Everyone always says that writing is a solitary endeavor, but I’m here to tell you that this notion couldn’t be more wrong: in fact, the success of a writer is often due to a supportive group of surrounding players. Your name may be on the spine of the book, but so many other people come into play to help get you there. It’s teamwork. And I’ve been fortunate enough to make this discovery over the past year.
As I’ve previously written about on Writer Unboxed, this past year was one of soul-searching for me, one of honest consideration as to what I really wanted to do with my career, what I wanted to do with my life, what I found satisfying, what I found unsatisfying, what I was unwilling to tolerate, what and how much I was willing to bend. (If anything. If at all.) Indeed, a lot of what I contemplated had very little to do with the words I am lucky enough to put onto a page. Actually, my thoughts had to do with just about everything other than that. The writing I enjoy; the other stuff….less son. Because let’s be clear here: much of a writer’s career isn’t about the writing. No, a writer’s career is about many, many things more than writing – it’s about negotiation, it’s about compromise, it’s about self-advocacy, it’s about business sense, it’s about trust. And it’s about surrounding yourself with the very best people you can. And that’s what I’m going to talk about today. How critical the people in your life are to your success. How building your team is one of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer.
Because you might produce the words, but so many other people help you get where you need to go.
Here, in my opinion, are a few folks (and tactics) who can guide you on your way:
1) YOUR AGENT. Whenever an aspiring writer asks me about finding an agent, I always say that having a bad agent is worse than having no agent. I have been with the same agent since my first book sale way back when. Is she great at selling books? Yes. But just as critical, she’s great at having my back. When you go on your agent hunt, when you start vetting agents and interviewing them and considering them, ask yourself this: will this agent have my back? Maybe not now, maybe not with your first book sale or even your second book sale, but when you call her up and say: “I don’t know what I want to do anymore,” or “I want you to turn down this offer because of xyz.” Will he or she have your back? This past year, mine did. We had hard decisions to make (and to that end, I have some super-amazing and fun news to announce as soon as I am allowed to announce it, and I cannot wait), and with every step I took, with every tough call I considered, she supported me. That I now have good news to share is a testament to the fact that while I may have been willing to take some leaps, she was willing to hold my hand while I jumped.
Good agents do that for you. They make your career more than you could on your own (of course), but they also understand who you are, not just as an author, but as a person. Do you have to be best friends? No. But you have to have a level of trust and a level of same-pageness (made up that word, sorry), so that when you have to dig deeper, you’re both okay getting in the trenches to dig. I have peers who haven’t been fortunate enough to find this level of support and when the going got tough, their lives just got tougher because the agent who should have been in their corner turned out to sort of be actually waving on the side of the street from afar.
To that end, don’t settle for just anyone. Ask questions:
How much involvement do you like from your author?
Where do you see my career in five years?
What other authors do you see me emulating?
What’s your take on the future of publishing?
What happens if my book doesn’t sell?
You’re entitled to ask these questions, and you’re entitled to like (or dislike) what you’re told. Don’t rush in to a relationship, much like you wouldn’t rush into a marriage. Agent-author relationships are indeed much like a marriage: there will be ebbs and flows, and not everyone will be happy all the time, but for the most part, you know the other is there for you.
2) YOUR NON-WRITER FRIENDS. Yup, I often find that some of my most valuable assets are the women/friends who aren’t connected to the industry but whose counsel and smarts I trust completely. They know me; they know what makes me tick, they know what makes me happy, they know what they think I’m capable of. Whether or not you have (or want) an agent, surround yourself with a few people who will listen to your frustrations and help advise you when you face obstacles. They might not know what constitutes a “good deal” on Publishers Marketplace or whether or not one editor is better than the other, but in some ways, that also makes them objective, and because writers have a tendency to get too caught up in their own brains, objectivity is critical for all of us. Let your guard down in front of them. Be okay admitting your short-comings (in our industry, we all have plenty of short-comings) in front of them. Trust them. Do not isolate yourself. Isolating yourself as a writer means too much time in your own head, too much time to doubt yourself. You absolutely must have someone or many people who can quell those doubts. (Of course, friends within the industry are also great because they understand some of the nuance and politics that those outside of it don’t. Which leads me to…)
3) A CRITIQUE PARTNER. I’m hesitant to include this on the list because finding the right critique partner is so difficult. I’m often asked how I found mine (the wonderful fellow writer, Laura Dave), and the truth is, it was just dumb luck. Laura and I struck up a friendship, and it turned out that we sort of share the same brain, and we also share similar writing styles and tastes, and happen to be able to give each other honest advice without hurting any feelings. And over time, we built a total foundation of trust. When she gives me feedback, I take it seriously. When I’m stuck on a plotline or character, she and I will hash it out. Finding this one person (or group of people) can and will help make you a better writer. Writing a manuscript that you believe is genius isn’t enough: we almost all think our efforts are genius. (At least initially.) You need a second opinion. The tricky part is not settling on just any second opinion – you really need to seek out the right fit. One person’s advice might be totally wrong for the book (and for you). I’ve certainly been in the position of getting editorial advice that I stridently disagree with. Fortunately, most of this advice has come later in my career, when I was comfortable enough with my writing and my process to know what advice to ignore. A newer writer might not have yet tapped into these instincts. So when looking for a critique partner or group, know that it’s okay not to fall in love immediately. Keep looking. (Of course, part of finding a critique partner is also being okay with “critiques.” Not loving your partner’s advice is very different than not loving any advice period. If you can’t take criticism, this isn’t the right career for you.)
