The trap (writing edition)

I have fallen victim to the ultimate trap:

‘pfft that looks easy, I could so do that.’

Ever read twilight, a short story, a kid’s book or a mills and boon book, and thought that you could whip up you own version in no time? It would be so easy to just write a bunch of stuff, and bam send it off to be published and collect your money. This week I have found out this isn’t the case.

I have found an e-book site that buys manuscripts that are around 10 000- 15 000 words. They want manuscripts that involve paranormal urban fantasy romance. Immediately i started writing my own without much thought. After about 7000 words i became burnt-out and realised that my characters weren’t even good enough to be called cardboard cut-outs. Most of what i had written was stale and cliche. I had wasted all this time writing 7000 words that are probably unsalvageable. I could have instead thought about it for a while, put in more effort and gotten half as many words that were quality. But i didn’t.

Here’s a quick list of things i learnt:

- short stories of this length are a great way to practice writing before jumping into an entire novel. But just because they aren’t that dream novel you have in mind does not mean you can give them sub-standard attention. Everything you write, no matter the brief or purpose, should be given your full attention. You have no chance of improving if you don’t give it your best effort

- a million other people have had the same get published quick idea as you. At first these short stories might seem like a dream, and in many ways they are. Just remember you are not the only person who has the idea and the ability to write a 10000- 15 000 word story. In fact there is more competition in this length of manuscript because it is not as daunting as an entire novel. Editors pour through stacks of these manuscripts everyday, if yours doesn’t stand out then it will probably go on the rejection pile.

- if you’re not into it, no one else will be. How can you expect to write what you consider to be junk and have people love it. Writer’s should care about their characters, have a feel for them. Especially in this short word count, there has to be an emotional punch to the story. You can never reach that if you don’t spend time thinking, planning and developing characters.

- Arrogance will get you nowhere. How many people have you met who have said ‘twilight is so simple and uncreative. I totally could have written that.’ now, how many of them have actually gone on to write a book as successful? Not many, I am willing to wager. Going around, touting your own brilliance will get you nowhere fast. Instead of critiquing other’s work, it is many times more prudent to critique your own. Remember, no one likes people who are up themselves

So that’s what i learnt this week. Thankyou to all my non-existent readers.

P.S I know I am a giant hypocrite for telling people not to rip on other people’s work when below i have a giant twilight rant. Just think of me as two people: Struggling author, and bitchy, big-headed dick who watches margaret and david and draws moustaches and devil horns on Robert Patterson Pictures.

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