This is not a fictional story! (Sorry, I’ve been spending all my writing time on a novel.) Friday Friction will return, as soon as I have a new short story idea.
Meanwhile, I’ve decided to share some of the random thoughts that have been rolling around in my head. Specifically, an explanation about why trying to publish a novel is nothing like running a marathon.
Huh?
Yeah.
If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that I love to write and I love to run. If you post anything with these two words in the title, you can bet the farm I’m going to click the link. I’ve read, and loved, numerous posts comparing writing and running. They explain that both require goal setting and perseverance. Most claim that one often compliments the other, and I agree wholeheartedly.
Then it occurred to me that, for me, there is one significant difference (besides the obvious of course).
The finish line.
When I registered for my first marathon, I knew exactly what I needed to do to train for that race. I knew that, barring illness or injury, when I put my toe to the starting line it would take me somewhere in the neighborhood of four hours to run 26.2 miles. Race done. Medal earned. Goal accomplished.
I have learned over the course of the last two years that getting a novel published is a very different experience. I have been so close that I could have sworn I could smell the freshly printed pages of my first book, only to have the finish line whisked away and hidden at some as-yet-undisclosed location.
I have learned that trying to publish a novel (in the traditional sense) requires an incredible amount of patience. Generally, I am capable of patience. I can wait in line at the grocery store behind the person with five hundred coupons and a missing checkbook without experiencing the slightest change in my blood pressure. Yet, when it comes to something that is on my to-do list, I’m like an insect. At least that’s what my husband tells me. You know how you can push an insect on its back and the legs keep moving. That’s me.
I want to cross things off my list and keep moving. Agent acquired. Book published. Check and check. Unfortunately, it’s not just up to me. No amount of training or goal setting can make someone else say yes, and in order to get a book published someone has to like the story enough to take a chance. Someone has to like the story enough to agree to publish it. Then someone has to read it which means, at some point, I may have to learn some marketing skills <shudder>.
The finish line keeps moving.
Honestly, I think that’s what makes it so enticing.
Huh?
Yeah.
It’s like gambling, or B.F. Skinner’s theory of random reinforcement.
I never know which letter is going to land an agent. I never know which story is going to land a contract. I never know when I’m going to cross the finish line that I’ve set for that stage of the game, and I have no idea what will happen next. As frustrating as this might be at times, it forces me out of my very structured day and my very regimented training schedule, and it lets me dream. I can always hope today will be the day. I can always be excited about what might be waiting around the corner.
You just never know.
What finish line are you working toward?
My finish line is my blog and etsy site. Scared to try more than anything I think. You are a wonderful writer, what you write will catch someone’s eye soon! I believe in you!
Thank you Lisa, and I believe in you too! You’re very talented and have a gift to share with others, you can do it. A blog is pretty non-threatening, and you already have one person who will follow who’s not even a blood relative! That’s a pretty good start. :) Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
I’m normally a patient person too but all the hurry-up-and-wait involved in the querying process is super hard. It can be frustrating when accomplishing something you desperately want depends so much on other people (agents, publishers, etc) and yet I keep trying because, as you say, you never know what will happen next… and it might be something great! :)
It is hard Sarah, and frustrating. I guess that’s why so many people are self-publishing now. I can see the draw, but I really want to make it past those gate-keepers. ;) I am like you, I try keep my mind focused on the possibility that it might be something great! (which I feel confident would not be the case if I try to go it alone) Nothing to do but keep trying and find out! And hey, if nothing else I got to meet a lot of really cool people. :D
I feel like I’m very close, very often, too. It can be frustrating, but I can’t do anything but flail my upside down insect legs. Love that and the Skinner analogy. It’s almost easier for me to know YOU are going to get there. I can’t allow myself such expectations or fragile hopes. I know I will do my damnest, but I don’t allow myself to think beyond that.
Love this post, Nicole. I’ll be your running partner for this (as long as these old knees don’t actually have to run ;) ).
Thanks Vaughn! I am so happy to have you with me on this journey. It’s been pretty amazing to discover that so many people are going through the same ups and downs with the whole writing a publication process. It’s daunting in one respect, knowing there are so many stories out there, but exciting too. It’s something that millions of people are passionate about. I guess that lets me know that whatever happens with the publishing industry, there will be some way for us to share our stories, which is really what it’s all about. I don’t know how I feel about expectations, but I always believe in hope. Hang in there my friend.
