How do bloggers choose their subjects? How do we come up with something to write about day after day after day? I sometimes wonder what in the world I’ll say the next morning in my daily blog. And then, sometime between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m., I sit down and the words simply begin to flow.
This morning I have 4 huge topics I’d like to cover and I’m still not sure which one it will be. What are the topics? First, let me say that Misti Sandefur wrote quite a nice review of my second edition, revised book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book in her newsletter, Coffee Break for Writers. The review is posted at http://www.coffeebreakforwriters.com/back_issues.html
One of my potential blog topics involves something she said in her review; which is something other fiction authors have said about the first edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. She goes on about the value of the book and how I’ve added a lot of new information and material for novelists. Then she says, “I was hoping to learn how to write proposals and query letters for fiction.â€
I responded to Misti, hopefully, not to appear as though I was standing in defense of my book as much as I was attempting to explain a concept. I told Misti (and I’ve said this to many others before her), “Individuals contact me sometimes to ask for more specifics about writing a book proposal for a novel. I have to tell them that the concept and the instructions are there (in my book and my in my articles). It’s the author of fiction who doesn’t want to or can’t embrace them. The book proposal for the novel is not that much different from the book proposal for nonfiction. I find that most fiction authors just don’t like the concept of writing a book proposal, so they disregard it as not applying to their project.â€
It’s true. The mind of a fiction writer just works differently than that of many nonfiction writers. I’m not saying that there is a right and a wrong, we just think and perceive things differently. A book proposal, for example, is an aspect of business and fiction authors do not, for the most part, address the business side of writing/publishing with much tolerance or understanding.
So that’s rant (subject) number one.
The second topic is also a concept and, I think, an important one. A colleague of mine told me that she sat next to a 30ish-year-old freelance writer on a flight to New York recently. He told her that he writes for some of the big magazines, which means, as you know, big bucks. He mentioned Wired and Vanity Fair. My friend asked him how he does so well at such a young age and you might be surprised by his response.
He said, “Most writers are lazy. A writer, who is willing to write proposals, research stories on spec and find out what the publications want, will be welcomed by editors.â€
This is so true, folks. I am not the world’s greatest writer. But I have managed to earn a living solely through my writing for the last 20 years. How?
• I write what editors and readers want.
• I am willing to take risks.
• I follow editorial/publishing protocol.
• I try to stay on top of trends and news in my areas of interest/expertise.
• I’m always on the look out for article/book ideas.
• I will work on spec and, more often than not, it pays off.
• I commit many hours every day to marketing myself, my books and my article work even when I don’t feel like it.
• I meet or beat deadlines.
• I understand what is required by individual editors/publishers and comply.
• I don’t bug or badger editors/publishers.
• I keep my name before the public.
• I’m not afraid to give back.
• I am always seeking new avenues of writing/book sales revenue.
• I recognize opportunities when they come up and pursue those that are appropriate.
• I am in constant research mode.
So there you have it—two topics covered. I’ll hold the other two topics at bay until another day. Stay tuned or you’ll miss some really good writer’s/author’s resources and some interesting NEW publishing industry predictions for 2008.
In the meantime, if you aspire to be a published author and/or a full-time freelance writer—whether you write fiction or nonfiction, continue following this informative blog, study the articles at my site, http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm and be sure to purchase those books at my site that respond to your particular writing/publishing desires. http://www.matilijapress.com If you have questions contact me through my website or at PLFry620@yahoo.com.