Time to Write

How can a writer be in the right place at the right time?

Can guidelines for young artists apply to young (and not so young) writers as well? A recent post features a short video about artist John Baldessari, narrated by Tom Waits. It end with three things Baldessari thinks young artists should know. Let’s look how at the third applies to writers:

"Being at the right place at the right time"

Maybe in the 20’s, Paris was the right place for a writer. Most of the rest of the time, perhaps New York and London.

Since the advent of the internet, geography doesn’t matter as much, although having a supportive and challenging local community still counts for a lot. It’s hard to go drinking with an avatar.

The art world is small, the actions of one or two collectors can suddenly propel you into the stratosphere. If the right rich collector or the right influential gallery decides your dots or your pickled shark or your unmade bad is great art, your life changes the next day.

Certainly the right endorsement (e.g. Oprah, until recently) could propel a book onto the best-seller list but there is also the possibility of a more organic success such as Harry Potter and there isn’t one writing world but many.

So what’s the right place at the right time for a writer? My guess is that the writers who land there have several characteristics:

• Being open to, and early to adopt, new ways to tell and deliver stories
• Telling the stories which matter to them, rather than trying to copy current trends or anticipate future ones
• Having a personal story to tell, something dramatic in some way (but also true)
• Having a champion
• Not being discouraged by setbacks
• Writing, lots of writing

The rest may be down to luck.

(It can be illuminating to learn how the greatest writers went about their work and you can do that by reading "Your Creative Writing Masterclass," published by Nichoals Brealey and available from Amazon and ohter booksellers now.)

 

Do you have to be possessed to be a writer?

Can guidelines for young artists apply to young (and not so young) writers as well? A recent post features a short video about artist John Baldessari, narrated by Tom Waits. It end with three things Baldessari thinks young artists should know. Let’s look at how the second applies to writers:

"You have to be possessed, which you can’t will"

I think this is what some writers mean when they say they have to write, that if a day goes by on which they don’t write, they feel uncomfortable.

I’m sure that’s true for some writers, but I also believe there are different levels of this kind of possession. I don’t write every day, although I guess I think about it, either in terms of a current project or a new idea, just about every day.

Maybe I have “Possession Lite.”

Perhaps if I had a higher grade of possession I’d be better known or be a better writer, but it’s been enough to allow me to be a professional writer for a long time, and I’m happy with that. So if you don’t have that total drive, don’t think that means you’re not a writer, but you have to have at least some of it.

I also think while you can’t will it, you can create the conditions that make it more likely that you’ll have it. Sometimes you have to go through a period of uncertainty before the possession comes on. Maybe it’s better not to worry about it. Just get on with writing something. 

(How did the great writers of all time--Conrad, Austen, Twain, Kafka--do it? They reveal many of their secrets in my new book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Why so many writers with talent fail

Can guidelines for young artists apply to young (and not so young) writers as well? The previous post features a short video about artist John Baldessari, narrated by Tom Waits. It end with three things Baldessari thinks young artists should know. Let’s look at how the first of these applies to writers:

"Talent is cheap"

Yep. If you’re creative and have lots of ideas, congratulations, you’ve taken the first step. But it’s only the first step. 

I’ve known lots of writers with talent but no discipline.

They talk entertainingly about what they are going to write someday.

When they hear about a new book or film sometimes they tell you, truthfully, that they had that idea, too.

Most likely they have part of a novel or screenplay in a drawer. If they show it to you, you will be impressed by their talent.

Often they affect the current version of a bohemian style. Black predominates in their wardrobe.

The only thing missing is action. Writing the book or the screenplay. Or at least finishing it—there’s always a bit of work left to do on it before they send it out.

It can be a pleasant lifestyle—some of the perks of being a writer but none of the stress and risk, plus you don't have to wash black clothes so often. No impact, though, and not much creative satisfaction.

People sometimes ask me what the definition is of a writer—that is, do you have to be published to call yourself a writer? I don’t think so. A writer is somebody who writes….and finishes what they write. And then starts on the next thing. 

(Why not listen to the writing advice of writers who had both talent and discipline--people like Dickens, Twain and Austen? You'll find it in my newest book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, published by Nicholas Brealey and available now from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Why you don't need to suffer to write

It's kind of a romantic notion that writers must suffer. I ran across a different perspective on that at Caroline Leavittville's blog, from author Frances Greenslade:

"I remember when I gave up the idea that writers had to live on the brink of disaster in order to be creative. Hardship, the idea goes, keeps you on your toes creatively, doesn’t allow you to grow complacent…The year my son was born was, for me, the beginning of the end of the romantic notion of the suffering artist…And once I achieved some stability, I recognized how good it was for my writing life. I could relax enough to go deeply into the world of whatever story I was working on."

