Do you feel stuck and unsure as a writer? Are you not getting acceptances, not making sales, not writing to your full potential? How can you break through the self-doubt and noise to start carving out your unique space in the world of fiction?
Ross Jeffery is joining us for a Live ZOOM chat this Thursday to talk about his experience.
Ross is the Executive Director of STORGY literary magazine and its Head of Books. He is also the Bram Stoker Award Nominated Author of Tome, Juniper, and Tethered.
It’s hard to believe that Ross had given up on writing for seven years. Yes, 7 years! Now he is exploding in the dark fiction scene, and he is going to join us on Zoom to talk about how to break through as a writer.
What You’ll Learn – How to Break Through as a Writer with Ross Jeffery
Why Ross gave up writing for so long and what made him start again
What drives his dark, disturbing stories
The breakthrough moment in his writing career that got his momentum going
How writers can approach other authors for blurbs
How writers can position themselves to be nominated for awards
Ross’ advice for all those writers who have given up, are thinking of given up, or haven’t even started
One mistake I see writers making—and probably the biggest—is playing too small. As much as they love writing, they “dabble” in their free time. It’s “a hobby” or “a dream” or “a mirage.” Who would want to hear what they have to say?
I was like that. I used to blush and shrink when people in the real world asked me how “the writing thing” was going.
But our words matter. And we have worlds within us that can only be accessed through writing fiction, ideas that can only be understood through story.
We have to care enough about these words to invest in ourselves and make ourselves into better artists and communicators.
In this world of indie publishing, anyone and everyone is writing a book, but should they be?
I might be a jerk for bringing this up, but I’ll say it.
I see a lot of crappy books out there.
It makes me wonder—if all these writers think they’re good, and I am just as optimistic about my abilities, could I be mistaken too?
Of Human Bondage by William Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite books about this creative dilemma. Fed up with a dreary accounting job, our protagonist, Phillip, goes to Paris to become a painter. He does well, but never creates anything extraordinary.
After the suicide of a classmate, who for all her artistic passion was a lousy painter, Phillip reevaluates his reasons for becoming an artist. He wonders what his future will look like if he continues to pursue his dream.
Phillip finally works up the nerve to end the subject once and for all by asking one of his painting masters to give an honest opinion of his work. The teacher is perplexed by his request.
Monsieur Foinet: “I don’t understand.”
Phillip: “I’m very poor. If I have no talent I would sooner do something else.”
Monsieur Foinet: “Don’t you know if you have talent?”
Phillip: “All my friends know they have talent, but I am aware some of them are mistaken.”
After Monsieur Foinet evaluates Phillip’s collection of work, he respectfully tells Phillip that he will never be anything other than a mediocre artist. Phillip decides to give up painting and go to medical school. Just like that — his abandons his whole Bohemian dream.
Unlike Phillip, I won’t give up writing no matter how paranoid I am about sucking. Although I would feel foolish pouring all of my energy into something I lack the talent for, whether anyone likes my writing should be secondary. Phillip’s friend and fellow painter, Clutton, puts it perfectly earlier in the book:
“What happens to our work afterwards is unimportant; we have got all we could out of it while we were doing it.”
That doesn’t mean I don’t care if my writing is bad. Like Phillip, I‘m afraid I am not, and will never be, any good. But I have to remember that I am still learning and to be okay with that. You should be okay with that too.
You wouldn’t expect to shoot par on your first trip to a golf course. You will hack and slice and end up in bunkers covered in sand. You will be humiliated and discouraged and tested, so don’t expect to sit down and write a brilliant novel if you haven’t devoted yourself to learning everything you can.
Sure, writing, like painting, seems to involve a certain amount of innate talent. I read scores of writers who create beautiful, technically perfect prose but whose writing is devoid of passion. Then there are those who are great at inventing characters and plot lines but lack the ability to make it all mean something. I used to believe they were missing that “it” factor that makes a great writer.
But the “it” factor is not always a mysterious gift bestowed on few. It’s mostly doing what you need to do to get better, whether it be technical or intuitive. I believe that with the right tools, instruction, feedback, and hard work, anyone can become a good writer.
Are you frustrated? Unsure? Do you feel like something’s off but you don’t know what?
Then think about this…
How many years did you have to attend school to earn a diploma? How much training did you go through for your profession? Now, how many hours have you devoted not just to writing, but to actively learning how to become a better writer?
