The Frustrating Business of Writing

Writing is a frustrating business. You’ve written a book, you’ve edited, you’ve spread it around to trusted critique partners. Now you’re ready to submit. And submit. And submit.

And rejection after rejection rolls in.

Now I can’t speak for those of you who write in any genre besides romance. I am a romance writer and a member for Romance Writers of America. I’ve heard the latest rumors books are supposed to have the Hero/Heroine meet by page 15. They should have their first kiss by X page and sex by Y page. You get the picture.

Personally, I think it’s a crock. I hate formulaic fiction. That said, most genres DO follow a formula. Romance: boy meets girl, they fall in love, they live happily ever after. Mystery: a murder is solved. Science Fiction: you expect to read about strange and usual people/places/things. And so forth.

But why constrain the writer to such formulas as when the Hero/Heroine should meet? Because, ultimately, money is the bottom line, folks. Editors don’t want to take a chance on something they think won’t sell. You can be the best writer in the world with original plots and characters and still get rejected. it’s the name of the game.

So here’s my advice to struggling writers grappling with the aforementioned. Write the book of your heart and try like hell to get it published. So the H/H don't meet on page 15 or 1. SO they don't have sex until page 2203948. SO WHAT. Write what's in YOUR heart. Don't stop. Don't EVER stop because then THEY'VE won. They've killed another dream and ruined another unpublished authors' hopes. Write the book. If every agent/editor turns you down, then maybe it's time to put it away for a while, let it "rest". If you're not ready to do that... then you know what? Find a reputable e-pub and go that route.

And remember - DON'T STOP WRITING. EVER.