I.J. Schecter's Blog: Writing Rules

The process of marketing one's book is sometimes thought of as fundamentally at odds with the solitary act of writing. Writers often feel more comfortable being alone with the page, and safely cocooned in the world of the story they are creating, than promoting that world out in the real one. The "sales" side of being an author can feel strange indeed, since all writers have the same desire: write the best thing you can, have the guts to send it out into the world, then watch as people flock to it. Things aren't that simple, of course, especially in today's publishing landscape. I've always felt that marketing one's work requires a shift in mindset whereby you force yourself to split into two people - one the author who writes the stuff, the other the person who promotes it. I've found that adopting this intentional dual personality helps me in being willing to provide an answer when people say, "So, what are you working on?" There is an instinct to clam up and say nothing. But people ask because they want to know. And what you've written might be of benefit to them, for enjoyment, entertainment, information or inspiration. Don't be shy about talking about your writing. You work hard at it. It isn't easy. Not everyone can do it. Be a champion of your own efforts.

I've just received the first author copies of my new book, Do You Ever Cry, Dad?, and, as always, I feel the same combination of exhilaration and anxiety. I remember receiving the printed copies of my first book and having the same two emotions - that great surge of adrenaline at seeing the final product finally become real, and that cold nervousness at wondering whether anyone other than my mom was ever going to read a word of it.

As any writer knows, the journey of writing a book is very much its own reward. Others choosing to read it is a separate reward, related but independent of the process itself. The journey of writing this book has been particularly rich and rewarding because it was so hard to do. If others choose to read it, I will be overjoyed. But the first part of the journey, once completed, will always contain its own special magic.

I'm in the midst of soliciting blurbs and editing the cover copy for my new book. This is always an exciting time in the publication process, the final touches on a long and exhilarating roller-coaster. It's also making me think of books that contain some of my favourite cover copy and blurbs.

For me, the king of cover copy is Dave Barry. From Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltline: "Sensing the need for a thoughtful, balanced book to explain our deeply troubling national policital process, Dave Barry has not even come close." From Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need: "Air Travel (Or: Why Birds Never Look Truly Relaxed)". His covers make me laugh as much as his books.

And the crown for blurbs goes hands-down to my other comedy idol, Tina Fey. The wonderful endorsements for the brilliant Bossypants include "Totally worth it," from Trees, "I hope that's not really the cover. That's really going to hurt sales" from her dad, and, best of all, "Hilarious and insightful. Laugh-out-loud funny - oh no, a full moon. No! Arrgh! Get away from me! Save yourself!" from A Guy Turning Into a Werewolf.

What appears on the cover should reflect what appears between the pages. Thanks for the lessons, Dave and Tina!

I remember heaing someone once say that nothing opens a child's world more than learning to read. It's so true. There are other big milestones that give kids immediate boosts in freedom and awareness (learning to ride a bike comes to mind), but reading really does transform one's world. And not just when we first learn to read, but as we continue to read - new forms, new genres, new authors - and discover the different worlds that stories allow us to enter. Everything we read adds a new layer to our existence. It's one of the reasons I so love to write.

There are plenty of rules to writing well, and many writers, from Ernest Hemingway to Elmore Leonard, have put their own brilliant spin on them. The name of my blog refers only secondarily to the principles one should follow if one wishes to write effectively. It refers primarily to the fact that I love to write, have always loved to write, consider writing a source of oxygen, and can hardly imagine a higher feeling that nailing a sentence. Writing rules, in other words. Maybe I should have called it Writing Rocks.