Posts in Series for Annette McCleave
Ok, I admit it. I was incredibly naive when I set out to become an author. I knew I had a decent command of the English language. In fact, I’d been told by several people that I was an excellent writer. Ergo, it should only take me a year or so to write a good book, and another year to sell it. Right?
Wrong. I’m still working on writing and perfecting that book and my two years are up. 
It took an author comparing writing a great book to creating a great painting for me to finally get it. Would you expect to pick up a paintbrush, mix a few colors and, after a couple of months, produce something worthy of hanging in an art gallery? No, you wouldn’t. You’d instinctively understand that to be capable of creating a work of art, you’d first need to master techniques: be a genius with color, excel in layering and see everything in terms of light and texture. You’d understand that a painter must get to the point where they know the basics so incredibly well, they also know how and when to break the rules. You’d understand that for a painter to be recognized as talented, there must a unique flavor to his/her work, and an element of brilliance. You’d understand that it might take a painter a lifetime to achieve such a state.
Why was it so easy for me to get this about painting and so hard to get it about writing? I don’t know. It’s probably related to the same wackiness that has people you meet at a party say, “You wrote a book? Yeah, I’m going to do that, too. Next month, maybe.”Â
So, here I am, investing blood, sweat and tears toward the goal of writing mastery. I get it now. And I’m a lot more patient about how quickly I’ll see results (not endlessly patient, but more patient :wink:).
Annette - I wonder if it’s because most of us have to do some form of writing no matter what we do in life, whereas painting is taken up specifically as a hobby and / or profession. Writing is something we’re taught at school, whereas painting isn’t, at least not generally beyond the primary/intermediate grades.
Writing, therefore, isn’t thought of as something so special, whereas those of us who *do* as more than just something routine, *know* how much work goes into it. Or, we learn. Like you, I made the same assumption and the same mistake.:grin:
on March 22nd, 2005 at 8:03 am
Yeah, I’m with Sylvia. Had no clue what I was doing. Probably still don’t, unfortunately. Have learned by trial and error, read books (not of the “how to” variety but, rather, what was getting published) and kept my ears open for insight and information. Seems to me at some point you have to just do it. A “how to” book can tell you general thoughts and give you ideas but it’s possible none of those would work for you. Have you ever gone to the RWA conference? They pass out this huge book of handouts. There are diagrams and all kinds of things that are supposed to help you plot, etc. The first time I saw it I almost thrrew up. I thought: my god, am I supposed to be doing this? I can’t! The answer, of course, was no because that stuff didn’t work for me.
Keep writing and submitting (no matter how hard that process is) and listening to folks like Sylvia who clearly believe in you and won’t let you put out something sub-par.
on March 20th, 2005 at 1:46 pm
Having passion(*G* another “P” word) is also a must. If there’s not passion behind what you’re creating, it’s not going to come to life. I’m such an oxymoron: a stubborn artist. I have a background in the arts, yet I am such a control freak that I always want things to be perfect from the jump street.
But I’m working on that weakness. Great post Annette!
on March 20th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
No and No. *g* I knew nothing. I still know nothing. I sat down one day, started to write, finished and submitted. Then I wrote another, finished, and submitted. Over and over until I sold. I never took classes, never bought a writing book, waited until after I sold to join a chapter, and didn’t have any cps for awhile. Craft is still an unraveling mystery to me.
I’m the worst person to ask about the road to publication. My journey was very short, which in my mind means I’ll have to pay my dues later. Unfortunately, I think that’s when they’re harder.
on March 20th, 2005 at 9:41 am
Thanks HelenKay and Sylvia. You are both kind with the compliments.
Were you guys way more practical and savvy when you started? Did you know tons about craft when you began?
on March 20th, 2005 at 9:32 am
Yes, Annette definitely has the talent.
The first time I read a chapter of hers I was blown away.
The best advice I can give is to keep sending your work out there, keep submitting. I flooded editors from many houses with my work. (And I’m still waiting for some responses from last year.
) It’s too long a wait if you don’t have a lot of your work out there.
on March 20th, 2005 at 8:59 am
Yeah, patience and another “p” word, persistence, those are the keys. I think the naive part you describe comes from the same place where the “wow, I have an idea for a book - how about I give it to you and you write it” stuff does. It seems as if writing should be easier than it is. Go faster than it does. Not involve the energy and emotion it does. But, really, isn’t that the difference between a good book and an amazing book? Between the ones that suck you in and stay on your bookshelf versus the ones you donate?
Having talent is huge. Wanting to write and making that a priority are absolute necessities in my book. But, actually sitting down and getting the words on the paper in a way you know accomplishes what you want accomplished? That’s the hard part. That’s a talent all its own.
Keep doing what you’re doing. Sounds as if you have the right attitude, are on the right track and ave the talent to back it all up.
on March 20th, 2005 at 8:09 am