“I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” Abraham Lincoln
Throughout any given year, I attend over a dozen writing related events. These events include, but are not limited to: retreats, workshops, conferences, book festivals and so on. Additionally, I meet weekly with local writers, and at least monthly with my critique group.
“A happy life is one spent in learning, earning, and yearning.” Lillian Gish
Here’s where I am leading with this. I could safely say that, at all the writing events I’ve attended, I’ve seen New York Times bestselling authors not only as speakers, but also as listeners (learners). They are students just like me, there to hone their craft. We are all there to learn more techniques, ideas, nuances of the writing craft and of the industry.
“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.” George Santayana
I’ve sat alongside these bestsellers as they take notes during workshops. They ask the speaker questions. They fully participate in every way as a student. They are there because they know that they always need to continue to learn. Apparently, there is not some magical awakening that happens when you hit it big and get published by one of the legacy publishers. Nor is there time to rest when you make it to the top of any of the epublishing bestseller lists.
“Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life as a continuous learning experience.” Denis Waitley
There isn’t a point in time when a best-seller can say, “I’ve made it big, and therefore I know all that I need to know. Therefore, I can sit back and coast from here on out.” Ask any NY Time’s best-seller that has been dumped by an editor or agent. They can tell you that resting on your laurels is not an option. Our industry is not stagnant. Our industry is exciting because it is constantly evolving and changing, and we, as writers, must do the same. If not, we will be left behind as relics, stuck like dinosaurs in the Le Brea Tar Pits.
“Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” C.S. Lewis
As writers, we should always be developing, shifting, changing, and moving. All the while we must, as writers, maintain our integrity. We need to keep our true voice and know who we are.
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Abigail Adams
Do you still have the very first manuscript you ever wrote? Or, are you one of the one in a trillion that had their very first manuscript published? If you are like me, you hope that your first manuscript will never see the light of day. Well, I stand corrected. My first completed manuscript will never see the light of day- again. I had pitched my very first manuscript, a woman’s fiction, at my first Romance Writers of America National conference in Atlanta, GA in 2006. I left with requests for partials and fulls.
“As long as we are paying attention, everything we do contains an opportunity to learn something.” Sue Ellen Cooper, The Red Hat Society’s Laugh Lines
At that time, my manuscript was indeed complete, albeit in a very (bad) rough draft. It was in no shape to send out. So, I worked, rewrote, and edited until my fingers and eyes were numb. Editors and agents say it’s better to get your manuscript to them later and done right, than to get it to them fast and wrong.
“I find four great classes of students: The dumb who stay dumb. The dumb who become wise. The wise who go dumb. The wise who remain wise.” Martin H. Fischer
It took almost a year to get my first manuscript polished and edited. Near the end of 2007, I felt it was ready and I sent out the requested submissions. At that time, I also submitted dozens of blind submissions as well. Slowly, the rejections flowed in. But also, requests for rewrites did as well. A big time agent courted me for a while, and our emails flew back and forth. A publisher was also very interested and said that they loved both my story and my voice. By the way, I still find it a little ironic to say ‘a writer’s voice,’ which means something audible, when, it is just written words that have been read. I’ve digressed. Anyway, in the end, the agent and publisher passed on my first manuscript, but added a positive twist. They asked that I send them my next manuscript directly to their attention.
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” Chinese Proverb
Here is the point; throughout the whole process, I learned. I found out what worked in my story and what did not. As an award-winning Harlequin author, Renee Ryan said, “Learn from your rejections. Is there a common theme? Form letter rejections do not help you as much as those that mention specific examples, such as if your plotline is weak or they did not care for your heroine. You must take information gleaned from these helpful rejections, and hone your craft.”
“What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity. In the end there are no certain answers.” Martina Horner
Here are actual excerpts from helpful, non-form letter rejections that I have received: “I think you’ve got a good story here. The writing is smooth and you really capture the reader with that opening prologue.” “I do think you’re quite talented and could envision you turning this into something much more tight and engaging.” “I’d love to see it (the full)! You are really close to being published!” “Your voice is terrific. Although I will pass on this (manuscript) please send your next manuscript directly to my attention.” Ultimately, I put away the manuscript (HARMONY HILL) that generated those comments, and moved onto my next manuscript, LIQUID LIES. From submitting HARMONY HILL, I’ve learned what to improve and work on. We need to find learning moments in rejections.
“All things good to know are difficult to learn.” Greek Proverb
So I pose a few questions to all of you out there in WG2E-Land:
How do you learn?
What do you do to hone your craft, improve your writing?
What have you learned along your writing journey?
Great post!
I learn by writing, writing, writing… and by having people read my work and give me constructive feedback. Every novel seems to have its own particular challenges! I’m also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association (the UK’s RWA) and I regularly attend Londonc chapter meetings as well as industry talks and workshops. You’re only as good as your last novel and I love to learn about ways I can improve and move forward in my writing career.
Yes so true Talli, writing and writing again is a great way to learn. Thank you for your comments:)
Great post, Lois. It is so important that we continue to learn.
