Author To Author’s Newsletter
May 7, 2014
Virtues of a Writer
Patience in Writing
Two weeks ago we discussed how important honesty is in writing. This week's virtue can be even more essential to utilize not only in the writing process but also in the actual telling of a story.
Patience is something that most of us struggle with on a daily basis. if you're anything like me, once an idea strikes you can hardly wait to share it with the entire world. A new novel or storyline can be exciting and wonderful, yet there are a few good reasons that one should hold onto their new gem before sharing it on Facebook, blogs, or even with a publisher.
1. Impact. As a writer, you need to make sure that your message will impact your readers as much as it impacts you. Though our own ideas can be perfectly clear to us, we need to make sure tat they come across as clear to our readers as well. New ideas, though full of life and excitement, need to be fine tune so that it can reach a broad spectrum of minds that all think a bit differently from each other. Having patience while writing, editing, and rewriting will ensure that your finished product is polished enough to penetrate even the most critical minds.
2. Indecisiveness. People change their minds. before you go spouting off about your new and fantastic idea to the world wide web, your gong to want to make sure it's something that you will stick with and complete. Does this idea have the actual potential to develop into a full novel? Would it perhaps be better in a short story form? Is this something that you could potentially develop into a series? Though you don't need a concrete answer to the last question, as many stories could be developed into a series with a little imagination, it is still important to ponder these things before jumping in with both feet.
3. Marketing. Ugh....I hate the sound of the evil word. Still, it is necessary. You could write the best novel that has ever been created by man, but if no one knows about it, what good will it do? You want to make sure that people have time to get excited about your new book. Give your readers time to spread the word. Introduce your idea slowly so that people have time to talk about it. This can be very frustrating. I know when I am inspired, the first thing I want to do is share it with everyone, but it is smart to wait it out a bit.
Patience is also important in the actual telling of your story.
A romantic relationship that goes from eye contact to marriage in 20 pages will most likely not go over well. It is both unrealistic and too fast to keep the reader wonder. Granted, Romeo and Juliet was a short love affair, but that's one in a million, and I feel the tragedy of that story gave it more success than the actual affair. Similarly, a mystery that goes from slight suspicion to solved in 50 pages or less can leave your reader feeling unsatisfied. You want your reader to try and figure out what is going to happen, you want them to be turning the pages, biting their nails, dying to know what's next. You can't lay it all out for them. Having patience inside your story will make it a better tale to tell.
Patience truly is a virtue. It is beneficial to us in everyday life as well as in our writing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try taking my own advice for a change!
What part of writing do you struggle with most? In what areas do you find yourself lacking patience?
By A2A Member and Contributor, Andrea Goodson. http://www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com
Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members
Join Lissa Bryan and Sherri Hayes in Ohio
Lissa Bryan and Sherri Hayes will be at the Ohioana Book Festival this weekend! Catch up with these two authors on May 10th! http://www.ohioanabookfestival.org/Join A2A Authors for Some Viking Excitement!
Lissa Bryan and Sandi Layne are watching VIKINGS on History Channel. Not only do they live-tweet the episodes (@LissaBryan & @sandyquill), they do a day-after recap/discussion. Here's the latest from episode four: http://sandyquill.com/.../eye-for-an-eye-vikings-episode-4/
A2A Visits Blog Talk Radio
Sherri Hayes and T.M. Franklin are visiting Blog Talk Radio!Sherri is going to be on the radio Monday, May 12th at 7pm Eastern Time.
T.M. will be on May 19th with some other YA paranormal/Romance authors.
Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hummingbirdplace and become a follower so you don’t miss them being on this popular radio program!
Visit T.M. Franklin at B&N
T. M. will be at the Barnes & Noble in Kennewick on May 27th for a fundraiser along with Kevin Emerson and other local YA authors to benefit a boy with brain cancer. Go and meet some great authors all for a great cause!
