| So when I saw we were going to be blogging this week about how to help yourself as a writer, my immediate thought was, huh? Because I avoid helping myself in any way, shape or form, generally, and just blunder around hoping something will catch on. Seriously. You want career advice from a woman who drives around listening to the soundtrack to the Buffy musical episode? And singing along? But then I started thinking about it, and realized not only are there a couple of things I know something about, but they're things I've already written about, which means less work for me. And I'm all about the laziness. So here's my tip. Don't be an ass. Seriously. Before you do something, stop and think. Is this what an ass would do? How would I feel if someone did this to me? This is inspired in part by last night's post at Dear Author. This one is good too. But I feel they can be easily condensed, into "Don't be an ass". Now, let's face it. We're all human. We all act like asses at some point. We say something flippant and realize it was a lousy thing to say. We get a little drunk and comment somewhere we shouldn't. But when you've done it, don't make it worse by constantly showing up to try and justify it. Let it go. Try to move on. And learn your lesson. Don't do it again. But that's all internet etiquette, which really isn't the subject here. The subject here is helping yourself, presumably to sell books. The principle is the same. Do you like having flyers stuck under your windshield at the grocery store? Do you enjoy spam emails or comments? Do you eagerly click on any random link that shows up anywhere on that crazy, incomprehensible maze that is the internet? Similarly, do you often visit websites you see advertised on the sides of cars or on the corkboard at Target? Do you find people who constantly interrupt conversations to talk about themselves and their book charming and fun? Are you easily swayed into buying books because someone gives you a piece of candy? Is junk mail the main source of shopping inspiration for you? Do you often notice the books other people are carrying and stop them to ask about them? When the person behind you in line tries to shove a business card into your hand, are you delighted by their pep? Right. I didn't think so. So don't be swayed into thinking any of these tactics will help you to sell your book, either--whether it's after it's been published, or before. Spamming agents and editors (either through mail, email, or conversation), or showing up on their blogs or websites to constantly talk about yourself isn't a good idea. Like assitude, we've all done it--or at least most of us have, because it's easy to get really excited that Agent Fantastic will actually see your comment (and hence see you) and let your fingers do the running before your rational mind catches up--but try not to make it a habit, okay? Oh, and don't encourage other people to spam websites, agents, or editors either. It's a bad idea. Seriously. (I'm pretty sure all identifying articles are gone from the site, so I'm linking to it. The poor girl in that case went through enough, even if she did handle it rather ungracefully.) And one more thing: Study the market and know what you're doing, please. I did a series of posts about researching publishers back in June. They start here. Read them. Apply that knowledge. It can be easily adapted to an agent search as well. Don't be anyone's guinea pig. |
Blog Archives
Latest Entries
Coming Soon
Heh.
You want career advice from a woman who drives around listening to the soundtrack to the Buffy musical episode? And singing along?
You're my hero.
K
Hey, I listen to the Buffy soundtrack in my office at Penguin and no one thinks I'm weird or.. oh wait... nevermind. They DO think I'm weird. And now that I'm one of their authors even weirder still.
I'm devastated that they've cancelled the singalongs at the local movie theaters, though...
but back to your post...
A lot of common sense in there, but I wonder how many people miss it because they get so excited about the prospect of selling their book they could just PEEEEEEEE!?
I know it's a fairly good percent because I've seen enough bad attempts made out there. There oughta be a study.
Stacia,
This post is pure gold
Thank you, Wanderingray! Um, I will strive not to disappoint you. perhaps later I can post about my sick Batman fantasies (those would be, ah, sexual in nature), or quote lines from the film Free Enterprise?
I've gone too far, haven't I. Damn. I always do that!
Oh yes, Anton, they miss it all the time, and it makes the puppy cry. People are so eager to be validated--and I think it's especially bad with we insecure writerly types...sigh. Which is why you came up with such a great topic for this week!
I never got to go to one of those singalongs, sadly.
"They got...the mustard...out!"
Thanks Ilona!
I'm an insecure writerly type, so this week is rocking in giving me some foundation info about the business. All I need to do is develop some talent and I'm set...
I think a lot of asshatery is the result of desperation. It's kind of sad.
This is SUCH good advice. I'm a pure reader, and there are authors I'm now leery of reading because of their assitude on the web. I think that personalities go into writing. If you are a jackass online, I have trouble imagining you as thoughtful, and then I have trouble imagining you writing something with *depth* (which requires thought). Yes, this could be completely unfair, but there are so many authors I could read, why trouble myself with someone whose personality I don't like? There are other authors I have a positive view of. Maybe they were thoughtful, professional, decent, or had great humor when they post or comment or send newsletters. They are the ones that impressed me so they are the ones I'm going to go check out in the bookstore.
"Seriously. You want career advice from a woman who drives around listening to the soundtrack to the Buffy musical episode? And singing along?"
ROTFLMAO! I thought I was the only one. Do you have the singing 'Xena' one too, D? :)
Nonsense, tm, you have plenty of talent. *shakes finger*
True, Jaye, a lot of it is. Desperation or impatience, or simply naivete. Which is why one has to seriously think.
Thanks Janice! Wow, a pure reader? You're a rare breed. :-)
I do the same thing. There are some writers I know whose work I wouldn't read if you gave it to me for free.
Lol, Bernard! We're a *special* bunch, aren't we?
No, I never really watched Zena, sadly. I always meant to, but just never picked it up.
"So here's my tip. Don't be an ass.
Seriously. Before you do something, stop and think. Is this what an ass would do? How would I feel if someone did this to me?"
LOL!
Perfect. Simple. Easy to remember.
Thanks, Lila! I find it's good advice for all areas of life.
Stacia, I loved this post. You are so right on so many levels. :)
Thanks Jill! :-)
Spamming is obviously obnoxious, but what about bloggers who cross post, or post about books they have, in fact, read that happen to be by friends and fellow authors? I love that stuff, but I could see how, to some people, it gets old. Where's the line?
(Excellent entry, by the way. That's probably the best life-advice, also related to writing, I've seen in awhile.)