Saturday, August 17, 2013

Like Jane Friedman Said, There are No Rules

Jane Friedman, the most web-savvy of publishing and writing experts (her website), used to write a blog called "There Are No Rules," a title I have come to take to heart in my pursuit of a writing life. It took me a while to understand her point. The success of a writer can materialize in many ways and no two ways match. Why does one writer succeed and another does not? There's no pat answer to any route to a good career. The more friends I make who are writers and the more anecdotes I hear about other writers, the more this truth bears out. However, usually the life of a professional writer (and I mean fiction) is hard-won. For the most part. The most successful writers write well and write often. These two are tied together: if you write often, chances are your writing will improve. But you can't stop learning and you can't stop considering feedback. Unless you don't need it anymore to sell books (rare). Then, you may have an audience who'll follow you into strange territory (case in point, anyone reading Joyce Carol Oates lately?).

I'm in the pack of the unpublished. This will not always be true. I will publish and soon I will be in another pack: of those trying to build audience. This is an elusive blob: audience. It's tied to platform (where do you reach your audience?) and genre and good, writerly manners, the relationships you develop with readers and with other writers. How do you, as a writer, build goodwill? Does goodwill help you sell any books? It might help you in the beginning, but your work has to bear out.
Photo by me.

Your writing has to please readers. Main goal.
It will not please every reader. Impossible goal.

I also believe there is a huge difference in the kind of writer you want to be: commercially successful or critically acclaimed. These can overlap, but commercially successful writers (ie James Patterson) and critically acclaimed (ie Jonathan Franzen) write for different reasons, in my opinion. Sure, both want readers, both want to make money, but one writes in bulk, the other as social commentator. I believe much of the trendy advice to new writers today, with the exception of those in academic writing programs, has to do with making it commercially. Writing as an entrepreneur. Believe me, the business side of this career choice could drive anyone to drink (my go-to beverage, anything within arm's reach), but when does the entrepreneurship overshadow the underlying reason why I'm writing in the first place: because I enjoy it and because I'm good at it (your opinion may differ).

Does all success bear out in the bottom line of a sales report? If it does for you, then you are in good company these days. How many times have I heard in the last year, 'This is the best time to be a writer!' Yes, the publishing options are mind-numbing. Consequently, the opportunity to be financially successful could be likened to the Gold Rush. Start panning for readers, gents, and we'll strike it rich.

I didn't start writing a book because I wanted to be rich. Many people have said to me when I tell them that I've written a book, 'You're gonna be rich!' Not likely. Maybe in my wildest fantasies. But I wrote a book because I had an idea, I gave into a creative urge and I kept at it. And I'm still writing because of those reasons. Will I make money? Oh, I sure hope so, but it's not the reason I'm here writing this or anything else.

Your opinions welcomed.

8 comments:

  1. Great post, and so true: "Why does one writer succeed and another does not? There's no pat answer to any route to a good career."

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    1. Jane, thanks for stopping by! Also, thank you for supporting writers the many ways you do. My best, jf

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  2. I write because I like crafting little modes of being. But I am not trying to realize a world.

    I don't wish for money. Though I will admit to wanting readers. Someone or two or more to say nothing more than "that was interesting," or, "I like the way those words sounded together."

    Like when jf said one my poems was a steamroller. That is enough.

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    1. Even a little interplay between reader and writer can make a big difference. I still think you should publish your poems in a book.

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    2. fyi, you should publish, not for commercial reasons, but to leave something behind for those who come behind you and want to know who you were/are.

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  3. Took a train ride yesterday and thought of you ;) also greatly enjoyed your last two posts. I'm frantically trying to get the fourth draft of my novel finished during our trip. Not quite sure if I'll manage, but I'm working at it :)

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    1. A train ride in Europe! Makes me think -- mysterious, romantic, James Bond. A bucket-lister for sure. I have a friend who is publishing through Kindle Direct. I'll have stories to tell...

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    2. Would definitely be interested in hearing about that. E should meet up so,eating when we get back and I can share pictures :)

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