I think the thing that most people are assuming is that their work IS good and just not finding the right audience. They're hoping that they've done everything right up until that point.
Thanks, Adriano. This is right on target. Sure, plenty of writers have that self-doubt, but most also have that voice in the back of our heads that say, "Oh man, I'm a damn good writer."
Combine this with the fact that money rules, and it becomes easier to understand why the influencers, as well as the comment section, focus so heavily on the money-making side instead of the craft itself.
LOL! You are doing it wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Yes, marketing is an important factor in getting your work out to people. Yes, some trends are hot, and others are not. No, you are not doing it right. If quality does not come out somewhere on top, why write or create at all? There are easier ways to make a living than writing (but few as satisfying when everything clicks). Caring about story and character IS important and maybe the only worthwhile reason to write at all. Carry on! RICK
I have put enough writing in where I can get a few good things to happen, to click. That doesn't mean I am producing great writing but that my intent and my words align occasionally. Very satisfying. When I re-read a section and can get at least one good thing, it feels fantastic. If I worry about quality when I am in "draft mode" then things feel bogged down. I save the stress for when I already have energy on a page, and I am trying to make it smooth in edits/rewrites. Not always possible. RICK
There is nothing more disappointing than to spend gobs of time and get lackluster results. I do look for energy. This is not how I approached writing before. The process was more formalized in my mind, and I was aiming to make "great" stories without really knowing how or why. I worked in book printing and got to see the guts of books in a way that most people do not. Separately, spending time working as a production editor and finalizing a variety of works from writers with different depths and tones, helped inform my own writing. Naturally, I take a smidge from here and a pinch from there to inform my comic making but I have seen the guts of that, too. Working on all those "guts" has made me more patient which paradoxically speeds the process. Hope that makes sense. RICK
Money is such an nice thing to have, it pays the bills, keeps food on the table... I can't really blame people for trying to make some. I do think good storytelling is important though. I want to read more good stories so I can become a better writer. When I read one that really hooks me I go back and ask how did they do that and try to analyze them. Not all of them are bestsellers though, and not all bestsellers are them. The book market is a mysterious as the stock market.
There is indeed plenty of mystery to the book market. Timing and quality are only two pieces of the puzzle. I'm curious...what's the last good book you analyzed and studied?
I've seen that title so many times. I'm tempted to read it simply because it's all the rage, but I'm not the target audience, so we'll see. If you're willing to analyze the book as a way to improve your own writing, that reinforces the idea that maybe I should at least read a sample.
The thing I think the author did particularly well was making every chapter end with a cliffhanger so you couldn't just put the book down. @charlottehenleybabb1 wrote a steampunk novel (https://www.amazon.com/Hours-Charles-Town-Magnificent-Excursions-ebook/dp/B07RRFC4JH) that was equally compelling, but not quite as high on the bestseller list, in spite of, in my opinion, being better written in general. I suppose it helps to have a big publishing company pushing your work.
The cliffhangers at the end of chapters are so compelling. I might have to check it out just to see how the author handles them. (And that's high praise for the steampunk novel!)
I care about good writing and good storytelling. I write what I want. I’m constantly trying to improve, but I lack the financial resources for quality courses, editors and mentors.
My writing is good enough that I usually find a small publisher who’ll publish it. But I don’t sell. I’ve made peace with that.
Lots of people want the result without the work, the credential without the knowledge. If it works for them, good luck to them. I am a writer because I love to write. I write tje best stories I can because that is what I want. Eventually I will find an audience, I know this because honest work always does. It will be a long time and maybe a small audience. I will have earned them by my own honest work. That is an irreplaceable reward.
I've typed up several responses to this but ended up deleting them all.
Ultimately, you have to be true to yourself. If it's the book you wanted to write, the way you wanted to write it, then put your name on it and be proud.
I know it sucks, but know that you do have people that will buy everything you write, and that will be proud of you for finishing a project.
I am so glad to see this. The main reason I have for making stories is for them to be read, for them to make readers smile or think or recognize themselves. My fiction solves no problems other than from the reader to escape reality. Bringing in a few dollars would be nice, but hearing from a reader makes my day.
Thanks for sharing this. I, too, love that connection with readers. It's rare, perhaps, but it can have a deep impact. Sometimes, I have to remind writers (and myself) to take note of those interactions and to be grateful for them.
There have been plenty of awful books/movies/TV shows that made a lot of money, and a lot of great ones that didn't. And vice versa. I'm not sure anyone sets out to make bad art, but it's easy to overestimate your abilities, especially when you're just starting out.
As others have said, make the thing you want to make. Sure, if you want to sell it, you'll have to learn about marketing and picking great covers and all that fun stuff...but the cart goes after the horse.
Storytelling definitely still matters! If you are happy with your writing, that's all that matters. That feeling you described at the beginning of this post encapsulates why we do this stuff in the first place. Yes, it would be great to be the next Stephen King or Robert Kirkman, but you're the only James Powell so use that as your focus!
I think the thing that most people are assuming is that their work IS good and just not finding the right audience. They're hoping that they've done everything right up until that point.
Or maybe I'm being naïve about it all.
