Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Facts and Fallacies of Being a Writer


by Mindy Obenhaus

So you want to be a writer? Or, maybe, you’re just curious about writers. From the outside looking in, being a writer seems so glamorous. Once upon a time, before I was published or really knew much about writing, I envisioned myself in my beautiful, always-clean office, pecking out thousands of words each day, uninterrupted, with so many ideas in my head there just wasn’t time to do it all.

I must have been delusional.

Yes, people have all sorts of preconceived notions about writers, many derived from movies, television or headlines. So let’s examine some of the facts and fallacies of writing.

Fallacy #1 - Writers are wealthy

Fact: You’ll have to excuse me while I stop laughing. I know we’ve all heard stories about authors getting six and seven-figure advances, but unless you’re Nora Roberts, Stephen King or someone already famous, you may be looking at more like three or four-figures. Now, granted, there are exceptions, but if you think writing is going to make you rich, you might want to focus your efforts elsewhere.

Fallacy #2 - Writers are prolific

Fact: Not everyone, including myself, can write as fast as Ruthy or Mary Connealy. I am in awe of these women. How fast they write, how many ideas they have rolling through their heads. But while I may not be as prolific as these two, I can be consistent. Since I write for Love Inspired, my books run approximately 55K words and it usually takes me about 4-6 months from proposal to book delivery. Those who write longer books, though, may need more time. Don’t get hung-up on how many books you can write, instead, focus on writing consistently.

Fallacy #3 – Writers can’t NOT write

Fact: Sometimes writers don’t write. The reasons can vary, sometimes life gets in the way and steals our attention, while there are other times when the words just won’t come. What I’ve learned, though, is that writers are creative people. Even when we’re not writing, we’re often expressing our creativity in other ways. 

Several years ago, my husband spent ten days in the hospital, and I can assure you that writing never crossed my mind. But Christmas was approaching, so I poured over magazines, gathering decorating ideas and planning my holiday menus. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t a writer. 

Nowadays I have deadlines to meet, but there are times when the words don’t flow onto the page. So, rather than staring blankly at a computer screen, I create things in the kitchen or rearrange something around the house. Of course, I’m usually praying as I do those things, asking God to open the floodgates of my mind, because even though I'm not writing at that moment, I’m still a writer.

Fallacy #4 – The more you write, the easier it becomes

Fact: Writing never gets easier. You may become more proficient, but I know multi-published, best-selling authors whose ideas have been rejected. Your current contract never guarantees another. So we have to strive to come up with fresh ideas or put interesting twists on old ones in order to grab the editor’s and reader’s attention. Anything worth while is never easy. And if God has called you to write, then it’s an endeavor that is definitely worthwhile.

Writing is hard work. And, as you can see, the life of a writer really isn’t as glamorous as I’d once anticipated. That vision I had of my always-clean office? Now my philosophy is that a messy desk is a sign of a productive author. Because when I’m busy writing, I have no time to clean off my desk.

What are some of the fallacies you've heard about writers? Writers, how many of them have you learned to be false?


Three-time Carol Award nominee, Mindy Obenhaus, writes contemporary romance for Love Inspired Books. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com


49 comments:

  1. Good morning Mindy, all of these are true. In the sense of being false. And I was thinking about this this morning before I even logged on. How my life has changed. I have other people's deadlines to deal with now. Fortunately I've been prepping for this for a while, thanks to Seekerville and other blogs (and also that it took me so long to get published, sigh). There's still the day job, a complicated household to run, the wood to stack and the dishes to wash. But there's also a golden thread running through my life that someone thought my words good enough to publish, and that at least some people liked them enough to read them. As our illusions are chipped away, we can look at our particular writing lives with clear eyes, and behold, it is good.
    And then there's the sustainability piece. I was actually more excited when I got the acceptance for my little Christmas novella, "The Logger's Christmas Bride," then when I got the call (actually an e-mail) for the full-scale Oregon Trail romance. Do you want to know why? (Of course you do, you're stuck here anyway.) Because it proved that I could Do It Again and that we had a career going here.
    Working on my newspaper stuff and my nonfiction book today, but looking forward, almost, to Friday when it's supposed to snow and I can stay home and work on my fiction.
    Kathy Bailey
    Your Kaybee
    Figuring the angles in New Hampshire

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, you are so right. Sometimes those subsequent sales are more special than the first. The first sale is like busting through the door and getting inside. The rest give us the courage to keep going. And how I would love to come spend a snowy day with you. Although, we'd probably end up playing and wouldn't get any writing done at all. But just think of the fun we'd have. ;-)

      Delete
    2. Yes, that would be fun. Drink tea or cocoa and talk about books.

