Super-author Mandy Hubbard (whose fantastic debut novel, PRADA AND PREJUDICE is already in its fourth printing!) wrote an insightful (and very honest) piece about how having a book published has changed her life as a writer. It’s a question authors get asked a lot, and got me thinking . . .
I think Mandy’s list is great, and almost identical to what I would have written. (I’m not quite as overcome with envy, to be honest, but I know that most authors are.) But there are a couple of other things I’ve noticed that she doesn’t mention, and because it’s an interesting topic, I thought I’d weigh in.
SELF-CRITIQUING
Talking about writing, Mandy says “I’m no longer to the point where I would even consider sending a first draft to critique partners, I’ve become increasingly aware of things I need to revise on my own first.” Ditto that. In fact, after FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB sold, I didn’t show anyone a single page until it was finished and thoroughly edited. There was no point in inviting criticism when I was still aware of a gazillion things that needed fixing. (Having said that, my readers still pulled it to pieces even after I’d fixed those gazillion problems, but that’s why I have readers, right?)
But I’ve noticed the same thing happening with my reading. I’m quickly able to pick up on details that I would have overlooked once. Things like: the organization of a complicated opening chapter so that it reads easily; the rhythm of sentences; techniques for sustaining tension in lengthy passages, etc. What’s funny is that I’ve had the ability to do that with music for years, but it’s taken longer (and more practice) with writing and reading.
OPPORTUNITIES
Mandy’s right. Opportunities abound for published writers. Only, it goes beyond librarians, teachers, conference talks, booksellers calling, etc. In fact, I’d add a whole subheading called “Research Help,” because once you’re published, experts from every field seem willing to spend time talking about their work. During my background work on FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, I’ve:
* been invited to sit in on American Sign Language classes
* corresponded with an audiologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
* had a lawyer explain contract law as it applies to minors
* been given a personal tour of our local NBC station by the producer of a live TV show
* received a tutorial on “skewering” from a chess expert
* been educated on the finer points of hair dyeing
* gained insights into Jimi Hendrix’s early life from a rock music historian
* been given total access to Seattle’s famed Showbox theater
This doesn’t even include all the people who have generously read the ENTIRE novel to check for inaccuracies relating to their field of expertise. Now, I’m not saying that these wonderful people aren’t prepared to assist unpublished writers too–it’s just that announcing the book is scheduled for a fall 2010 release makes everything feel a little more certain and urgent.
By the way, if you don’t already read Mandy’s blog, now’s the time to start. She posts frequently about the experience of being a published author (and the world of writing and publishing in general), and her posts are really interesting, honest, and straightforward. And if you haven’t read PRADA AND PREJUDICE yet, well . . . shame on you!
