Crisis of Faith

Last week I had one good writing day and then pffffttt! Nothing.

I was in the "why bother" mode? No one buys my books. No one reviews my books. I can't get industry professionals to read beyond my query letter. What's the point?

Why bother to write the next story? 

Therefore, I started making candy. I love making candy. It soothes my soul.

Back to my story-- Hubs has been seriously stressing over the move his office is doing. It's a big move with lots of little plates to juggle on two sticks and he's the juggler. And the kidlet has been working hard to keep A's in all her classes.

So I decided we needed a break from 'stuff', and we took a day trip to Silver Dollar City. I've written about this SDC a few times. We mostly go there to ride the rides. This time it was an off weekend and we pretty much walked onto most of the rides--especially the roller coasters.

The drive is quite long for a day trip (3.5 hours one way), and we planned to leave the house at 6 AM. Of course, we didn't pull out of the driveway to gas up the car until 6:40.

The kidlet had stuff to keep her occupied: games, books, her phone and the Kindle Fire she won in a drawing contest.

--Yes, she has a nicer Kindle than I do!

Hubs and I were talking while she was playing Temple Run and it wasn't until she blurted out, "Heebie-jeebie dance? Mom, really?" did I realize she was actually reading GNOME, book one of The Goblin's Apprentice.

Rewind here--when I celebrated my birthday, I gave away ALL of my books for free on Amazon. At the same time I loaded my Kindle (to check for boo-boos, etc) I also loaded her Kindle.

I had given up on her ever reading my stories months ago.

By the time we reached SDC, she had finished 65% of the story. And she told me she was sorry she hadn't read it before now. It was way better than she expected (high praise indeed from one's child!) She also mentioned that it didn't sound like me, though some of the phrases were definitely mine.

Sunday morning she woke up and finished reading the story . . . she also started reading FAERIE.

Huh?

This is why I write.

Not to sell stories--though it would be nice to make money at this--but to get kids reading. My daughter reads when she has to read, but she'd rather play video games or go on the computer. This was the first time she willingly read a book . . . and it happened to be mine!

It makes all the frustrations of writing worthwhile. Forget the professionals. Forget having the validation from the publishing industry. Forget not making any money at it.

I just received something far more important from one of the toughest critics in my target audience--my daughter's praise.

Maybe I should sit down to write book 4.

Later, Peeps.

A Tad Ballistic!

Yesterday, I read a blog by Rachelle Gardner and commented, along with hundreds of other readers.  My comments by far were in the minority.

Most of the commenters wanted to be published in the traditional method for--get this, this is what I have a problem with--VALIDATION. Oh, my personal validation was having an 11-year-old read and enjoy my story, plus I have a small group of under-priveledged after school kids who are fans of my work (my MIL is reading to them).

Validation is all fine and dandy, but they seem to be missing the bigger picture. 

Does anyone have the answer?  Do you know what I'm getting at?  Well, if you've been reading my blog, and many others, you will know the answer.  Okay, okay, I'll give it to you.

Publishing is a BUSINESS.  What do businesses do?  They make money.

They aren't here to validate the author's existence or pat your hand.  They want to make money on a product, your story. You can have the best damn product in the world, but if it doesn't fit in their narrow view within their various imprints or what is currently selling, then it won't get a contract. It has NOTHING to do with the writer's ability to craft a good story.  It has to do with the ability to sell the product and turn a profit.

It's all about making money. PERIOD.

Ditto for agents.  Oh, I'm sure some agents pick up authors who they see as potential moneymakers, but if they can't sell your product--THEY DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY.

Another few commenters wanted the publishing house's publicity and marketing muscle.

Uh, again, if they had been reading any one of numerous blogs by agents and traditionally published authors, they would realize most of the monies reserved for publicity go to the big guns, NOT the debut authors.  Oh, I'm sure it happens, but I'm also sure someone does win the lottery, too.  Who is to say debut author A will get the said monies?  The odds are against you.

Plus many of these commenters want to simply write, they don't want to do publicity, worry about contracts, money, promoting, etc. 

Uh, again, they have managed to stick you head in the ground.  A minuscule number of authors simply write.  If they are smart, they will know the ins and outs of the business.  Follow the money trail. Knowing your rights and legalities of the contracts is only smart business savvy.

Who do you think sets up blog tours? or bookmarks? or local book signings?  YOU. So many authors spend their small advances on their own publicity. Unless you have a huge platform already built, like THE PIONEER WOMAN, then the publisher does the publicity BECAUSE IT'S A GUARANTEED SALE.

Some authors wanted an advance.  Again, most advances are less than $10,000 and more of them hover around $1-2,000 dollars for the debut author. AND you don't get an advance in one lump sum. Publishing houses want to hold onto their money for as long as possible--they make more money on the interest it generate than giving it to you. 

I have many traditionally published friends who have commented that their advances are now split into FOUR increments. Some are still three increments (1/3 on signing, 1/3 on acceptance of manuscript, 1/3 on publication), but look at your contract before you sign.
*REMEMBER--many times it takes two years for a book to go from contract to bookshelf*
1) signing of contract
2) ACCEPTANCE of manuscript
3) acceptance of edited manuscript
4) publication and distribution (many times this step hasn't been happening. And don't forget your book sits in limbo during this time)

And don't forget that the agent takes her cut before you even see the money. EVERYONE gets paid before the author does. 

And many of the commenters put down self-publishing--and as I said before, I agree with them up to a point--but they all talked about how much money it costs to self-pub.

WHAT??

Are they still in the freakin' 90's??  The only reason it cost me any money to self pub is because I have zero artistic talent and wanted to have awesome book covers! Many commenters also mentioned that you can't tell the chaff from the wheat with self-published books.  I think you can, if you take the time and trouble.  But, yes, there is a problem with too many writers who aren't ready to SP and it does glut the market.  All a potential reader has to do is read a blurb and they can sense the quality of the story.

Trust me, it's easier than you think.

Anyway, rant over, now I need to get back to my bocce ball dodge ball game that I'm editing in FAERIE.
Oh, bocce balls are the hard black balls used in lawn bowling--let the dodge ball frenzy begin!

Later, Peeps!