Seven Things I Have Learned:

There is a blog series for and about agents.  One of their regular features is ‘7 Things I Have Learned’.  Why seven and not 8 or 10, who knows?  But, it is a good format to elicit candid, personal and, mostly, useful insights.  I will try my hand here:

One:  Writing is a Calling:  It may be recognized or adopted early or late in life but once accepted, it can, and perhaps should, become a compulsion.  It is odorless, soundless, biodegradable, non-intrusive and costs little to pursue.  It can be a little stairway to Heaven or a cruel taskmaster.  But, it can infuse a life with energy, challenge and rewards.

Two:  Rewards Vary:  Like the profession of acting, writing has a tiny sliver of a percentage of living-wage earners.  Most of us get our rewards in a few encouraging comments and the fun of creation and satisfaction of a well-turned phrase or diabolical plot twist.

Three:  The Overriding Issue of Marketing:  For ANY expectation of a writing income stream, the name of the game is marketing, marketing, marketing.  In olden days, that was the responsibility of the publishing house and the author was a plug-in participant showing up when and where directed for signings, interviews and appearances.  In today’s world, the author has to be the planner and instigator of marketing activities whether blog posts, tweets, begging for reviews, cadging speaking events…whatever.  In today’s world with today’s publishers’ economics, it is DIY or be content to live with obscurity.

Four:  The Publishing Industry is in the Midst of a Sea Change:  You would have to have spent the last five years in a sensory deprivation chamber to not know that self publishing and digital download delivery have thrown the traditional publishing model into a cocked hat.  The overwhelming cost advantage of e-books over p-books has punctured the hull of the print publishing model.  It is taking on water and is headed for the bottom.  The only way they have to delay the inevitable is to play to the paper book nostalgists with sure-fire blockbusters.  That is delaying the inevitable a bit but that transitional model is having a devastating effect on the prospects of new writers.  Plainly put, a paper book publisher simply can’t afford to take a chance on a new writer except if they are ‘sure-fire’ for other reasons; celebrity or established ‘platform’ (proven following).  Bottom line: self publishing and digital delivery, very easy; getting your book printed and physically distributed through bookstores, a diminishing possibility.

Five:  A Sub-Industry Has Emerged:  As writers are forced to become more self-sufficient, a sub-industry has emerged to serve and live off of writers.  It includes, free lance editors, marketing packages, ‘electronic publishers’, purveyors of how-to books, classes and conferences and consultants of every stripe.  On the one hand, it is a healthy part of the outsourcing/subcontracting reality of our modern world.  On the other hand, there are incompetents, misrepresentations, and illusional cure alls that many writers are ill equipped to distinguish.  Example: I was seeking digital download services for my novellas.  When I responded to several companies offering ‘electronic publishing’ I found that they were printers who would take my manuscript electronically and would print it out.  That, to me, was deception.  My counsel to other naïve writers like myself: Do your homework and ask LOTS of questions.  You’re on your own out there.

Six:  There is a Community:  Through the miracle of the Internet and the blog world, there is a robust community of writers keeping in touch and cross roughing their experiences in a warm and mutually-supportive manner.  Look in on www.writerunboxed.com for starters.  Being writers, we all write to one another and revel in the craft and art of writing.

Seven:  Simple Pleasures are the Best:  I am a writer.  I began at age 72 and have been at it for exactly one (1) year.  During that time, I have written ten novellas and co-authored a novel.  No financial rewards have yet appeared although hope springs eternal.  But, do I enjoy rewards?  Oh, yes.  There are those well-turned phrases, clever plot trails, creation of characters, commiserating with my fellow writers and other satisfactions.  I’ll never give it up.