Looking back, I find it hard to believe that I started writing more than seven years ago. Back then, I had set myself a few goals: to write a novel that I would enjoy reading (even if no one else did); to get an agent (so I could drop references to ‘my agent’ at parties); and to have my novel published by one of the mainstream publishing houses (to earn a few dollars).
The road I traveled took quite a few wrong turns, but somehow, in spite of all the odds, I managed to cross the finish line. My historical fiction novel, Dawn Of Empire, is now facing potential readers, standing cover-out from the New Fiction shelves of Borders and Barnes & Noble. And I can tell all of you that it is quite a thrill to go into a bookstore and see your story there, all bright and new.
But seven years ago, I began by making all the mistakes possible, including, but not limited to: writing without knowing how to write; starting with a full-length novel instead of polishing my craft and credentials via some shorter stories; using poor writing techniques that produced a boring narrative; and not bothering to learn the basics of the publishing business.
For those of you who are interested, the time line went something like this:
1. Eighteen months to write 242,000 words
2. Three months to rewrite the manuscript after the first serious readers pointed out many of the basic writing problems.
3. Twelve months of additional revisions, to correct more subtle flaws too numerous to mention.
4. Thirty months to find an agent (47 mailed rejections, plus 13 face-to-face).
5. Two months to shorten the manuscript to the agent’s satisfaction
6. One month for the agent to finally accept the manuscript
7. Two months for my agent to setup and auction the story
8. Eighteen months for William Morrow/HarperCollins to sign the contract and get the manuscript into print.
Total elapsed time: Seven years, two months.
If you think that’s a very long time to get a novel out, you’re right. It’s much too long. It’s also just a little above average for a first time author.
In these last seven years, I’ve learned quite a few lessons. First, writing isn’t easy; in fact, good writing is very hard. Revisions are endless, and you need strong critiques throughout the process. (How else can you learn the craft?) You need to be able to put your work out there and let competent people tear it apart. I also learned that while having a good story line is important, the details are critical. Every word matters, every sentence has to move the story forward, every paragraph has to flow smoothly from the previous one, and every chapter needs to draw the reader tighter and tighter into the story. Only when it pains you to add or remove a single word do you know you’re getting closer to your goal. There are no short-cuts, no quick tricks to success.
I’ve also discovered much about agents, editors, publishers, book store owners, reviewers, fellow writers, other authors, even newspaper reporters. The business of publishing is cold and hard, and I’m about to come to grips with a whole host of new issues. Still, my novel is out there, but whether it will be successful or not remains hidden in the future, part of the next journey, one that may lead to several possible conclusions.
Fortunately, the future remains hidden, so I continue on, working on my second novel, and hoping for the best. The good news for all of us is that there is hope, that success, through a combination of hard work and good luck, can be achieved. So I hope all of you out there, the next wave of published authors, take a little heart from my own story.
Time to stop rambling, and get back to work. There are new chapters to write, old ones to revise, and the work of others to critique. But if any of you are curious about the process, or have questions, I’ll try and answer them as best as I can. It’s the least I can do to repay those who helped me.
Good luck to all of you, and keep writing.
Eskkar (aka Sam Barone)
The road I traveled took quite a few wrong turns, but somehow, in spite of all the odds, I managed to cross the finish line. My historical fiction novel, Dawn Of Empire, is now facing potential readers, standing cover-out from the New Fiction shelves of Borders and Barnes & Noble. And I can tell all of you that it is quite a thrill to go into a bookstore and see your story there, all bright and new.
But seven years ago, I began by making all the mistakes possible, including, but not limited to: writing without knowing how to write; starting with a full-length novel instead of polishing my craft and credentials via some shorter stories; using poor writing techniques that produced a boring narrative; and not bothering to learn the basics of the publishing business.
For those of you who are interested, the time line went something like this:
1. Eighteen months to write 242,000 words
2. Three months to rewrite the manuscript after the first serious readers pointed out many of the basic writing problems.
3. Twelve months of additional revisions, to correct more subtle flaws too numerous to mention.
4. Thirty months to find an agent (47 mailed rejections, plus 13 face-to-face).
5. Two months to shorten the manuscript to the agent’s satisfaction
6. One month for the agent to finally accept the manuscript
7. Two months for my agent to setup and auction the story
8. Eighteen months for William Morrow/HarperCollins to sign the contract and get the manuscript into print.
Total elapsed time: Seven years, two months.
If you think that’s a very long time to get a novel out, you’re right. It’s much too long. It’s also just a little above average for a first time author.
In these last seven years, I’ve learned quite a few lessons. First, writing isn’t easy; in fact, good writing is very hard. Revisions are endless, and you need strong critiques throughout the process. (How else can you learn the craft?) You need to be able to put your work out there and let competent people tear it apart. I also learned that while having a good story line is important, the details are critical. Every word matters, every sentence has to move the story forward, every paragraph has to flow smoothly from the previous one, and every chapter needs to draw the reader tighter and tighter into the story. Only when it pains you to add or remove a single word do you know you’re getting closer to your goal. There are no short-cuts, no quick tricks to success.
I’ve also discovered much about agents, editors, publishers, book store owners, reviewers, fellow writers, other authors, even newspaper reporters. The business of publishing is cold and hard, and I’m about to come to grips with a whole host of new issues. Still, my novel is out there, but whether it will be successful or not remains hidden in the future, part of the next journey, one that may lead to several possible conclusions.
Fortunately, the future remains hidden, so I continue on, working on my second novel, and hoping for the best. The good news for all of us is that there is hope, that success, through a combination of hard work and good luck, can be achieved. So I hope all of you out there, the next wave of published authors, take a little heart from my own story.
Time to stop rambling, and get back to work. There are new chapters to write, old ones to revise, and the work of others to critique. But if any of you are curious about the process, or have questions, I’ll try and answer them as best as I can. It’s the least I can do to repay those who helped me.
Good luck to all of you, and keep writing.
Eskkar (aka Sam Barone)
