How to Grow Writer’s Skin

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editing, Fiction Writing, Inspiration, publishing, Roberta Trahan, submissions, writers, Writing, writing community, writing life, Writing tips

“A Writer’s Ink” by Norman Duenas

Years ago, in a Twitter exchange, writer Kevin R Hill commented that many great books might never see light of day because the authors were not tough enough to stand against years of rejections. How true, I replied, and the idea of “writer’s skin” came up. We should coin a phrase, Kevin said – writer’s skin, the thick layer that protects tender hearts.

If only one could buy writer’s skin ready-made, I said, like a magical cloak or suit of armor, instead of having to grow it from the inside out. Yes, if only. But as it turns out we all must cultivate our own thick layer of protection.

Today, like that day, I happen to be suffering from some of the soul-wounding that all writers must endure. Although knowing that this ritual scarring is an unavoidable test of author-hood helps you prepare for the battle, it does nothing at all to stop or even slow the blood-letting. Kevin’s tweet reminded me then and now that this uncomfortable truth was universal – that I was not alone. And neither are you.

To help you get a good start, here are some tips for growing a healthy, hardy sheath of writer’s skin:

Start with a Rich Growth Medium that has been fortified with equal measures of patience, persistence, and perseverance, and is resistant to infiltrations of noxious weeds like self-doubt, jaded perspective and bitterness.

Sow Only the Highest Quality Seeds by selecting the most unique and well-formed ideas for cultivation. This will help to ensure that your writer’s skin is fashioned from the strongest creative fibers.

Water Frequently from the deepest wells of knowledge and most trusted fountains of inspiration. Avoid shallow, stagnant ponds and shark infested pools.

Fertilize As Needed with only the highest quality, well-credentialed experience you can find. Choose carefully – there are a lot of low budget brands out there that promise plenty but deliver little results.

Be sure to harvest your writer’s skin before the beginning of the submission season, and wear it whenever you venture out. This should help to shield you from the harsher elements.

Remember, writer’s skin is susceptible to normal wear and tear and that frequent use will erode its protective qualities. Therefore, it must be replaced periodically. While writer’s skin tends not to flourish in intemperate climates, it is a self-sustaining renewable resource and can be grown almost anywhere and at any time by constructing a green-house like environment that recreates the favorable conditions mentioned above.

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How To Grow Writer’s Skin

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47North, Amazon, Amazon Publishing, Author Branding, author marketing, Kevin R. Hill, Novel Writing, publishing, Rejections, Roberta Trahan, Writer's Skin, writers, writing advice

“A Writer’s Ink” by Norman Duenas

In a recent twitter exchange, writer Kevin R Hill commented that many great books might never see light of day because the authors were not tough enough to stand against years of rejections. How true, I replied, and the idea of “writer’s skin” came up. We should coin a phrase, Kevin said – writer’s skin, the thick layer that protects tender hearts.

If only one could buy writer’s skin ready-made, I said, like a magical cloak or suit of armor, instead of having to grow it from the inside out. Yes, if only. But as it turns out we all must cultivate our own thick layer of protection.

That day I happened to be suffering from some of the soul-wounding that all writers must endure. Although knowing that this ritual scarring is an unavoidable test of author-hood helps you prepare for the battle, it does nothing at all to stop or even slow the blood-letting. Kevin’s tweet reminded me that this uncomfortable truth was universal – that I was not alone. And neither are you.

To help you get a good start, here are some tips for growing a healthy, hardy sheath of writer’s skin:

Start with a Rich Growth Medium that has been fortified with equal measures of patience, persistence, and perseverance, and is resistant to infiltrations of noxious weeds like self-doubt, jaded perspective and bitterness.

Sow Only the Highest Quality Seeds by selecting the most unique and well-formed ideas for cultivation. This will help to ensure that your writer’s skin is fashioned from the strongest creative fibers.

Water Frequently from the deepest wells of knowledge and most trusted fountains of inspiration. Avoid shallow, stagnant ponds and shark infested pools.

Fertilize As Needed with only the highest quality, well-credentialed experience you can find. Choose carefully – there are a lot of low budget brands out there that promise plenty but deliver little results.

Be sure to harvest your writer’s skin before the beginning of the submission season, and wear it whenever you venture out. This should help to shield you from the harsher elements.

Remember, writer’s skin is susceptible to normal wear and tear and that frequent use will erode its protective qualities. Therefore, it must be replaced periodically. While writer’s skin tends not to flourish in intemperate climates, it is a self-sustaining renewable resource and can be grown almost anywhere and at any time by constructing a green-house like environment that recreates the favorable conditions mentioned above.

One Author’s Journey–Finding an Agent

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agent, finding an agent, Roberta Trahan, writers, Writing, writing life

Last October I placed my manuscript, and my hopes and dreams,  into the hands of an interested agent. Three weeks passed.  And then two more.  Much consuming of chocolate, coffee, and a particularly fine Shiraz commenced. Followed by nail-biting and erratic mood swings. Thanksgiving came and went. And then, finally–a response.

