After the Book Is Sold
by LaConnie Taylor-Jones
I once read that a writer is someone who writes stories. An author is someone who sells books.
It took twelve months to complete the first draft of my manuscript. Five revisions and six months later, those three hundred and ten pages circled through the literary community in search of a home. Days turned into weeks and before long, twelve months had come and gone. My manuscript was still homeless. Finally, I received ‘the call’ in the fall of ‘06 and thought I’d won the battle, right? Aah!!
The war hadn’t begun, yet.
Why didn’t someone park me, this neophyte writer down in a chair somewhere, and tell me all the things that come after the book is sold? Even if they had, I probably won’t have really understood what they were saying. Think about it from this perspective, a mother shares the birth experience with a mother-to-be from start to finish. At that point, does the expectant mother really comprehend the miracle of life? No, but she will just as soon as she goes through it herself. There are simply some lessons only experience can teach you.
With an already hectic schedule, how would I ever find a way to pile on my plate the other necessary components that have absolutely nothing to do with the creative aspect of writing such as deadlines, industry networking, and the granddaddy of them all, promotion? There are a few more I could add to the list, but you get the picture. Now combine all of the above with the responsibilities I had before the book. It’s a wonder I haven’t voluntarily committed myself into the nearest mental institution.
To sum it all up, I’ve learned two important lessons on this short literary journey. First, it’s not for the faint at heart. On any given day, it can test the fortitude of the mightiest. Secondly, if you can’t accept constructive feedback or rejection, might wanna keep the day job. This isn’t the gig for you.
So, you might ask, what do I plan to do now that I’ve been through the baptism by fire?
If faint heart ne’er won fair lady, then fair lady ne’er won with a faint heart.
2 comments ↓
“It’s a wonder I haven’t voluntarily committed myself into the nearest mental institution.”
LaConnie, despite the sheer madeness of it all, you are holding up well if your Virtaul Book Tour is any indication of all that you’re doing! Thank you for sharing all (blood, sweat, and tears) that has made you the wonderful writer you are today!
Connie Briscoe, it is always an honor and pleasure to visit your blog and see all of the great authors, industry people, and writing tips you feature here. Thank you so much!
Marlive, thegrits.com
Uh yep. This about says it! And it ain’t over yet. We still might find ourselves checked in somewhere. Or maybe I should just speak for myself.
Thanks for the article!
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