What was the last advice you got on writing? Is there something you have learned from your experiences that no one ever told you about? As part of Creator’s Roulette today, I bring you an insightful guest post by my friend, Layton Turner. Layton writes technical documentation for work, but for pleasure, she prefers exercising her creative mind. As a Christian, she seeks to use her talent for God’s glory while captivating readers through multiple genres. Layton’s website—A Writer’s Journey—reflects her passion to share knowledge and experiences with new writers.
And it is this very passion about writing that she is sharing with us today! Are you ready to get some writing advice you have never been given? It might be time to confess that there are multiple tabs on your web browser that you wish you had a lifetime to read… 😉
I have only recently had this epiphany. It took almost a year before I realized exactly what I needed as a writer. This is the advice I wished someone would’ve given me long ago.
The New Writer’s Journey
New writers possess a passion like no other as if writing were their first and only true love. They eat, sleep, and breathe their characters’ stories. One idea sparks another, then another, and another after that.
These dreams begin to cross from fantasy to reality, and the line blurs. The writer imagines their novel or short stories being published. Then, everything falls into the natural cycle from there. They start the research process of “how to get published”—in the traditional sense. They find it would behoove them to find an agent to pitch their story among various publishers.
They open a tab on their browser and type, “How to find an agent.” After reading through several online articles, they realize the “right” agent is necessary, and they’ll need to reformat their piece in manuscript form.
The writer opens another tab for “how to format a manuscript,” and in their steady stream of excitement, they open their document to begin the formatting process. Halfway through, they remember something else from the previous articles on agents—most require a query letter. Another tab. “How to write a query letter.”
They find they need to sell not only their story, but themselves. The query letter should hook the agent with their book or short story, sure, but then, they would include awards they’ve received and their platform (the number of followers they have). The writer’s heart drops a little when they realize they have no following and no experience to incorporate into the letter. “Don’t worry,” the articles say. The writer exhales in relief until they read the next line. “A reference from a colleague or friend will go a long way.” This new writer has no connections. How would they find a person to refer them to a legit agent?
A feeling of helplessness begins to crawl in until the writer remembers self-publishing is an option. They set their prize novel aside and pull out another idea to write. They’ll self-publish this one, then get the following they need for the other story’s query letter. It will take time, but patience is a virtue, and it’s important to get it right.
They join self-publishing social media groups and communities to soak up every bit of information they need to know about the process. After all, this is their dream—their passion. The writing comes along smoothly until they begin more research. The aching reality hits them. Self-publishing has become so easy that to get your novel or short story seen, they need…a following. People they can tell about their story. People who can pre-order it, help launch it, and review it once released.
Another tab. “How to build an author platform.” “Build a website,” they say, “but not a free one. It’s worth the money to have your domain hosted.” Another tab. “How to build a website.” Another tab. “Best web hosting sites.” Another tab. “What should new authors blog about?” Another tab. Another tab. Another tab.
The writer spends a week or two on their website, researching even more. “What do I need in a Privacy Policy?” “What is required for GDPR?” “What’s a cookie?” “Example Cookie Policies.” The list goes on and on.
After dozens of hours dealing with heartache and headache, the deed is done. A website launches, but the research continues. “How often should I blog?” “How often should I post to social media?” “Which social media sites are best for writers?”
Months pass by before the writer notices they rarely touch their precious story anymore. It saddens them, but drives them back to their love. Until…writer’s block hits, or they receive their first critique. They begin to doubt themselves, their ability.
Research. That’s where they turn for everything. “How to become a better writer.” They learn of “show, don’t tell,” how to use an active voice versus passive, which tropes are in their genre. And when they learn all the rules, then—and only then—will they know which ones they can bend or break and when.
Back to the manuscript, they second guess every sentence they write—agonize over every word. “Paralysis by analysis,” they call it, when the writer researches about this, too.
The pressure becomes overwhelming. They no longer feel the passion they once had. Even more strange, they’re not certain how it happened.
What a New Writer Doesn’t Realize
Much of the advice given in articles and on social media are from other writers. Sure, these tactics may have worked for them, but every writer is different. Everyone has their own personality, their own path to take, their own voice.
I’m a perfectionist. I did all the things listed above, and then some. (Don’t get me started on marketing and SEO research.) After almost a year, I became frozen from the pressure, unable to think of new ideas for my blog or even soundbites for a Tweet or two. I was completely paralyzed.
And all the research I’d done didn’t help me gain thousands of followers or hits to my blog posts, but there were some. Perhaps a couple hundred in a month. Most followers on Twitter were other writers like me, encouraging others (The Twitter #WritingCommunity is a pretty tight-knit group.) or following them in hopes to get a follow back.
I’m also not a full-time writer. I have a day job that requires frequent travel and take college courses part-time in the evenings. I have two kids in sports. With research, blog posts, and social media on top of all that, I barely had time to write flash fiction, let alone my novel. And without having any of my own writing available, why would readers follow me?
The Writing Advice I Wish I’d Received
Up to now, my blog has been about my writing journey. I wanted new writers to see my path and know they’re not alone in all the chaos. That others have stumbled over the rocky roads, too, yet somehow still managed to hike the hilly trail.
I thought about the advice I might have given someone like me, a new writer who tends to overthink things and has a habit of quitting when dreams don’t become a reality in a set amount of time. Someone who already has little spare time to dedicate to their love of writing.
The advice that would’ve been great for me? Write. Just write. Write to your heart’s content. Don’t concern yourself with publishing just yet. Save the research for when you have a draft beta read and ready for an editor. Don’t rush it. Time is precious. Enjoy your characters. Enjoy watching their stories unfold in your head. The rest can sort itself out later.
Taking My Own Advice
At first, the thought was a bit scary. Although I’d not gained a huge following, I didn’t want to lose what I had. If I stopped blogging, scaled back on social media, and buried myself in my writing, that could very well happen. But then, I thought, It could be so much better. My blog has been geared toward other writers. (From my research, this is typical of a new writer’s blog.) While I’d love to help other writers along their path, don’t all writers really want readers to come to their website? What do readers want to see on an author’s website?
I thought about what I would love to see as a reader. I’ve been stewing on a few ideas. So, it may take me a year. It may take longer, but I’ll get there…in my own time. And you better believe I’ll be announcing it with a renewed passion when I’m ready.
The Writing Advice You Wish You’d Received
Now, all this has been based on my journey. What about you? If a new writer came up to you and asked for advice, what would you say? Think deeply on that before you answer. Would you give them the advice everyone gave you? Or did you learn something for yourself along the way? Is there something you really wish something had told you? Now…if you find yourself lost on the writing path, will you take that advice?
If a new writer came up to you and asked for advice, what would you say?
I’ll add my answer to Layton’s question: I would ask this new writer to pick a topic or an area that they are passionate to talk about and start writing about it. I love reading and have used it to continue to develop as a writer and bring my thoughts down on to paper/screen. It isn’t the same as writing fiction but ultimately, every kind of writing involves bringing what we have in our mind to a page. Whether we imagined it or it’s knowledge we know from experience, practicing to write not only helps us become better writers, but also strengthens our belief in ourselves that we are writers. 🙂
Want to connect with Layton? Here are ways to find her:
Website: A Writer’s Journey
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash
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