So what does her non-suffering schedule look like?

"I began a writing routine that I still follow. Once I get my son off to school, I write through the morning, avoiding email and putting off telephone calls that can lead me off on day-long tangents that leave me feeling that I’ve accomplished nothing."

I suspect that the writers who actually do work better under a lot of pressure are a small minority. If you think you are one, consider the wear and tear it puts on you and consider trying to write one project under less stressful conditions and see how it goes.

(You'll find lots of tips for getting loads done with minimal stress in my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done," published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

 

 

52 Tips to Writing Success - 6: phone a friend!

This is the sixth in a series of weekly tips regarding small changes you can make, one per week, to write better, write faster, and have more confidence about your writing.

Do the members of your family and your friends respect how seriously you take your writing? Do you have somebody who knows about writing with whom to talk about challenges that come up or celebrate your victories?

If not, it's time you found some support.

This is easier than it used to be. If there isn't a writing group around, you can turn to the internet and the many writing-related sites that have forums and other ways for members to connect.

I recommend joining the people who have signed up for an annual subscription to my MADs--Massive Action Days. Annual members have access to our chatroom 24/7 and there's a small group in the chatroom every day, working on their own projects and also ready to help or just chat with others working on writing projects. And ten times a year you can focus on your writing on our Massive Action Days and get the surpport of 100 or more of your peers. You can get more information here: 

http://massiveactionday.com/new-annual-mad-sign-up-page/

Wherever you find your new friends, stay in touch and make sure you don't contact them only on days you are feeling discouraged. Celebrating victories together is important, too, and not just the big ones like publishing a book. You can also congratulate each other on hittting the smaller milestones that go with every big project. 

(You can also get friendly support in print form, from having the idea right through to publication, via my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from all good booksellers and a few bad ones as well.)

What you might regret on your deathbed--unless you change things.

A while back someone who works at a hospice wrote about what people regret on their deathbed. Here are the major categories:

1. That they didn’t have the courage to go for their dreams. Their dreams, rather than what was expected of them. Do you have dreams you’ve been neglecting?

2. That they spent too much time working, not enough living. If you are lucky enough to love what you do for work, this will not happen to you. If not, how can you shift the balance?

3. That they didn’t express their true feelings. This usually was about expressing positive feelings. Isn’t it interesting that we find it easier to be critical and negative than supportive and positive? That we find it embarrassing to say to friends or family members, ”You are an important part of my life.” I’ve tried to do this but I understand the hesitancy—what if they are embarrassed by hearing that? Well, how would you feel about hearing it from a friend? That’s probably the same way they’d feel.

4. That they didn’t stay in touch with friends. It takes some effort to go beyond just posting on Facebook, to arrange to spend time with old friends.

Last year I and three others who lived together during our university years got together as a group for the first time since then, and it was great. Yes, it meant a long trip for some of us, and juggling schedules, but it was well worth it.

Are there friends from whom you have drifted away? I love the saying that friends are the family we choose. Sometimes our interests diverge but other times it’s just routine and laziness that keeps us from staying in touch. Is there someone you could re-connect with?

 5. They didn’t realize that happiness is a choice. It’s not what happens that counts, it’s how we respond to what happens.

We can resist the social/commercial message that to be happy we have to use shampoo X, wear watch Y, carry around phone Z.

We can choose not to focus our attention on the fires, kidnappings, plane crashes, and sensational murders happening all around the world that the media are only too happy to relate to us in gruesome detail.

We can focus on making the most of our lives, being of service, and enjoying the day. 

Wouldn't it be great to get to the end of our lives and discover we have no regrets?

(One way to do more of what you love is to figure out how to focus your time and energy. You can find out how to do that in my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done." It's published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

52 Tips to Writing Success - 4: prepare for the dip!

This is the fourth in a series of weekly tips regarding small changes you can make, one per week, to write better, write faster, and have more confidence about your writing.

_{4: Prepare for the dip. The dip is what marketing guru Seth Godin calls the point in any project, usually in the middle, when progress is difficult and you begin to doubt the work and yourself. It’s tempting at that point to drop the project and take on a new one that seems like it’ll be much easier. It won’t. If you know this is going to happen and that it’s normal, you’ll be able to deal with it much better. Now that you’ve thought about it, when it happens just say, “Aha! I was expecting you!” and continue.}

(If you want to see the other two tips that have been mentioned so far, click on the Category "52 Tips for Writing Succss."( And do you want some friendly guidance that takes you all the way from your idea through the publication?  Get a copy of my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon and other book sellers.)