It was not the response I had hoped for, nor was it the response I had feared. Instead, it was something different–and, ultimately, better. Better because, after all, it’s all about writing the best book I can write.

Not rejection, and not acceptance, but rather re-direction and an invitation to re-submit. An invitation I eagerly accepted. Armed with suggestions and insights, I got to work.

Now mind you, these were not minor revisions. Edit out most of the first 100 pages. Re-focus, re-work, refine. Re-construct a three book concept into one book with a sequel (in consideration of current economic conditions). Heighten the tension, pick up the pace, develop an even MORE larger than life protagonist.

Whew. Three months later (two months longer than the one month turnaround I had originally promised), I had a new and much improved draft. And once again, I sent my precious off.

Now, even though I knew it would take time, a month at least, for the agent to get to my submission, I opened my email inbox every morning to a chorus of heart palpitations.  Three weeks a response appeared…love your book, when can we talk.

Swoon. THUD.

It took another two weeks to work out the schedule details–illness, travel, et al. but almost six months to the day after I first clicked ‘send’, I became an agented writer.  Two weeks ago, today. 

In those two weeks since the representation agreement was signed, sealed and delivered, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the years it took for me to get here. Every author’s journey to publication is unique, and my path has certainly taken twists and turns. I’ve even driven right off the road a few times. And, there are still miles to go.

I recently heard best-selling author Bob Dugoni a writer’s association meeting last week talking about the three Ps of success: Persistence, Perseverance, and Patience.

I agree–it takes all three of those virtues. And one more thing. A deep, soul searing desire. How bad do you want it?

The answer had better be something pretty close to ‘more than air’.

An Evening with Literary Agent Jeff Kleinman

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Jeff Kleinman, Novel Writing, publishing, Roberta Trahan, writers, Writers Events, Writing

The ArtsNow program at Edmonds Community College is hosting an incredible opportunity for writers in the Puget Sound area. Noted literary Jeff Kleinman will be in town for a series of events (including a dinner honoring his client, local author Garth Stein–The Art of Racing the Rain), and has graciously agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with interested writers of ficion and non-fiction. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the agent/author relationship and the publishing industry in general.

The event is open to the public, but advance registration is preferred.

Writers’ Roundtable:

 

What do you, as a writer, need to know about submissions and sales? Respected NYC literary agent Jeff Kleinman of Folio Literary Management (www.foliolit.com) shares his industry expertise with local fiction and non-fiction writers. An interview style presentation with Jeff will be followed by a moderated Q & A session. Participants are invited to submit their questions in advance.

 

Tickets are $20, advance registration required.

 

Sponsored by the Arts Now program through Edmonds Community College, Edmonds WA.  For more information, visit the ArtsNow website

 

 

For All You Editors Out There

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Cats, editing, Roberta Trahan, writers, writing life

This was sent to me by a colleague and it gave me a smile, so I thought I’d share.

Reluctant Writer Syndrome

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Add new tag, Roberta Trahan, writers, writing life, Writing tips

Here I sit, coffee cup at my side and laptop on my, well, lap–just as I sit every morning between 6 and 8 am, warming up to the new day.  I am thinking just now of the writing life I wish I had, knowing any moment the phone will demand my attention, an urgent email will pop into my in-box, or some member of my household will awaken with ready made expectations.  And I find myself frustrated by the realization that just the potential for distraction is in itself, a distraction. 

Like many writers I know, I suffer from a self-inflicted syndrome that at its best prevents me from accomplishing the daily writing goals I set for myself, and at its worst, prevents me from writing at all. I worry daily that this affliction is chronic, or possibly even fatal. There must be a cure, or at least a treatment. 

It is a constant struggle to nurture my creative nature alongside my other commiitments and obligations. I have a business and clients to attend, family to care for, and friendships to honor. All of which, I gladly report, are happy and healthy. My writing, however, suffers terribly from neglect.

Well, not all of my writing.  By trade I am a MARCOM writer–I do in fact write every day–and there is creative value and nourishment in the writing I do for clients and students.  But this writing for hire does not feed my artistic soul in the same way as the writing I do for myself.  Not even close.

What to do, what to do.  It is an inescapable truth that my children need new school clothes and my husband really does like to eat everyday. Bills must be paid, dishes must be washed, carpools must sally forth, and so on.  All the items on the ‘to do’ list get done–save one.

I do set out to write each and every day. I commit to it whole heartedly, I have serious intent. I plan the time, plot the work I want to accomplish, create the space, and yet more often than not it still doen’t happen. True, it is the very last item on the daily ‘to do’ list, but it is on the list.  Why is it the one thing I am willing to sacrifice when it is the one thing I want to do the most? Why is it so difficult for me to give my writing the same importance I give everything else in my daily life?  

I wish I had the answer. Perhaps I do and just haven’t discovered it yet.  If persistence counts for anything, I will indeed write today. But first, a second cup of coffee.