David vs. Goliath

An image popped into my head: David and Goliath—the iconic Biblical story of a young boy defeating the giant with just a sling and a rock. I feel that way about the publishing industry sometimes. The behemoth that makes or breaks an author, that slays small-time writers before they can rally. And who are we writers, but David? Small and insignificant among the giants. 

Here’s where my imagery breaks down: David had the slingshot and stones. Doesn’t it feel like we don’t even have that? I don’t mean to say that individuals in the publishing world are the enemies; just the system itself. 

What should our response be to such a beast? We want in, but we know, simultaneously, that it won’t be paradise. How, then, do we reconcile our desire to “beat” Goliath and want to befriend him at the same time? 

Ah, well, if I had the answer to that, I’d have already remade Goliath in my image. 🙂 My point, though, is less about the answer, than how we live with the contradiction. 

We do what David did (before he flung the stone): we recognize our own value. David faced the giant on his own terms. 

That’s what I love about the imagery. It’s not about who wins or how—it’s about David acknowledging his own worth as he steps up when the king himself would not. 

So no matter our experience level, we can remember that we have value. Then let the stones and arrows fall where they may.

Sean Astin and Me! (Sort Of)

My daughters recently went to a Comic Con where Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin was attending. I was jealous, given I’m also a huge LoTR fan. And, I’ve loved Sean Astin since I was a kid, complete with teen magazine pictures of him in my room. 

When my youngest came home, she surprised me with a gift: Sean Astin’s autograph in my OWN book!! Last year, at a Supernatural Convention I used a copy of my newly published novel, Evangeline’s Heaven, to get the stars’ signatures. My daughter had rifled through my drawers to find my copy (I’ve forgiven her for her snooping :)) to bring with her.

Never, in my wildest dreams when I was 12, flipping through those teen magazines, admiring a young Sean Astin, did I think that decades later, he’d be meeting my daughters and signing his name in a published copy of my very own novel. 

So besides confirming that I have the most awesome daughters, there’s also a message for writers: you simply never know where your writing path will lead. One actor’s signature in one copy of my book isn’t going to make me an instant bestseller, but it’s a fun reminder that we never know where our books will end up. Since I could never have predicted such a cascading series of events decades in the making, I realized the same applies to my writing. Instead of worrying about my path, I might as well hang on and enjoy the ride. 🙂

The Author Platform

The prevailing wisdom in the writing world is to establish an “author platform”, a way to build connections with readers.

I’m all in on the purpose of the author platform. 

I’m not all in on its execution, though. Social media and me aren’t best friends. Calling up bookstores to beg them to stock my book is not in my wheelhouse. Many experts argue “author platform” isn’t straight-up marketing and publicity—maybe they’re right—only, it takes many of the same skills. 

At one time, publishers took care of that aspect of the business. Now it’s up to the author. I can sigh about the “good-ole-days” (which probably weren’t as rose-tinted as I’d like to believe) or I can acknowledge this is the way of the writing world.

BUT that doesn’t mean I have to participate. I don’t have to engage in social media or struggle to find the right audience. I DO have to be aware of the consequences—maybe my stories won’t find the widest reach—but I DO have to be true to myself. I’d much prefer to chat one-on-one with you. 

Which means, I’m not going to stress over my author platform, and you don’t have to, either. Be aware of its role, but don’t feel backed into a corner. Write because you love to write, talk about your writing with whom you feel comfortable and let the chips fall where they may. That’s the way to be your full, true, authentic, writer-self. 

Author Appreciation

Many moons ago, I was on a Caribbean cruise with my family, and I was blown away by the experience. The servers, crew, cleaners and attendants were helpful, friendly and kind. 

But I was aware of my privilege; I knew how hard the staff worked, so one evening when I encountered a cleaner in the public washroom, I thanked her for her hard work. 

 “Thank you,” she said, visibly moved by my small comment. “That means a lot. You see, today is my birthday.”

I smiled, wished her a happy birthday and went about pretending to be rich for the rest of the cruise. But I think a lot about that cleaner. I know nothing about her life or her family. All I know is that I let my appreciation of her hard work be known and it made a difference. 

When we read a book, we’re benefitting from all the hard work of the author—hard work we rarely consider as we enjoy their story—but the experience of reading their work can still make a difference in our lives. Just like the cleaner I encountered; writers appreciate hearing their efforts were worthwhile. 

We may not have the writer in front of us, but we can do the next best thing. Tell other people. Leave reviews. Mention their work on social media. All these small things can let the writer know you appreciate them. 

And who knows? Maybe they’ll stumble over your review on their birthday.  🙂

A Healthy Life

Would you rather a happy successful writing life or happy successful life? 

Uh, Jen, they don’t have to be mutually exclusive… 

Obviously not, but in reality, we often struggle with both our writing life and, well, life. Sometimes one works and the other doesn’t. 

So if we had to choose, wouldn’t most of us pick a good, happy, healthy life? Kids or spouses, if you have them, who are happy and healthy. Financial stresses at a minimum. Opportunities to enjoy friends and connections in the community. 

I’m making assumptions, but I would say yes, if we could have success and happiness in only one, we’d choose life. Yes, we all strive to make an impact with our stories, but we also matter to the people around us in our everyday lives. It’s a reminder that we may not be able to control what happens in the writing world, we can control what happens in our personal lives. At least, we have a better shot at connecting with our loved ones than we do chasing nameless readers. That’s not to say we should give up on our writing dreams. It’s just a way to keep our ambitions in check. Because ultimately, on our deathbed, who would we rather have beside us? An ephemeral reputation that may or may not outlast us, or our friends and family who love us to the very end? 

