About Writing ... Just Between Us

Reflections of a Newbie …

(Note from Linda: The original article first appeared in the February 2001 edition of Happily Ever After, the newsletter of the West Houston Chapter of RWA. I’ve done some light editing here.)

It took me about a hundred years of putting my tush in the chair and fingers on the keyboard to finally produce a saleable novel. My boys became men during that time. We moved from the Bay State to the Lone Star State during that time. I held five different day jobs during that time. And everyone except our chapter members, my mom, and my husband will imagine me an overnight success, the result of some mystical happening that somehow turned me into a published author. And that’s okay. After all, romance should have some mystique. But, just between us…after my huge investment in writing time, and after selling a story to Harlequin, and then making the second sale, and them requesting a multi-book proposal (which was mailed last week)…you’d think I’d have all the answers, right? Not quite. But I am happy to share what I’ve learned through my own experiences in the trenches. 

1) Insecurity is normal. What a surprise! I haven’t met a writer yet, either published or unpublished, who doesn’t worry, obsess, lose sleep (pick one) over her: career, manuscript, book, book cover, WIP, pitch, conference wardrobe (pick as many as you like). The only comfort I can take as I wait for the acceptance of the proposal—please God, just let them like it—is that anxiety is normal. Accept it, and maybe lose a few pounds. 

2) Being a contest queen is nice, but not necessary. I entered less than a dozen contests over the years, was a finalist in only two small ones, but earned consistent strong scores in almost every one I entered. My conclusion? Constant good performance can lead to as much confidence as a win can. Which leads me to the question: Why did I enter so few contests? Since this is just between us, I’ll confess…refer to #1. I entered the Emily every year because I trusted the contest. I chose other contests carefully as well because I wanted as honest a count as possible when I put my neck on the line. Our egos are fragile; our insecurities strong. Choose wisely.

3) Workshops, conferences, and chapter meetings are essential for professional growth. I once heard Rita Gallagher say that it does no good to keep producing book after rejected book without knowing how to make it better. Her words reaffirmed what I’d innately sensed myself: simply keeping your tush in the chair is not enough. In Massachusetts, I took an evening course in writing personal essays--memoirs. The instructor was the catalyst for me producing some pretty good stuff (just ask my mom, an unbiased judge). Family stories have characters (Oy! Do they ever). They’re filled with joy, sorrow, poignancy, laughter. They have beginnings, middles and ends. A great training ground for me.

But it wasn’t until I moved to Houston that my romance writing took off. I needed to be with other writers whose goals were the same as mine. I’ve attended every workshop we’ve sponsored since I joined WHRWA. I’ve gone to several local conferences and two national RWA conferences. I’ve devoured more reference books than I have shelves for. To me, these activities are interwoven parts of the professional writing life, and although I hadn’t earned money with my written words until recently, I’ve considered myself in professional terms for years. 

4) Married…with children and a day job ... requires discipline, organizational skills, and an ability to focus that is second to none. The more invested I became in my writing, the stronger the adjunct skills became. No, I’m not Wonderwoman, and some of you have heard me kvetch and moan at times. My answer is, if I can’t complain to my writing friends then to whom can I complain? A non-writer has no concept of what goes into creating a world. No sympathy there. Writing friends understand and encourage. I’ve also learned that children do grow up eventually and go out into the world, a must-see television show can be taped for later viewing (if you don’t fall asleep), and employment can be changed. Recently, I left a very demanding administrative position to teach GED classes to homeless adults. I love this job! I earn less money, but I’ve found more time for writing and more happiness in what I’m doing. (And I’ll get a book out of this experience…trust me). 

So, what’s is all about for you? For me, writing is part of who I am whether I produce essays, poems, short stories, family memoirs, or romance novels. I love the process, even though it can drive me crazy. I love starting a book and I love typing “the end.” I don’t love the worrying that goes with establishing a career. I didn’t love the racing heart and sweating hands I had when retrieving a returned submission from the mailbox. But now I know that it’s all part of the business. And just between us … writing is my business, and I’d still be tapping the keyboard for my own pleasure even if I hadn’t sold.

Click here to read 2nd article: Just Between Us … Creating the Miniseries