I’m probably going to stomp on some toes with this but it’s been a’brewing. I’m starting to see a trend and it’s getting under my skin. I have several writer friends who are enjoying the fruit of their labor with the release of their books. Cool. I’ll be right there with them next week with the official release of The Rising. Yeah!
But the last few weeks I’ve found myself “with them” in more ways than one. Bitching. Moaning. Griping. And over all complaining about the amount of work that goes into not just writing the book, but marketing the book. I spent an entire “work” day (meaning total of 8 hours) finalizing a blog tour. Yeah, yeah, yeah…my eyes were crossed when I finished. So what? Stop pissing and moaning about it. Nobody made me market this book. I’m marketing it because, well, I want people to actually read it. They can’t read it if the only place it’s available is on my laptop or in a file drawer.
We have to pitch a few fits before we…
So then we have to back up and question just why we write in the first place. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we’ve all got a story to tell. We like creating characters who live in imaginary worlds. We visualize scenes and whole chapters, complete with soundtrack. But ask yourself who are you writing for? If it’s your family and a few friends, why worry yourself sick about the editing and the cover design and the back cover blurb? Just write it and be done with it. If you’re writing for an audience larger than will fit in your living room, you have to stress about all these other things. But – here’s the kicker – no one is making you do it!
We writers are an odd bunch. I personally think we tend to be a bit passive-aggressive, or bi-polar, or down right unrealistic at times. Yes – please – buy my book! Damn – this marketing! You like it? You really like it? Crap – a bad review. How could they not like it? I’ll just go to bed now and pull the covers over my head, And cry. Crap – forgot about Twitter. Need to reply to those DMs. I just want to write! What the heck is Instagram? Do I have to post pictures? Interact. Just be yourself. Well, myself tends to be a bit of an introvert so how am I supposed to do that oh great Marketing God?
I have friends that say treat writing and marketing like a “real” job. Some even say work only 8 hours a day, like most “normal” people. Well, you know what…it’s not a real job and we’re not normal people. A true writer is never really off the clock because we’re constantly thinking about the dialogue, visualizing the next scene, playing what if. We can’t shut off our brain like some people shut down their computers before punching out for the day. We don’t have a time clock that tells us we’re “done for the day.”
…realize it’s really not that bad
But – no one is making us do it. We do it because somewhere in the far corners of our brains, we like it. We like the creating. We like the ego boost of a five star review. We like the pat-on-the-back. So stop acting like you don’t. Stop acting like it’s a freakin’ chore to dig up more Twitter followers so maybe they’ll buy your book. If you didn’t want people to buy your book, why’d you publish it in the first place? The oh so poor tortured writer is so cliche’. Get over yourself. And I’ll get over myself too. And maybe, just maybe, we can together stop pretending we’re so over-burdened with the business of writing, we’ve lost the joy of writing itself.
So, I’m going to write a little on my WIP this afternoon, maybe market The Rising some, thank my new Twitter followers (all of them for that matter), and maybe play a level or two of Candy Crush. Just a normal Sunday afternoon. And I wouldn’t trade it for a time clock for anything.
Okay, Lynn, I hear ya, but I still got a lot more bitchin’ to do. 🙂
Hey, Lynn, I came over here to see if you have anything on your website celebrating your debut release of The Rising. I’m TOTALLY surprised not to see anything. What’s up with that? Shouldn’t there be a party going on over here? 🙂 🙂 😉
Anyhoo, CONGRATULATIONS on The Rising!!!!! You’re a very awesome and talented writer.
(p.s. Offer still open on my blog. I’ll be going back on hiatus soon so speak now or forever hold your peace.)
We partied all day…over on FB 🙂 Wish you could have joined us. Maybe you’ll reconsider and go ahead and get that FB page up and running!
Hi Lynn! I found you because for some reason you decided to follow me on twitter. I’m not a writer..but I am an avid reader. I’ve always admired writers and wanted to be one. Recently, I began following a writer (on twitter) that captured my heart and I wanted to promote her. When I saw how much she was having to promote her books, I was disappointed because I felt like that took time away from her getting to the next book that I really want to read. I say all this because I just read your blog post and the reality of what writers have to do has confirmed what I was just discovering. I was thinking that it must be difficult to put your heart and soul into creating a story only to let it sit on a shelf. I don’t know how the business side works (pay and so forth), but e-books are cheap. So, like you I wondered how do writers stay motivated to be who they are, writers, in the mist of the marketing and daily life? Your response is that you like it; like creating, etc. I haven’t read any of your books, but I will check them out. I am a product of your hard work in marketing…so I encourage you to keep on keepin’ on!
Jenifer – what a GREAT comment! Just a few short years ago, we would have never “connected” like this so social media does have its advantages
Oh man! Lynn, you’ve been running around in my head. But yes, it’s a pain in the pa-toot and at times I look like your granddaughter (on the inside) with all the marketing stuff. Like you said, MUST do it…. if you want o sell a book to a normal reader that doesn’t live in your circle of friends and relatives.
In the end thought I like my fictional worlds. 🙂
Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and say this IS a pretty cool job 🙂
Whenever I start complaining about the work I have to do being published, he says, “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” I agree, this is what I wanted. So I quit complaining.
Kaye – exactly! It’s like saying (complete with face palm) I’ve lost soooo much weight I’ll have to buy a whole new wardrobe.
OK, that’s something I’d like to do. Alas.
Well said, Lynn. We’re all guilty of it. Truth be told, if you’re a real writer you shouldn’t complain about marketing. You might as well complain about breathing. You can’t live without breathing and you can’t write without marketing. It’s just that simple.
You’re right Pam. It’s like an election. If you didn’t vote, don’t complain about the outcome. If you don’t want to market, don’t complain about lack of sales.
Great blog, Lynn. You exposed the lament that I wouldn’t have dared to speak (as an editor) but it’s something I’ve heard for years – and increasing in volume each year. btw I bought -Unholy Covenant- after you spoke at our Sisters in Crime program, and I was fascinated by the characters! Good job!
Chris
Thanks so much for the comment, Chris. Glad to know all the complaining wasn’t something I imagined LOL