What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a writer? What is your greatest reward from writing?
The most challenging aspect for me is that I don't draw all my satisfaction from the writing itself. In other words, I need validation from others to achieve my writing career goals.
My ultimate goal is to write fiction full-time. To do that, I need readers who will pay for my work. To get those readers, I need (I believe) a publisher whose backing will lend credence to my books. To get such a publisher, I need to seduce an editor (with prose, of course). To make today's editor fall in love, I need to write a book that is at once intriguing in concept, marketable to a target audience, and solid in execution.
So far, most rewarding has been achieving that concept, marketability, and execution to increasingly
higher degrees. I've learned a lot and continue to learn every day -- sometimes just things I'd have picked up long ago if I'd studied creative writing or literature in school. I suppose my writing rewards will change; I imagine that seeing your book on the shelf, hearing from an enthusiastic reader, and getting a steady royalty checks and contracts are very rewarding. So I'm excited to see what's in store.
Be sure to read previous-link Cole's post, then next-link Kate's tomorrow.
11 ate pie:
Gah! Between a writers' conference and a toddler's birthday I missed my post. Will get on that ASAP.
I loved your post, though, because I feel entirely the same way. I'm jealous of the people who write soley for themselves without needing validation.
I think it's good that you know what you need to do to reach your goal and keep making progress toward it. I think all writers want others to read their read their work and love it. Still, you've set yourself a very challenging goal, and it may take you a lot of work to reach it. I wish you success and hope you get some enjoyment from the journey itself.
Oh I totally get that, esp since I said my biggest reward was hearing from someone who enjoyed my work. Which means when the opposite happens, it stings pretty bad :)
Yep, I can relate. We tell our stories because they'll rattle around inside until we let them out, but I totally understand wanting someone to *like* the words we've produced. Good luck in reaching your goal!
Cole - looking forward to it!
Sandra - thanks - enjoying it so far.
Michelle - it'll be interesting to get that first negative review.
Sarah - thanks!
I think it's so important to realize that the rewards of writing will always be evolving. Great post!!
BJ - I think they'll evolve just as the milestones do (1st manuscript finished, 1st rejection letter, 1st request for material, signing w/ agent, selling to pub, etc). It's just fine w/ me if the rewards keeps growing and changing!
I'm excited to see what's in store too :) I know you're going to achieve all the goals you've named. Of course, doing them once isn't enough. We get to do them over and over again, and so far it's still as nerve wracking as it was the first time.
Shaun - Ah, great point, building on Bonnie's comment - the goals will evolve, and achieving them once won't be the end-all be-all. Not as many career-long writer/publisher relationships as once there were, for one thing.
Thanks for the encouragement, all!
Loved this post! I find that seeking validation is my Achilles heel in this biz. It boils down to confidence in what you're throwing out and the end result. We could all use a healthy dose of that now and then!
Amanda - WORD.
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