Matt, thanksso much for your kind words:) By the way, what are you doing up at 2:56 a.m.?
Editing.
How do you learn?
I read and I do. I’m one of those eye-hand visual learners. Don’t just show me; let me try…and let me fail if necessary.
What do you do to hone your craft, improve your writing?
I read, write, read, write, read, write…well, you get the picture. I read in almost all genres. I also read and collect nonfiction books about different subjects that connect with the fiction I’m writing.
What have you learned along your writing journey?
I’ll never be finished. I know I’ll have a notebook and pencil (never a pen because I make too many mistakes) with me on my deathbed.
Mitzi, I am with you on never using a pen (I am a horrific speller and wish I had automatic spell check loaded in my brain) Yes, I so agree, reading is critical to learning as well. I always have no less than three books on my nightstands, and several loaded on my nook ready to go. And I always have something in my car to read- for sitting in carpool. Thank you for sharing
You nailed it right here, Lois:
“Our industry is not stagnant. Our industry is exciting because it is constantly evolving and changing, and we, as writers, must do the same. If not, we will be left behind as relics, stuck like dinosaurs in the Le Brea Tar Pits.”
It is all about learning together how to keep our careers forever evolving. We do that by being willing to share our real numbers and real experiences, as well as by being able to listen to each other and adapt what we’re learning to our own career paths.
Excellent post, and I luuuvvv all the quotes! Every one of ‘em are now in my keeper-file I call “Quotes to Live By”.
U Go, Girl!!!
Thanks D.D. I love quotes too. I find them very inspirational and have my favorite quotes printed out and posted by my writing station.
Let’s see…to answer your questions too…
How do you learn?
I learn by studying more than hard, taking in everything I learn, adapting it to my needs and goals, and then doing something with it. The key is “the doing” part. Many people learn what to do…they just don’t do it.
What do you do to hone your craft, improve your writing?
I read a ton of books, across all genres (at least 5 per month)…and that’s a lot when you’re also writing at the rate I’m writing. I also choose a different On-Writing book every couple of months and try new techniques. That keeps the writing process itself fresh for me too. Out of all those how-to books, I’ve then developed my very own novel writing process.
What have you learned along your writing journey?
To continue to move forward in your career and grow, you’ve got to be aware of what Julia Cameron calls Crazy-makers and Wet-Blankets (in her book The Artist’s Way). You’ve got to get those kinda peeps out of your life. Then, focus instead and partner with what I call the Warm Fuzzy Towel Peeps…those people who truly nurture you, get you, and can move forward with you.
Yes, great points D.D. This year one of my goals (so to speak) was to not only continue to nurture the positive relationships in my life, but also to let go and/or reduce the time spent with the wet blankets. Sometimes you have no choice and have to spend time with wet blankets, for example if they are family members or co workers, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend any extra time than required with them:)
Good post. I was learning a lot through my college program but now that I’m down to writing my thesis I’ve lost a lot of my face time with other writers, editors, critique group, etc. so now I’m readjusting. Reading more and like DeeDee I’ll try On-Writing books. Anything to grow the brain.
And of course I write, continually write.
Jamie- thank you for sharing:)
Hey
Anyone selling ebooks on the following sites omnilit.com and Bookstrand.com?
Kia- right now I do not, but maybe someone here does?
I do not, Kia.
How do I learn? By going to talks, workshops and conferences (I belong to the RNA like Talli). By reading. I am an avid reader of both adult and children’s fiction. I also read non-fiction. And blogs such as these, where I learn an awful lot.
What do I do to hone my craft? Learn from other people, esp my editor. Try not to repeat my previous mistakes.
What have I learnt along the way? A lot. About plot, description etc. About making the most of new chances and technology. That you don’t have to be trad published to get there. And there are others out there who will support you. I am still learning, esp from you guys here.
Julie-yes – like you I learn a great deal right here at WG2E. But also being and avid reader helps alot too:)
I’m always reading and researching, sometimes to a fault, where I use it to avoid facing a blank page that scares me.
Alicia- blank pages scare me as well:)
Great post. I learn by reading the books by authors who inspire me. How do they write? What is it that I love about the way they write etc etc.
Unfortunately (or actually fortunately, it was my choice) I live out in the boonies so being able to get to physical critque groups, conferences, book fairs etc is not easy. I would love to go to a conference but at the moment it is cost prohibitive.
So I visit blogs like this one, go on forums etc and learn loads that way
Alison, thank you for sharing. And it is nice to feel connected with you here at WG2E!
My biggest lessons came from my failures. I examined why agents rejected me, took everything to heart and improved on my story. Eventually, it landed me one of those big NYC agents. Now I’m learning patience as I wait for the story to sell. He suggested I look into indie, and self-publish short stories, to strengthen my voice. That’s what brought me here. And I’m learning something new everyday, about indie, and the authors who are part of the process.
Wow, I so agree- failure is a huge learning moment Joanie! We at WG2E are glad that you are here!
