Blogger: Michelle Ule
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
My favorite scene in the movie Shakespeare in Love is when Will jumps into a Thames River boat and orders the oarsman to “follow that boat,” as he chases Viola de Lesseps back to her estate. The rower recognizes him and confidently replies, “I’m a writer myself,” and brandishes a manuscript.
I laugh aloud every time. Because that’s exactly what happens when you tell people you work at a literary agency.
Rachel and I attended a church social event once where we both were solicited by would-be writers. After reading one of the manuscripts, Rachel told me, “I’m making a new policy not to read manuscripts from people at our church. I’ll never look at this guy the same again.”
It’s a tricky business being asked to read the words of people we know and like–only to discover . . . well, you’d rather not know.
I always listen to the pitch–no matter how nervous, inarticulate, or mind-numbing it may be. You never know, someone may have a glorious idea that causes the blood to thrum in your veins and your brain synapses to pop with excited delight. And that has happened, once or twice.
I try hard to be kind–and usually end up talking about the business of publishing. “If it’s not a salable idea, it doesn’t matter how well written it is, or how profound. A literary agency must make money to continue to exist. The writing, the art, is what we love, but the bottom line is, if we can’t sell it, we can’t represent it.”
That’s hard for everyone to hear; it’s hard for me to hear. Yet publishing exists as an industry–this is not a game. Some of us have patrons of the arts (hi, honey), but most of us have to work hard, and the writing needs to bring in some income to make it worth our time–all of our time.
It breaks my heart some times to read manuscripts because I know, too well, the amount of time it takes away from your family, away from your church, away from your livelihood, to produce a book-length piece of writing. And when I think about the hours of sacrifice people pour into a project which may never reap any financial rewards, I am sobered.
Your bottom line: Write because you love it, not because you want to make a fortune. I can say that because I’m a writer myself.
I do write because I love it, but, to be honest, I battle often with the fear that no one will ever want to read what I write. It’s comforting to hear award-winning authors say they felt the same.
For now, I tell myself I’m writing for an Audience of One. If I feel God’s pleasure when I write (to borrow Eric Liddle’s phrase), then it’s enough for today.
So true, “Write because you love it, not because you want to make a fortune.”
That’s exactly right. It might not be in my future to be published, but I can’t not write . . .
Great post!
Wow, I loved this post.
It was at once sobering and inspiring.
Love that line, “I’m a writer myself.” I have a sheet of suggested things to do when someone approaches me with their idea. It includes websites and blogs where they can learn more about the submission process and who might read their work besides me. Good policy not to read for friends unless they are on the same path as you.
I took Jim & Tracie Peterson’s excellent CE class at the ACFW Conference. At the beginning of the class Tracie told us to ask ourselves this question:
“If I would never be published, would I still write?”
If the answer is “yes,” you have the heart of a writer.
Great post. And I like Karen’s idea to pass out the sheet with helpful hints. At our church, a multi-published author (Stan Baldwin) finds ways to encourage aspiring writers through critique groups and invitations to write for his website (www.preventcrueltytohumans.com). His goal is to help people help themselves. That has inspired me to use what I’ve learned to help other women improve their writing skills . . . even though I’m not a “multi-published author.”
Amen! I have made it a rule to never solicit favors from my church friends, congregation members, or friends period. I want genuine friendships. I have never made any money off of my writing, but my writing gets published and people have told me it has made an impact on them. This is my reward for my hard work. Write because you love it. You’ll always be a starving writer. lol.
I love this. Some jobs are never off the clock… “Hey you’re a pastor, do you have time for a quick question about the timing of the Second Coming?” It’s delightful and crazy-making all at once.
Never saw writing professionals that way before. I get it.
I like Julie’s answer: direct questioners to a writers’ group. Cindy Martinusen Coloma (a member of my church, I’m proud to say) runs such a group in Northern CA, and I automatically direct others to her expertise and wisdom… which she is gracious enough to share. I’m waaaaay to much of a novice to have any good answers, and Cindy’s a pro!
Thanks Michelle.
Your bottom line: Write because you love it, not because you want to make a fortune.
This is one of the reasons I decided to “self-publish” my novella and offered it on a blog. http://www.toothfortoothnovel.blogspot.com
I’m hoping that people will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! (especially the romance parts :))