I know my answer. 

The “Why Not Me?” Challenge

I’ve had some success as a writer. I have one published novel with a second one coming out soon. I’ve written a handful of other manuscripts. I keep learning, and practicing and trying (and failing, too). And still, I feel a familiar pang of envy when I read about other writers who have even more success—more books published, more sales, more big-name bestsellers. Why them and not me?

The easiest answer is that their books are better. Sometimes that’s true—I know I still have a lot to learn—sometimes it’s not. I do write well. Confidence in my own ability was hard-won and hard-earned, but I own it. Still, they have what I don’t, so why them and not me?

You know what question I rarely ask myself? Why them and not me when my friend got diagnosed with breast cancer. When another friend’s husband needed a kidney transplant. When a friend’s colleague lost her house to wildfire. 

I’m grateful I’m healthy and safe, but it’s easy to forget that the pendulum of good luck and bad luck swings both ways.  All I know is what I can control. Which, in the writing world, is my own learning. Maybe someday that bestseller good luck (and hard work) will find me; maybe it won’t. Regardless, I’ll keep persevering. 

What’s A Writing “Win”?

I love picking up words of wisdom from other writers. Recently my friend Abby and I were talking about getting the job done. 

“Motivation leads to motivation,” she said. 

Her words were like a bolt of brilliance striking my brain. So true! We need something to start us off, a win of some sort to motivate us to keep going. And with one win, we’re buoyed for the next, and the next, and the next. 

Only, in the writing life, we often think our first win has to be publication. That’s much too distant, though, and given how much of publishing is out of the author’s control, much too tenuous. 

Instead, we need to reframe our definition of wins. Start small—a win is still a win, and so are the motivating effects. Maybe it’s a win for you if you write 10 minutes a day. Maybe it’s a win for you if you finish two pages by the end of the week. Maybe it’s a win for you if you proofread one chapter of your otherwise-completed manuscript. Maybe it’s a win if you get one query letter sent out. 

Since writing is hard and can be isolating, we need all the wins we can get to keep us motivated. That is in our control. 

So, for the win, make them yours. 

Word Power

My teen daughter reminded me of a powerful tool in our writer’s arsenal: diction. Word choice. It matters what words we choose. 

She told me that her friend was complaining about a strange girl in their class who constantly wears earphones, hums to herself, keeps to herself and rarely talks. Though she may or may not be on the autism spectrum as an explanation for her odd behavior, Megan’s friend nonetheless concluded, “she’s weird.”

“Not weird,” Megan insisted. “Different.”  

Both words convey a similar meaning—someone not following accepted conventions for whatever reason. “Weird” implies a negative judgement. “Different” implies a statement of fact. 

We need more tolerant, accommodating word choice in our schools, in our society, in our cultural discourse. 

Who better to lead the charge than writers who are not just attuned to, but trained on the very power of diction? 

We spend hours with our fingers hovering over the keyboard, trying to choose just the right word, the right phrase, the right sentence. Our only means of communicating with the reader is on the page. No verbal cues, no body language, no facial expressions to guide us. We get the power of words. 

Since we’ve been given a great gift, let’s wield our power wisely. Let’s remind others that they, too, can choose words that help, not hurt, those around us. 

Skill vs Experience

When I decided to get another tattoo, I went to the tattoo parlour and asked who would be the best artist for my vision. Since I wanted to include colour, I was referred to Karl. I therefore assumed Karl specialized in colour tattoos. 

At my appointment, Karl was expertly at work on my new ink on my hand. A colleague of his wandered by, complimenting him. 

“Wow, Karl, you’re into colour now?”

Karl shrugged. “Yeah, well, once in a blue moon.”

Wait, what? Karl isn’t a colour expert? Then why was I referred to him? I had a moment of inner panic. Was he going to mess up my tattoo? This was permanent! What was I going to do if he did? 

I said nothing, worried throughout the whole process. 

When Karl was finished, he let go of my hand. “What do you think?”

It was gorgeous. The colours were perfect. 

It was a good lesson about “experience”. We often think those that have done something many times are experts and therefore “better”. They may be. There’s a lot to be said for experience, but it was a reminder that experience is only onecriteria for success or mastery of an art. Though it turns out Karl rarely tattooed in colour, he still had the skills I needed. 

Therefore, if you feel like you’re not an experienced writer, take heart. It’s not all about experience. 

The Real World of Writing

Drew Hayden Taylor is a renowned Canadian Indigenous author known for his humour and sharp insight. I taught his novels and plays in my high school English classes, so I was excited when I got a chance to “meet” him over zoom. He was engaging and entertaining. 

Until he told us a story of his Grade 11 English teacher.

The whole meeting was full of Grade 11 English teachers. 

He explained how his teacher had discouraged his pursuit of a writing career. I showed her, he said, in essence.

He’s not wrong to feel slighted, but as an English teacher and writer, I fear his attitude doesn’t address the whole picture.

As teachers, we do want to support young writers with optimism and encouragement. But we also owe a duty to our students to explain the realities of the publishing world. It’s hard to make a living as a writer. Drew was able to establish a successful career. Not everyone can be Drew. 

Where’s our responsibility—not just as teachers, but as writers who’ve learned a thing or two about the harsh realities of rejections—to newcomers in our field? Evidence supports the conclusion that the odds are against most of us. 

The answer? Make clear the realities of the writing world first, and then say, why not you?

That goes for my teen students—as well as you. 

Why not you?