Thanks, Adriano. This is right on target. Sure, plenty of writers have that self-doubt, but most also have that voice in the back of our heads that say, "Oh man, I'm a damn good writer."
Combine this with the fact that money rules, and it becomes easier to understand why the influencers, as well as the comment section, focus so heavily on the money-making side instead of the craft itself.
LOL! You are doing it wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Yes, marketing is an important factor in getting your work out to people. Yes, some trends are hot, and others are not. No, you are not doing it right. If quality does not come out somewhere on top, why write or create at all? There are easier ways to make a living than writing (but few as satisfying when everything clicks). Caring about story and character IS important and maybe the only worthwhile reason to write at all. Carry on! RICK
Oooh, I like this. Am I reading between the lines too much, or did I get the hint that everything's clicked for you?
I have put enough writing in where I can get a few good things to happen, to click. That doesn't mean I am producing great writing but that my intent and my words align occasionally. Very satisfying. When I re-read a section and can get at least one good thing, it feels fantastic. If I worry about quality when I am in "draft mode" then things feel bogged down. I save the stress for when I already have energy on a page, and I am trying to make it smooth in edits/rewrites. Not always possible. RICK
I love how you say you’ll save the stress for when you already have the energy on the page. So true!
There is nothing more disappointing than to spend gobs of time and get lackluster results. I do look for energy. This is not how I approached writing before. The process was more formalized in my mind, and I was aiming to make "great" stories without really knowing how or why. I worked in book printing and got to see the guts of books in a way that most people do not. Separately, spending time working as a production editor and finalizing a variety of works from writers with different depths and tones, helped inform my own writing. Naturally, I take a smidge from here and a pinch from there to inform my comic making but I have seen the guts of that, too. Working on all those "guts" has made me more patient which paradoxically speeds the process. Hope that makes sense. RICK
Money is such an nice thing to have, it pays the bills, keeps food on the table... I can't really blame people for trying to make some. I do think good storytelling is important though. I want to read more good stories so I can become a better writer. When I read one that really hooks me I go back and ask how did they do that and try to analyze them. Not all of them are bestsellers though, and not all bestsellers are them. The book market is a mysterious as the stock market.
There is indeed plenty of mystery to the book market. Timing and quality are only two pieces of the puzzle. I'm curious...what's the last good book you analyzed and studied?
I'm looking at Fourth Wing -> Onyx Storm right now. That series recently cost me a few night's sleep.
I've seen that title so many times. I'm tempted to read it simply because it's all the rage, but I'm not the target audience, so we'll see. If you're willing to analyze the book as a way to improve your own writing, that reinforces the idea that maybe I should at least read a sample.
The thing I think the author did particularly well was making every chapter end with a cliffhanger so you couldn't just put the book down. @charlottehenleybabb1 wrote a steampunk novel (https://www.amazon.com/Hours-Charles-Town-Magnificent-Excursions-ebook/dp/B07RRFC4JH) that was equally compelling, but not quite as high on the bestseller list, in spite of, in my opinion, being better written in general. I suppose it helps to have a big publishing company pushing your work.
The cliffhangers at the end of chapters are so compelling. I might have to check it out just to see how the author handles them. (And that's high praise for the steampunk novel!)
I care about good writing and good storytelling. I write what I want. I’m constantly trying to improve, but I lack the financial resources for quality courses, editors and mentors.
My writing is good enough that I usually find a small publisher who’ll publish it. But I don’t sell. I’ve made peace with that.
Finding a publisher sounds like a mighty fine thing, Karen. Glad to hear you've found peace with your art, plus some readers, too, I suspect.
Lots of people want the result without the work, the credential without the knowledge. If it works for them, good luck to them. I am a writer because I love to write. I write tje best stories I can because that is what I want. Eventually I will find an audience, I know this because honest work always does. It will be a long time and maybe a small audience. I will have earned them by my own honest work. That is an irreplaceable reward.
I've typed up several responses to this but ended up deleting them all.
Ultimately, you have to be true to yourself. If it's the book you wanted to write, the way you wanted to write it, then put your name on it and be proud.
I know it sucks, but know that you do have people that will buy everything you write, and that will be proud of you for finishing a project.
I am so glad to see this. The main reason I have for making stories is for them to be read, for them to make readers smile or think or recognize themselves. My fiction solves no problems other than from the reader to escape reality. Bringing in a few dollars would be nice, but hearing from a reader makes my day.
Thanks for sharing this. I, too, love that connection with readers. It's rare, perhaps, but it can have a deep impact. Sometimes, I have to remind writers (and myself) to take note of those interactions and to be grateful for them.
There have been plenty of awful books/movies/TV shows that made a lot of money, and a lot of great ones that didn't. And vice versa. I'm not sure anyone sets out to make bad art, but it's easy to overestimate your abilities, especially when you're just starting out.
As others have said, make the thing you want to make. Sure, if you want to sell it, you'll have to learn about marketing and picking great covers and all that fun stuff...but the cart goes after the horse.
Storytelling definitely still matters! If you are happy with your writing, that's all that matters. That feeling you described at the beginning of this post encapsulates why we do this stuff in the first place. Yes, it would be great to be the next Stephen King or Robert Kirkman, but you're the only James Powell so use that as your focus!