm actually laughing maniacally here. There is a TON of stress.) If I had to pile the stress of needing to pay a mortgage with the sales of my books on top of the stress of trying to produce a quality book they'd be carting me away in a straight jacket right about now. I'm thoroughly lucky (or blessed or driven or whatever you want to call it) to be able to write as a hobby. Because for every Meyers or Hocking there are a thousand wannabes. Wannabes are fine--we're doing what we love. Unless we have mouths who are counting on a paycheck. In that case we're just gamblers.

Rule number two: Thoroughly learn the trade before attempting to sell your work.

Notice I didn't say 'before trying to earn money'. I'm totally fine with writers finding jobs in their field. But if you plan to write the Next Great Thing, don't put it out there for anything but feedback until you've really learned the craft of writing (which includes things like plot development, scenes, sequels, pacing, motivations, and so on and so on and so on.) If you don't recognize all those terms you're not there yet. Reading doesn't teach it, even college doesn't teach it. (At least the programs I'm familiar with). But there are all kinds of resources available to writers: websites, books, writing groups. Use them. And practice, practice, practice.

Rule number three: Never write for the money.

This might sound a lot like rule number one, but it's actually a combination of the first two rules. Even someone who isn't writing because they need the money can get caught up in the numbers game. And it's a dangerous game. The rules change almost daily. How to publish? What to price? How to market? There's a lot of strategy. And strategy is fine. But it shouldn't be what writing a book is about. First priority should be a high quality piece of work. You are putting your name on it after all. Second priority should be the paycheck. If that paycheck is needed for essentials like food and housing, I'm pleading with you to find another craft.

I know this all sounds like perfect world stuff. Some authors need paychecks. That is a reality. And yes, we deserve to earn one for all the hours we put into our work. But it bothers me to hear about scared authors. Authors should be lots of things: creative, artistic, maybe even crazy--but not scared. We should embrace the changes ahead and hope that they move in our favor. But we shouldn't quake with fear at the prospect that they won't.