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We’ve all learned many things as we’ve gone on to write one book after another. I started off writing novels back in 2013. I would dedicate 2 whole days to writing, and then work at the hospital on the other 3 days. I sent off my first manuscript, Mind Games, and was straight away considered for representation. This is easy, I thought.
However, when The Susijn Agency eventually turned me down after a week of nail-biting, I started writing The Pilates Class and A House Without Windows, and then these were followed by ‘Lily: A Short Story‘, all in 2014. Eventually by 2021 my Amazon author page is full of books, and I now have a very different opinion about writing novels than I did at the beginning. Here are a few things I’ve learned, not in any particular order — just as I think of them. If I’ve missed any out that you’ve personally come across, please add them in the comments.
- Your precious time spent writing will slowly chip away as social media interferes more and more.
- When you take time out to read, you’ll not enjoy the book as much as you used to do. Why? Because you’ll be ferreting out spelling mistakes, grammar howlers and plot holes.
- You’ll not rush to get your latest book published like you did with the earlier ones. You’ll take time to get the story right.
- You’ll realise after a few years that many writing competitions are just scams by marketing companies to increase their income.
- You’ll eventually end up buying your own ISBNs instead of using Amazon’s free ones, so that your book can be sold on multiple sites.
- You will end up taking a notebook everywhere to jot down ideas as they come to you.
- It will dawn on you that finding an agent will not be as easy as you’d first thought, and that your book will need to stand out from millions of others to get noticed.
- You will be surprised that not all readers like your book, and that sometimes you will receive some one-star reviews. You’ll realise you will need to grow a thicker skin to survive the slings and arrows of outraged readers.
- When you see a long list of corrections from the editor’s red pen, you’ll often wonder why the hell you are putting yourself through such torture.
- When an editor says your book needs re-writing, then it actually does need re-writing.
- If you really get into your story, you’ll find that on some days you might forget to cook the dinner.
- You will be encouraged to write more if your book places high in genuine writing competitions.
- When you get your first 5 star review you’ll know it’s all been worth it!
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dgkaye said:
Nods in acknowledgment to every one of you points. 🙂 xx
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Stevie Turner said:
Any more? x
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dgkaye said:
Yes. You will discover that most of the people in your real life will NOT read your books. 🙂 x
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Stevie Turner said:
Absolutely, lol! x
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dgkaye said:
Lol x
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quirkywritingcorner said:
Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Michael… much appreciated!
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
🙂🙂
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Phil Huston said:
Looking for agents/managers and real editors is a lot like looking for snakes. The effort is to find someone who will make you better, not just have their hand in your pocket.
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Stevie Turner said:
Absolutely. It takes time to weed them out.
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beetleypete said:
Tops tips, and the list includes many reasons why I have never yet tried to publish a book. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Books & Bonsai said:
Great list, Stevie… I have often wondered about ISBN’s, does having your own make that much of a difference?
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Phil Huston said:
I’m not Stevie but yes. Not just yes, hell yes.
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Books & Bonsai said:
I take it you recommend having your own ISBN s ?
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Stevie Turner said:
It’s probably best if it’s within your budget.
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Books & Bonsai said:
Yes, I have heard they can be expensive…
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Phil Huston said:
Yes. Yes and hell yes. They are yours, not Amazon’s or any third party’s. Own your material. Herbie Hancock said one of the best pieces of business advice he ever got was from Miles Davis who told him “Give up whatever you can live with, but keep your publishing.” You own it. Give away points, distribution, but keep your work.
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Books & Bonsai said:
I see your point, Phil… and do you recommend getting them from anywhere specific?
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Stevie Turner said:
Nielsen.
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Books & Bonsai said:
Thanks!
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, for instance if you buy one ISBN to publish via Ingram Spark, then your book has a chance of getting into bookstores and libraries. You can also use the same ISBN to publish on KDP.
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Books & Bonsai said:
I have heard they are expensive, but definitely worth it?
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Stevie Turner said:
I think one ISBN is around £90. Each author has an opinion about whether it’s worth it!
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Books & Bonsai said:
We have ten books between us, so that would be a lot of money!
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Stevie Turner said:
Do one at a time starting with the next one?
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Books & Bonsai said:
I think I might…
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Darlene said:
All true!! For me I would add, wherever I go I think, how can I fit this into a book? The last point is perfect!!
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, we writers are all observers. We see or hear something and it goes into a book, lol.
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davidprosser said:
Spot on Stevie.
Gigantic Hugs
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks David.
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petespringerauthor said:
Great list! I’m about to take the plunge and start racking up those rejection letters from agents.
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Stevie Turner said:
Good luck, Pete. I can plaster my lavatory wall with them…
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petespringerauthor said:
😎
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