You can’t write in a vaccuum

I think the most difficult thing for me over my years of trying to become a writer has been having to deal with people. If I could only just write what’s in my heart and then give it away to all those who need it, life would be so much easier…

My very first meeting with a “real” editor was in a 15-minute appointment at a writing conference in 1979. It was so devastating that if I hadn’t previously booked another appointment with a second editor immediately after, I doubt if I’d have ever found the courage to talk to an editor again.

That first editor ripped into me for not knowing what I was doing, not having a concrete proposal ready, and not making good use of my time with her. I was clueless, true, but it was my first time at a conference, and I don’t think she had any reason to treat me the way she did. Fortunately, the second editor I talked to was Leslie Keylock, and he was wonderful. Restored my faith that there are some nice people out there - some even disguised as editors.

Time went by and I got a book contract. I was sailing. Until I began having problems with my editor over the sequel. I went to a conference where the editor was teaching a workshop on how to write fiction, thinking it would help me understand where he was coming from. In the course of the workshop, someone asked him if a woman could write from a male viewpoint. He said no. (Yes, that’s what I was doing - and doing very well, I might add. And I know many other women who do the same thing.) It was pretty clear to me there was a problem.

Then, in the middle of the workshop, he used an example of something a stupid beginner might do that you should never do. And guess what? It came from a proposal for an adult book that I had sent him. No, he didn’t use my name, so no one else knew it was mine. And he did apologize to me at lunch time after it dawned on him that it was my proposal.

You may be asking what terrible thing I had done? I had written a prologue in first person and then switched to 3rd person for the book. Yeah, I know. It’s done all the time now. I also used overture, first movement, etc. instead of prologue, first part. He implied that that was dumb. I’ve since seen that in several books.

What am I trying to say here? I’m not asking you to feel sorry for me. All this happened quite a few years ago. I’ve been over it for a good long time. I’m telling you about it to make the point that sometimes - okay, often - life isn’t fair. There will be people - editors, other writers, press agents, even family members - who will put you down or belittle you or become road blocks in your path. But that’s no reason to give up.

Writing isn’t a solitary occupation. You need people - to support you, teach you, and read what you write.

If you dream of being a writer, don’t let a few negative people stop you.