There is one thing that all of my published writers friends tell me:
“Enjoy these moments working on your novel while you can. After you’re published, everything changes.”
Of course I’m like, “Whatever dude. That is a nice problem to have.”
Do things really change when you make the transition from “aspiring” to “published” author?
Recently, I’ve read some blog posts related to this question. Michael Bourret, an agent at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, shared his thoughts in Pre-Published:
“[...] there’s the pressure to promote and sell your book. The hours spent online social networking, the time spent at conferences and workshops presenting, and if you’re lucky enough to be very successful, the tours, appearances, video chats, book club appearances, media, stock signings (I have an author flying several hours, for only a day, to sign 5,000 books), and whatever else the publisher throws at you. As the author above said to me, when you’re an author, sometimes it’s hard to find time to be a writer.”
Jackson Pearce shared her thoughts from a writer’s perspective in Advice to Former Me:
“Now I’m afraid that no one will come to events. Afraid that my sales won’t live up to expectations, that people who I respect will hate the book or miss the point of it, that kind of thing.
So if I could tell my unpublished self one thing: Be wisely afraid. Use your fears as things to conquer, not as things to conquer you. Because even though I have fears now, they aren’t debilitating. They don’t stall me or make me stand in Office Max for hours debating what kind of linen paper will impress an agent the most.”
Thanks to writer friend Laura Pauling, who reminded of another post I read this morning. Author/Agent Mandy Hubbard also shares thoughts on her blog post On “Treasuring” Being Unpublished:
“[...]understand all the virtues of being unpublished and remind yourself of those–but if you still feel angsty and frustrated, it’s okay.
It’s normal. It’s what most writers feel. You’re not alone in this. Find a few writer friends, because those people will get it when you need to email them and rant for sixteen paragraphs about the one paragraph rejection you just received.
It’s okay to hate being unpublished, even if someone tells you it’s really a good thing.
The point is to use that to fuel you to further your career, to do whatever it takes. Get more critiques, read more blogs, go to conferences.”
For my published writer friends, the dream of getting published has become a reality, but now there are so many other things — promotion, reviews, the next book, etc. Writing a novel is now just a part of the whole picture.
I would love to hear any other words of wisdom from published authors. Or aspiring writers, what have you heard from your published writers friends — what have they told you to expect after the book contract?
I’ve heard this before too, Karen. But, like anything else, there are parts of your work that are difficult — I think the thrill of being published would be worth it. Would any of those published writers want to turn back the clock, I wonder?
Most of my published writer friends probably wouldn’t want to turn back the clock (ha), but I think they do miss sort of the “bubble” they used to be in when they worked on their novels.
But I still think it’s a good problem to have! :)
Mandy Hubbard responded to Michael Bourret’s post. What she says sums up my feelings exactly. You’ve gotta read it. In fact, all of Mandy’s posts are worth reading.
Laura: What great timing — I just read Mandy’s post! :) I should edit this post and include some quotes from her as well. She also has some great points from both a writer and an agent perspective.
It probably will be different, but I’m with you–I think it’d be a nice problem to have :) Who knows, maybe I’ll hate it and not want to publish another book. In the meantime, I’ll keep working towards it.
Great post! If there’s one thing I miss it’s the absolute concentration on writing your draft. Now I’m constantly torn between focussing on writing and the worry that I’m not doing the ‘marketing’ thing with the book that’s out there. And being published with a smaller independent press that pressure to do more feels even more urgent. Sometimes I just want to turn all the extra noise off and Just. Write.
This is part of the fear of success many aspiring writers have. It sounds overwhelming! I try to ignore as much of this as I can and just focus on the next thing. :)
Nelsa: When you make that transition to published author, it seems you really have to manage your time to work on your next project. A lot of published writer friends said learning what to do and turn down or save for later is important.
Jemi: A lot of people talk about the fear of failure, but really the fear of success can also do just as much damage and/or stress for writers working on a project.
I went to writers workshop earlier this month and met an author with two recently published books. She was the most unhappy soul at that entire workshop. She was upset about her poor sales. It was quite an eye-opener for me. Realized that things don’t just get all rosy once you are published. Actually learned that at this point in life I don’t WANT to be published. I want to take my time writing and polishing, and focus on my family & young kids, instead of writing to deadlines and working day and night networking and promoting. That will be something to aspire to in another 10 years; right now I just want to spend my time enjoying my writing and getting my stories onto paper.
Hi Margo: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Unfortunately, this is one of the disadvantages that comes with publishing — sale performance. It can make a writer crazy.
But I do like your attitude. There’s nothing wrong with striving towards the goal of publication — but also, nothing wrong for wanting to have a true apprenticeship in the craft and grow as writer.
Every writer’s journey is different.
Best of luck to you!
I too have heard a lot of my published friends say things just like this. And I’ve been listening. I’m enjoying this pre-published time and am writing like I’m addicted. That way when I get published and get busy I will have several books waiting in the wings with only revisions to do!
Heather: I’ve heard editors/agents say that they want to see what other “inventory” an author may have — so it’s good that you have other books in the wings.