It Lives!

| Melia Alexander

At the beginning of 2012, my goal was to sell three books to a publisher.  It was something I’d wanted soooo badly, that a 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. daily writing schedule (and practically every waking moment on weekends) was worth it.  To obtain that goal, I’d listed five different objectives, and to obtain those objectives, I’d listed three action plans.

So where am I now?  Have I reached my goal?

Nope.

So how does a writer keep the dream alive?  How does a writer keep writing, keep slogging through the 4 a.m. wake-ups and the inevitable “when will your book be published” questions from well-meaning friends and family?

I’d be lying if I said it was like a piece of uber-rich, non-Paleo double fudge cake that I could eat without a second thought and without having to work out.  It isn’t that easy – ask any author wannabee.  But it’s doable.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  There are days when it’d be way easier to return to the normal world, a place where people don’t live in isolation – by choice – for extended periods of time.  Sometimes without a shower.  Oftentimes, with dregs from the pantry thrown together with the hopes of passing it off to the family as dinner.  (Anyone out there have creative ways of disguising canned tuna?)

So here are my strategies for continuing the writing journey.

1.  Must.  Have.  Chocolate.  It’s the perfect food to celebrate with as well as to commiserate with.  It’s perfect with coffee as well as a glass of Cab Sauv — not too many foods fit that category!  🙂

2.  Remember to focus on the joy.  Savor every moment when someone honestly praises your work.  After all, you’ve done something well.  (Yes, Hubmeister, I know you think I’m talented, you also think a microwaved cup of old coffee is a brilliant move on my part.)  At a recent RCRW meeting, author friend Delilah Marvelle reminded me of this.  I guess even a well-published author sometimes needs this reminder on occasion.

3.  Surround yourself with a posse.  Okay, maybe not the gun-toting kind.  (Sorry, Jacquie Rogers!)  But the writer-kind.  You know, the ones who remind you, gently or otherwise, that you’re a writer.

4.  Give back a little.  As in, help fellow writers whenever possible.  Help with plotting a book, critique some pages, or just be there to bounce an idea off of.  In this crazy business, we learn from each other when we do things for each other.  At least, I do.

5.  Exercise.  It’s no secret that physical movement helps stimulate brain activity.  Okay, okay, I made that up – but doesn’t it sound right?  For me, after sitting for long periods of time, my body tells me it has to move.  And once I do, returning to the keyboard is easier, and sometimes whatever story issue I’ve had is also easier to resolve.

Sometimes when I gaze out into the world where normal people live and am tempted to join them, I always come to one conclusion: If I gave up writing and became “one of them” I’d ultimately regret giving up.  Not doing that.

I’m a writer.  Writers write.  Writing keeps my world sane, even as I continue to learn craft and fine-tune my process.  And, yes, even when I’m working with a story that has to be gutted with a chainsaw instead of a surgeon’s scalpel.  In those cases, it’s a love-hate thing by the time the manuscript is completed, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

On the bright side, the end of 2012 found me further along on the path to publication than I’ve ever been – editors have shown greater interest in my manuscripts.  Perhaps there will be something really cool to share one day soon.  Perhaps.

Until then, I gotta keep moving, gotta keep punching keys and remember that I’m a writer and that writers write.  It’s my job.

-Melia

20 thoughts on “It Lives!”

  1. It took me nine years to sell that first manuscript. (I just sold #26.) I used to set the same goal each year-sell a book. A wise writer, who’d traveled the same rode before me, told me to only set goals within my control. So I stopped saying I would sell a manuscript (because unless I was going to buy it myself or nowadays you can self-pub) I could do nothing to make that goal come true. Instead I set goals I could meet on my own, such as I will submit X manuscripts to Y publishers this year. That way if I didn’t meet the goal it was on me, not because a ms. never made it out of a slush pile or didn’t resonate with an editor. Thought I would pass that on because doing that really worked for me.

  2. You get up at 4 am? Wow. You make me feel like a slacker. Your hard work is going to pay off Melia. That kind of dedication has to lead to success. I’m looking forward to reading that first book when it comes out.

  3. This is some great advice! And I get tired of the well-meaning, “How is the book coming?” too. It’s hard to answer, because everything you’re struggling with won’t mean too much to your well-wishing, non-writer friends.

  4. It is a tough world, Melia, but you have the right attitude. The key is writing what you love, not following trends or trying to shoehorn your idea into what you “think” someone wants. The other piece is always identifying new markets for your book(s).

    In the good-old days (if they ever existed) it was fairly easy to identify the two or three places a particular genre book would sell best. That is not the case anymore. As small presses become larger, and others fail to deliver, it takes more networking and savvy to determine where a book might fit best. Ask all the authors you know for help and keep writing. You will get there.

  5. Thanks for the advice, Melissa.

    For me the goal of selling is supported by objectives and action plans I can take to make the goal. Theoretically, if the action plans support the correct objectives to reach the goal, then the goal becomes something totally obtainable (but, as you pointed out, not in my control). Thank you for giving me another way to look at it! 🙂

    -Melia

  6. This morning, like most mornings, I beat the alarm by 20 minutes. Annoying! I do try to sleep in until 5:30 on weekends and sometimes make it until 6. As for success, I’d like to think it all counts. That’s the optimistic me talking! 🙂

    -Melia

  7. Thanks for stopping by, Grace! I do try to keep writing-related conversations strictly to other writers because no way do non-writers understand the challenges that come with bringing a story to light — the angst over words (Are they tight enough? Is the right meaning conveyed? Does the dialogue sound specific to the character?) let alone plot development, conflict, and internal motivations justifying the plot. Aaack! When a non-writer asks I tend to smile and tell them things are fine. What’s the point of telling them anything else? LOL.

    All any writer can do is keep writing!

    -Melia

  8. You’re right. It is a tough world, Maggie! Thanks for your wisdom. I can always count on you. 🙂

    At the moment I’d just like to be happy with the WIP I’d finished edits on last month — and was still not satisfied with until last week when I figured out what was wrong with it (the story just didn’t read like a Melia Alexander book should — totally frustrating!). Now I’m in the gutting out phase — painful but necessary for the story to be the best it could be.

    When the time comes, I’m picking your brain on how to be network savvy, so heads up!

    -Melia

  9. I’m always available for you, Melia–by phone, email, or in person. Just let me know.

  13. Melia – Keeping the writing/publishing dream alive is difficult, especially in these every-changing times. What keeps me motivated is mocking up a book cover with my name on it :-). Dreaming of that same book on bookshelves or on an e-book reader. Friends always help, especially as they reach their goals.

    Good luck with reaching your goals, you’re dedication and motivation are an inspiration!

  14. Hi, Darla!

    Mocking up a book cover — I like it!

    And if goals were so easy to reach, would they really be worth it? Golly, that sounds like a blog post! 🙂

    -Melia

  19. It’s hard to wrap our heads around the changing publishing world. But keeping at it, and taking time to exercise, seems to give me some clarity. Hope we can get together sometime soon.

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