      Delete
    3. KB, I'm thinking of you stacking wood...which means a delightful fire in the fireplace, a cup of tea and perhaps a Christmas cookie or two...or three. I'd like to visit along with Mindy! :)

      Delete
    4. The invitation is open if any of you ever come as far as Boston, Maine, NH or Vermont.

      Delete
  2. I love that you make it okay to call yourself a writer even in those times you're not writing. I'm coming out of an emotional season in my life and I haven't written as much as I'd like in the last two years. And during that time I've felt like a fraud calling myself a writer because "writers write". Now that I'm back to it, I think it's good to read those fallacies and remember that it's hard for everyone, not just me!

    Thanks for another great post, Mindy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are a writer, Glynis. You know, God not only calls us TO things, there are times when He calls us away from them. It sounds as though that season may be over for you, though, that He has restored you. But we still have to cling to Him and allow Him to guide your path. Hugs.

      Delete
    2. Glynis, Mindy is wise, I love the "God calls us to and away from things." I think the time to feel guilty about not writing (or CONVICTED, I hate guilt) is when there's no earthly reason you shouldn't be doing it. Like when you'd rather clean toilets, or in my case, stack wood. When you could fit it in but the discipline doesn't quite stretch that far. Nobody expects you to do it in times of deep emotional crisis, bereavement or illness, and you shouldn't expect yourself. You will get it back!
      Kathy Bailey
      not a shrink but I've learned a lot in New Hampshire

      Delete
    3. Kathy, you stepped on my toes a little when you started talking about cleaning toilets. Why is it that the most mundane chores suddenly become appealing when we're procrastinating on writing? Guilty!

      Delete
    4. So true about mundane chores. I NEVER want to clean my office...except when I'm on deadline! Then I long to have the time to tidy the mess! :)

      Delete
    5. Thank you, ladies! This is why I love Seekerville. You are so encouraging :)

      Delete
  3. Thanks for sharing this post Mindy. I find one of the hardest things to deal with trying to "break in" to traditional publishing is hearing "No". Now that's not easy at the best of times, but when you've poured yourself into a project and you hear those words, it's hard to keep your head above water and keep going. I have to keep reminding myself if God has called me to it, it's not "no" it's just "not yet". Lee-Ann B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, Lee-Ann, none of us wants to hear the word no, especially when, like you said, we've poured ourselves into a project. It stings. But, as you also said, "it's not a no, it's a not yet" or a "not this publisher." I like to think of things this way, while we are polishing our stories, God is polishing us. He's given us this gift of story and He wants to participate in it with us. However, the voices in our heads are sometimes louder than His and we allow OUR story to take over. Been there, done that. Like I always say though, if God has called you, He will in equip you. He has a plan for you and a place for your stories. It's just waiting on His timing that often proves to be OUR biggest challenge. We are an impatient sort, at least I know I am. But hang in there. None of what you're doing is for naught. You're learning every step of the way. And the story of your journey will encourage others.

      Delete
    2. Lee-Ann, been there done that, because my journey was longer than most. "Not yet" and "Not quite" are way different from "No." I turned a corner, just before publication, when I realized that it wasn't me any more, it was the market. That I was being rejected or told "not yet, not now" because of what the market was doing and not because I didn't have the stuff. I still had and still have to work on craft issues and am constantly learning, but there will come a time when you turn that corner. Maybe an agent will say, "This isn't right for me but what else do you have?" Or you'll get a revise-and-resubmit. Do it, they wouldn't ask you if they weren't serious.
      Kathy Bailey

      Delete
    3. Dovetailing with KB and Mindy. Remember your "product" is being rejected, not you or your ability to tell a story. Your story might be before its time or perhaps publication, which will come in God's perfect time, is not for the present moment. You're still a writer, and God is so grateful for the stories you write to spread his message of love and mercy!

