Authenticity is an onion

I didn't have any photos of onions.
 

There is a lot of talk about authenticity.It’s the word of the moment for writers (and other creative types). Generally, it’s interpreted as a distillation of the old maxim - because therenever seems to be any new ones: Writeabout what you know.

What you know can apply to subject matter,characters, setting, dialogue, genre, plot… you get the picture. Personally, Iprefer the new maxim (ta-da!): know what you’re writing about.*

 

But it seems to me there’s another string toauthenticity’s bow, one that produces a missing chord. To be an authenticwriter is to not only recognise your influences, cultural conditioning, class,gender, ethnicity, politics, personal psychology and any other lenses; it’salso incumbent upon us to recognise our limitations (innate and otherwise).

 

I know that’s not a popular stance because wewant to believe we can create our own reality and forge our destiny as writers.But I believe in statistics and experience (mine and other people’s) more thanI believe in the power of beliefs.

 

Walk with me while I spill my guts.

 

I’ve had seven novels published and Iself-published two others; plus there’s a mid-grade book and a completedstandalone novel. (I’ve completed it several times.) It amounts to severalbooks over several years.

 

My hope (I wouldn’t call it an expectation)was that by now one or more of the following may have happened:

 

1.   I’d be able to give up non-book relatedwork. In fact, periodically, I’ve had to take on additional freelance work orget a part-time job.

2.   I’d be talking at book festivals.

3.   I’d be invited to talk at book festivals. This one did happen but Covidgot in the way.

4.   My books would be translated into otherlanguages (and not just by pirates).

5.   I do a book signing somewhere.

 

That’s some authentic disappointment rightthere!

 

Now, if we’re talking authenticity then thatalso requires recognising some painful truths that address most of the abovepoints.

 

A)  The books that I write don’t sell wellenough to deliver on the above wish list and no amount of positive reframingwill make it so. Don’t get me wrong, I do earn from them – just not a living.

B)  My publisher does an excellent job ofpromoting books. I say that without reservation, not least because I know howchallenging it can be to promote my self-published works. However, they rightlyexpect a return on their investment.

C)   The fault, therefore, if fault it be, liesnot in my stars but in my writing.

 

If you’re looking for insights or a call toaction, this might be the time to nip out for a biscuit.

 

Writing authentically means writing thestories that matter to you and in your own unique style. Neither of whichguarantees an agent, a publisher, or a readership.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0034ORY08/allbooks

 

* I would – I wrote it.

 

 

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