7 Lessons I Learned from Writing Books
If I knew then what I know now about writing for readers, would I have taken the leap?
How do you answer the question, “What don’t you know?”
With those two questions out of the way, let’s get right to today’s lesson…
Lesson #1 — I’m Not the One in Control.
When I took the plunge the picture in my head was akin to being the puppeteer. Me maneuvering and manipulating all the little puppets around the stage to create an entertaining show. The reality is all the little puppets doing their own thing while I wrestle with each one to do it my way. They win. My job and mission is to corral them into a coherent and cohesive story.
Lesson learned? Myself is all I have control over… most of the time.
Lesson #2 — Everything takes Time.
I can outline the story, build the sets, cast the characters, and even write the first draft for a cozy mystery in about two weeks. Then the real work begins…
The cool downs prior to each of three painstaking edits, the prepping and posting to my website and the distributors.
Next up is promoting. That never ends. Each new book is like raising a child. They leave, but they’re never gone. And they all require time.
Lesson learned? Time ticks off, no matter what. Do your best to use it productively.
Lesson #3 — File for Retrieval
Do I remember my mindset when I started writing ‘Unexpected Blessings’ nine years ago? Did I file it under Grief Recovery? Or is it in the Joan Freed file? After searching for about an hour, I found it. I’d changed the name on the file the last time I put it away.
Lesson Learned? File in the protagonist’s folder and never, ever change the name on the file.
Lesson #4 — Plus One Rules!
My house runs well on ‘plus-1’ for supplies. When I buy a can of soup, I buy 2. When I slip a quart of engine oil into my cart, I slide in two. And when I need water wipes, I grab an extra for a backup. While I don’t buy two computers when one fails, I learned the hard way to keep a thumb drive in the slot and update it daily for a copy… just in case.
Lesson learned? Keep one backup copy of every manuscript separate from the computer.
Lesson #5 — Blessings come in all sounds, sizes, and shapes
Interruptions usually translate as frustrations. But I have found that whether it be a phone call or a knock on the door, it’s more often a blessing in disguise.
For instance, the phone call from my long-lost daughter to say she’s coming home. Or the gift of Alaska smoked salmon that is being delivered from my friend in the far north. Or a call from an avid reader looking for the eta on my work in progress.
Lesson learned? Count the interruptions as blessings. They really are priceless.
Lesson #6 — Writer’s block has many names
Brain freeze. Senior moments. Writer’s block. In my case, they are all a temporary frame of mind that comes from stress. Worry of what the next word or paragraph will be that is sure to hook a reader to keep reading. Maybe all the characters are out for recess. They don’t ask me. They just do it and leave me in the lurch. But if I slow down and wait for the characters to return, we’ll be on a roll again.
Lesson learned? Take a breath. Do something else for a minute while the hooligans I call characters gad about. Like the three little kittens who’ve lost their mittens, they’ll come home with wild stories to tell.
Lesson #7 — Some say I’m crazy. I’m okay with that.
I see or feel the eye roll. It happens when I’m getting ready to tuck myself into bed at sundown. And it comes from those who are not morning people.
Not long ago I had a text waiting for me when I rolled out and booted the computer at 2 AM. I answered it. And got a reply! But the texter was just on his way to bed. Did he feel my eyes roll?
Lesson learned? We each march to our own drummer. How boring life would be if we didn’t.
And there you have it. 7 lessons I’ve learned that are directly related to the business of writing.
What lessons have you learned? Email me here to share.
But to answer the question of if I knew then what I know now, would I have pursued this career in writing fun, provocative, and interesting books?
Yes! It’s my way of giving back and encouraging you.
Cheers!
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