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You see, I am struck by how often I hear from writers who want to know if their current project is worth the effort. Basically they want to know if they can sell it. Theres no passion behind their idea. No writing for the love of writing. Theyre willing to abandon an idea based on my say so or someone elses. Somehow I dont think John Steinbeck, when he was writing East of Eden went around asking anyone if it was worth the effort. In fact, I am inspired by what a reviewer said of that novel when it was published. A novel planned on the grandest possible scale...One of those occasions when a writer has aimed high and then summoned every ounce of energy, talent, seriousness, and passion of which he was capable... I keep that quote in front of me as I write my next novel. I hope Im aiming high. Id rather aim high and miss than aim low and be ordinary. Id like to challenge you to aim for greatness in your next project. If youre not sure how to do so, here are a few tips that may help. Seek Out Good Teachers Shooting for greatness can be a lot harder when you dont have the guidance and support of a strong teacher or writing coach. A good teacher will see you as a person as well as a writer which helps them to know what you are truly capable of. A good teacher will know when to push you and when to hold back. Many years ago I had a teacher who discouraged me from starting a novel. I was new to understanding my powers as a writer and he feared that I wouldnt be able to finish what I started and give up writing altogether. He was right. I probably wouldnt have finished back then. I was too immature. I picked that teacher because after hearing him speak I instinctively knew he had the pieces I was looking for then to establish myself as a writer. Likewise it may help you to assess where your writing stands and what you need to learn to get your work to the next level. Dont be afraid to interview an instructor before you take a class to see if you can get what youre looking for. Complete One Project You may have a zillion ideas in your head right now. Choose one and complete it. Why? Because you will learn so much from sticking with one project and bringing it to fruition, even if it doesnt get published. Youll learn how to work with ideas, youll learn what to do when you get stuck, youll learn more about your own writing habits and your strengths and weaknesses. Have you ever gone to a museum and seen the drawings that an artist makes as studies in preparation for a larger painting? This is kind of the same idea. Once you get to your larger canvas, youll be better prepared to write your masterpiece! Set Big Goals for Your Next Project Okay, next you have to think BIG. What kind of book would be challenging and exciting for you to write? A massive 4-volume biography of a historical figure? A 500-page Civil War epic that spans 3 generations? (And dont say the Civil War has been done before! Check out E.L. Doctorows The March and see how new creativity can enliven an old idea.) How about a romance novel good enough to win a National Book Award? Whatever your shot at greatness will be, the only requirement is that its something that you will absolutely love writing. Otherwise you wont want to keep going when the going gets tough. Remember to bring originality to your ideas. I recently read a piece that was adequately written, but every single sentence and expression had already been said in songs and other works. Thats not always a bad thing, but this author had done nothing to make the work her own. This is the kind of thing that can cause a manuscript to be rejected and the writer would be totally baffled because she thought she had written well. It takes more than a pretty sentence for a work to be great. Read Other Great Work You will hear this A LOT from me as well as many editors and literary agents: if youre going to be a great writer, you must read. Always read great writing so you will be reminded of whats possible with the language. Good writing can become almost like a tune in your head and youre programming yourself to play that tune when you get in front of your computer screen. Now that doesnt mean youve got someone elses voice in your head and youre writing in a Stephen King or E.L. Doctorow persona! It does mean that you can read your work back to yourself and recognize when youve hit a wrong note. In reading youll also learn how authors work with big picture ideas and themes--the kind of stuff that adds layers of depth and interest to a book. Disconnect from Thoughts of Money I know making money is important, but it can also be a huge distraction. For now, unplug from that impulse that makes you want to think about how much you can sell this project for or whether you can sell the movie rights to it. There will be time enough for all that when you have finished your great work. Of course, sometimes thinking about the finish line can be what motivates you. Maybe having a copy of a big fat royalty check on your bulletin board keeps you going. Thats okay. But if you find yourself trying to sell the book before youve made any headway into the project, beware. What if you did sell it at that point? Then youd be caught up in meeting a deadline and meeting expectations. Those arent exactly ideal conditions under which to deliver a pacesetting work. One last note: Even if your book project is not meant for the general public--maybe youre writing a book for your children, for instance--that doesnt mean that you shouldnt have similarly high standards. After all, whatever you create is going to go out there with your name on it. That fact alone can inspire you to make your book the best that it can be. 2006 Sophfronia Scott WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Sophfronias The Book Sistah Blog, category Articles. |
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