Thursday, August 18, 2005

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Q:

Sometimes my parents don't take my stories I write seriously, and I'm afraid if I try to get them published, the publishers won't take me seriously.

A:
This is a common problem for all writers -- not just young ones. What we do seems easy to outsiders.
Want to hear 3 remarks writers (including me) hear?
"You write for kids? How cute. That must be lots simpler than writing for adults."
"I have this great idea for a book. All YOU have to do is write it for me. It'll be easy. You know, put in the commas and conversation and stuff -- and I'll split the money with you!"
"Gee, you've published _#__ books? You are so lucky!"

Simple? Easy? Lucky?
Hello? What IS that substance in your Slurpee?

Probably they're just confused. They think TYPING = writing and I bet they've never tried to write something worth reading.
So what do you do?
Here's a start: Do things that prove YOU take your writing seriously.
SET A TIME of day you WILL be writing.
Ask if you can do your chores, homework etc, any other time. If not, adjust your writing schedule, but don't give up.
STICK WITH YOUR SCHEDULE.
Don't: watch TV. Don't pause to play a video game. Don't run down to the corner out for nachos. Ask yourself if, in a year, you'll be happier that you've written 300 pages of a book, or watched TV programs you can't remember.
Do: Arrange for someone else to take phone calls which come for you. Concentrate on your story, not what's going on around you. Ignore IMs or respond (politely) that you're writing.
BE STRONG. If you're asked to go out for ice cream, say "Yes! Thank you! Can we please go in ten minutes when my writing hour is over?"
SET A PAGE LIMIT and act happy (dance, throw confetti, kiss your cat) when you've met it. Start out with a low page limit. Anyone can write one page per day.
MESSY FIRST DRAFTS -- are great & this is how you'll keep to your page limit, but do not share them with anyone.
SPARKLING FINAL DRAFTS -- since you've created great curiosity among your friends & family by staying on your schedule, they may ask to read your writing. Sharing is up to you. I don't recommend it until the story is finished. If you decide to do it, though, your final drafts must look great. Spelling counts. Sorry, but when people see misspellings, they assume the writing is no good. Is that fair? No. Is it true! Absolutely.
More about publishers, later.

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 7:11 AM

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