5 Truths for Writers

 

It's time for us all to be true to ourselves as we pursue our writing journey. Do any of the following Truths fit you? Are there others that might be added to this list?

Truth #1:  Do you ever try to fool yourself into thinking you're a good enough writer without continuing to learn more about this business? When I started teaching, I was surprised when I had to attend in-service meetings on a regular basis to continue learning more about my chosen profession. A new college graduate often steps into the first job thinking they are well-trained after 4 years of college. I figured out pretty quickly that those college years gave me a base to build on, no more. It's no different with writers. Learn a little as a base and then keep adding knowledge as you move along. Are you ever finished? I don't think so. We can always learn something new.

Truth #2:  Do you have lots of valid excuses for not submitting your work for publication? Or are you not submitting because you're afraid of rejection? Afraid you might find out you aren't good enough to be a published writer? Or because you know you can do better if you put more effort into your writing? We often make up reasons to avoid doing something--like submitting--because it's easier than admitting to the truth.

Truth #3:  When you get a negative critique of your work, do you become defensive and ignore the suggestions given by the person who did the critique? If you want to succeed in your chosen field of writing, you will need to be open to suggestions from other writers. You don't have to agree with everything they tell you but give real consideration to what they point out. Especially if several people find the same trouble spot. Then you know you must work on that area.

Truth #4:  When there is a deadline to meet, do you procrastinate and then have to do a rush job? If you own up to this one, you are your own worst enemy. In many of my posts here, I urge writing more than one draft and I suggest that you let that first draft simmer a few days before you revise and edit to create another draft. Maybe even a third one. Guess what? That takes time, and if you wait too long, you write in a hurry and it's not going to be your best effort. As a beginning writer, I was always excited when I finished a story and wanted to send it out immediately. I hadn't learned the benefit of taking time and writing more than one draft. When I did, it proved to be beneficial.

Truth #5:  Do you avoid writing groups because they take up too much time? Or do you turn away from them for fear of being judged harshly? Or do you fear that your work might not measure up to others in the group? Maybe several in the group feel the same way you do. What everyone needs to do is to remember that the group purpose is to help one another. It's to continue learning this craft. No one likes to be judged unfairly but when it's done with the spirit of helping you become a better writer, how can you fault it? Take a deep breath and join a writing group. Someday, you'll be glad that you did.

I don't like to say that we lie to ourselves, but we do tend to avoid the truth sometimes. Be honest in evaluating your working habits. Make a list of places in your writing life where you could use some improvement. Keep it somewhere that is visible, so it serves as a regular reminder. It may be more comfortable to avoid the truth in your writing life but if you face it head-on, you'll reap the benefits as time goes on.

The Writing Life is Not for Sissies

Do you sometimes feel like nothing in your writing world is going right? Are you running into one roadblock after another on your writing journey? Does every editor appear to have horns and a tail, pitchfork in hand? Are you piling up enough rejections to paper a wall? 

You're not alone. Lots of writers have these thoughts and feelings. If you're in a face-to-face critique group, some of the writers there will tell you about all the things going wrong in their writing world, but some of them will smile and act like all is well with their writing, but they could be churning inside with the very same feelings as the vociferous ones. We all react differently. Some want to spill out their complaints, worries, and fears, while others bottle it inside. Which is the better way? Probably whichever one makes you feel better. 

All writers run into problems with writing, submitting, editing, marketing and more. It's part of the journey. I think that all those irritating things make the good times seem like Christmas and all the joy it brings. 

Those troublesome parts of our writing world are going to work out, if not today, maybe tomorrow or next week. As the little girl in the photo today tells us--Everything is going to be alright...maybe not today but eventually. It's one more way of telling us to have patience and perseverance. You've heard those words from me many times. They're my keywords for my writing world. When I get antsy and irritated when things don't go right, I step back and remind myself of those two important words. 

Do you have keywords that help you through the rough times? You can share in the comments section below. 

