Do you have a process of writing? Is it working for you? Or are struggling through your writing sessions? If you question everything you write, if you find writing distasteful, perhaps there is something wrong. And that something may be your mindset—your attitude—and not so much your approach.
My grandson volunteered to write the obituary for his grandfather last week. When I saw it published in the newspaper, I complimented him on a darn good job. He had also written a letter in memory of my father (his great grandfather) when he passed away and my grandson could not make it from college to the services. He said that the letter was much easier to write because he was able to say what he felt. (It was a beautifully written letter full of his heartfelt sentiments.) He said that it is harder writing an obituary because there is a certain formality. He felt a bit stifled because of the structure required. He told me, “I feel I’m a much better writer when I can get my thoughts out without any kind of designated format.”
This is a problem for some people who want to write for publication (magazines, websites, etc.) because they also want to write what they want to write in their own style and with their own emphasis. Some writers never get it. Even when I work with them and point out over and over again how important it is to write for the editor or the market, they still want to share their message, get their point across, write in their style. And they wonder why they don’t get published.
When we sit down to write a book, now there’s an opportunity to really express yourself through your writing. A book, you can write your way. If you want to write it for publication, however, and you want it to be widely read, I’m afraid it comes back to the readership. Again, teachers and counselors will advise, write what they want and/or need.
Many authors are publishing books indiscriminately these days because they can. All it takes is an idea—any idea—and a wad of money. But not all of these books are being accepted or read. Again, let me remind you that around 78 percent of all books produced today fail. The major reason is the fact that many authors write to please themselves or to make a statement with little regard for their readers.
If you have a burning desire to write what you want—to get your opinion, view point or message down on paper—here’s what I suggest.
• Keep a diary.
• Write letters (to friends, to the editor…).
• Start a blog.
• Comment on other blogs on this topic.
• Establish a newsletter.
• Get involved in online forums where everyone is talking about this topic.
If you still need to get it published beyond your blog, a newsletter or a forum, either resign yourself to the fact that a book on the topic might be of interest only to those who already embrace this concept. If you want to reach others, however, this is when you need to think way outside the box. Write what they want in a way that is palatable to them.
If you want to break into a particular magazine, you’ll be wise to step back and take the necessary steps, which are: study several issues of the magazine from front to back, top to bottom until you totally understand their style and purpose. Review their submission guidelines and then follow them in submitting your piece. Do they want to see a query letter in which you succinctly define the article you want to write? Are they interested in you—who you are and why you are the right person to write this piece? Perhaps they want to see the completed article formatted and written to their specifications. Your job, if you want to be published, is to comply.
Questions?