      Delete
    4. Lee-Ann, you would be a good fit for the new Sunrise Publishing initiative or one of those Harlequin Love Inspired promotions where they work alongside you developing your story. That's probably what I would be doing if I wasn't recently published. That way somebody has your back. I mean besides us. :)

      Delete
    5. Hi Kathy, I was likely one of the first to submit to Sunrise. Lol I attended the Facebook chat and immediately submitted materials. I'm praying... It is an awesome opportunity. Submissions close on Sunday and draft authors will be announced by Dec 1. Lee-Ann

      Delete
  4. I really needed this post today, Mindy - especially your quote "If God has called you, He will equip you." I think I'll type that out and put it over my computer! Yesterday, I was SO discouraged and down I felt like completely tossing it all in. I felt under attack and nothing - not even prayer - was lifting it. Then, two amazing things happened in the afternoon that I can only ascribe to being God's answers to my prayers. It felt amazing when this realization hit me! He has/is equipping me and He doesn't want me to quit. Just had to share and hope it's an encouragement for someone else on a bad day, because we all have them. Or even a bad season. I've had those too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie, this is deep. Yes, we are being prepared and equipped even when we don't see it. It's like the REST of our Christian lives. I don't understand half of what's happened to me, but I knew He was preparing me for something.
      KB

      Delete
    2. Laurie, while you may have felt as though your prayers were not lifting the attack, God was still at work, preparing something amazing. Thank you for sharing. We all need to hear encouraging things like that. As far as equipping, look at it this way. If you're going hiking for a week, you can't just pick up our empty pack and go. No, there are things you're going to need for the journey. One by one we add things to our pack. A compass, a flashlight, a map, food, proper clothing... God doesn't equip us with everything we need all at once. Matter of fact, I don't even want to imagine how overwhelming that would be. Instead, He gradually equips us until that day we're ready to embark on the journey He has planned for us.

      Delete
    3. I love when the Lord provides signs that we're on the right path! Keep moving forward! :)

      Delete
    4. Thank you all! Yes, God was at work even when it felt the darkest yesterday. And I'm so glad I didn't kibosh myself even when it felt I was so alone. God is good, all the time!

      Delete
  5. Mindy, you make some great points!
    I'd like to kick in a couple of points I've learned on my way to FINALLY getting published by LIS :-)

    FALLACY: You have to go to Conferences to get published, find an agent, meet other writers or sell your books to readers.
    TRUTH: No, you don't. If you don't have the time/ money/ inclination/ mobility to go to conferences you can still do all of the things listed above. I did. I'd like to go to conferences in the future, and probably will. But not being in a situation where I could go did not hold me back from getting published and building a career.

    FALLACY: You HAVE to have a set critique partner and/or an official mentor.
    TRUTH: I have had various people in writing groups critique my work on my way to publication and it helped me. And I of course did my best to offer them helpful critiques as well. But I didn't have a specific 'critique partner' and that was fine. I've found short-term mentors in all sorts of ways over time as I've needed them, with Seekerville being one of the best :-) Seriously. Free published mentors here! An embarrassment of riches! And thank all of you so much for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenna, thanks for your kind words about Seekerville! :)

      Delete
    2. Jenna, you make some excellent points. Yes, conferences are helpful, but they don't ensure you'll be published. I can't tell you how many relationships I've built online. And Seekerville has offered so much good information over the years.

      As for mentors and critique partners, I think there are times when they are helpful, especially to new writers. However, if you don't have the right person or mix of people, they can do more harm than good. I believe God brings people in and out of our lives as we need them. We just need to be open to those opportunities.

      I can't even imagine how many authors Seekerville has helped since its beginning. I'm one of the new kids on he block, but the original ladies of Seekerville did so much to inspire me and help me on my journey to publication. Even better, they celebrated with me when I finally got that elusive contract.

