Sarah has a thought-provoking question this round:
What has been the most unexpected part of your writing journey up to this point? What has happened that you could never have predicted? Has it been a help or a hindrance?
Kat posted before me, and Kate comes next.
I hate to say it, but I thought I'd have a novel (or more) in bookstores by this point. Then again, I'm a slow pantser, and many of the projects I've worked on haven't been publishable (such as sequels to unsold stories), so that doesn't help. Even so, I enjoyed working on them, and they counted towards the million words of sh*t everyone has to write before becoming a good writer. When I started out, I never would have predicted meeting all the online friends I have through blogging and networking, and e-books and dedicated e-readers weren't available. The world of publishing has changed during my writing career, and it will only keep changing. The best way we can cope is to remain flexible and be willing to change ourselves too.
14 comments:
That would be part of my answer as well. Never expected all the online support!
The most unexpected thing that I discovered was that I could write erotica and there were people out there that loved to read it. I thought for a while that it was my own secret perversion and felt guilty that I liked writing and reading this stuff. Now it's opened up my mind to all kinds of ideas and I feel that any kind of literature (erotica included) has merit and a potential audience.
Hi Sandra
I wholeheartedly agree with everything, from the slow progress to the wonderful support of so many writers.
You are invited to a "dinner party" for Crusader Group 14 over at my blog.
Writes of Passage
Come and join in!
Dom
Yeah the changes in the book world are really unexpected. I started my first novel in 2007 and thought to someday to see it printed, now that one is trunked and by the time (if!) I do get published there may not be many printed books at all. Crazy.
The relationships I've developed through online sources, you are so right, are incredible and definitely unexpected. And I think a lot of us are astounded at how long it can take to go from aspring to THERE. So many unexpected hurdles come up along the way, but still, we keep going. Great post!
Same here! I had no idea how slow the publishing industry moves. Crazy!
Flexibility is what everyone needs for their writing and the publishing biz! Perhaps that's what gets people the most, not being open to the advancing technology and how publishing is affected.
I was thinking about saying something regarding the online relationships I've developed, but I've already said that tons. So I took a different road in my answer. You are right though, that's one aspect I never expected (and I'm quite pleased at all the awesome people I've met). As for you getting published though, I have no doubt it will happen soon. You're one of the smartest and most talented writers we have in the group.
:blush: Thanks, Eric! But there are a lot of smart and talented people in this blog chain too.
"Be willing to change ourselves too." That's such a good point!
Slow and steady wins the race :)
Man, I thought my journey would be different too! Really different. Best laid plans, and all that...
You "sound" very down in your response. I don't know what it is...just a vibe, I guess.
Flexibility is the key in this day and age.
Keep your chin up and your nose clean. :-)
Flexibility is key! Publishing is such a slow moving beast that it's hard to imagine seeing my novels in print...
I like the honesty of your response.
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