Questions For Scott

For the next several days, I will be on a break. But that doesn't mean you should be on a break.

What quesitions do you want answered here. Post those questions and when I get back to the blog, I'll answer them.

See you soon and give me something to write about.

Scott

Take A Vacation From Your Writing - You'll Be Surprised What You Find

O.K. There are two points I want to make here.

First of all, I am taking a break with the family. That means you are on your own with blog posts here until sometime around the 15th of the month. Sorry, I need that break.

But, here is the more important part. You need to take a break, every now and then, from your writing to get a new perspective on things. Too often, writers find themselves in a case of tunnel vision from working far too hard on a story. Sometimes you simply have to step away.

Think of it this way. How often, while you are doing something completely random, that you remember something you need to do on another project. Sometimes we remember this during our sleep. For me, it is always while I am cleaning house or cooking dinner. During that "mentally relaxing period" my brain doesn't have to work hard. It is a chance to unclog the pipes a bit and suddenly we can figure out those problems that we have been fighting with on some other project.

As a writer, you have to do the same thing. If you are struggling on a current story. Leave it. Do something else. Write some other completely different genre. Go blog. Go enjoy time with your family.

You'll be shocked, you will find the answer you are looking for when you aren't thinking about it.

Scott

Watch That Professional Jealosy

I know how it feels. It makes you feel miserable when you see a friend of yours make a sale and you are still trying to get some books even finished. Agents see this all of the time. We follow each other on social media and while we are busy writing proposal after proposal, we see other agents making sales. Ohhh do we see green.

Still, it is important to remember that we really don't know what the context was for that success. Was this a project that had been a 5 year uphill battle? Was it a better book? We simply don't know.

Along the same lines, we need to remember that they likely feel the same way when we make the sale and they are fighting with proposals.

Look, if you have friends and critique partners that make sales, enjoy their success. Cheer them on. Don't get distracted and start feeling you aren't worthy. It simply means that your time is still to come.

Scott

Things Will Get Better

The economy sucks.

O.K. now that we all agree on that, let me remind you that our world tends to be one huge pendulum. Things swing one way and then they swing the other way. This includes the economy.

I am saying this simply to stress that while the market for books might be slow right now; and editors and agent might not be buying books right now; it does not mean that the market is going to be gone forever. Things will get better and we just have to wait. I know it is tough, but we can do it.

I really do worry about those people in the publishing industry (writers, editors and agents) that panic too quickly and jump ship to chase after that immediate success. Writers are diving into contracts and writing programs that we have seen too often, come back and really be a bad move. Yes, I am talking self-publishing here.. Editors are dumping programs in a panic and moving into fields that they probably haven't done enough market research on and may be spending money wastefully. Agents too are not exempt from this as they shift how they acquire books, how they sell books and what they do with their business.

For me, I do believe that things will get better and eventually, all of you out there that didn't panic will find that success, and personally, I do believe will be more successful than those who made the quick and hasty moves. Just hold on!

Scott

What Writers Can Learn From Politicians

I have to be one of the first to admit that I really do get tired of this time of year when the politicians are all running for office. Still, I know it is important and frankly, I am pretty dang proud of getting the chance to live in the US. While this time might be a bit crazy with the ads, I was thinking recently of how what we are seeing going on right now (and in the past) really does translate well to writers.

Whether or not you want to believe the things going on with Herman Cain, I do have to say that this is one of those examples where things in the past really do have an impact on what you do today. Although an issue might be small (not saying the allegations about Mr. Cain are), those small little things can come back to bite you.

I know that I am someone who does remember things writers have said and done in the past. There are several authors out there that I would never go out and buy their book. Even if that author were to come to me and want me to represent them with a 7 figure deal, I would likely pass on it. Why? Because of some things they either said or did in the past that I felt were simply not right.

Now that we have moved into an electronic age, everything we say and do can be tracked. Employers are reading what we post on Twitter, Facebook and our blogs. We have become an "open book" and "Big Brother" might be watching you.

I just want to remind all of you to really watch what you do. This is especially true for those of you fighting and working so hard for that first contract with an editor or agent. Hopefully you don't have any skeletons in the closet that might come back to get you.

Scott