This week I’ve been vacillating back and forth between, “oh, when will my time come?” to, “I’m in it to win it and I’m never gonna give up!”
I can pretty safely say most writers have ridden this roller coaster.
Sure, we’ve all heard the Stephenie Meyer success story–she queried for like 6 months before landing her multi-million dollar deal.
Makes you wonder, what gives???
The reality of it is that the average writer waits 10 years before landing a deal. (Please come at me with a different number if I’m wrong, ‘kay?) A DECADE? How can that be???
Though this can sound discouraging, I want to point out that for those of you who’ve been in it for 1 day to 9 years, 11 months, and 29 days:
NEVER GIVE UP.
You never know when your time will come. But you won’t ever know if you quit.
So, thoughts?
Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer 
I like your **N post. And I have to say, you are right. My husband writes mystery novels as a hobby, took him 10 years to publish his first novel. After being rejected multiple times, I encouraged him to self publish a year ago. He did it. It was exciting. Financially though, I am glad he has a good job as an attorney… :-))
Agreed, for sure!! You cannot succeed if you give up.
Thank you and same back to you – don’t give up, we can do it!!!
I definitely fluctuate like that. My thoughts? This post was inspiring. 🙂
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I don’t have the answer to this but I’ve been mulling over it. When the big break comes, it will change one’s life dramatically. Perhaps God, in His infinite wisdom, knows when we can handle such a change without it rolling over us like a bulldozer leaving us smashed in the dust. The life of a published writer isn’t for wimps. 🙂 Blessings to you, Laura…
I think this is an accurate average. I’ve also heard you have to write a MILLION words. Now that’s staggering! So I’ve been writing 10 years now, myself, and am definitely getting closer. I’m ready! ;o)
I think sometimes it takes that long to improve one’s writing skills. Some people just have luck and/or better immediate skills (JK Rowling, etc). In Stephenie Meyer’s case, a unique plot that caught readers’ interests. Best wishes for your writing!
No quitting here! Keep pushing on girl!
As far as SM, I think her completed manuscript reads like a meandering rough draft and Bella… never mind. I’m not going to rant.
I’ve heard 6 manuscript average. Elana Johnson wrote 13 manuscripts before becoming published. Beth Revis wrote 10. It’s a process. Then it’s getting a quality manuscript in the right person’s hands at the right time. All the experts say, keep writing and keep persisting.
Yes, persistence is key in the writing game. You can lose faith from time to time, as long as you come back to it.
I’m starting up a ‘Critiquing Crusaders’ program, where participants in the Second Crusade can find other writers to exchange critiques with or form critiquing circles. If you’re interested, come by The Kelworth Files to check it out!
Every published writer gives that advice. If you give up, it definitely won’t happen for you. You have to stay in the game to win.
And, really, if you love to write, what else are you going to do? We just have to keep doing it.
Well after yet another rejection yesterday I fell like it will be my tenth year before I get my break. But I don’t think I’ll last that long. It’s been over two years for me.
I know by the grand scheme of things that’s not a lot of time. But I put in thousands of man hours since my business slowed dramatically a few years ago.
Of course, I am a much better writer now, so I hope within the next year something happens…. It doesn’t have to be huge … just something.
Goodness, yes. I oscillate every day. ‘this sucks’ ‘hmm, maybe it’s not so bad’ ‘I’ll never finish editing this darn thing!!’ And so on…
Its why I’m writing short fiction for the moment. I had one story get published and it has encouraged me 🙂
……….dhole
“Never give up” is the attitude indeed. Like I’ve just read on another blog, all it takes is one YES.
This is a very important point that writers need to know. Keep the faith and good things will come your way. Great post.
Ten years! I can’t wait ten years! Oh well, I’m not going to give up. Not at least until the fat lady sings at my funeral.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge
Two words: Self-publishing.
Oh man, I hope it isn’t ten years. But in the meantime, while the first attempt is being pushed out of the nest, I’ll be working on the next and the next and the next, so sooner or later one of them has to hit… Right?
But as someone else ahead of me said, we’ll write anyway, whether it ever gets published or not. At least I will. But I want to *make it*. And it’ll get discouraging if it takes ten years to get one out there. It helps to hear other writers going through the same thing, though.
Great post, thanks!
I actually find this statistic encouraging… because it means there’s still hope for me. 😉 LOL. But really, it means that I don’t need to feel like I’m being ‘left behind’… rather, that I should use this time to allow my writing to grow and progress. Mind you, when it comes to year 9, I might have a different perspective… heh.