Summoned to my high school guidance counselor’s office, I
learned not everyone thinks being a writer is a good idea. I still recall the meeting as if it were
yesterday.
"Why can’t I be an author?" I asked. I wanted to be the next
Kurt Vonnegut, Philip Roth, or Ray Bradbury. They were the best-selling authors
of the day.
Her career choices for me came from the father role models
on the popular television programs of the era. She wanted me to be the next
Mike Brady (the architect dad on The Brady Bunch) or an aerospace engineer like
Steven Douglas (My Three Sons).
"Jimmie, you’re a boy. You need a college degree in
engineering, math, science, or accounting. You have to earn enough money to
support your future wife and family. Forget your silly notion that a man can
support himself by writing. It is okay to write for a hobby, but you will need
a real job. With your grades you could even aspire to be a doctor or dentist," she said.
I was heartbroken. Raised to believe I could do anything,
now I wasn’t so sure.
Has anyone ever laughed at your vision of writing? Perhaps
you have been told you lack life experience or you don’t stand a chance because
everyone is writing now that they can simply self-publish on Amazon.
You may have feelings of doubt, thinking if only you had an
MFA. If only your family and spouse supported you more. If you could quit your day job. Maybe you are in your
sixties like me. You think it is too late. You say I am just too old. If
only...
We all experience self-doubt. Friends and family do not
always understand our passion.
Everyone faces such challenges. My faith as a Christian also
helps me overcome such thoughts. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned.
Some people will never understand your passion for writing.
Don’t bother trying to explain. Just let them watch as you write.
Read. Reading is necessary for writing. Not only is reading
the fodder for writing, it is fun. It also helps me relax as well as grow.
Write. I know it sounds silly, but to become a writer you
have to write. I have heard for years that it takes 10,000 hours to master
something. 10,000 hours is five years worth of forty-hour weeks. Maybe that is
why it takes ten years for so many to get that first traditional book deal. Do
not be a want to be a writer. Write.
Edit. This includes proofreading, rewriting, and polishing.
No one is perfect. Critique groups help as well as reputable professional
editing services. Rewrite as needed.
Submit. To your surprise, someone may like and buy what you
wrote.
Rejection. Being
rejected is not personal. Your writing may be bad. It may be good, but just not
meet the publisher’s or editor’s needs. You may have submitted to the wrong
market or not followed the submission guidelines (both guarantee a rejection).
Every writer gets rejections. The photo is a rejection I received from the New Yorker Magazine. I've been rejected by the best.
Acceptance. Selling a book or an article doesn’t guarantee
success. Many times it means the real work is only beginning. Having your work
accepted by a publisher feels good. It feels very good.
Writers’ Groups. Consider joining a writers’ group. I have
belonged to three over the years. I have changed groups as I have changed. Some
groups I have belonged to were for critique. Some have been to learn the
business of writing. Some have been for the encouragement.
I know the thoughts I have shared are all items you have
heard many times before. Sometimes a reminder is good.
We all have people like my old high school guidance counselor in
our lives. Do not let their negative words keep you from writing. If you have
the urge to write, write! It’s not too late.
The formula really is simple. It
is read, write, edit, rewrite, submit, and repeat. If your writing is good
enough and if what you write matches the publisher’s need, you just may see
your story in print.