Heather, here. I want to introduce my guest blogger today, Vaughn Roycroft. Vaughn and I met through Writer Unboxed and have since become fast friends. His comments and insights are inspiring, wise, and always right on target. He’s one of the most supportive people I’ve met and is always ready to help a fellow writer. He’s also the newest reviewer for Reader Unboxed, a site for readers by readers. Congratulations, Vaughn! As he doesn’t yet have his own blog, I asked if he would consent to share some of his thoughts here at I’d Rather be Writing. He’s a talented Fantasy writer, who, like me, is working to navigate this brave new world of publishing. Please give him a big, warm welcome and make sure to comment below. Thanks, everyone. Write on!
Already There
by Vaughn Roycroft
Too Much Information
I don’t have my own blog, so I appreciate Heather lending me her platform. Something’s been on my chest for a while, and it’s only gotten more pronounced in recent weeks. Although I don’t blog, I read my share of them, and I’ve noticed a trend developing in my writing community. I’m old enough to remember when Sting was with a little rock trio called The Police. In ’81 they did a song called Too Much Information. When Sting penned the lyrics, ‘Too much information, running through my brain; Too much information, is driving me insane,’ he couldn’t have had any idea how bad it would get.
As writers we’re inundated daily, and the expectations beyond putting words on the page have increased exponentially. Blog hits, Twitter followers, facebook friends; Amazon rankings, Big 6 downsizing, shrinking advances, chain store closures; changes in the roles of literary agencies, Amazon, B & N, the Big 6, the small presses, and so on. The changes in the publishing industry are indisputably revolutionary. It boggles the mind.
Increasing Angst
Whatever the stage of their career—unpublished, like me, or seasoned pro—writers cannot help but to be affected by it all. All too often lately I’ve notice my writing friends almost shutting down, frozen by the angst derived from this mind-boggling atmosphere. I’ve been guilty too. It’s all too easy to become angst-ridden when we become too tightly tied up in the outcome (focused on getting published, on sales numbers, on platform-building, etc.). It’s all too easy to forget what brung us to this crazy dance. We lose sight of the joy we had in pouring ourselves onto the page, back before we knew how hard it was going to be to even write a decent query letter, let alone land an agent or a publishing contract.
Miserable Company
As I said, I am as guilty as anyone. I’ve been plenty angst-ridden about my writing career, plenty often. In June of ’09, six years after its inception, I typed the words ‘The End’ on my historical fantasy trilogy. I thought it’d been tough finishing a draft. Like Sting in ’81, I had no idea how much worse it could get. For the next eighteen months, through beta readers, rewrites, submissions, rejections, query letter rewrites, more rejections, more beta readers, re-rewrites, etc., I made myself and everyone around me miserable.
I’m a bit different than many in that I came back to writing later in life. I had already been successful in business. I wasn’t looking to have a bestseller. I’d wanted to write this story for as long as I could remember. After my wife and I sold our business in ’03, the time had come to do it. It was that simple. As I collected rejections, I heard again and again that most first novel attempts get shelved. That may be fine for many. Just write another one, right? Neither my gut nor my heart could accept it. This had been a labor of love. But I also felt I was getting too old to continue to bash my head against the wall.
Reexamination
A year ago, instead of shelving the trilogy, I decided to reexamine my goals. It was time for some genuine soul-searching. I decided what I really wanted was to connect with readers. After having a handful of beta readers really get my work, hearing how it affected them, even how it related to their lives, I started to get what this was about for me. Lord knows writing them affected me.
I had to look at the aforementioned revolution, too—from all angles, good and bad. I got a Kindle last fall, and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities. Self publishing is no longer so darn shameful, and it’s gotten a whole lot cheaper too. Simply entertaining the thought that I can publish my work myself has lifted a world of woe from my shoulders. Not that I’m sure I will. And not that I want to stick it to the gate-keepers; I understand and appreciate the process. Nor do I imagine this would be the route to Amada Hocking-esque financial security or a back road to being traditionally published. I just want to be read. Anything more will be icing on the cake.
Reconnecting
Another thing my reexamination led to was the simple realization that I love to write. Duh, right? But I’d lost sight of it. And I decided I wanted to reconnect with the joy of the process. So last winter I started a project that was just for me. I wanted to look backward from my trilogy, at the characters and back-story that brought it all about—a prequel. What started as a short story became as big a doorstop as my other books; probably way too big for the publishing world, especially from an unknown. And you know what? I don’t give a shit. The thing took me eight months, but it gave me all sorts of insight about my trilogy and its characters. Since finishing the prequel, I’ve also tackled another rewrite of Book I of the trilogy, and the effort is paying dividends I hadn’t imagined, giving my older work such greater depth and clarity. Simply getting back to writing has made this a pivotal year for me.
