Thanks for the post Rachael, as a reader only, I definitely got something out of it too!
Have friends who have said I should try my hand at writing but personally think writers are born not made and never had the urge to take up the pen. I will always be just a devoted and avid reader, plus the fact I've read so many books in my life, pretty sure I'd be plagiarising someone at some stage!
I think some of the new "tiktok" type self-published romantasy "writers" definitely need the eye of a good editor or a bookish friend to have a word but who am I to judge, they seem to be very popular so good luck to them. Although I can't help but think of a quote by Christopher Hitchens (American journalist):-
"Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where it should, I think, in most cases, remain.”
Oof, this was also my writing journey. I gave up writing for good after seven years of rejection, and that lasted four months before I started again because I couldn’t stop. Took me three more years before I got a contract though!
Thanks for this essay Rachel. I’ve been writing for my whole life. I’ve tried stopping but can’t. Several of my books have either won or been shortlisted in competitions. I can’t get over the line with a publisher though I’ve been close. But I’ve had such a rich life as a writer. Enjoying others writing. Immersing myself in creativity. Processing my own challenges through the lives of my characters. And meeting my closest friends. I feel good when I write. I wouldn’t give up my creative life for anything. I wonder sometimes if I fear success:)
What kind of books are you writing? It definitely sounds like you're a writer right down to your bones. Interesting re fearing success - why do you think that? You've obviously put your work out there. x
I've written junior fiction, YA and one or two adult books (one may be YA if I change the age of my MC in my next draft) and a book for my psychology practice :) They're all drama some with lightness of humour. I do put my work out there in competitions and assessments. I love the opportunity to speak with publishers about my work and have found it helpful. It is challenging though when there are so many different perspectives. It's hard to know what to follow. I'm thinking about working with a professional editor on one of my projects just to see how it feels.
I wonder if I fear success in a sense of not knowing what's on the other side. I listen to alot of podcasts and hear authors talk about pressures of publishing and sometimes what an author experiences can be daunting. I think the biggest fear might be what if I make the wrong decision for my work. There's also the worry of sending my work to a publisher when it isn't quite ready. I wonder if the times I get an opportunity if I give off a vibe that makes the opportunity slip through my fingers energetically. But then mostly I believe I can't be any more prepared than what I am and it's all about continuing to look for the person who resonates with my work. They're out there somewhere :)
I definitely wouldn't send your work to a publisher until you think it's ready. Have friends read it maybe and some writers you trust to give you honest feedback. But I also wouldn't be scared of making the wrong decision. I don't think they're wrong or right decisions in this industry, more learning opportunities. Good luck. xx
Thank you Rachael. I've been in a writers group for years and years. It's one of the most treasured parts of my writing. :) Thank you for your time. I will certainly be continuing to put my work out there :) Looking forward to you upcoming work being released, especially the manuscript on substack :) All the best with it.
Thanks for this Rachael. I sometimes look back at the Marcia who wrote with ease and was expected to be an author by her teachers and wonder if my desire to write is because of their expectations. Then I listen to that part of my heart/brain that whispers 'you're good with words, stop self sabotaging and just do it, you know you not only want to, you need to.'
I’ve always loved to write. Wrote my first poem as a young teen. Wrote a teenage romance at 18 and finishes it years later. Left it as it. I have a Christian novel ready. Thank you for the read and good advice. Happy writing.
It depends on your reasons for writing. If it is purely done as a passionate hobby, then there is no need to give up. If it is done for income, or an attempt to become a well known name, and you have given up with the struggle and it is effecting mental health, then giving up writing may be a wise move.
That's true - this was initially written for a professional writing organisation where the majority of members are aiming to make a career out of this ;) x
Oh Rach, this one hit me in the feels! Thank you for articulating it SO WELL. I have tried quitting many times but it keeps stubbornly coming back. It can be incredibly hard to know what the ‘right’ thing to do is, in an industry that can often seem so arbitrary! As you say the only way to stay (somewhat) sane is to write because you can’t not – but even that can be easier said than done.
I feel like my fifth novel is starting to feel like real ‘me’ as a writer – it’s hard not to look back at earlier work and cringe. I very much had my apprenticeship in public! But I try and remind myself that we can only ever be who we are at the time. What matters perhaps are the lessons and strength we take from the tricky parts of the path. And there will always be tricky parts!
Thank you for always being such a source of wisdom and inspiration! xx
Oh you’re too kind! (My fifth novel is THE FANCIES; currently working on my sixth and it’s driving me a bit bananas!) And anyway YOU are wonderful! :D xx
Thanks for the post Rachael, as a reader only, I definitely got something out of it too!
Have friends who have said I should try my hand at writing but personally think writers are born not made and never had the urge to take up the pen. I will always be just a devoted and avid reader, plus the fact I've read so many books in my life, pretty sure I'd be plagiarising someone at some stage!
I think some of the new "tiktok" type self-published romantasy "writers" definitely need the eye of a good editor or a bookish friend to have a word but who am I to judge, they seem to be very popular so good luck to them. Although I can't help but think of a quote by Christopher Hitchens (American journalist):-
"Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where it should, I think, in most cases, remain.”