Every now and then I like to going to writing seminars/conferences outside of my genre. It’s refreshing and fun to see what others are doing. I also recently started going to the Woodstock Film Festival and I attend the Actors Dialogue or Women in Film 2 hour events and attend screenings and ask the director about a choice he made or about his process. It is inspiring to see these indie films and the people who make them!
Liz, it sounds like you have a lot of learning moments that are fun too:) Thank you for sharing.
How do you learn? – Reading, watching, doing. I’m very much learn by doing type of person.
I once attended a Reenactment with my mother (and plan on doing more) to find out what it’s like to cook over an open fire. I even tried my hand at baking bread in an woodstove oven (and not following directions = uncooked bread *sigh*). That’s part of what I love about my writing, I get to look up all sorts of interesting topics.
For example: Did you know that a dowry was not the money paid to the father to take a duaghter off his hands, but the compensation the father was given for taking away a fully trained worker from his household? Not to mention that the dowry was often something the woman could keep and provided assurance that she wouldn’t be misused!
What do you do to hone your craft, improve your writing? – writing mostly for the moment.
I’m starting to get back into reading, fiction, books on writing better and looking into classes I can take. Having my husband (who’s not a writer) look at my work. He spots the uncesassary infromation and confusing passages like a hawk spotting it’s dinner. *giggles* Hopefully I’ll be learning from his comments and others, when I finally get myself a critique partner or group. :}
What have you learned along your writing journey? – I need to keep writing, keep reading, and not be afraid to be out there and having all sorts of different types look at my work for feedback.
:} Cathrryn
Cathrryn, too funny about cooking bread in a woodstove oven! Isn’t it great to have a hubby that will edit? When my hubby has time, he does the final edits for me as well. Thank you for sharing:)
My Mom cam make a whole dinner on the wood cook stove! (or in her fireplace, when I ask her too, that was a funny day, with me in 18th cnetury grab, typing away on my netbook…)
And you’re welcome.
I’ve been writing a long time, and have seen major changes in the writing industry and community over the years. One thing I’ve learned, is to follow your gut first and then your heart. It’s a tough business, and has gotten tougher over the past few years. Indie is easy to publish, but not easy to sell. The field is crowded and growing more crowded every hour of every day. The biggest lesson for me has been to hang in there, and keep learning, to keep working at my craft.
Right on Lee, every time I follow my gut first and then my heart I can’t go wrong! Thank you for sharing.
I takes classes, read books, and write every day. Every time I learn something new — if it sinks in, that is, LOL! — it improves my work. Thanks for the great post, Lois!
Shelia- I love when “stuff” sinks in too:) Thank you for your sweet comments:)
Read Read Read Write Write Write. I read across all genres. Look for the ways they are different from what I write. Then I write my stuff, read it out loud. Does it flow? Does it sound pleasant to the ear. I love taking workshops and going to conferences. There is just such energy when you are around other writers. They just ‘get’ you.
Jill- you are sooo right. Reading what we write outloud helps us see if it flows! Thank you for sharing:)
Great post, Lois. Lifelong learning is critical to ongoing success. I too have seen best selling authors taking notes and learning beside me. well done
It’s never too late to learn, thank for your comments Louise!
This was the perfect day for me to read your post. I felt stuck in a rut. You’ve inspired me. I’m going to go off and learn something now.
P.R. – I’m glad you were inspired by reading this post, and I do hope it helps get you unstuck. Thank you for sharing:)
On each new writing project (no matter what it is), I purposely give myself new rules, new limitations (usually ones that can be naturally extrapolated from the story, its theme, characterizations, etc.). I find that this pushes my boundaries, forces me to be more inventive, and significantly expands my understanding of writing and how to communicate what most needs to be communicated at any given moment.
There’s always room for growth, for refinement, for greater control, for more varied skill, and well… more. Also, I find the challenges to work within each new set of rules/limitations to be fun. It keeps the act of writing fresh and invigorating.
For me, though, typically, I get bored when I get too comfortable, too familiar, too generally competent at something (not claiming I ever become an expert, which is different). And boredom, for me, can be a form of torture. ~_~ooo
Randirogue, you said it so well, “There’s always room for growth, for refinement, for greater control, for more varied skill, and well… more. Also, I find the challenges to work within each new set of rules/limitations to be fun. It keeps the act of writing fresh and invigorating.” Thanks for sharing:)
Lois, I’ve trained trainers, and if you don’t do that, know that you could.
The quotations are great, and I love those (I’ve been working on a book of quotations for decades), and the way you led into questions at end was perfect.
I wanted to share this one with you. I always remember (although I don’t have the precise quotation) when the actor Yul Brynner responded to the question about what he would like to have on his tombstone. Brynner said, approximately, “I would like it to say, ‘I have arrived’…because when you believe you have arrived, you’re dead.”
I’ve always taken that with me as a philosophy: I never believe I’ve finally arrived somewhere, but that my journey continues. I also like to say, “The more you know, the more you know there is to know,” which fits your bestselling authors who are audience members…