The Job of Productivity
The Job of Productivity
or
An Author’s Work is Never Done
by Sandi Layne
Since the last time I have had the privilege of appearing here at MyVampFiction, I have put out a new novel. And had it “translated” to Kindle format. And had both of them make their debut at Amazon. And…
Well yes, of course there’s more. Because to live as a working writer, you rarely run out of things to…well…write.
Pat Your Back and Keep Typing
It’s a huge rush to finish a book. A major thrill ride to get it published. All of this is true. But between finishing and publishing, in the conventional publishing universe, there is lag time. In this lag time, while you have finished and edited and re-edited, you should probably be writing your next project as well as – possibly – outlining a future one.
You have seen that major, bestselling novelists have at least one book out a year while they are establishing themselves. Some have more than one. Some currently very active novelists include John Ringo, Eric Flint, David Weber, J.R. Ward, Freya North and Diana Gabaldon. These people – and of course the twenty others I heard of after making a plea on twitter – make their living by their words. Some of their novels take months if not a year to draft. You can likely presume they do not rest on their book launches and author signings. Rather, they have to schedule publisher appearances in between writing schedules, because they have series in progress and/or deadlines to meet.
They might also be writing a blog.
Courting Carpal Tunnel
Current conventional wisdom in the world of publishing is advising authors to remain accessible and interactive with their readers. It isn’t enough anymore just to write imaginative works of fiction; one has to blog, produce newsletters, update websites and make an effort at local appearances.
In addition, many authors today have twitter accounts. (Of course I do.) This allows them (or their duly appointed representatives) to pop out notices or excerpts in 140 characters or less for their reading public. I cannot forget to include the Amazon.com Author Pages in my online presence for today’s working writer, either. If you have published titles, Author, you can get a page for yourself there and promote discussions, update readers and potential readers and change your personal bio at will.
A new force in the “Keep Typing!” wave is Goodreads. Yes, I have an author page there, too. Goodreads is a terrific networking resource for the up and coming novelist. You can blog there, post excerpts of works in progress and host contests and giveaways.
Remember, all of these are in addition to doing the work that people pay you for – writing books and stories.
Back to Outlining
Finishing that novel is an amazing feeling. If it’s your third or your thirtieth (nothing compares to the first or second, so I’m not going to pretend), you will feel immense satisfaction in not only completing the first draft, but also seeing it come out in print. It’s tempting to, like a racer after the final heat, take a long drink and go sit down to relax.
But you really can’t, as a working novelist. You have more plots swimming in your head, more research to do, more characters to get to know, more notes to take, more people to interview. The next outline to create.
So you might be outlining a story about an angelic visitation while editing a book set in 1802, India while you’re being interviewed by email by websites and local papers about the book you actually wrote years ago that was set in a paranormal universe inhabited by viable ghosts.
Keep that outline organized, no matter what. Self-discipline is the key to productivity. The interview is nice, sure, and it’s gratifying to be polishing a completed work, of course. But it’s that outline that will bring you money in two or four years.
Don’t forget – this is a job based upon productivity.
If you can be happily productive doing anything else, you might want to try that – just so you know, without a doubt, that the stresses of working as a novelist are welcome.
Until next time, I’ll be working on that short story and the longer historical novel as well as reviving my own blog. We’ll see how I do.
My next column might come complete with wrist-braces. :)
I have tried my hand at writing fan fiction, but I by no means consider myself an author. I’m amazed at the dedication true authors put forth to bring their vision to the page so that us lucky readers can live in their worlds. You mentioned J.R. Ward. I’ve been lucky enough to attend two of her book signings, and she has stated that she writes 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. With that productivity, she is able to put out two books a year, which I consider a pretty amazing feat. So, to all the authors out there who dedicate their heart, soul, and wrists, to feed my addiction, I say thank you!
Heather, hi!
It is a huge busy life to put out more than one book a year. It is a way of life, a way you structure your days and for some, it’s an obsession! ;-)
“…who dedicate their…wrists…” LOL YES, this. :)
Thank you for reading! :)