As an author, I draw attention. This is usually a good thing, that’s what we want, right? Over the last couple of years, I’ve picked up what I would consider “writing groupies.” They see I’ve had some success, and hover over me like young hawks hoping I’ll provide them with enlightenment and the magical words they need to strike it big. Something irks me about this younger generation of writers: lack of discipline and professionalism.
I spent 20 years in the military. Yeah, if you don’t have discipline, they will shove it down your throat for you. What I see from young writers is laziness. You must work on your craft every day, rain or shine, responsibilities or not. If you are serious about writing, you must buckle down and make the time. Do the research, understand the principles of publishing, and don’t think you can rush a book into print. I may publish 2-3 books a year, but those books were probably written 1-2+ years ago. I research, write, let it marinate, edit/re-read, and make any research changes all before it even gets to my editor. This stuff takes time! You will not be a millionaire overnight. — I’m still waiting…
And then there is professionalism. If you aspire to being a writer, then you of all people are held in higher esteem of the English language. No, we’re not absolutely perfect in our poetry or prose, but if you’re a wanna-be writer contacting me for help, and the best you can manage is something that’s mostly a text message; do not expect me to help you! I am NOT impressed by textspeak, lack of spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. If you want help, at least have the courtesy to show me you have some command of the English language. If you’re from a foreign country, and English is not your primary language, that’s cool, I’ll give you a break. If, however, your primary language is English, then there is no excuse for laziness. It’s sad to say, some folks in foreign countries have a better knowledge of English then we do. And this is OUR language! So much has already happened to adulterate our language, let’s not mess it up more by being sloppy with words.
Lastly, if you’re fortunate enough to receive mentoring from an established author, don’t go overboard in bothering them. Authors are busy people too. Most have jobs besides writing, and they have bills to pay. Be polite and don’t bomb them with: “Can you read this and tell me what you think?” This is the fastest way to have them disassociate your friendship. It’s okay once in a while to ask for feedback; in fact it’s a necessary part of writing. When you present something to them, you better have edited the daylights out of it! Check spelling, grammar, plot arc, consistency of characters, and anything that would detract from your story. They are doing you a favor by reading it; don’t give them a headache because of errors. Show them you are a professional.
Following the rules and learning the etiquette of writers will go a long way in creating a lasting friendship with an established author. I have some “groupies” that I’ve mentored for a few years now, and we stay in contact. I enjoy reading their work because I know they’ve done what was necessary to present me with a readable manuscript. It’s just the same as turning in sub-par homework to your teacher, you’re gonna hear about it. Don’t sell yourself short; you’ll only end up with a story no one wants to read. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a good book.
Kathy: Great advice, and not just for writers, but for any young person trying to make it in any profession. As a fellow military veteran (20 years in the army), I can only say, yay! on the need for discipline.
So you know where I’m preaching from, brother in arms!
“some folks in foreign countries have a better knowledge of English then we do.”
‘than’ we do 🙂
Oops, was high on my soap box at the time. At least I spelled it right!
🙂 Sorry, couldn’t resist, being a “folk in a foreign country”. You’re right. Indie writers are penalized by those who rush to put their very first draft online.
Hey, you foreign folks are usually better at the English language than we are! Kudos to you!
My editor disagrees with you 😉
Good advice. I am actually surprised at how many writers put a lot of effort into giving advice and feedback to budding newbies. It takes a great deal of time that I am sure could be spent writing things that may earn them a living.
Considering I’m JUST a farmer, I have all the time in the world. And if you believe that, I’ve got a lovely bridge you might be interested in. LOL
In the military, they encourage mentoring. I guess since I’m out, the old habits die hard. I look at it this way- I was in their shoes once and I was grateful for anyone who would even give me the time of day, let alone a tasty morsel of help in writing. Paying it forward.
Great post, Kathy. I would also add reading to the list of important activites for aspiring writers. If you don’t have time to read, you can’t really write. Even Stephen King echoes this sentiment. It’s essential, and there is so much to be learned from other authors. That being said, what you and Charlie said about discipline is absolutely on target. Writing is a craft and the mastery of any craft (if it can be mastered – one can always learn) lies in discipline and the will to make yourself better.
I got the discipline, and must admit I do fall short on the reading part. Although today I was at the doctors and read an awesome article that may just become a movie script. There are times I fear reading and even watching TV/movies will put someone else’s ideas into my head and I’ll end up using them without really giving it thought. Research, however, just fuels my mind!
Errors, big and small, distract readers and cause authors to lose face. In the realms of indie and self-publishing, we fight a daily battle to prove that we are just as good, if not better than, the authors sponsored by the Big Six. And the best way we can do that is to publish polished and professionally edited writing.
