Jessica Russell's Blog - Posts Tagged "polite"
There is NO Easy Way, it Gets Harder Every Day
Unlike a lot of novelists, my “day job” is actually writing as well. I’m a professional web content writer. I guess that career is not quite as glamorous as writing books, because my advisors who have come out of the woodwork since my novel’s been published were never around to advise me about my traditional writing career. Nevertheless, they are here now, and I’m learning how to deal with them and thought I would pass my tips on to everyone else.
I admit I kind of stole that title from a song. It’s an old Air Supply love song, but I think it says "there’s no easy way it gets harder EACH day." Okay so I changed it a little and I’m technically not plagiarizing. Kidding aside, what gets harder each day for writers is unsolicited advice. For some reason, the minute you publish a book, everyone's an expert. Absolutely everyone.
They want to tell you how to market your book, how to set up at your book signings, what to put in your next book, what to have printed on your sign, and even what clothes to wear at your events. Trust me, you’ll find yourself sitting there wondering why you didn’t know you were surrounded by so many experts BEFORE you published your book. I even had one person ask for my password so she could go rearrange this page for me. And silly me, I offended her by turning down her offer to save me from myself.
The first tip I’ve already given… There’s no easy way. Unfortunately, there’s no pat line or specific phrase you can use to back people off when they come stomping into your life like Bigfoot to rearrange your entire career for you ( because of course you can’t be left to run an amateur career of your own, you must have their guidance!)
There is no one-size-fits-all in dealing with it. If it’s something ridiculous, like someone telling you to rewrite scenes in the book or change the title or redesign the cover, you just kind of have to chuckle and go on. If it’s something you may wish to consider, then do so.
However, do NOT fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go along with everything everyone says just to be “nice.” It is possible to say no in a polite way!
And that’s the big secret. Be polite, but the FIRM. If it’s something you know you would never consider in a million years, say that IMMEDIATELY. Don’t leave anyone with the impression that you’re giving thought to something that you wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. Just keep smiling and saying no. You didn’t get a book published because you don’t know what you’re doing! Always remember that. Write on!
I admit I kind of stole that title from a song. It’s an old Air Supply love song, but I think it says "there’s no easy way it gets harder EACH day." Okay so I changed it a little and I’m technically not plagiarizing. Kidding aside, what gets harder each day for writers is unsolicited advice. For some reason, the minute you publish a book, everyone's an expert. Absolutely everyone.
They want to tell you how to market your book, how to set up at your book signings, what to put in your next book, what to have printed on your sign, and even what clothes to wear at your events. Trust me, you’ll find yourself sitting there wondering why you didn’t know you were surrounded by so many experts BEFORE you published your book. I even had one person ask for my password so she could go rearrange this page for me. And silly me, I offended her by turning down her offer to save me from myself.
The first tip I’ve already given… There’s no easy way. Unfortunately, there’s no pat line or specific phrase you can use to back people off when they come stomping into your life like Bigfoot to rearrange your entire career for you ( because of course you can’t be left to run an amateur career of your own, you must have their guidance!)
There is no one-size-fits-all in dealing with it. If it’s something ridiculous, like someone telling you to rewrite scenes in the book or change the title or redesign the cover, you just kind of have to chuckle and go on. If it’s something you may wish to consider, then do so.
However, do NOT fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go along with everything everyone says just to be “nice.” It is possible to say no in a polite way!
And that’s the big secret. Be polite, but the FIRM. If it’s something you know you would never consider in a million years, say that IMMEDIATELY. Don’t leave anyone with the impression that you’re giving thought to something that you wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. Just keep smiling and saying no. You didn’t get a book published because you don’t know what you’re doing! Always remember that. Write on!
