Today's bit of bloggery is me rambling about why I think it's harder for new writers today, than say way back in the olden days of fifteen-twenty years ago.
The good is that there are so many freaking sources and forms of information out there that didn't exist pre-internet days. We had to count on books like Writer's Market and magazines like Writer's Digest. You would only connect with other writers really at writers conferences or workshops.
The bad is that there are so many freaking sources and forms of information out there that didn't exist pre-internet days. Yup. Same situation, but it's good and bad. Newer writers have SO much information thrown at them now. Writing and being a writer isn't a formulaic thing, but more and more people are looking for ways to "make it", looking for the way to find the magic formula. They are focusing on marketing and business before even learning the craft. Many of them do this because they've been told they have to.
In the old days ya sat in your corner and wrote. Read lots of craft books and rewrote some more. Now the market has changed--back in the old days there were no options beyond trad publishing. So now us indies have a huge open field, and we do have to do more for our books than the trads of olden times.
But the deluge of "what you must do" is killing some newer writers. I just want to tell them to set the ideas of making a million bucks aside, get your ass in the chair, and write. Shut out the mass of information--too much will make your brain go into panic mode, and it is damn hard to be creative day after day if you're busy freaking out.
Write what you love--or what's the point?
The only thing a writer must do is write compelling stories. Or so I've been told. hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
HEH! I've heard that rumor too! ;)
Delete"Write what you love—or what's the point?" <---I agree with this 100%.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like every time I go on Twitter, the writing community is in the throes of some new debate over what a writer MUST do, but it really seems like history has proven that there is no one right way to do things in this industry.
Thank you :). I think people want to quantify things...if I do X, Y, and Z I will get a college degree. They try to transfer that to writing and it doesn't work.
DeleteYes, exactly. We must learn to write and write well, but that doesn't guarantee us a successful writing career.
DeleteWell said. They need to learn the craft, but that comes from studying and writing. A lot. All before they even thing of composing a query letter or planning to self publish.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Captain Alex :).
DeleteYou can't market a product if you don't have a product. And you can't successfully market a bad product. So, write what you love. Then write some more. Polish it until it shines before worrying about how to find readers. Every journey starts with a first step and the first step of a writer's journey is writing.
ReplyDeleteYou are wise and know much! :)
DeleteWrite what you love. Couldn't be better advice. I so agree about the good/bad of writing now compared to when I started in the early 90s. Very good post.
ReplyDeleteWow... well said! I love that and I agree with you on the marketing aspect. We need to rewire our thinking and find a happy medium somehow. thank you! xox
ReplyDelete"it is damn hard to be creative day after day if you're busy freaking out." Well said! Write first, market later :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It