13 Things No One Tells You About Writing

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13 Things No One Tells You About Writing

13 Things No One Tells You About Writing

A woman with pink lipstick on putting her finger to her mouth to show she has something she doesn't want to tell.

A woman with pink lipstick on putting her finger to her mouth to show she has something she doesn't want to tell.

Do you remember the first time that award-winning book idea struck? The exact second the plot of a lifetime dropped itself into your undeserving brain?

I do.

It was right after I finished reading… [buries face]… the 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy. Motivated and shocked by the small fortune E. L. James had amassed from the series, I rushed straight to my computer. Armed with an idea and a delusion, I started my journey to authorship. Eight months later, I had created a masterpiece [remember the delusion? yeah, that was it]. It didn’t take long for me to realize my book was worthy of nothing more than the delete button. Any why? Where had I gone wrong? I took a step back and reevaluated my purpose for writing.

Since childhood, I’d dreamed of becoming an author, even received a typewriter for my birthday one year. It was cheap and had plastic keys but kept up with seventh-grade fingers. To my disappointment, my poverty-stricken parents returned it for a refund six-months later. Their decision crushed me but didn’t destroy my love for writing, I knew writing would never provide me a dependable income.

That’s when it hit me. It didn’t have to. I had a full-time job. My book could be for me, an accomplishment I could be proud of whether it brought me one dollar or five-thousand dollars. Because real writing is never about the money. It’s about the passion, the art of creating. Writing is about sharing the story floating around in my head, a story that would only exist if I told it. And so I did, with my first debut novel.

But looking back… I wished someone had told me the things people never tell you about writing.

1. IT WON’T MAKE YOU RICH

Yes, some writers strike gold, becoming overnight millionaires, the same way one person in forty-five million wins the lottery. It’s possible but rare. So, remove those dollar signs from your eyes and fill them with question marks. Why write? For most, the answer is because they can’t rest until they tell the story.

Stephen King Quote from On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

2. BYE-BYE CLEAN HOUSE

Before I had the crazy notion to write a book, I kept my house in tip-top shape. Everything I owned, even the miscellaneous junk, stayed tucked into its assigned place. The floors shined, the windows sparkled, and the mirrors gleamed. And we expected company, I turned into a broom-wielding maniac on a mission. After writing? I’d just settle for clean underwear.

3. WRITING IS EASY

I’d always read about writing being hard, demanding, ciphering. Goodbye free time. But no one ever said, it’s easy. And it is. It takes no time to write a novel—the first draft, anyway. Unfortunately, the first draft is a piece of junk that will never sell. I learned that lesson the hard way.

4. EDITING IS ENDLESS

I could look at my book right now and find something I could change, a word or sentence to tweak. But then I stop myself and remember, I’m telling a story, not perfecting the English language.

5. EVERYTHING BECOMES INSPIRATION

I’m sure any writer reading this will cosign the notion story ideas happen whenever and wherever. The other day I walked around my block and saw someone take out their trash, the same as I had hundreds of times before. But on this occasion, it triggered a hilarious, suburb-based book idea. And before I made it back to my yard, I had already typed half of the plot points in my Notes app.

6. IT REQUIRES RESEARCH

If you were the person in high school who hated research papers, then reconsider becoming a writer—or at least a quality writer. Because when you’re writing your character into jobs and illnesses and places you know nothing about, it requires research for accuracy. You might think no one will notice, but I promise you, they will. As a registered nurse, it’s hard for me to watch movies or TV shows that perform medical procedures… like CPR [coughs]… terribly.

7. EVEN INTROVERTS NEED FRIENDS

A single hand reaching into the purple and pink skyline.

It’s true. Break out of your shell and speak to people, pick their brains. If writing were just writing, maybe you could survive locked in a room with your computer all day. But it’s not. Questions need asking, critiques need requesting, and so much more before you publish. Feedback is valuable. And not to forget, you need allies to market your book!

8. IT’S A BUSINESS

As much as we want to believe it’s all about the creativity, it’s not. Don’t believe me? Check out Manuscript Wishlist and Publisher’s Marketplace for examples. They often have specific requests. And remember when vampires and zombies saturated the market… or still do?… Many agents made it clear not to send them any queries that mentioned either of those supernatural beings. Oh, you’re self-publishing? Well, in that case, you can write whatever you want—but you still have to sell it. So, write something someone will buy.

9. GROW THICK SKIN

Nora Roberts is an amazing writer—and my absolute favorite. She’s written over 200 romance novels and has an uncanny ability to draw you into her stories from the first line. Did I mention her net worth is in the millions? Yet, she has critics, harsh ones. No matter how great you are or how much effort you exhaust in people pleasing tactics, others will still spread their discontentment with you. To succeed, you can’t take it personally.

10. YOU’LL NEED A GOOD SENSE OF TIME

I know you’ve read at least one book where the author lost track of the timeline, and it tossed you out of the story. Those moments when the character is in shorts and a t-shirt and then two days later wraps a thick scarf around his neck. Carefully track time to keep readers invested in your story.

11. YOU’LL EAT TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH

When you’re in the throes of creativity, you may forget to eat… or you may snack out of compulsion. Either is not ideal. So, take the time to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Your brain will thank you.

12. CARPEL TUNNEL SUCKS

I’ve had a carpal tunnel release on my right hand and need the left one fixed, as well. Part of my problem is my Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome along with its friend arthritis. But typing away half the day without paying attention to the proper wrist position and without using the proper ergonomic tools irritates the nerves even more. So, be aware and use the proper techniques. Take breaks, shake your hands out. Keep your back straight. Your body will thank you later.

And remember, writing is a journey not a marathon. Embrace it. Go where the road leads you and don’t be afraid to venture off on your own every now and again. In the end, it’s about sharing the story inside you, giving back to the world. A world that is eagerly awaiting your masterpiece.

Your friend and cohort,