| The inspiration to write your first book is like falling in | | | | book is about, you'll discover that the real subject is |
| love for the first time. An idea that seems magical | | | | you; your growth as a person, and as a writer. And |
| ignites your passion, and begs to be brought to | | | | it's about your endurance against the odds. |
| published form. So write the book! And whether you | | | | Action expresses priorities. These words by Gandhi |
| plan on querying traditional publishers, or to enter the | | | | sum up one of the toughest aspects of serious |
| brave new world of self-publishing, don't forget that | | | | writing-- the discipline to say no to a lot of other |
| first heady, creative urge that sent you head over | | | | things. This one thing I do is the mantra of every |
| heels in the first place. | | | | focused writer. Non-essentials must go, but there's a |
| Looking back on the process of writing two | | | | bonus: your top life priorities and relationships will be |
| traditionally-published narrative nonfiction books, I see | | | | strengthened by weeding out the fluff. |
| a lot of my success in producing work I was | | | | Write 'till you drop, but know when to stop. The law |
| ultimately happy with had to do with my perspective. | | | | of diminishing returns applies to your book as it does |
| These few tips kept the fires stoked for me right to | | | | to the rest of the universe. All input has a threshold, |
| the end. | | | | beyond which you are wasting your time. Write and |
| You were born for this. I've read well-meaning articles | | | | rewrite, keeping your sword arm free to battle the |
| cautioning would-be authors to make sure an idea will | | | | dragon of self-doubt. When they finally carry you out |
| sell in the highly competitive book market first, | | | | feet first, get up and hire a savvy writer or editor to |
| before they start a book. But just as many | | | | tear your manuscript apart. Then bravely start |
| successful book authors advise new writers to work | | | | rewriting again. Eventually your writer's instinct will tell |
| out of their instincts and passions, out of what they | | | | you it's enough. Obey it. |
| firmly believe they were meant to write about. Highly | | | | Remember, you're still in love. Now is the time to |
| original children's author Dr. Seuss's first manuscript | | | | send out stellar queries that brim with excitement, or |
| was rejected 27 times before Vanguard Press | | | | decide to self-publish. The subject of my first book |
| published it. Despite the rejections, he didn't give in to | | | | was the humorous side of Lent, written for a niche |
| the temptation to modify his originality to fit into the | | | | audience. I wanted the confidence of being |
| current children's book market. The world is full of | | | | connected to a reputable publisher, not hassle with |
| books, and yours can be better than many of them. | | | | self-publishing. I'd read a novel by Frank Schaeffer, |
| So as cliche as it sounds, hang on to your dream. | | | | the highly-regarded editor of an Orthodox publishing |
| Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You are in love | | | | company. My gut told me he'd like my manuscript, |
| with your ideas and your process, but don't count on | | | | and I was right. With persistence and good instincts, |
| other people to bow down in your presence because | | | | you too will find a home for your manuscript. Writing |
| you're writing a book. The journey is lonely; you | | | | your first book will be history, but seeing your name |
| huddled in the glow of a computer screen every | | | | on that cover will make you fall in love with your idea |
| morning at 4 a.m. before work. No matter what your | | | | all over again. |