Tips for a New Writer
Because apparently I’m seasoned now.
The other day, someone in my writing group reached out and asked if I would meet with one of his creative writing students (I work at Duke University in communications, where he also teaches). In the introductory email, he wrote that I “know a lot about publishing and the industry.” It took me aback, because I do still feel very new to the whole publishing thing.
But as I thought about it, I realized he was right. I started writing my first book almost exactly two years ago. I queried it late summer 2023, got a handful of requests, started working on the next thing, queried that late spring 2024, and landed my agent summer 2024. I’ve written seven full manuscripts since then, and have made connections throughout the industry. Compared to someone who just started writing, I perhaps do have a little bit of experience.
So, let me tell you the things I told her. Of course, they’re nothing that hasn’t been said before. But I hope it will help you as much as it did the student I met with.
Read Everything You Can
This is like, Writing 101 but I cannot emphasize how true it is. When I first started writing fiction, I wasn’t sure how to start. But as I looked into craft books (I love Save the Cat Writes a Novel!), I realized I knew more than I gave myself credit for simply by being a voracious reader. Beats, plot points, characterization—I already had the bones of storytelling inside of me.
And, on the other side of it, when you decide to start querying, you need good comps (comparative titles) that let agents know you understand the market and where your book would sit on the bookshelf. Reading in your genre is essential to being a good writer.
Find Your People
People say writing is a solitary pursuit, but I haven’t found that to be particularly true. Throughout the course of two years, I’ve developed relationships with authors and aspiring authors who have read my work, given me helpful feedback, and connected me with resources that have helped me grow as a writer.
I’ve meet people online and in person, and both have fulfilled me so much. I encourage you to not let writing be a solitary pursuit and to disappear too much into your head. You’ll need these people to ride alongside you and lift you up when you need help and to celebrate the wins when you get them. Because those wins are so much sweeter when you have people to cheer with you.
Learn How to Handle Rejection
It is a cold, hard truth of publishing: you will get rejected. Someone will tell you they didn’t like your work, whether that be a beta reader, an agent, an editor, or a reader. It literally does not end once you get agented, once you get a book deal, once you get published.
It will do you so much good to not to get wrapped up in negative feedback and rejection. I know, easier said than done. But focus on what you can change, how you can make your writing better.
Believe me, I had over 200 rejections before I got my agent. I have been rejected and gotten harsh feedback so many times. And sometimes, that feedback is right and makes your writing better. And sometimes it’s not, and you have to learn to forget about it.
You only fail if you quit writing.
Don’t Obsess Over Your Inbox
File this one under “advice I give but cannot take.”
