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January 6 2008
When someone learns that I write as a hobby, almost without exception that person will tell me that he or she has always wanted to write, if only there were enough time. Many of these people will never actually write anything, but some of them will. Any literary agent, book publisher or magazine editor will tell you that far more material gets submitted every month than the market requires.
Why do so many people want to be writers? Some of them are just driven to write, but quite a few would be authors are victims of The Writer Myth. This fantasy goes something like this:
Wendy Writer wakes up one morning with a brilliant idea for a novel, a screen play or a non-fiction book. After a few enjoyable hours at her computer, Wendy finishes a first draft and sends it off to a literary agent. The agent is blown away by the quality of Wendy's work and he approaches a large publishing house about getting it into print. The publishers love the book too and they give Wendy a huge advance payment while they begin promoting her book in the media. Wendy gets invited to appear on Oprah's show and on other TV programs where she is treated as a celebrity. Her book goes to the top of the best seller list and Wendy buys a villa in the south of France with all of the money she has made. There, she relaxes on the beach while thinking of an idea for her next literary triumph.
What keeps this myth alive is that things really do happen that way for a tiny number of writers. These people are like somebody who buys his first lottery ticket and then wins the jackpot. It happens, but you're more likely to be struck by lightning twice on the same day.
For the vast majority of writers, The Writer Myth is just that. Instead, THe Writer Reality goes more like this:
Wendy Writer tries for months to come up with an idea for a book that hasn't been done to death already. Finally, she decides on one that seems good and she goes to work on it. After one sweat filled year and three or four drafts, Wendy has something that she isn't embarrassed to show to people. She sends queries and outlines to at least a dozen agents. Some don't bother to answer, some turn her down with form letters and a few even tell her she has no talent. At this point, most sane people would give up and do something else, but Wendy is a hardcore writer. She promotes her book on her web site, on her blog and even tries self publishing. Maybe an agent does take an interest eventually, but Wendy finds that she is still expected to keep pushing the book by herself. She is lucky to have her work mentioned in the local newspaper and accepted by local bookstores, let alone getting any national media coverage. Finally, she actually sells some books, but many fewer than she'd hoped. Wendy's friends think she's a fool because she could have made better money by flipping burgers at McDonalds.
So, if you dream of being a writer, forget it. If you're a hardcore writer like Wendy, you'll ignore my advice and you may enjoy the thrill of seeing your work in print. You may even sell some books. Just don't expect it to be easy or to make any money.
George
P.S. For some free fiction, visit my web page at http://www.checkmatefiction.com
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Posted by gjcondon on 2008-01-06 13:10:38 | Rating: | Views: 78
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Always wanted and have two or three great ideas but until they are better in my head I don't want to start. I had a high school teacher that is published as a writer and he still is an unknown teachinh high school
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Posted by whiteknight
on 2008-01-06 17:19:10
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