Writing Tips: What I Wish I Knew

I get asked one question a lot, especially from fellow writers:

What did I wish I knew about writing when I first started out?


And there's a lot of different answers for this--because I knew nothing, and there's a lot of things I really wish I had known. Some things are basic: don't query too early, get a crit partner, do your research before you send queries, learn how to format a manuscript. Some are more complicated, things like how to pace, how to plan a story arc, how to create interesting characters.

But if there was one thing that I wish I had known before started this whole thing, it is simply this:

It is unreasonable to expect your first manuscript to be published.


Sure, it happens. But honestly, you shouldn't expect it. I wish I'd known this--and believed it--before I even started to try to seek publication.

Here's the thing. You don't expect an artist to sell his first painting for a million bucks. You don't expect a singer to get a record deal based on one song. And while yes, it does happen, you shouldn't expect it.

But if I had learned that lesson, I think I'd add another lesson at the end of it.

Treat every manuscript like The One.


Because yeah, not all of my early manuscripts were worthwhile. But I believed they were--and I put in the work on them. I edited, revised, rewrote. And that's what taught me to get better. If I'd known the manuscripts I wrote before would never sell, I wouldn't have worked so hard on them. And if I'd not worked so hard on them, I never would have gotten better.

14 comments:

Lyla said...

Thanks for the advice, Beth! I agree about the first manuscript. I've written three books since and I've gotten a LOT better!

Jessica R. Patch said...

Great advice and true! I've learned so much since the first one.

S. J. Pajonas (spajonas) said...

I'm considering the 10+ years I spent writing screenplays as my "first works" or else I would be worried I might never publish! :)

Sometimes you do have to rewrite a story a dozen times before it becomes even remotely sellable. Great advice, Beth!

Mary Ann said...

Thank you. This post was definitely worth my time this morning!

Leigh Ann said...

:( I was worried about this. :(

Oh, well - I'm glad my MS was finished and polished to a shine before I realized it. Now I can get to the next one...which could be The One. :)

Thanks for the encouragement and awesomeness as always!

Reid Kemper said...

True. I heard an author once say that the first 100,00 words you write on a book (or books) are just training material, and that once you write the first book, you should start on the second and use what you learned. Basically, don't wait on getting the first one published.

aliyaa said...

In personal statement examples medical school is a help for applicants. In writing, you need enough time because it is not easy to make the essay. You need an advice to do better than expected.

Unknown said...

A website has to be optimized for the major search engines like Google and Yahoo if it is to have the desired impact (high traffic and consequently high conversion). There are several search engine optimization (SEO) techniques that you could use to optimize your website for search engines, helpful link

Unknown said...

The AP Spanish Language communication may be a method for {college kids|for college students} to earn college credit and prove their proficiency in Spanish. The check evaluates the student's ability to browse, write, speak and hear Spanish. it's a three-hour comprehensive communication that may need the coed to indicate an entire understanding of the language. homepage

Unknown said...

Deletion and format square measure entirely totally different subjects tho' there's a small tendency to confuse between these 2 functions on a laptop. to clarify this in short, deletion of files and software package during a laptop mean that they're touched to a storage compartment referred to as 'recycle bin' till any instruction is passed on thereto to empty itself of its contents. visit the site

Unknown said...

Even though it is only 500 words you must write, it can be the hardest aspect of the school application process. There are just two aims that you must accomplish with your essay; original you want to convince the admissions officer that you're worth admittance for their faculty, and second you want to show them that you're not just a GPA or standardized score, you are a real person that wants to represent their college. graduate school admission essay is very helpful for the graduate school admission.

mikon said...

I think this is a great advice for the writers who are working in a great pattern like to give the good service to the readers which are interested in this. Like if you manage the letter of intent pharmacy residency then you must have the proper skills in this field for better understanding.

mikon said...

To start the small business is not an easy task. You need the money and proper plan in order to run the small business on the good scale. You have to give best personal statement for computer science so that the other person or company will know about your financial and other statements.

Patricia R. Cole said...

The tips or points that you display on this site are totally great and it really works. Moreover, I added some more amazing words for your additional comments uc application and want to say that you brings always such article which is unique and the information is wonderful. Keep sharing such kind of information.