The difficulties of being a writer
“To write what is worth publishing, to find honest people to publish it, and get sensible people to read it, are the three great difficulties in being an author.”~ Charles Caleb Colton
While I think that this quote has been written a little tongue in cheek, there is much truth in it. It highlights three important stages in the publication path.
- Writing: The writing stage is usually the one that concerns writers the most. First, there is the problem of coming up with an idea, then there is the problem of converting the idea into words and then finally editing and checking the words until they are as near to perfect as the writer can achieve. Most writers think that the process ends here. Wrong.
- Publishing: The next stage, getting the writing published, is just as important as the first stage. Having done one’s homework and research, the writer then submits the writing to a print publisher. Here is where patience is needed. Normally it takes months to get a response, and in the case of book length manuscripts, it may take years. All of this waiting is then without a guarantee of even getting published. And if you are lucky enough to get published, you may not even make any money out of it. Writers who think the process ends here are also missing the point.
- Reading: The reading stage is just as important as the other two stages. Without readers, the writer would be better off throwing his or her work into the fire; at least they will be able to keep warm that way. The promotion stage of writing is just as important as the writing. Without promotion, how will potential readers be found? This is vitally important, especially to writers of book length works.
Blogging applications:
How does all this relate to blogging, the new kid on the publication block?
- Writing: There is little difference between writing for one’s blog and writing for print publication. The writer still has to come up with ideas, though in fairness, I’ve read some blogs that are totally bereft of ideas. The writing still has to be good – even better in many cases because on the internet you have only a few seconds, perhaps a sentence or two, to get the reader’s interest. Proofreading, rewriting and editing are still essential skills.
- Publishing: Publication of one’s writing in a blog is the easy part. Too easy. As a result there is little moderation of what is published. In my opinion, the ease of publication on a blog is both a strength and a weakness. Its strength is the fact that almost anyone can be published. Its weakness is that almost anyone can be published. This means that there is an awful lot of rubbish to wade through to get to the good stuff, and the great stuff is even harder to find.
- Reading: The reading stage on blogs is probably the most crucial part. Without readers one is just blowing words into the wind. The real strength in blogging comes if good content being written. When there is good content, readers will find your writing through search engines. Consistently good content that is worth reading will be found and readers will come back. Loyalty of readership is something every blogger must strive for and cherish.
Good writing.
Just a thought – about transmitting data
I’ve discovered a wonderful way to transmit data from mind to mind: it’s called talking. Ashleigh Brilliant
Ashleigh is only half right.
Data can also be transmitted by writing.
Just a thought – about words, ideas and pegs
“All words are pegs to hang ideas on.”~ Henry Ward Beecher
Words.
Words are the tools of trade for the writer. There are so many words and so many ways to combine them. Everyone can put a few words together; sometimes they even make sense. (Have you ever received those spam emails made up of words at random? Why do people bother?)
The skill in making sense with words is how you combine them, throwing them together until they make some kind of sense. That makes a sentence. A few sentences glued together make a paragraph. Several paragraphs strung together can make an article, or a story or a letter. Put together enough and you might make a book.
Ideas.
We all have ideas. When we take those ideas and write about them, others can understand what we are thinking. Those ideas can amuse, entertain, horrify, persuade, encourage, offend or inspire us. But ideas without words to hang them on are just that: ideas. They remain within us, unexpressed, untouched and unloved.
Ideas are everywhere, in the simple, common, everyday things of life. Hang those ideas on the pegs called words and everyone can see your ideas hanging out there in the sunshine.
That is why I am a writer.
The Place of Persistence
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On†has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.â€
Calvin Coolidge
Quoted in The Australian 29th July 2006.
Just a thought: about writing and life
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin
Lofty goals but certainly worthy aspirations nevertheless.
Those who aspire to be published writers need to be constantly striving to write what others will want to read. In an era when becoming a “published” writer is easier than ever before – I speak here of blogs in particular – the temptation to churn out absolute rubbish has become almost universal.
Despite its obvious shortcomings however, blogging is becoming one of the most powerful social movements of the modern era. And it’s only in its infancy; the long-term potential is staggering. If you don’t believe me, think about the ubiquitous mobile phone. As recent as twenty years ago they were bulky bricks one lugged around if you could afford it. Now look at them. Personal, instant communication is available and mostly affordable to all.
So as writers we owe it to our readers to strive to “write something worth reading.” And if we can’t do that, Benjamin Franklin tells us to “do something worth writing” about. Perhaps in today’s language we might say: “get a life.” But make sure it’s a very interesting life, a life others will want to read about.
Of course, those of us who are really clever might be able to do both.