It's important for authors to read books on the craft and marketing and how to stay sane, or at least making it look like you're sane so they don't take away your computer, pens, and paper.
Sometimes we'll come across a book that will simultaneously light a bonfire of inspiration and make us bang our heads on the desk for doing it all wrong. Books like this are priceless. Sure, they might momentarily derail us from our goal of appearing sane, but this wicked tug-of-war with your writer's soul is a great teaching moment.
Here are four things to remember when reading books on writing and marketing:
1) There is no one right way for everyone. This is vital to remember. I'm sure you've heard every writer's journey is different. Prepare yourself, because no matter how frustrating it might be, it's true. Pantser or plotter? Whatever works best for you, or rather, for your muse. Twitter or Facebook? Hey, maybe you don't need either one. There is no magic formula for success. You just have to try everything.
2) Everything? Okay, you don't have to do it all, but it helps to try new things. This is why you must know your personal limits. What are you willing to write? Some folks won't venture into R-rated works or write stories about horses, and most people will refuse to combine the two. How much time and money can you devote to marketing? A lot of us have no money to spare. Bills must be paid. So when someone declares book ads are the only way to go, you find a different way that works for you.
3) Let the book inspire you. Get excited, talk about it, and let it propel you forward to being a better writer. Even if you don't learn anything new from the author, you still can be roused to greater heights, and that in itself is valuable.
4) Let the book open your eyes to where you're going wrong. Sometimes we can be stubborn about things. We don't want to change. This could be what's holding you back. It might send you into a wailing fit or make you want to throw your manuscript into the mouth of the Kraken, but don't do it. You can save yourself by trying something new. It might be scary and/or difficult, and it might not even work, but breaking away from stale old habits will help in the long run.
We need these books to keep learning and improving. A good writer is forever bettering herself. Even if you only find one or two nuggets of information in a book that will help you, it is one or two pieces of knowledge you didn't have before. Keep reading and you'll find more. Eventually you'll have all the components for your own magic formula.
What books on writing and marketing have inspired you lately?
My favorite writing book that always inspires me is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. One of my favorite books, period. I can always go back to it. Also love On Writing by Stephen King since he is one of my idols. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could think of a marketing book that inspires me. LOL I usually just freak when I read marketing suggestions since I suck at all of them. :D
On Writing is one that I love too. And yeah, I freak out with marketing books too! That's what inspired me to write this post. *LOL*
DeleteSo far I haven't found a book that didn't just reiterate everything I've read online. So if you can name some books, I'd love to hear about them!
ReplyDeleteI read For Love or Money by Susan Kaye Quinn recently, and that is a good one. I was worried with the first half since it was mostly encouragement and theory, but by the time you to get to the second half, I was happy to find something that speaks to my practical mind.
DeleteRecently I read the 8 Minute Writing Habit and Writing for Market, both of which I enjoyed and implemented things from. In paper versions I have Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict and Suspense, Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints, and the Emotion Thesaurus on their way in a box. :)
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Save the Cat and Take off Your Pants.
You've got an awesome collection! I read Save the Cat, and it helped me only a little because even with beat sheets, my muse refuses to plot!
DeleteSo true about there being no magic formula. There are so many different ways to approach marketing that it's almost impossible to predict which methods will click with some people but be a headache for others. (Like, lots of artists have found success on Tumblr, but people couldn't care less about my work there. Twitter's where I've actually managed to land some commissions and such, LOL.)
ReplyDeleteThat's cool you've found commissions on Twitter. Funny for me, too, I do better on Twitter than Facebook, a place which a lot of authors swear by.
DeleteI think it's important to read a lot of books on craft. I've found that most say the same things. What is common among them is probably what you most need to know.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Jeff.
DeleteOn Writing by Stephen King is my go-to. More for inspiration than a manual.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorites too.
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