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Do you love to make lists? I do. I write all kinds of lists. Bucket Lists. Grocery Lists. Deadline Lists.
Although the following list was written from the perspective of author talking to author, I think many of these lessons learned as a published author apply to life in general and will be of interest to readers too. So here’s my list of things I’ve learned after over thirty years in publishing and the writing of over seventy books.
- A writer never has to worry about running out of ideas. They’re a dime a dozen.
- A book gets written one word, one paragraph, one page at a time.
- Write a page a day and you’ll have a 365 page manuscript at the end of one year.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff (and there is a ton of small stuff in publishing).
- Don’t compare yourself to another author. Don’t compare your success to another author’s success. It doesn’t change anything and it isn’t healthy.
- As much as is possible, hold on to your joy of writing even when the business of writing is unpleasant.
- Be a professional in every way and be kind to the professionals with whom you work.
- Write the book of your heart every single time. In fiction, if you don’t love your characters and the story you are telling, neither will the readers.
- Read, read, read. Reading is just as important for a seasoned professional as it is for a raw beginner. You’ll learn more from great novels as a writer than from reading a host of how-to-write books (although you should read and study those too).
- Don’t forget to live your life. Without your own experiences—your heartaches, your joys, your failures, your triumphs—you’ll have nothing to write about. Live fully! Live relationally! Live joyfully!
Over on my web site, I’m running a giveaway. I have four Advanced Reader Copies (uncorrected proofs) of Love Without End, the first book in the new Kings Meadow Romance series. This is a contemporary romance, and for those of you who have read A Promise Kept, you will recognized the hero, Chet Leonard.
Love Without End is set to release in mid-November, and I would love to get some early buzz about the book started. Word of mouth is critical to a book’s success.
Riffing off a well-known George Strait song, Hatcher tells the story of Kimberly and Chet, both carrying deep-seated pain from past marriages. It will take one wise matchmaker to help them see that love doesn’t come with an expiration date.
I am looking for four readers who are willing to read an advanced copy (overlooking errors, knowing that the ARCs were printed before final corrections were made) and who will also promise to post reviews online as early as possible to places such as Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Christian Book, etc. Does that describe you?
If so, come over to my web site and enter by using the Rafflecopter form and leaving a comment. (Read the linked blog post for full instructions.)
~robin
Header Image: © pavelkriuchkov / Dollar Photo Club
Robin Lee Hatcher
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Great list, Robin. I love #8 – Write the book of your heart every time. That is such great advice. I often have readers ask me which book of mine I would say is my favorite, and I can never pick. It’s like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. It can’t be done. And now I know why. Each one is a book of my heart. Thanks for a healthy dose of perspective today!
I’m like you, Karen. I can’t pick a favorite. I can point to books that I love for different reasons, but that isn’t the same thing as a favorite.
I agree with Karen. Great list and such good reminders. It’s too easy to fall into the comparison trap and forget why we’re writing in the first place.
Thanks, Julie. I feel very strongly about the temptation to compare. It’s a sneaky trap of the enemy!
Your list rings very true for me! Like Karen, I especially loved #8.
Thanks, Becky. #8 came to me years ago in RWA when people started asking “Have you written the book of your heart?” It seemed such a silly question. Why would I want to spend months and months working on a book that I didn’t love? So #8 became my answer.
As you know, I am seeing this in the perspective as a Reader, Robin. I thought your list was terrific and most certainly can be used all round.
#5 particularly is a great boost for one’s morale in not comparing ourselves with others. Quite a dangerous thing to do ,if one is feeling low. So good on you for sharing your list.It’s a great one!:)
BTW is your giveaway open to O/S readers this time? I always manage to mess up the rafflecopters LOL
Rosie, I totally forgot to choose the USA only for this giveaway. My fault if I have to mail out of the country. So go ahead and enter. And I hope Rafflecopter works for you this time.
Awesome list — and relevant to non-writers as well as readers. Following those points will bring balance to anyone whether writer or reader. 🙂 And yes, I was curious too about the giveaway — is it open to U.S. only?
Kav, it is terribly expensive to mail ARCs because they are printed on heavier paper stock. But I forgot to limit to the US, so go ahead and enter. I’ll be delighted if one of my Inspired by Life and Fiction friends win, even if they live outside of the USA.
Great list! While I embrace #1, #2, #8, and #9 with all my heart, and strive for the rest, I’m struggling a bit with #10, as I’m still finding my feet in this world of publishing and (with my Border Collie work ethic) am tempted to give myself to it to the exclusion of the rest of my life. I have always been obsessive that way about my creative passions. Now that passion is also my work, a it’s become far more demanding scenario. Though the work is fulfilling because it IS my passion, an adjustment of balance is needed. Working on it!
Keep working on #10 (love the Border Collie work ethic because I have owned Border Collies and not exactly what you mean!). There was a period of time in my career when I was in my office writing 7 days a week. I finally realized God had a purpose in telling us to rest.
This post is a keeper, Robin. 🙂 Great list that applies to all of us (writers AND readers alike).
I, too, am a list-maker! And what a wonderful feeling to cross off items on a daily “To Do” list (even if it’s something
small).
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Thanks, Patti Jo. And did I see your name as a new member of FHL? If so, welcome, friend.