Friday, February 17, 2006
More and more people have been approaching me, both online and in person, to ask for advice on writing and submitting their work. I thought I’d share a few thoughts here on the subject. This could go on for page after page, but I’m going to keep it short, and perhaps add to it with another post down the road.
My first tip for anyone who wants to be a writer: write. It’s pretty simple, really. People can find just about any excuse to avoid the keyboard; dust the bookshelves, run errands, visit message boards, pay bills, write journal entries… 
But the simple fact of the matter is, if you don’t write, you can’t be a writer. So write as often as you can. Pick a schedule that works for you, and stick to it. Don’t let yourself get interrupted during that time. And don’t worry about the quality of what you’re writing, just get the words down on paper (or on screen). It’s the process that’s important.
Chances are, your first book won’t sell. Your second might not, either. Most published writers have at least one, and sometimes two or three novels hidden away in a drawer or closet before they make their first sale. And that’s ok. Because you learn how to write with those first attempts, and nobody can do it for you.
It’s painful to imagine all that work without a sale. So if it helps, imagine great things. If I can just finish this book, Oprah will be on the phone five minutes after I type “the end.” I’ll sign a multiple book deal in the high six figures. Screen rights will go to Spielberg. I’ll retire to the Riviera to write from a balcony over the water, sipping Coronas and flicking lime wedges through beer-bottle goalposts. It’ll be great.
If it gets you to the end, it’ll be worth it. But that brings me to my next point: be ready for rejection.
All writers get rejected. It’s just part of the business. The key to survival is to separate your personal life from your business one. This manuscript is a product you’re trying to sell. If you were a car salesman, would you lock yourself in the bathroom and sob uncontrollably when a customer walked away from the lot? I hope not. The problem is, our novels are a more intimate part of who we are, and a lot of writers can’t seem to distance themselves from their writing. But you have to, or you won’t last long. It’s a brutal business, and you have to keep a level head. Be professional, follow up on every lead, and keep submitting.
That’s it for now. Next up: how networking can help you land a contract. Talk to you soon!
July 17th, 2006 at 5:05 am
How old were you when you first felt that
you wanted to write. Is it silly for a retired senior ciizen (an avid reader) to
begin to write? I am afraid that my ideas
will all come from different books that I
have read.
July 17th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
I have been writng an autobiography in fiction form for many years. I am frustrated trying to find a puiblisher without paying for it myself-being a new “author.” I am going to college at age 67. I have already received an Associate Degree and am working on my bachelor’s. I have had countless letters published in the papers. Reader’s digest published a letter. I have won 2 scholarships on my essays.
Cindy Eldredge
January 30th, 2008 at 4:00 am
You are absolutely right, Mr. Kenyon. I, too, am trying this whole writing thing out; and have yet to submit a story, simply because I am — or think I am — to busy to write. I also am afraid of rejection, but the fact of the matter is, just as you said it, all writers get rejected. One of my good friends, who was also my previous creative writing teacher said the same thing as you did, “You have to make time to write. Set a schedule up, one that works for you, and write. Let no one disturb you, and don’t get sidetracked.”
I am ordering your book from Amazon. I have heard a many great thing about it! Hopefully, I, too, will be published. (Can’t wait to read your Blood Stone story.)
Sincerely,
Max
April 28th, 2008 at 2:50 am
Hi, Nate. Just received Bloodstone in the mail and can’t wait to start reading it. I’ve heard great things about your writing.
I agree with everything you said on writing. I wanted to stress how much reading is important also. The more you read the more the magic of good writing gets stamped on your brain and helps when you sit down to write.
Read a lot and write a lot. And when I get a rejection, I paste it to my head so I know to do better next time around.
Take Care! Mike.