warning: I may have mucked up here
After a few weeks of writing about writing, I read two blog posts today that made me feel rather chastened. An author and an agent, both of whom I respect very much, believe that writers giving advice on writing and publishing can in effect make other writers feel worse if their journey takes a different route. For example, when I talk about how I write, or how I queried, or how long it took my books to sell, it can make people having a different experience feel crummy.
PLEASE DON'T FEEL CRUMMY.
I had a lot of lows during both rounds of querying. I had three rounds of submissions that didn't end in sales. I wrote complete books my agent wouldn't consider. I auditioned for gigs and wasn't chosen. It has not been all roses and cupcakes and baby wombats in Delilahland.
BUT.
I ended up where I wanted to be, and I can't really complain. The way I write works for me, and I hope that something I say might make someone out there feel better, not worse. If any of my writing advice has caused you pain, I want to apologize. Every journey is different. Every writer works hard and deserves respect.
When I'm writing a post or answering a question on a panel or on my Facebook page, I always try to add a qualifier. In my opinion. In my experience. I personally feel. I do not know everything, y'all--not by a long shot. And when I don't know enough about a particular topic, I try to communicate that clearly instead of tossing out opinions or negativity. For example, when I'm asked about self-publishing, I try to express that I'm glad that option is out there, but for me, right now, it's not my journey. I don't have the cojones for it. That might change one day, but right now, I'm basically an ignoramus on the topic.
SO.
If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry. If I made it sound like my writing advice was the only way, was guaranteed, or would completely remove pain from the process, I apologize. The truth is that writing can be the most wonderful thing in your life, and it can also put the smackdown on your heart and shrivel up your soul and give you big purple bags under your eyes and make you gain weight and be snappy with the people you love.
But I believe that if you want to write, you'll write. And I hope you find what you're looking for.
*
PLEASE DON'T FEEL CRUMMY.
I had a lot of lows during both rounds of querying. I had three rounds of submissions that didn't end in sales. I wrote complete books my agent wouldn't consider. I auditioned for gigs and wasn't chosen. It has not been all roses and cupcakes and baby wombats in Delilahland.
BUT.
I ended up where I wanted to be, and I can't really complain. The way I write works for me, and I hope that something I say might make someone out there feel better, not worse. If any of my writing advice has caused you pain, I want to apologize. Every journey is different. Every writer works hard and deserves respect.
When I'm writing a post or answering a question on a panel or on my Facebook page, I always try to add a qualifier. In my opinion. In my experience. I personally feel. I do not know everything, y'all--not by a long shot. And when I don't know enough about a particular topic, I try to communicate that clearly instead of tossing out opinions or negativity. For example, when I'm asked about self-publishing, I try to express that I'm glad that option is out there, but for me, right now, it's not my journey. I don't have the cojones for it. That might change one day, but right now, I'm basically an ignoramus on the topic.
SO.
If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry. If I made it sound like my writing advice was the only way, was guaranteed, or would completely remove pain from the process, I apologize. The truth is that writing can be the most wonderful thing in your life, and it can also put the smackdown on your heart and shrivel up your soul and give you big purple bags under your eyes and make you gain weight and be snappy with the people you love.
But I believe that if you want to write, you'll write. And I hope you find what you're looking for.
*
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