Imagine if you took your writing as seriously as your job.
What training do you need?
Where can you get qualified feedback?
Think about where you feel a lack of confidence.
Analyze the areas where you can improve.
Respect your creative compulsions. Invest in yourself. Make a plan and take action to learn all you can.
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Christa Wojciechowski is a dark fiction author and the founder of writecatalyst.com/, a virtual Mastermind Community where writers will learn how to become successful authors through live video chats, critique swaps, monthly masterclasses, and featured experts. Sign up for the wait list here.
Anna David is a NY Times Bestselling and her new company, Launch Pad Publishing, is all about helping business owners position themselves as leaders in their industries by launching bestselling books.
Likewise, my goal for Let’s Get Published and the upcoming online Writer’s Mastermind is to help fiction writers position themselves for success in the fiction market.
But first, dear writers, you must get past everything that’s holding you back from realizing your best work.
I wrote this list for anyone who’s ever dreamed of creating something new but always talks themselves out of it.
(You’ll also get the scoop on how honestly scared I am about launching the Writer’s Mastermind!)
Does life somehow always get in the way of your writing?
This is Writer’s Drift.
And guess what?
It’s completely in your power to change.
In fact, it’s your responsibility alone.
Life is not going to realize how badly you want to become a
successful author and suddenly hand you the time and resources to sit alone in
a room and finish all the stories you wish you could write.
And the longer you wait to dominate this problem, the faster time slips by. The more hopeless you will feel as nothing happens for your writing career.
The reason I know is that I’ve been living it.
I write when I “find the time.” I submit or publish whenever I “get around to it.” I sporadically post to my blog, newsletters, and social media.
And I’m increasingly resentful about the fact that I have to put my writing aside for work, family, and all the other interruptions that come with life. Why can’t everyone just leave me alone?
But I’m going to be tough here, because I had to be tough on myself.
This is playing the victim.
This is feigning helplessness.
This is downright self-sabotage.
If you think you have so many things going on that you can’t
buckle down and finish your stories, you’re consciously or unconsciously
letting yourself off the hook.
When you tell yourself you “never had the time” or energy to commit to becoming a writer, then it won’t be your fault if you fail. Right?
Am I hitting a nerve?
If so, then call yourself on that bullshit today.
If you truly love writing…
If you really feel like you have something to offer the world…
If you want to feel satisfied on your deathbed knowing you gave it your all, then I will tell you what you need to do…
First:
Think about why you are writing. Is your reason big enough to help you push through the everyday distractions and obligations of life?
If not, there’s nothing wrong with writing in your free time
for your personal enjoyment.
But if you want to make a name as an author, then you need to have a big reason.
This reason should be bigger than to make money or become
famous.
Your readers need to feel that reason. So do agents and publishers. And it needs to have depth so you can write through the lean times as you carve out your place in the literary world.
You also must get clarity around what you want.
What is your vision of being a successful author?
This is different for every writer. Is it to earn your living solely by writing fiction? Or is it more than that? Imagine the details of this life and what it will take to get there. Create a writer manifesto.
Second:
Recommit to your writing. Make a vow that starting right now, you are going to do what you need to do to make things happen.
This will require self-discipline, setting boundaries with
your family and friends, and making sure you bring your best self to the desk.
No more excuses to anyone, especially yourself, about why you can’t produce all the stories and books that are churning in your brain.
Then declare it.
Take it step further and announce your commitment to your family. Post your vow on social media. Letting others know will mean you’ll be less likely to back out.
Third:
Create a solid map that encompasses everything about your successful career as an author. Draw out a detailed plan for writing, editing, submitting, publishing, marketing, and creative nourishment.
I know. This is SO simple, but the main cause of writer’s drift is not having a detailed short-term and long-term plan.
If you don’t plan what you’re supposed to do next, you’ll likely do anything except work on your writing career.
Start Here
I’ve created a planning guide to avoid writer’s drift. You can download it for free using the form below.
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Join us in the virtual Author Planning Masterclass 2020!
I’m thrilled to announce that the first masterclass for LGP’s Writers’ Mastermind will be an Author Planning Workshop.
We will reverse-engineer a step-by-step plan to your making your dream life as a writer come true.
Get on the Waitlist and reserve your spot for only $9. Click here.
