A
long ago time, I used to teach creative writing to inner-city middle-school
students. The excuses I heard from them are not all that different from excuses
I have heard from my own age group. “No one would believe my story.” “It’s been
written before.” “I don’t have the time.” “I don’t know how to find a
publisher.” Or (this one pains me the most) “I sent it out once and it was
rejected.”
Let’s dispel each myth individually – Is your story
believable? Chances are it is no more incredible than some of our current
events. Some of the more bizarre and FACTUAL stories in recent years include
serial killers and cannibalism (i.e.: Jeffrey Dahmer), the recipient of a heart
transplant marrying his donor’s widow and then committing suicide just like his
predecessor, extreme survival stories (like chewing off a limb to escape being
trapped in sub-zero temperatures), or the horrendous plot that unfolded on
September 11, 2001. Life can be pretty unbelievable. So long as you are
historically correct and consistent in your story, you probably won’t be
stretching anyone’s imagination.
Next myth to debunk – Forbidden love between opposing
sides is an oft repeated storyline, just look at two classic stories Romeo and
Juliet and West Side Story. Both stories are huge successes; both are retold
over and over again. Maybe your story’s concept has been written before, maybe
even more than once, but it is your job to tell that story in a new and unique
format. Put the story into a new setting, introduce interesting characters,
invent a few new plots twists, throw in a different side story, add dialogue
that is unique to your characters and time period and tell it your way. It’s
not plagiarism, it is writing.
What you don’t have time for is an excuse. Unless you
are working as a writer with a set deadline (such as newspaper journalism),
there is no specified time period in which you have to write. Some successful
writers will tell you that it took “years” to complete their manuscript. Most
writers are holding down other full time jobs, managing a house, going to
school, raising a family or juggling a myriad of other responsibilities. Write
when you can, but write. If you can manage to set aside a regular block of time
where you can sit at your keyboard, typewriter or composition notebook and
concentrate on your story, great! Sometimes a thought will come to you in the middle
of the night during a dream, jot it down. Use every spare moment to write.
Every word you put down is that much closer to your goal. It doesn’t matter how
long or short the process takes so long as you are writing.
So you have no idea how to find a publisher, so what?
There is an abundant choice of publishing routes out there ranging from the big
houses to small indie presses and self-publishing. But you need a story to
publish. Worry about finding that publisher later. Then investigate all of your
options. My suggestion is to join writer’s groups and online forums. You will
only benefit from the combined experience of all of your writing friends. My
only word of caution is to listen to a variety of opinions before you make up
your mind.
One of the saddest things I have ever heard about
writing is about the talented writer who sent her poems to an upscale magazine,
received a form rejection letter, and never sent her poems out again. She also
stopped writing short stories and humorous essays that were well known amongst
her group of friends. Every writer gets rejected. I remember going to a
writers’ seminar where one of the speakers showed us her newly published book
and a picture of her home office wallpapered with rejection letters. E.E. Cummings,
Rudyard Kipling, and Beatrix Potter were all rejected! The script for M.A.S.H.
was rejected no less than 22 times. Just because someone doesn’t like your
story doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Do you like every book you see at your local
bookstore? Reject the discouragement and keep sending your work out. You never
know when you might connect with the right someone.
And when you are querying editors and publishers -
there are a few sure fire ways to destroy your chances. (1) If the editor
rejects you (happens to ALL of us more often than not) - please DO NOT write
back to the editor telling him what a jerk he is for passing on your
masterpiece. (2) Check submission guidelines and follow them as closely as
possible - it is almost guaranteed that if you send your full manuscript in
when the instructions are to send a query only, your prescious manuscript is
going into the trash UNREAD. (3) Do NOT place a list of demands in with your
initial query. If the editor decides she wants your work, she will send you an
agreement or contract which you can request REASONABLE modifications on.
Now, get writing...
Writing exercise: Finish these sentences:
(1) I used to go there often until the night ---
(2) The last time I was caught in that position ---
(3) I was surprised at their reaction when I told them
that I ---
(4) It was the very last time I had ---
(5) The delicious dinner reminded me of the time ---
Writing prompt: Choose any 2 TV characters from
DIFFERENT shows - they are trapped in a stalled elevator for 10 minutes. You
are able to listen in on their conversation (they must each remain in character)
- What do they talk about?
Challenge
Assignment: What was your favorite fairy tale or nursery rhyme as a child?
Re-write that same story as a 1) Crime thriller; 2) Erotica; 3) Contemporary
mainstream; and 4) a Futuristic Sci-Fi.
