"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." - Ernest Hemingway
[Note: I apologize for the lengthy period it took to finish this third, and final part of this "...On Writing" blog series. Around the time I finished Part 2 I also finished another novel. Having gone non-stop writing with that manuscript, a few short stories and some blog entries, I just found myself slipping into an extended break. Usually when I finish a novel I take some time to recoup before I dive into edits. Plus, life just gets busy.
That out of the way, the conclusion to my three-part "...On Writing" series...]
In this final piece on writing I'll finish up the remaining digits of my "Top Ten List of Things I've Learned..." in regards to the craft. To reiterate one last time: I'm no authority on writing. Everything that has appeared in this blog series has been my view, my opinion, based on my path. Yours will be different. Everyone's is. What I hope you take away from this series of blogs is the confidence to keep going and to develop your own list of Things that work for you.
Before delving into Part 3, you can read up on Parts 1 and 2...
5. First drafts suck.
Doesn't matter who you are, your first draft will be terrible. And that's OK. As long as you finish the first draft there's always time, and room, for improvement. Doesn't matter how many story or character inconsistencies are present in the draft, as long as it's done, you can (and will) make it better. Patience is key.
Last month I finished a first draft of a novel I spent the last three months writing. No lie, I think there're more red pen corrections marking up the pages than black ink from the initial draft. But I'm happy about that, because I know the story (and the writing) will only be better in the end.
6. Take a break.
When you finish the first draft, leave it alone for a while. Anywhere between three and six weeks is prime before you start editing. In that time you're eyes will be off the project - heck, you may start working on something else and refocus your mind. The idea here is that the break will allow new ideas to flow and when you come back to the material you'll do so with a fresh set of eyes and thoughts on how to start shaping it up.
There needs to be space between the creator and the created. You need to miss it. You need to feel that thrill that was there when you started the first lines.
7. First Drafts are for YOUR EYES ONLY.
While you are taking your break, I don't suggest you show anyone (not your spouse, not your mother, not your best friend) your first draft. This is for three reasons:
1. Your writing is not at its best.
2. Chances are you won't get the most honest feedback.
3. If you do get the most honest feedback, you're likely to be dissuaded from continuing on (because that most honest feedback should include that while the story may be good, the writing is messy).
Don't go looking for instant gratification in regards to your writing, because you'll either be lied to or given a harsh truth you may not be ready, or strong enough for. We're all very protective of our writing, so why show anyone if it's not top notch?
8. Your writing WILL get better with edits.
As long as you keep working, keep writing, you will get better. If you quit or leave long absences between times you're putting pen to paper then how can you possibly get better? Writing is very much a talent, a skill. It can be argued that the talent to write is subjective to each person (some have it, some don't). I do believe that. I also believe that if you want something bad enough and are willing to put the effort and time in, you will amaze yourself (and others) with the results.
For me, I know I'm onto something good with a story when I'm reading my words and not hearing my own voice reciting it back in my head.
Good writing is all about the flow. So edit, edit, and edit some more. It may take you sixteen drafts to finally feel like you're getting it right, and all that means is draft seventeen will be miles better.
Just wait till you're at draft twenty-three.
9. You will get rejected.
When it comes time to start submitting for publication know that you will get rejected. I am not saying this to be negative, but to be truthful. Your work won't be for everyone's tastes. In fact, because you're taking the risk of putting your stuff out there in the world to be read and criticized, don't be surprised if you ever receive some nasty, inappropriate feedback. It happens. But the world doesn't end. I promise. Try not to take it personally, even if those giving the feedback intend of making it a point to say they hate your guts. You may get replies that range from personal attacks on you and your writing to a very general form letter of rejection that's quite impersonal.
You may even get helpful advice on how to improve.
Regardless, no matter what kind of rejection you receive, just mark it down in a notebook so you know where you've submitted the work (jot a few notes alongside if necessary) and then move on to submitting elsewhere. Don't respond to anyone who rejects your work. It's a no-win situation that may only further your agitation that it wasn't accepted.
Remember, your work isn't for everyone. "No" may be all you hear for a long time. But it only takes one "Yes!"
Which leads into...
10. There's no feeling in the world like being told you're going to be published.
You may have to wait weeks, months to hear back from publishers or agents. Depends on the publisher or agent. No kidding, I still get notices back from submissions I sent out two years ago - submissions that have long since been edited and cleaned up and submitted elsewhere. Anymore I just laugh when I get them.
In the beginning you'll be driving yourself nuts waiting on responses. No matter what I or anyone else will tell you, you're gonna be constantly checking your e-mail. You're going to go through emotional highs and lows. You'll be hopeful about your work, then depressed by it, then ecstatic. Sometimes all in the same day. You'll get rejections (as mentioned), and you may begin to feel like things will never change. But they will.
I got serious about writing three years ago. I've sent out queries everywhere. I've received many rejections. Some were form letters. Some included tidbits on improving the story. Some I just plain never heard back from. And that happens, too.
But I've also made some good contacts, got invaluable feedback, and learned a lot more about publishing and all its different levels. I've also learned a lot about agents and marketing.
Most important: I didn't give up.
And that's the key. That's the answer to this and any other "On Writing" advice piece. No matter what anyone tells you. It's all about persistence.
There were times I wanted to give up. There were times I just wanted to cry out "Screw this!" and just leave whatever I was working on to neglect in a wake of my own frustrations. But those times were few and fleeting.
Because I have a deep desire to tell stories. Because I hate quitting.
Because being a storyteller is what I am supposed to do. I feel that.
And eventually I got my "Yes!"
In conclusion (an "...On Writing" Epilogue):
There are many things more I could tell you about writing, but there's not much point in my doing so. From the beginning I've said your experiences will be different from mine. The important thing to take away from all of this is to keep at it. That's it. Not everything I listed in this entry or the two previous in the series were pretty, but they're honest.
So, now that you've read what I've learned, it's time for you to tell your story. Time for you to develop your list of Things Learned. Time for you to sit down and develop and write your fiction.
Because you're only ever going to get good at writing by actually doing it.