      Delete
    3. Jenna, I see we both started our comments with the same phrase. Great minds, I tell ya. ;)

      Delete
    4. LOL!!! Mindy. Great minds, indeed :-) And I LOVE your response to Laurie Wood. Boy is that a topic worthy of much discussion! Write on, Laurie! And everybody else who is fighting the good fight!

      Delete
  6. Mindy, great blog. I agree with all your points! And I, too, am laughing about writers being wealthy! :)

    Also about writing getting easier. Digging deeper for the next story has become a bigger challenge for me. Getting the words on paper comes more quickly, but brainstorming the story at the onset takes more time than in the past.

    Must get back to work! Grabbing my AlphaSmart and a cup of coffee!

    Thanks for a nice break from my WIP!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby, do you suppose the writing would get easier if we got those six or seven-figure advances? :P

      Delete
    2. Personally, the pressure would stymie my creative ability - IF I MADE THAT MUCH - I WOULD HAVE TO PRODUCE BETTER AND MORE to stay within that earning capacity - as it is - I write what I SENSE God is telling me to write - and leave the rest in His most capable hands.
      So far, it's worked pretty well. LOL

      Delete
  7. Debby, the bloggers at Seekerville have lifted me up many times when I've been discouraged. And you've given me excellent advice. It is much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mindy, this is so true! I especially agree that the work doesn't get easier. Sometimes it seems even harder because we start to expect more from ourselves. Plus, we just know more about the business.

    I loved this post! Now I'll go eat my bonbons while I write 10k words this afternoon. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missy, I can't believe I forgot the bonbons!

      Delete
    2. Well, for me it's LINDOR MILK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES - a reward for words written - (of course, I'd be even larger than I already am if I depended on those to write)

      LOVE YOUR COMMENT, MISSY T.

      Delete
  9. I will laugh with you at the writers being rich one. Definitely not true for me. And can we just add in that just because you're published doesn't mean bookstores or libraries want your book? And that you probably won't have a huge following or sell many copies at first?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good points, Amy. I think if I'd asked all my author friends for some of their fallacies, this would have been at least a three-part post. You're right that being published guarantees nothing. Ah, if only.

      Delete
    2. Excellent points, Amy!
      Great reminder, that.

      Delete
  10. Ah, the shattering of dreams into the shards of reality! :)

    But, there are a lot of upsides to being a writer. We can IMAGINE what it would be like to be rich, super-productive, and always have a tidy desk... :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since writers all have vivid imaginations I think I'll just imagine I'm rich, prolific and teeming with ideas. It's easy that actually doing it!!!

      Delete
  11. LOL, Erica! So long as the bonbons are real!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I enjoyed the post, Mindy. It is too easy for me to not write. And this time of year doesn't help, (especially the season of Hallmark Christmas movies.) I'm going to try to get my creativity in where I can and go from there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you, Sandy. Those Hallmark Christmas movies are on all the time now. Sounds like you've got yourself a plan, though.

      Delete
  13. I read once that writing gets harder the longer you do it. If it doesn't you're not doing it right. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mindy's article is SPOT ON!

    I never gave the money much thought (I know - I'm weird, I guess), but I did think I'd be one of those prolific writers, turning out a couple, if not two or three books per year. - IF ONLY!

    I DO KNOW THIS - God called me to write as an 8th grader - and HE deemed the RIGHT TIME for my book(s) to publish - WAY out of the timing I'd seen coming, but I'm seeing HIS WILL CARRIED OUT IN SO MANY WAYS WITH MY UPCOMING RELEASE - and WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS PRESENCE THROUGH IT ALL!

    Time, the money invested, the money earned - all of it is HIS in my personal opinion - it's just up to me to TRUST AND OBEY!

    GREAT ARTICLE, MINDY!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are correct, Joy. We have to allow God to lead us, fully trusting and being obedient.

      Delete

If you have trouble leaving a comment, please "clear your internet cache" and try again. You can find this in your browser settings under "clear history."