Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Business of Novel Writing

The life of a novel writer has many perks. The uninitiated masses envisions us working in our pajamas while writing fluff about faraway places where beautiful people have spectacular adventures. After chuckling, writers patiently explain how many hours it can take to research and plan a novel, or the number of times a novel is rejected before it sells.

Writers possess an intangible element that prevents them from taking the well-worn route. A regular paycheck with benefits is attractive to the normal person. I tried it once, but it didn’t last. Face it, writers are not free to enjoy an easy life while others toil from nine to five, writers must write.

The life of a novel writer is burdened with unpaid bills, deadlines, and rejection letters. But, there are a few blessings that outweigh the heaviest burdens, like the joy of being published and holding your own book, studying a truly fascinating topic for a new plot, or enjoying the spiritual journey only a novel writer can understand.

The initial lack of income causes many new writers give up. They believe the passion to write is a prank their muse is playing on them. They become confused with all the rules, styles, genres, and markets.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Time Management

Many things cut into your novel writing time. Answering emails, critique and email groups, blogging, and writers groups offer little benefit to the average writer. The time spent in critique and chat groups could be spent taking classes, learning about the craft of writing, or sharpening your prose.

Newsletters and Critique or Fan Groups

We all signed up for at least one newsletter that promised to help us earn a living, only to learn it is only a clever marketing tool to sell products. Novel writers spend several years learning their craft, and writing one or two novels, before seeing any money. These groups only charge $20 or $30 each, but it adds up over time.

Writing is a Business

View your novel writing as a business. Organize your time, learn something new each week, and write. Writers write. Writing and reading are the fastest roads between a new writer and a published author.





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