No matter how much goes wrong, it's never 100%. Some days, we feel like we're getting very close to that percentage, but other times, we would put it at a very low number. As a writer, we learn very quickly that we have ups and downs. It's always going to be that way. I try to concentrate on the 'ups' because it makes me feel a lot better than the other side. 

Writers May Like A Cozy Nest Too Much

BREAK OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE

As writers, we like to be warm and cozy, curled up in our nest. There are no cares or woes. Everything around us is familiar. We don't need to think too much or exert ourselves mentally in any way. Wonderful, isn't it? 

It may be comfortable but it's not going to help you grow as a writer if you keep writing what you've been writing for the last 'however' many years. But why move out of what has been successful for you? You sell a piece now and then, mostly to the same publications. They know you and your writing and you know the editor by now, so why bother with something different? 

It's a whole lot easier to stay in our comfy little nest. If you write only fiction, why in the world would you bother to try creative nonfiction?  Because it might be fun.

What if you have only written articles on farming in the USA? You've sold plenty of them so why bother to tackle a new subject? Well, why not? Venture only a little farther and write about farming in Africa or Eastern Europe.

If you write children's picture books, is there any reason you cannot try writing a YA novel? Never done it? Not to worry.

Even if what you've been writing is comfortable, is it inspiring? Do you get up in the morning looking forward to what you will write? Have you challenged yourself on this writing journey or have you stopped at the Comfort Zone Hotel and stayed there? 

If you have found your niche in writing the same kind of thing over and over and are satisfied, that's fine. Even so, if you venture out of that zone, you could find something new that satisfies you as much or more. I'm not suggesting you quit what you've been doing. Stay with it but venture a little farther and attempt something different at times, as well. Variety is kind of nice.

If you've only written prose, why not give poetry a try? Poets, give prose a try by starting with a prose poem. It's not such a big leap. 

If you've never written a short memoir piece, do it soon. You might find a whole new section of the writing world opening up for you. Conversely, you may not like writing the memoir story at all. No problem. You don't have to do it again but at least you tested the waters. You'll never know what you like to write and what you don't unless you move away from your comfort zone. 

The worst thing that can happen is that you hate what you attempted. It's alright. You can jump back to your cozy nest and keep writing what you like. The point is that you'll never know if you like a new kind of writing unless you try it. So, break out of the comfort zone if even for a short time.

Maybe You Should Sweat the Small Stuff

Yes, it is often the small decisions that can change our lives. The ones we agonize over but finally plunge ahead and do whatever it was that we were fearful of doing. Much later, we look back and say What if I hadn't....?

Several months ago, I saw a marketing newsletter that listed a religious magazine that was known to me and that paid well. It had a circulation of something like 2 1/2 million. I had a story that I thought might work for them but I hesitated. It was that circulation number that held me back.

I worried that maybe they only took work from freelance professionals, not a hobbyist writer like me. I wondered if my work was of the caliber they sought. So, I didn't do anything for a day or two. But I kept thinking about it and I had a few arguments with myself. You know the kind--you are on both sides of the argument, so you're gonna come out OK in the end. I told myself that the story had won a contest so it must be worth something. Then, I reminded myself that the worst that could happen if I sent it is that a rejection would come flying back. What did I have to lose? Nothing! If they accepted the story, I came out a winner.

I sent the story after a final edit and then forgot about it. Imagine how happy I was the day the offer to purchase the story arrived? If I'd backed off and not sent the story, I wouldn't have been published in a widely-read magazine, missed out on a nice check, and still felt timid about subbing to the big time magazines.

I've recently sent them another story and am waiting to hear whether it will be dumped or bought. I didn't hesitate when I sent this one. My former experience told me I was good enough to be published with the big kids. That said, it doesn't mean that they will accept every sub I send. Even so, getting my foot in the door of this highly regarded publication did wonders for my self-confidence.

We have a lot of big decisions to make throughout our lives but there are also a good many small ones.. They matter, too. They can direct your life in another direction just as well as those major decisions. Pay attention to the little things along with the major ones.