Claire Manning's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"

What does it takes to be a writer?
In writing my first book, Terra, my goal was to make a difference, to voluntarily leave a mark in this world where, despite all the negativity around us, all these events that we do not seem able to control or satisfactory influence, it would bring something on the positive side of life for a change.
Creating a story from nothing is quite something, isn’t it?
You are sitting before a blank page and then, something amazing happens. You start writing. As you move further along into this uncharted zone yet to become what you intended to be a master piece of your creation. You create characters and the plot as you move along. You spend days and nights, giving your all with the purpose of completing it and checking off one of your bucket list wishes.
Then, when you are done, you immediately go on a hunt to find a publisher who will accept your work.
I mailed samples of my book to hundreds of publishers throughout the US, Canada, UK, Australia, you name it. I was perfectly focused on finding a publisher who would take a chance on me, who would like my work enough to publish it. I was so motivated by my goal; nothing could stop me from reaching it.
Then, I woke up to the fact that “I am not the only writer in this world” while I thought during that moment of publishing, I was exactly that :) . I had big dreams, seeing my story on the silver screen – my ultimate goal!
Then I finally came to the conclusion that I was heading, despite my intentions, towards an unreachable finish line.
It hit me like a ton of bricks; big and high walls of reasons why my book did not fit with the publisher’s requirements.
My book remained in moth balls for a while during which time, I was thinking that the only thing left for me to do was that I’d give myself a little pat on the back and say: Well done, you achieved your goal. Now, pass onto something else because it is not working or it will not happen.
No, I have never been someone who gives up easily. As a matter of fact, when I found out that I could publish my book digitally on various sites, saving me from the humiliation of being told “No”, that was a great feeling.
I wanted to share this with you as my advice to you is to never give up. Never cast aside what you hold dear to your heart as a writer.
I have written several books since the point where I realised that yes, it was possible to publish my books; that my stories could be read by people who love Science-Fiction as much as I do, that my adventure, fantasy or thriller stories could reach the hearts and minds of people who needed to take a break in their lives to enjoy something that I have created with the purpose of giving them genuinely good entertainment.
Always remember this:
What it Takes to be a Writer?
It takes talent – for sure but TENACITY is the key word!
This will serve you well when you are feeling a bit down.
NEVER GIVE UP!