by Patricia McLinn
1) No agent is always better than the wrong agent. This person will represent you to the publishing world and handle your money—do your homework and listen to your gut.
2) When it comes to writing methods, whatever way works for you is the right way—no matter how vehemently others might tell you that their way is THE answer. However, it’s only good sense to keep yourself open to the possibility of incorporating improvements to your method. And speaking of other ideas . . .
3) Workshops, articles and seminars offer a smorgasbord, not a sit-down dinner. You are under no obligation to take what’s put in front of you. Pick and choose what appeals to you. On the other hand, no rule prevents you from passing on something now, but going back to try it later. And if something works great, you can treat yourself to seconds or thirds.
4) Persistence is one thing you can’t do without—you don’t lose unless you give up.
5) Write a book that pleases you. That way you’re sure to please at least one person. Writing a book with the hope of pleasing a hypothetical editor is almost a sure way to fail.
6) On the other hand, it makes sense to pursue ideas that please you but also have potential to be marketed, first to editors and then to readers—look for where your passion overlaps with the market.
7) All the polish in the world can’t save a bad story or weak characters; a good story and strong characters deserve the best polishing possible. (Some readers don’t care about polish if they feel “swept away” by the story’s heart—you won’t lose those readers by having a technically well-written book, but you will lose readers who demand that a book have both heart and mind.)
8) When you solve a problem in a book, that exact problem is almost guaranteed to never arise again. Do not despair. You might never use that solution again, but you have gained confidence that you will (eventually) find a solution when other problems hit.
9) The business of publishing is separate and different from the writing. You have very little control over the business and it is specifically designed to, in the most efficient way possible, send writers to the mental ward or the poorhouse, and often both.
10) Because of No. 9, a writer who does not enjoy, crave or require the process of writing would be much better off finding another business—there are a lot of easier and more lucrative ways to drive yourself crazy. But if it’s the process that drives you, then there’s only one way to satisfy that craving: WRITE
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Patricia McLinn always wanted to write novels, although she took a detour of practicality into journalism before publishing her first book in 1990. Cited by reviewers for strong emotion and characterization, her books have topped best-seller lists and garnered awards, including the 2001 Rising Star. Her next release is a December Silhouette Special Edition, My Heart Remembers.
