I’m chuffed to bits to have the fantastic Rachel Brimble visiting today to share some words of wisdom.
Over to you Rachel…
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10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Being An Author That I Didn’t Know Before…
1) The publishing industry is entirely subjective – just because one (or may thirty) agents or editors reject your manuscript (not you personally!), it doesn’t mean your book won’t find a home. Having said that, it’s important to take note of any feedback, especially if more than one editor or agents picks up on the same thing. It’s possible whatever it is, isn’t working. Listen and learn.
2) Point of View – SO important. If your reader is getting confused who is talking and when, you have a good chance of losing them and the book being tossed aside. Keep the POV tight and the reader will be entirely invested in the character.
3) Online courses – It was a long time before I discovered the joy and advantage of affordable online courses. They are available everywhere and give such valuable learning and feedback. Some of the best I’ve found are here: http://www.writeruniv.com/classes/ and here: http://lowcountryrwa.com/workshops/all-workshops/
4) Writer friends – VITAL!! The more writer friends you can surround yourself with, the more likely you are to succeed. This is just my humble opinion, but to have someone to lean on, cry with, laugh and succeed with is so, so important.
5) Critique Partners – leading on from friends. Find yourself a couple of good, quality critique partners (not your friends and family!). This may take a while to achieve and you might run into a few hard relationships before you find your perfect fit, but it will be worth it. Having someone to point our character and plot flaws, pacing issues and grammar without changing your voice could be the one thing missing in your process that could lead to publication.
6) Social Media – Vitally important. As is having a blog/website where people can find you easily. You might think this is only important once you’re published, but I’d say the sooner you can share your writing journey, the better. Do it now and establish a presence. Let people know you write and are looking for an agent or publisher. SO much useful information is shared on Twitter and Facebook.
7) Romance writing organizations – such as the RWA (Romance Writers of America) and the RNA (Romantic Novelists Association) are fantastic for places to attend regular Chapter meetings and get to know other romance writers in your area. The amazing annual conferences are worth the membership fee in themselves. Everyone in this organization, and those that run them, have been where you are. Lean on them to support through your publishing journey and beyond.
8) Be true to yourself – it will be a complete waste of your time and energy trying to follow market trends or emulate your favorite author/s in any way, shape or form. Write what you LOVE, write from the HEART and you will succeed. Tenacity, determination and passion are what make writers succeed. There isn’t a formula, or strategy. There is hard work, learning and commitment to the art that takes writers through a tough business. There aren’t any shortcuts – sorry!
9) Promotion – aahh, promotion. It’s what will take up equally as much of your precious work time as the actual writing itself. I came to this a little late with my first three books and thought they would somehow magically sell themselves even if I didn’t tell anyone about them. Duh! Promotion is time-consuming, but vital. Not only will you sell more books, but you will give time for readers to get to know you as a person too. If you throw yourself into promotion as an enjoyable part of the job instead of a chore, I guarantee you will get a lot out of it. Yes, it can eat into your writing time, but talking to readers and writers while promoting has led me to some of my best decisions with regard to my career.
10) And finally…the best piece of advice I was ever given. ALLOW YOURSELF TO WRITE A ‘CRAPPY’ FIRST DRAFT. What else is there to say? If you rid yourself of your internal editor and that horrible demon sitting on your shoulder saying ‘you’re not good’, will ‘never succeed’, it’s highly likely you won’t even finish a saleable book. Get the words down and worry about the polishing in the following drafts. I promise your output will quadruple overnight. Good luck!
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Rachel’s latest release is called-
A Man Like Him
Changing her life…again
After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.
Chris proves he can save lives-and weaken a girl’s knees. But how can she make him understand that she’s off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn’t even be a choice.
Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that’s what Angela keeps telling herself….
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-man-like-him-rachel-brimble/1114668447?ean=9780373718696
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Bio-
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington–her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Links:
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A huge thank you for coming by today Rachel- I agree with every single thing you said there- especially point 10- my first drafts are always shameful, but once they are in place, I find I can really begin to write.
Happy Reading Everyone,
Jenny xx
Rachel Brimble
Hi, Jenny!
Thanks for having me here today – hopefully someone will stop by and chat 🙂
Glad you enjoyed my 2 cents about this crazy writing business…why do we do it to ourselves, lol! That first draft is a nightmare, but I love playing around with the story once it’s on the page.
Rachel x
Jenny Kane
Thanks Rachel- and my apologises- comments were on a go slow, and have only just come through! Great post- and this business is indeed crazy- or are we crazy for being int his business…. xx
Arlene Valle
I have to agree with you Rachel on all your points but possibly two, not that they aren’t on point too,but for me I had a different experience.
Your point 1. So true. your book will find a home eventually. I sent mine off to a publisher I thought was closest to my writing genre. When it was rejected,I decided to reply and ask what they didn’t like. I was so thrilled to get a response explaining their reason for rejection. I thought that was wonderful and immediately tried to correct my manuscript, and sent it off again to another publisher. They too rejected it and greatfully explained why. More help I thought, so I again revamped the story. The third one also said not at this time, and that is when I decided to self-publish. Another reason for going the indie route was so many of the publishers have such strict rules for submission I felt I would be in my grave before I re-designed my novel. I really had a good laugh when I read the instructions for submission to the Aussie publisher that E.L.James used for her first printing.They are worth a look.
2. If you really like the story and love the author, I have managed to read on, even when a well known author tends to confuse the dialogue. I guess we can forgive when they are successful authors. And on that note a first time author really should keep things straight and not give the reader a chance to pause in confusion.
I think I will save your article it really is important for first time authors to follow. Thanks-Arlene Valle
Rachel Brimble
Hi Arlene!
Great to meet you 🙂
Glad you found my list helpful – these are all things I wish I’d known but there are million and one others things us writers learn along the way. The more we can pass on of our own experience, the better! LOL
Good luck with all future work and submissions 🙂
Rachel x