 

Another writing contest for UK writers - crime novel with a female protagonist

Faber and Faber and Stylist magazine are sponsoring a contest for UK writers of crime fiction. Your crime novel has to have a female protagonist.

The prize is a publishing contract with Faber & Faber, including a non-returnable advance of £5,000 for world rights in the book. The judges of the prize will decide on a short list of a minimum of three and a maximum of six submissions. These writers will be interviewed before the final choice is made. Here are the basic rules:

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

 a) The prize is strictly only open to authors who have not had a novel published before. 

 b) The decision of the judges on the eligibility of a book is final and binding. 

 c) Entrants must live in the UK.

d) All applicants must be over 18. Proof of age may be required. 

 WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT?

 a) Each entrant should submit the first 6,000 words of a crime novel or thriller, an outline (no more than 300 words) to show how the story will unfold but that doesn’t reveal the ending and a 250 word biography of their central character. 

They should include their name, contact details and date of birth 

 b) The submission must be original and in English

 c) Writers may enter only one submission

 d) Please ensure that a copy of the submission is made before posting because no entries will be returned

 e) No email entries accepted 

 f) Please submit work double-spaced on A4 paper, single-sided with page numbers 

 g) Please include name/title on running header/footer 

h) Submissions must be received by 12 July 2012. Please post submissions to Stylist Magazine Crime Fiction Competition, Shortlist Media, 26-34 Emerald Street, London, WC1N 3QA

 i) The judges reserve the right not to award the prize if there is no submission of sufficient merit

 j) Each entrant confirms that their entry will not infringe any law or regulation or third party right, including (but not limited to) the law of copyright or trademarks. 

k) Stylist/Faber reserves the right at any time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control.

 j) Faber shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.

k) The Competition will be governed by English law.

l) Other conditions may apply

I like contests that don't charge an entry fee, so if you have already been working on a crime novel or have an idea for one that you can develop, this could be worth it. By the way, don't ask me why the stipulation that it has to have a female protagonist, it's not like there's a shortage. 

You'll find the complete information here: http://www.stylist.co.uk/books/get-published/crime-fiction-competition

Yes, American (and other) readers, I'm on the lookout for valid contests elsewhere, too.

(Do you want to get support for your writing, consider signing up for my online Writing Breakthrough Program--60 days of weekly guidelines, bi-weekly phone calls, answers to your writing questions, and more--check out http://www.writingbreakthroughstrategy.com. The next session starts May 21.)

52 Tips to Writing Success - 2: Keep it handy!

There’s a self-help book out that says you can make a big change in your life by making one small change per week. That got me thinking what a list of small changes like that might be for a writer and I’m suggesting one per week for the next year. Here’s the second in the series:

2: Even if you don’t have a dedicated room for your writing, or even a desk just for that, create a box or file that contains everything that relates to your current project so you don’t have to go hunting for it at the start of a writing session. Take it out at the start, put it away at the end.

(If you want to see the first tip in this series, click on the Category "52 Tips for Writing Success." Want writing advice from the all-time best? I mean Twain, Austen, Dickens, Stevenson as well as contemporary successful authors? It's in my book, "Your Creative Writing Masterclass," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon and other book sellers.)

Write crime, or want to? This contest could be for you (if you live in the UK)

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, in association with Bloomsbury Publishing and The Crime Writers' Association, have launched the Short Sentence crime writing competition. Here's their announcement:

We're challenging you to write a tale of dastardly deeds in 1000 words or less. Entries will be collected throughout the year and each month we will announce one winner and four runners-up.  An overall winner will be announced during National Short Story Week in November.

Prizes include a place at the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook conference 2013, £100 worth of Bloomsbury books, a ticket for Harrogate Crime Festival 2013 and your winning story published as part of the Short Sentence Collection e-book. For more details, visit www.shortsentence.wordpress.com.

***

I don't list contests too often because I think most of the time you're better off working on your own projects rather than fulfilling the brief of a competition. In this case, though, the entries are so short and there's no entry fee, so it could be fun to do it as a writing exercise. Do read their complete rules--if you win, they will publish your entry and have the rights to it for a year. They're not making any money from it and therefore contributors won't get paid, either, which is fair enough. It would be a nice little credit, though. 

Also be sure to see the site to find out what the current theme word is--this changes as the year goes on. 

(Want writing advice from some of the best writers of all time, including Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov, Jane Austen, as well as modern masters like Elmore Leonard and Kurt Vonnegut? Get my new book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)