“you can bet the farm I’m going to click the link.”– Haha! “You know how you can push an insect on its back and the legs keep moving. That’s me.” OMG! I laughed so hard. :P
What a lovely, inspiring post– even while I completely understood and related to your frustration, I also felt the same hope and yes, thrill of what the future has to bring. The journey is always filled with possibilities I follow like a donkey after the proverbially “out-of-reach” carrot. We’ll keep at it, Nicole, and when we cross that finish line–all of the trials we’ve overcome will only make our accomplishment feel that much sweeter.
Glad we are running this race together. <3
Me too D.D.! (the running together part) I love the “out-of-reach carrot”, so apt and yet it’s what makes life worth living. I completely agree that when we finally do get to check a few things off our big dream list, it’s going to be amazing! Keep on kickin’ ;)
Lose your your dreams and you, will lose your mind. (I’ve got to quote like Jagger !)
Keep dreaming Nicole !
Will do, and you too. Thanks Scott!
Hi, Nicole:
A very apt observation! I hadn’t considered that, but you’re right. And the thing is, even when you land that agent, sell the book, and it finally hits stores, it’s still not finished. I haven’t written a book let alone an email that couldn’t be better if only I spent another day/week/month/year on it, but that way lies madness. Madness! I guess what I am saying is, even when you “make it” you really haven’t. Another way to think about it is that writing to be published is like climbing a mountain with no top. It just keeps going and going. The key is finding the peak(s) that works for you.
I really admire your attitude about this. It’s a long road even if it isn’t a marathon. I’m convinced that patience and perseverance are as important as being able to write.
Cheers!
Chris
Thanks so much for your comment Chris. I am learning the truth of the statement that patience and perseverance are the most important elements. It’s a bit overwhelming to think that as soon as you accomplish the goal you originally set out for, ten new goals appear. Whew. I like your point that it’s not about writing to be published. It should be writing to tell your story and maybe someone else will like it too. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment. I hope you are doing well.
What a spirited post, so very inspiring to read. What I have learned for myself is not to set my goals too high. It is easier to focus on achievable goals and keep working away at them, and then set another after reaching it. Obviously I have a dream, which, at this moment in time is just that, but I guess it is where all the goals on the way lead to. In the meantime I stick to my smaller goals as they allow me to stay focussed, which isn’t easy at the best of times when there is so much going on determined to distract me.
I think that’s a very wise way to approach things Sonja. I can absolutely see myself setting several smaller goals right now, which would keep me preoccupied as well as productive while they push me toward that bigger goal. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wish you all the best. You are so talented and I hope more people discover your work!
Have you seen Run, Fatboy, Run? I think you tweeted that you had, I can’t remember. I’ll remind you anyway ;) When the main character is running a marathon, he hits what they call “the wall” where he thinks he can’t go any further, but then when he thinks about what’s at stake (his family) he finds the overwhelming strength to run to the end. I kinda feel that way about writing sometimes. You get to the point where you say: THAT’S IT! No more. And you’re ready to hurl that book (and by book I mean your laptop) across the room, but then you think about all the work you’ve put in and you realize you’re not ready to flush it all down the toilet, for it to be absolutely meaningless.
I get what you’re saying with the finish line, it’s completely true. There’s always something else that needs to be done. Finished editing? Mwaha. Time to write the query. Got the perfect query? Haha. Time to research agents. *facepalm* It never ends, but that’s why you have to enjoy the journey. Oh, did you write that, um, that epic bestseller, did you? Oh, yeah? Where’s your next bestseller? Lol.
I’m like you too, I need to cross things off my list. I’m a crosser! Great post, Nicole :)
I LOVE the movie Run, Fatboy, Run. It’s hilarious.
You’re exactly right about that wall too. I have wondered many a time if I should keep pursuing this and then decide, absolutely! For all those reasons that people write and post all those inspirational quotes, we have to keep going at the very least so that we know we gave it every chance.
“crosser”- :D. I hope you’re doing great Margaret!