Oh, trust me, I’ve seen my share of errors on IU. Pobody’s nerfect! As long as there is forgiveness, that’s all that counts. I do have an editor that gets all my novels. And I’ve seen some BAD errors on Big 6 novels too. You just have to decide if it’s really detracting from the story or not.
True. Actually, is it me or the level of careful editing, even on traditionally published works, have gone down the sewer?
I’ve seen some sad works. Personally, my editor wants to see my work at least twice before she blesses it for publication. I love her!
Must be the trait of good editors. Mine does the same. First pass, hands to me, then she wants it again.
Just to be sure, she says 🙂
That’s my personal high horse too. I’m embarrassed to say how many I spotted reading through my own post today though. 🙁
Great post, Kathy.
Well, manure happens. I’m a farmer, so I know all about that!
hahaha
Good stuff, Kathy. I confess that I even tend to judge other writers by their Facebook posts. An occasional typo is one thing — but an online group with other writers in it is a *professional* group, so please re-read before you post.
And that’s my rant for the day. 😀
Agreed. And that should always extend to correspondence with others- writers or not. We wear our brands in our words. I certainly wouldn’t send an error ridden email to a movie producer!
Excellent post, Kathy. Right there with you on the discipline having spent my time in the Navy and come from a long line of family in the military. I agree that, as Charlie said, kids in any profession lack discipline as well as good work ethics; sad to say they don’t even know what that word means. I agree with Lynne too that in a professional writer’s group we should still make every effort to come across as professional. Thankfully, facebook has made it easy for us to edit our comments if we see an error after we post the comment.
Go Navy! Yes, everyone in my family was Navy, and I joined the Air Force. They forgave me.
I think today with all the texting, folks have forgotten there is a need for capital letters, spaces, real words, and sentences. Getting an email like this:
hi id like to get your opinion on a book chapter can you help me
Yeah, that just screams lazy to me. And I have gotten emails like that.
And editing posts on FB is great, although it does put a little gray tag under your post stating “edited”- so anyone can click on that and see what you edited. Didn’t realize that until we got into a discussion last week about it. At least we can try and put our best foot forward.
That is funny, Kathy. Out of all the relatives — cousins and uncles — I am the only one who went in the Navy and both husbands were Navy.
I did not realize you could click on the edit to see what was edited. It drives me nuts when I see my errors and cant fix them, like in these comments, lol.
This posts reminds me of the following pearls of wisdom:
“Young people of today…..” – Anon 1679
“Thou fair folk have foresaken all regarde for the King’s language. Ye Gods!” – Sir Edward Smythe the second
“If I can’t be cranky then why the hell would I want to be a writer anyway? Its certainly not for the money or prestige. Now get off my lawn.” – quote by seasoned author, who I sort of had a crush on until I met them in real life.
All jokes aside, the article pointed to some key areas that all writers need to take on board…..regardless of age, ethnicity, where they sit in the pecking order or choice of publishing pathway. We are all in this together.
All the best,
Karen
Alleluia
G8t stuff, just kidding, no more text speak.
Seriously, good work. I think it not only applies to the new generation, but the older generation of writers that think they can make it big in this world just because “everyone” is doing it.
Exactly!
I’m with you a hundred percent, Kathy, I certainly agree with the military and discipline part, I only had five years but getting it when I did (the first five years after leaving school) made so much difference in my life. And I definitely agree with the text speak thing: I have two sons who text me all the time; it didn’t take them long to switch on to the fact that I didn’t answer when they used text speak, or didn’t capitalise or punctuate. Although perhaps it was the, “What was that? I didn’t understand what you were trying to say. Say it in English.” Now, if I make the slightest mistake while texting them they jump on it straight away; I love it!
Excellent post, Kathy.
Ah, getting the kids trained- good for you! Perhaps if enough parents did this, the English language might just be saved. I admit, I use a few occasional abbreviations- LOL, BTW, and yes, I do feel lazy when I do that. However, I refuse to fall into the textspeak (simply because I don’t have a phone capable of texting) and I don’t want folks to think I’m not a professional.
So what branch of military? I’m going to do a post on an excellent group that is specifically for military writers. I’ve been in it for almost 3 years and have made wonderful friends. So stay tuned for that!
I have to be honest here, Kathy, my boys are not exactly kids; thirty-six and thirty-nine years old to be exact, but parents and their children are always parents and their children.
As for my military unit: Airborne, the 1st Battalion, British Parachute Regiment, the infamous ‘Red Devils’ no less; back in the day, considered by some, one of the best fighting units in the world. At least that’s what we were told and, steeped in the elitism we were fed, we totally believed it. Two of my books, ‘Utrinque Paratus’ (fiction) and ‘I Was a Teenage Devil – But I’m Alright Now!’ (memoir), are situated in and around the British Airborne Forces.
Way cool! No, despite being Air Force, I was NOT going to jump out of any perfectly good aircraft. I went for medical instead.