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***This is PART ONE of a five part series to uncover some myths about becoming a published author. Make sure to come back next week and find out more insider secrets about the writing industry!***
There are a lot of misconceptions floating around beginner writers about just what it takes to become a published author. If you are a new writer just starting out you might even think there is only one set formula guaranteeing your success at capturing the attention of a publisher.
You would be wrong.
Since 2010 I have dedicated my efforts to becoming a professional writer. It hasn't been easy and I've made my fair share of mistakes. Below you'll find the first common writing myth I uncovered along the way to publication.
MYTH #1...YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DEGREE IN WRITING
When I first decided to become more serious about my writing I actually thought I would have to go back to school and get a degree in writing before I could call myself a writer. I began looking at different colleges offering courses in writing and quickly realized I didn't have the money to pursue a degree. Then I checked out other workshops, seminars, conferences, and classes offered to help improve my writing skills...only to realize I couldn't afford them either. Did that mean I had to give up my dream of becoming published?
No.
It just meant I had to become creative. The first thing I did was go the library and check out all the writing books they had. Then I went to local bookstores and added to my collection. Finally I trolled the Internet, researching different websites and blogs until I had a number of free or inexpensive resources at my fingertips. Finally I actually took the time to read and study what the experts were already showing me about what's necessary to become a serious writer.
The more I read, the more I began to understand and the stronger my stories became. I learned every story needs an engaging hook to begin with, a strong middle foundation to pull the audience along, and an unexpected ending to surprise, delight, or connect with the reader so it will leave them wanting more. I also learned no matter how good you think you are as a writer, there is always someone better. There will always be opportunities to learn something new and always others generous enough to share their writerly wisdom with you. Your job is to get out there and find them.
Here are just some of the books I have collected over the years...
Author 101: Best Selling Nonfiction by Rick Fristman & Robyn reedman Spizman
On Writing by Stephen King
The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen
20 Master Plots and How To Build Them by ronald B Tobias
The Writer's Book of Wisdom: 101 rules For Mastering Your Craft by Steven Taylor Goldsberry
You Can Write Children's Books by Tracey E Dils
Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Writing For Young Adults by Sherry Garland
What are some of the books or websites you have used in your writing career? Comment below and be sure to come back next week as I uncover another writing myth!
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Angela! I'm glad you like this post...check out next week for the next installment in this series.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
Great post! I am self-taught, too. That sense of "not knowing enough" or being "unqualified" has driven me. I have worked diligently to become a better writer, and in spite of good grades in college, my self-directed work has been more focused and more meaningful than anything I studied for my degree (B.A., Communications).
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I am including a few of yours in my library requests this week. Two that I would add for you are Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.
Hi Sarah! Thanks for adding to the list...I'll have to check out your additions...;~)
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I was self taught from the beginning, and mostly, I still am. Another great resource is local writers groups. They're a fantastic source of inspiration and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteTo add to your book list:
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss (fantastic & fun resource for grammar and punctuation)
The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
And my personal favorite: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel
:-)
Hi Kara! While I've not had much luck with writers' groups myself so far but I do agree they can be a fabulous help to a writer's confidence and learning curve.
DeleteI've had the Eats, Shoots & Leaves book before and I HAVE the Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel...should have put it on the list...;)
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Great list! And I like the additions in the comments, too. One of my favourites is Beginnings, Middles and Ends by Nancy Kress. And if you need some motivation (& humour) to just get the words on the page try No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty. He wrote it for NaNoWriMo, which he founded, but it's an inspiring read any time of the year.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather! I'll have to check out Beginnings, Middles & Ends. I have the No Plot? No Problem! Write a Novel in 30 days kit and another No Plot? No Problem! book on writing. If I would have listed all my writer's books the post would have been a mile long...;~)
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Thanks for the post, Donna. I also like Stephen King's On Writing. Here's a list of some of my other favorite books about writing--
ReplyDeleteWriting for Children, Joan Aiken—Presents different types of children’s books, skills to develop, pitfalls to avoid.
Invitations to the World: Teaching and Writing for the Young, Richard Peck—Describes Peck's path to becoming a writer, his teaching and writing experiences, his conviction about the importance of education and of writing quality books for children.
Worlds of Childhood: The Art and Craft of Writing for Children, edited by William Zinsser, with essays by Jean Fritz, Jill Krementz, Katherine Paterson, Jack Prelutsky, Maurice Sendak, and Rosemary Wells.
Dreams and Wishes: Essays on Writing for Children, Susan Cooper—Not really a how-to book, but fascinating essays and speeches on reading and writing.
Awww, Ellen, those sound like really great books...especially the ones with essays. I'm going to have to check them out!
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One of my favorites is Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! I've had that book before but don't think I have it now...;~(
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I have learned more from Emma Walton Hamilton's Children's Book Hub, particularly the monthly Expert Interview and Q&A webinars, than I would ever have believed possible. There is a membership fee, but in my opinion it is well worth it. Emma's blog is excellent, as well.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite writing craft book is Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time, by Jordan E. Rosenfeld. Jordan has a great blog, too.
Thanks, Beth, for the shout out for Emma Walton Hamilton's wonderful Children's Book Hub. While I agree this is a fabulous resource for writers, the reality is not every writer can afford the membership fee, myself included, and my series will try to share other resources with writers...
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Thanks Donna, I always get hung up on the degree part. I am a university drop out of the highest order however along the way i have read and read and read and read and read some more and attended every course and E thing available to my limited resources and I am happy to say that these days I think I have earned myself the equivalent of a degree and a half and a life filled with experiences on which to draw for my writing. I appreciate what you have written because I know we can learn from sources other than formalized courses. University courses are a great start for many people, TAFE (intermediate tertiary) courses are great too and if you can afford it then go right ahead and do what you can but many things are not in the reach of ordinary budgets and being creative AND determined is the only way around those obstacles. I suspect you are a determined woman. Well done! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Cecilia! Fourteen years of training in the martial arts has provided a foundation in perseverance and self-discipline...if nothing else...;~)
DeleteIf I had the financial resources I would go for the writing degree for two reasons...1) the mere fact you have a "writing" degree is important to a lot of people in the publishing industry and 2) my training would be more concise and all in "one package" instead of all the hunting I have to do to increase my skill level.
But I know of MANY authors who have not had formalized training and I agree that a life time of real experiences...as well as thousands of hours of "butt in chair" work can achieve the same level of success that a certificate might bring. I think it has much more to do with determination and as you so aptly pointed out...I am definitely ONE DETERMINED WOMAN...;~)
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