Writing as a Career
English was my worst subject at school. In fact, I hated it. However, I loved reading and I had a vivid imagination. I loved making up stories in my head and like everyone (even if they don't admit it) I enjoyed a good romance, especially a good swash-buckling historical.
Back in 1988, like most young New Zealander's, I decided to go to England to do my 'OE' (overseas experience). My six month trip turned into seven plus years. I loved London. I loved being able to work and travel and see the world. And I found one of my greatest love's - Shakespeare.
One night. at a friends place where we had all gathered for a few glasses of wine, one of my girl-friends asked what we all wanted out of life. Tracey asked me what my dream job would be. I thought about what I wanted from a job. I wanted the freedom to work the hours I wanted, where I wanted, doing something I enjoyed. The words, "I'd love to be a writer", spurted forth.
Great idea, except English was my worse subject, I said to myself. How hard can it be to write a Mills and Boon, quickly followed the first thought. I can hear you all laughing. VERY HARD as I was to find out. I approached Mills and Boon in London and received the booklet on how to write a story with their sound tape. I still have the tape and listen to it every now and then. It really is funny.
Like everything in life, you have to work for what you want. And work hard. I have never been afraid of hard work, especially when it is a labor of love. I set about learning my craft. I have taken numerous online writing courses and joined writing groups.
Breaking into publishing is extremely difficult. The odds against selling are very high. You not only need talent, you need patience, persistence, self-discipline, dogged determination, a thick skin (to cope with all the rejection), and a measure of luck. Of all of these, talent, persistence, and the thick skin are the most important. You also need knowledge of the markets and a professional approach to the goal you've set for yourself.
Through my classes (I took numerous creative writing online courses) and through a wonderful, nurturing critique group, I gradually learned my craft. I also learned about writers' groups and writers' conferences and began joining the groups and attending the conferences. I discovered the Romance Writers of New Zealand and joined Romance Writers of America soon after, deciding romance novels were my true calling. And through RWNZ, I began to learn about publishing houses--who publishes what and the kinds of things they were looking for. I learned the names of editors and got market tips on where to submit my work.
Through RWNZ and my writing classes, I met several other writers with whom I felt a kinship, and we formed a critique group. We met only occasionally but we critiqued each other's work via email. I entered contests sponsored by RWNZ and RWA Chapter groups. I finaled through these contests and learned I obviously was on the right track. However, I fell into a beginners hole of starting but never finishing a book. The first three chapters of a book are easy to write, but to take the reader on a full journey is hard. I have several partial books written but not completed. Finally, at the RWNZ 2009 conference I decided to organize another online Book in 50 Days. RWNZ members can sign up and we try and write a book (50,000 words) in 50 days. It started on 1 October 09 and as I already had 60,000 words completed on my historical, I used the 50 days to complete my first book, Lord of Wicked. I submitted the manuscript in December 09 and in January 2010, I sold the story as my first novel to Kensington Publishing. The book is due for release in February 2011.
At this point, I'd like to say a bit more about rejection. I did get rejected by a couple of agents before Melissa Jeglinski signed me at The Knight Agency. If you bruise easily, if you think your words are too precious to be tampered with, if you cannot take criticism, if you fold under pressure — this business is not for you. Only the toughest need apply, because this is an extremely tough business. The competition is staggering. Out of every ten people I meet, at least one dreams of becoming a writer. Publishing houses receive thousands of unsolicited manuscripts every month. This is where the LUCK element comes in. For me, I was very lucky. I selected to query an editor who happened to like my type of story and was looking to revamp a line with more historical stories.
Recommendations:
1. Take writing courses, preferably creative writing or novel writing. Learn everything you can. And practice what you learn by writing every day. Nowadays many of these courses are available online, which is easy, convenient, and usually less expensive than going to a community college or other physical location. Here are my favorite online writing sites (remember most RWA Chapter websites have courses too):
2. When you know what you want to write, read everything you can find in that category to see what is selling. Study the books. See how the writer has crafted the novel. Dissect it. See what makes it tick. Although you should never copy anyone's work (it’s against the law), you can certainly emulate authors you admire. And you can definitely learn from them.
3. Find out if there are any writers' organizations in your community and join. This is the best way to meet other writers and find people who have similar interests. It's also a way to find people with whom you can form a critique group.
4. Learn how to PITCH, and write GREAT query letters, and STRONG Synopsis's as well, of course, as a great book. Click here for an example of my very successful query letter.
5. If you want to write romance, join the Romance Writers of America: www.rwanational.org - Romance Writers of Australia www.romanceaustralia.com - Romance Writers of New Zealand www.romancewriters.co.nz
Ask for membership information. If you want to write mysteries, join the Mystery Writers of America. You can find information about them on their website: www.mysterynet.com/mwa/
6. Once you join RWA or similar writers' groups, enter contests and attend conferences.
7. Write every day, even if only for 30 minutes. Develop the habit of writing. Even one page a day equates to 365 pages per year, the length of most novels!
8. Once you feel you're ready, send your work to an editor (and be prepared to learn from the rejections).
9. If writing for publication is your dream, never give up!
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