😊
I'm so glad you enjoyed it and WOW - I hadn't heard that quote but it's definitely a good one!
Oof, this was also my writing journey. I gave up writing for good after seven years of rejection, and that lasted four months before I started again because I couldn’t stop. Took me three more years before I got a contract though!
Tenacity is the name of the game! x
Rachel, I read this and my eyes welled up with tears. This piece resonated so strongly with me.
Thank you for sharing this beautifully articulated and personal snapshot of your writing journey.
You deserve to be incredibly proud of your tenacious spirit, hard work and giving your dream a soul.
Aw thank you so much! xx
Thanks for this essay Rachel. I’ve been writing for my whole life. I’ve tried stopping but can’t. Several of my books have either won or been shortlisted in competitions. I can’t get over the line with a publisher though I’ve been close. But I’ve had such a rich life as a writer. Enjoying others writing. Immersing myself in creativity. Processing my own challenges through the lives of my characters. And meeting my closest friends. I feel good when I write. I wouldn’t give up my creative life for anything. I wonder sometimes if I fear success:)
What kind of books are you writing? It definitely sounds like you're a writer right down to your bones. Interesting re fearing success - why do you think that? You've obviously put your work out there. x
I've written junior fiction, YA and one or two adult books (one may be YA if I change the age of my MC in my next draft) and a book for my psychology practice :) They're all drama some with lightness of humour. I do put my work out there in competitions and assessments. I love the opportunity to speak with publishers about my work and have found it helpful. It is challenging though when there are so many different perspectives. It's hard to know what to follow. I'm thinking about working with a professional editor on one of my projects just to see how it feels.
I wonder if I fear success in a sense of not knowing what's on the other side. I listen to alot of podcasts and hear authors talk about pressures of publishing and sometimes what an author experiences can be daunting. I think the biggest fear might be what if I make the wrong decision for my work. There's also the worry of sending my work to a publisher when it isn't quite ready. I wonder if the times I get an opportunity if I give off a vibe that makes the opportunity slip through my fingers energetically. But then mostly I believe I can't be any more prepared than what I am and it's all about continuing to look for the person who resonates with my work. They're out there somewhere :)
I definitely wouldn't send your work to a publisher until you think it's ready. Have friends read it maybe and some writers you trust to give you honest feedback. But I also wouldn't be scared of making the wrong decision. I don't think they're wrong or right decisions in this industry, more learning opportunities. Good luck. xx
Thank you Rachael. I've been in a writers group for years and years. It's one of the most treasured parts of my writing. :) Thank you for your time. I will certainly be continuing to put my work out there :) Looking forward to you upcoming work being released, especially the manuscript on substack :) All the best with it.
Thank you for your honesty Rachael.
Thanks for reading. x
Thanks for this Rachael. I sometimes look back at the Marcia who wrote with ease and was expected to be an author by her teachers and wonder if my desire to write is because of their expectations. Then I listen to that part of my heart/brain that whispers 'you're good with words, stop self sabotaging and just do it, you know you not only want to, you need to.'
I think if it was just the teachers, you'd be able to quit. x
I’ve always loved to write. Wrote my first poem as a young teen. Wrote a teenage romance at 18 and finishes it years later. Left it as it. I have a Christian novel ready. Thank you for the read and good advice. Happy writing.
Happy writing to you too. x
So relate to this. Have tried to convince myself to quit so many times and there's something in me that just can't
You're definitely meant to be a writer ;) x
It depends on your reasons for writing. If it is purely done as a passionate hobby, then there is no need to give up. If it is done for income, or an attempt to become a well known name, and you have given up with the struggle and it is effecting mental health, then giving up writing may be a wise move.
That's true - this was initially written for a professional writing organisation where the majority of members are aiming to make a career out of this ;) x
This! So this! 💞 Thanks for putting words to it, Rach!
Aw thanks. x
I needed to read this today. Even though there are never enough hours in the day, I think I've come too far in my writing adventure to give up now.
We definitely need someone to come up with a way to add m ore hours in the day. Big love! x
Oh Rach, this one hit me in the feels! Thank you for articulating it SO WELL. I have tried quitting many times but it keeps stubbornly coming back. It can be incredibly hard to know what the ‘right’ thing to do is, in an industry that can often seem so arbitrary! As you say the only way to stay (somewhat) sane is to write because you can’t not – but even that can be easier said than done.
I feel like my fifth novel is starting to feel like real ‘me’ as a writer – it’s hard not to look back at earlier work and cringe. I very much had my apprenticeship in public! But I try and remind myself that we can only ever be who we are at the time. What matters perhaps are the lessons and strength we take from the tricky parts of the path. And there will always be tricky parts!
Thank you for always being such a source of wisdom and inspiration! xx
I think you're too harsh on yourself. I've read a few of your n novels and they are WONDERFUL, but I can't wait for book five as well. x
Oh you’re too kind! (My fifth novel is THE FANCIES; currently working on my sixth and it’s driving me a bit bananas!) And anyway YOU are wonderful! :D xx
Whoops sorry - I have indeed read that one and LOVED it! x