Ive made every mistake an author can make in their writing career by Jason Sanford This has been a tough writing year for me. I finished my first novel only to learn that at this point in my writing career its going to be a hard sell. Ive struggled with short fiction, publishing only two stories this year. Ive even wondered why Im writing stories in the first place (which probably ties back with the issues Ive had with the novel and short fiction). All of this caused me to step back and reflect on my writing career up to this point. And Ive realized Ive made just about every mistake an author can make, career-wise. For example: I grew up loving science fiction and fantasy stories, but listened to teachers who told me I shouldnt waste my time writing that kind of fiction. It took me years to dig my way out of that writing mistake. I focused on short fiction when the market and readership for short fiction is nearly non-existent. I avoided going to literary and genre conventions for many years because ... hell, Im not even sure why. But I avoided them for a long time. After all, why would an author ever want to meet fellow authors and editors and publishers and readers? (Note: This is sarcasm. Career-mistake sarcasm, but sarcasm all the same.) I spent far too many years writing the types of stories others expected me to write, instead of the stories I wanted to write. I assumed I was such a great writer that I didnt have to plot out my novel-length fiction. (Note to new authors: If you try this yourself, expect pain. Lots and lots of pain, along with a novel youll likely struggle to publish.) And those are merely a sample of the mistakes Ive made. The list could easily go on and on. If you had to describe how to achieve success as an author, Id pretty much be an example of what not to do. Of course, the flip side to this is that the path Ive taken, while perhaps not the best for furthering my writing career, has given me a unique voice and approach to storytelling. My love of short fiction has enabled me to experiment with stories and develop my voice in ways novel-length fiction wouldnt have tolerated. Ive also been able to both publish my stories and reach new readers thanks to some amazing editors and the support of magazines likeInterzone and Asimovs. And most importantly, every mistake has taught me something. At a recent convention — yes, I now go to conventions — I met artist Len Peralta and purchased several of his prints. Above is one of Lens prints which really stuck with me because it so perfectly highlights that great line from the blockbuster film Guardians of the Galaxy: “There aint no thing like me, cept me!” I dont know if Ill ever achieve all I want to achieve with my fiction writing, but I do know the creative path Ive traveled has resulted in a writer who produces stories no one else could create. I also know Ill never stop reaching for my writing dreams. Career wise, Ive made just about every mistake an author could make. But writing wise, I wouldnt change a thing. Because my mistakes are part of what have taken me this far and helped me become who I am as a writer. ••• Jason Sanfords short stories have been published in the British SF magazine Interzone, Year’s Best SF, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog, InterGalactic Medicine Show, and many other places. He is a Nebula Award finalist and has won the Interzone Readers Poll three times. This post first appeared on his website: jasonsanford.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 22:14:25 +0000
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