Let's be honest. A lot of people say they want to be writers. Of those, about half want it badly enough to invest in books, magazines, conferences, workshops, software and other items that promise to give them the keys to the writing kingdom. Smart entrepreneurs have recognized a market exists in supplying these things to would-be writers. We all buy these things. I have at least a dozen writing books waiting to be read. I'm almost a year behind in my writing magazines and I usually have at least 25 unread online newsletters. I'm as much a patsy for the things people sell to writers as anyone else.
With my articles and books for writers, I have even been part of the industry marketing products to people who want to do what I have done-write, publish and make money. This column is part of it.
I could say that I'm sharing what I have learned. That's true. I love to teach about writing and the business of being a writer. I enjoy giving workshops and inspiring people to write. But I also recognize a market, a place where I can sell my knowledge and make some money to support the other writing that so far isn't paying as well. So do lots of other people with less noble motives. They know, as I do, that fewer than a quarter of the people who say they want to be writers will persist long enough to succeed. When I teach at conferences, I look around the room and know that maybe five of those students will actually use the information I have provided. Writing is hard. Many people drop out along the way. But for some folks, it's a profitable business.
We writers need to beware of buying too many products or services promising to make us famous authors. One can easily become so overwhelmed in the onslaught of instructional materials for writers that we don't have time to write. We must be stingy with our money and our time. The only way to really become a writer is to write, revise, study the markets and submit our work. We must do this over and over for as long we want to be writers.
There are certainly good products that will help you hone your writing skills and teach the basics of how to offer your work to editors. Others will offer inspiration when you're feeling empty. Buy the ones that appeal to you. I list some good ones on my website at suelick.com. Although craft books help, you can probably learn even more by reading the best books in your genre. Don't lose sight of the goal. Like playing the piano, lessons are important, but the only thing that will really make you a good at it is practice.
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This is my final Everything But Writing column for the Scriptorium. Over the last four years, I hope I have provided helpful information that will allow you to deal with the non-writing aspects of the business while always keeping the actual writing at the top of the to-do list.
Some of my columns are archived here. I have a complete list on my website at suelick.com from which you can request past columns. I hope to put them together into an e-book for easy access. Feel free to email me at suelick@casco.net with questions or to be put on my mailing list.
As they say in the rejection slips, I wish you luck in all your writing endeavors.
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Sue's latest book, Freelancing for Newspapers, is available from Quill Driver Books. Look for it from your favorite bookseller or through the publisher's website.
Join the discussion on her blog at
http://freelancingfornewspapers.blogspot.com
Copyright 2008 Sue Fagalde Lick
About the Author: SUE FAGALDE LICK is a former newspaper editor turned full-time freelance writer. She has published four books, countless articles and many poems and stories. She teaches writing workshops online and at Oregon Coast Community College. Visit her web site at http://www.suelick.com, and her blog at http://www.freelancingfornewspapers.blogspot.com.
Ask her about the new book Cup of Comfort for Families Touched by Alzheimer's
and the new Humor for a Boomer's Heart. Sue is proud to have pieces in both anthologies.
Sue's books:
Freelancing for Newspapers: Writing for an Overlooked Market
Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California
Azorean Dreams (a Portuguese-American romance)
The Iberian Americans
Blogs:
http://www.freelancingfornewspapers.blogspot.com
http://www.childlessbymarriage.blogspot.com
http://unleashedinoregon.blogspot.com
Be sure to visit the everything but writing archives to catch any articles you've missed!
Everybody Wants to Teach You to Write