Realization
This year has made me realize so much more than just my love for writing. I’ve fully realized that my writing journey has been the most important and fulfilling of my life. And it’s just getting going. Along the way I’ve met and connected in a meaningful way with so many wonderful people, like Heather, mostly through Writer Unboxed. I’ve gained so much insight, have come to a more profound view of the world and my life. I’ve only gotten closer to my wife, who is my soul mate and my Ideal Reader. My love and understanding are deeper than I knew possible. As Elbert Hubbard, founder of the Roycroft Campus, said, “Blessed is the man who has found his work.” I know I’ve found my work—and that’s worth more than anything: money, awards, book tours, or even praise.
Already There
I don’t know what will happen to the books or with my writing career. But I’ve let go of the outcome. The journey will go on, and I’m no longer sure exactly what the destination looks like, but in so many ways I know I’m already there. I’ve decided I’m a writer.
How about you? In what ways has your writing journey changed you? Are you a better person for it? In what ways are you already there?
Vaughn, this is a fantastic post, and a good reminder to all of us that the process of writing is what’s important, not just the outcome. I think there are times we all forget that. As you know, my WIP right now is one I hold close to my heart, and I know I won’t be able to give up on it even if every agent rejects it. I’d be rewriting as well. If you need/want another beta reader, I’m more than willing, especially since you already offered to be one for me!
I’m now going to be hearing “Too Much Information” in my head all day.
Vaughn….I enjoyed your introspection. My story’s a little different. I’m a British trained Graphologist who has evolved into a self-published author and Blogger. I never ‘willed’ to write a book…It evolved from my clinical experiences and encouragement by friends and clients. My handwritten thoughts from 2005 entered ‘Word’ in 2007. My early critics were kind and sought structure. I kept ‘plugging’ along without much focus until July 2010. My daughter ‘Branded’ me Coffee with the SUbconscious and MADE me get into social media. I was Scared to Death! She got me set up to write a Blog and Tweet on Twitter. I made HUGE mistakes because I’m not very computer literate! Now… I wake up every morning energized to write and communicate . The Domino effect of Twitter following led me Friends on Facebook. I met Kim Bullock through a mutual Facebook friend and it’s been SSSoooo much FUN interacting in the world of writers and authors!! It’s because of the ‘Process’ that I got the focus to finish my book and iron out its glitches!! People are reading it and benefitting from it! Got to do what you LOVE and ENjoy what you DO!!! Take care, B.
Vaughn, thank you for this post! It’s what I needed to read this morning…though, like Kim, I will now have “Too Much Information” in my head allllll day.
I think I’ve been a bit paralyzed by the whole outcome rather than slowing down and enjoying the process. That’s some amazing advice, and not something we hear much of in this hurry-hurry-hurry up world. Thanks for the reminder.
–Jeannine
Vaughn you are one of the smarter people I know & am happy that you have found your true calling. My brain seems to swell everytime & read your prose … it’s akin to the slurpee induced brain freeze, at first painful but then true bliss. Ha! Looking forward to the next step in the process.
Vaughn, what a lovely post. Finding the joy in writing — or in anything where there is pressure to ‘achieve’ — is so hard sometimes, since the achievement becomes the focus and not the journey. You’ve captured that so well here. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy the process and the people we meet along the way.
One of the biggest gifts of the self-publishing movement is the ability for writers to find their readers and a resolution of the angst. You seem to have hit that point quickly in your career, Vaughn, and I’m sure it’ll serve you well.
Not bad for a first blog post, either. 😉 People might think you know what you’re doing. Enough to offer you a platform in other places that begin with the letter “T” – that is, if RU doesn’t keep you too busy. (Congrats again.)
Heather, I like this blog template. The informal writing in the comment section is neat.
Wow, such great comments! Thanks to all.
Kim – Can’t wait to beta read about Carl and Madonna. Sorry about the ear-worm. 😉 I’d be glad to have you read mine, if you can find the time. We’ll talk.
B – Love, ‘Coffee with the Subconcious. Keep it up!
Jeannine – I thought it needed to be said. Hurry, hurry doesn’t quite do justice to what most of us have going on, does it? And you’re another ear-worm victim. Regrettable, but at least it’s a cool band, right? 😉
Paul – Nothing like a good Slurpee brain-freeze to make you feel alive, is there? Thanks for your ongoing support.
Liz – Yay! So glad you liked the reminder. Thanks so much for coming by, my friend.
Jan – That praise means so much, coming from one of my very favorite bloggers. I’m sure RU will have me hoppin’, but I will always make time for you.
Thanks again to Heather! What a wonderful introduction! You made me blush, and that doesn’t happen often. 🙂
Right on! Look forward to your next guest post.
Thank you for hosting, Heather, and thank you for posting, Vaughn.
You said it well! Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive in this industry. I often disappear for awhile, never wanting my funk to affect others in a negative way.
Glad you reconnected with your love of writing 🙂
Thanks for sharing!