Wednesday, October 2, 2013

IWSG


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So I am not a huge fan of recycling post. I like to express new thoughts when I can. Still, I am working on quite a bit right now. There are many balls up in the air and I have found myself struggling at times to keep them up there. I was reading a post I did early on in my blog as a guest spot. It was actually really refreshing to read back through this post and sort of a way for me to kick my own butt into action. Hope you enjoy it. 

Here is my three Ps of writing.

For many writers I think one question plagues our minds as much if not more than anything else—What does it take to actually get published? I myself have sought an answer to this for years. It takes a lot to be a writer, there are things you must have in order to keep going in this sometimes cruel and calloused field. A hobby/ time wasting mechanism I find myself spending a lot of time on is watching/reading anything I can find on my favorite authors. I know I’m not alone on this, but in watching their interviews or reading their blogs, listening to their stories, I have come to a conclusion.

I would like to call this conclusion the three Ps. Passion, productivity, perseverance. I have come to feel without these three things it is unlikely you will find your way to that coveted spot where your book is sitting on the shelf(or in a good rank of online books).

Passion. This one may seem easy, but I think I am not speaking for myself when I say that I feel very passionate about something as the idea is forming. I may even feel it through the first few chapters, but most times when writing I lose that feeling. This could be a lot of things, the story moved in a direction that caused a lull, the characters are not engaging anymore. Maybe I am just pushing myself too hard and need a break. To me the loss of passion is a clear indicator that something is wrong with the story. If you don’t feel passionate about your story more than likely the agent/publisher/reader will not feel it as well.

Productivity. The work. The act of actually putting words on a page. If you have no product to send out then there is no way for you to be published. Finish things, don’t wait for that perfect moment, or for everything to line up in your mind. I learned more from finishing writing a novel than I did from any class or study on writing I have ever taken. Don’t stop at that, so you finished a book and you’re trying to get someone interested in it, write another, don’t wait, maybe that next one is the story that will be picked up. The only way we can progress as a writer is by writing. Start a journal, write a blog, do what it takes to be writing every day, the more you put words on a page the better you become.

Perseverance. In my opinion, the hardest of the three. The words, "sorry", "no", "not at this time", and so forth will be constant companions in this journey to be a published author. You will at times feel you are not worthy or lack something and maybe you should just give up. DON’T. We all get this no matter what stage you are in your witting. Self doubt is a staple of being a writer. I have said on my blog, I don’t like to think of getting published as a sprint where you finish your story and try to get it out as fast as you can. Instead think of it like a marathon, where you have to train yourself up and go the distance. That “yes” we all want is out there, maybe we need to work on our skill with writing or query letters. It is possible we need to find the right person for our particular story. No matter what the case is, the moment you give up is the only time you are truly defeated.

Anyway these are some of my thoughts hope they help and as always have fun and keep writing.

20 comments:

  1. The yes is waiting for us if we don't give up.
    Once I have a detailed outline, I'm excited, but once I begin writing, that passion drops. Oddly enough, it picks up as I near the ending. I think that's more due to the fact I hate writing the first draft!

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  2. I think I remember this post. I am looking for passion right now. I lost it somewhere along the way. I think I must start placing posts of "have you seen my passion? Any info will be rewarded." Great post, Brandon.

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  3. I remember this post. A good one and worthy of being recycled.
    I lost Perseverance for the time being, it might be hiding with Al's Passion somewhere. The shame.

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  4. Loved your three Ps. That's a very clever way of looking at the road to publishing. I may be lacking on the first two, but I still have perseverance! :-)

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  5. Can Horny be a substitute for Passion?

    Love,
    Janie

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  6. Sorry I went blank... the prior comment helped it along... thought I would share this with you... this is the label I work for and we want to get a good turn out this year.. Maybe you like and then share?

    Day "01" of 13 Days of Chills [2013] Win Prizes and More!
    Brought to you by "Howlin' Wolf Records", go ahead you should
    check it out!

    http://www.13chills.com/

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  7. Interesting all the way around. I really can relate to the Passion component. Your conclusion that if you are lacking passion for your story likely means that it has gone off the rails somewhere is something to definitely think about... pretty sure you are right. Of course, just finishing it will give you a product that is editable.

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  8. I don't have a problem with recycled posts. I also don't mind re-runs.

    This is fresh for me. And I think you mind your p's well. I especially agree with the passion part. Writing has to almost be part of your soul to take the hits and do the work long before there is any pay out for it. I've seen a lot of talented people drop out because they got tired. Must have passion!

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  9. Excellent post. These three things are what makes a writer. I feel like passion might be the most important part of all, because if you're passionate about writing, you will make time to write (productivity) and you will keep at it no matter what (perseverance). People who say that it's too hard to complete a novel and don't want to try or keep trying just aren't passionate enough.

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  10. Passion, productivity, and perseverance is something we need. Looking at our writing journey as a marathon is a great analogy. Like you I have learn so much from each book I finish. Some were in areas that stretched me and there were moments I wondered if I had the chops to finish it. But when you do it gives you a boost in confidence.

    My philosophy: if you never try or ask then the answer is always no. If you ask, if you put it out there you might STILL get a no but you might get a yes...

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  11. Great post. I always have plenty of passion. It's just the other Ps that throw me.

    I've never seen this post, so just keep in mind that it might be recycled to you, but it's new to plenty of people

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  12. Good advice, great post, Brandon. Perseverance for a writer is essential.

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  13. Brandon, I'm so glad you shared this again. I love the three P's. Totally spot on. And gosh, I sooooo agree that perseverance is the most difficult of the three. Beautiful post. <3

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  14. Sounds about right to me. I'm glad you shared this again.

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  15. Great post! I think I may have read it the first time around but it was very relevant and helpful today. Thanks!

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  16. Oh, that's easy to remember and so important too. I missed this post the first time around. So glad you put it up again!

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  17. As a recent follower, I'd never seen this post before. Some good advice here. I'm currently working on a comic book project, but my blog productivity has dropped to nothing. :(

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  18. Couldn't agree more.... As writers we need to strive for the three P's... But one must start with the passion to get things rolling....

    Terrific post,

    Thanks Brandon...

    Have a great weekend!

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  19. This is certainly worth recycling - a good message to all of us. Perseverance for me is the hardest one. I've become able to deal with the rejection - it's the pushing through and making time for it that gets me. Thanks for the kick in the butt Brandon!

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  20. I also use the three Ps as the cornerstones for my writing. Would never get anything done without them.

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