4) YOUR EGO. I have often said that one of the best things that writers can do for themselves is shed their ego – that in order to become a great writer, you’re going to be put through the wringer, in terms of rejection and criticism, and you’re either the type of person who can bounce back…or you’re not. Constructive criticism makes improves your craft, period. You have to be able to deal with that and set your ego aside if you want to succeed. But I do want to add an addendum to this theory of being egoless: and that is that there is a lot of value in knowing your self-worth. As tides have shifted in our industry, I hear over and over again how writer friends feel short-changed or that they aren’t getting their due. I have felt it. Many of us have felt it. And to this, I say that you should never allow anyone else to sell you short. Authors should be a commodity. Authors are a commodity, and if someone else tells you that you’re not valuable, that you’re not an asset, then you have every right to stick to your guns and trust that you are. You are valuable, and you damn well bring something to the table. Too often, this is forgotten these days. This is the one time when your ego is a necessary ally. But don’t you forget your incredible worth. If you don’t forget it, others won’t either.
5) (And one thing to let go of): THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER. Now this is someone/something that only impedes your career: your envy. Let go of your jealousy before it turns into total insecurity. Don’t compare your success to that of another author. He or she has very little to do with you. You don’t know how hard she’s worked; you don’t know what sort of tears she’s shed; you don’t know much about her at all. Envy is a very futile emotion, in my opinion. The only thing jealousy should do is fuel your belief that if she can make it, so too can you.
So those are my thoughts on the people and tools that you need to steer your own ship in the publishing world these days. What about you guys? Have I forgotten anyone/anything?
About Allison Winn Scotch
Allison Winn Scotch is the author of four novels: The One That I Want, Time of My Life, and The Department of Lost and Found, and The Song Remains the Same. She lives in Los Angeles with her family, where she is at work on her new projects.
You missed my most important teammate. But I know how lucky I am, and not everyone has such a person on their team. Since you included your awesome agent, and I don’t have that teammate (yet), I’ll share who it is: My supportive spouse. She’s my head-cheerleader, my first and Ideal Reader, but most importantly, my inspiration. My manuscripts and my career-in-potential simply wouldn’t exist without her.
Thanks for sharing your team, Allison. Good pointers on agent selection and good reminder on the ego and the envy.
Vaughn – definitely. I didn’t think everyone would have a spouse or partner, so I skipped it, but for sure. :)
Your independent editor should be on the list. A good one is not only supportive, but will do her damnedest to make your work look good before anyone else sees it. An invaluable member of your team.
Good list. For some of us, it also includes a great editor — either an editor with the publisher or a freelance editor. I’m also really appreciating my writers’ marketing group that grew out our local writers’ group; there’s so much to learn to promote a book effectively, and getting and sharing specific information on how to set up a newsletter mailing list, blogging, and more has been really helpful in making it all a lot less daunting and more successful.
I’m with Vaughan. My wife is THE indespensible asset; inspiration/muse/editor. She got me going and keeps me going. Barbara Ann, you are my one-woman team. I am blessed.
Excellent points. I have a couple of really good editors that have made a world of difference not just in my writing but in my perspective and expectations. And a place like WriterUnboxed is always very helpful!
It’s almost like you peered into my life and said, “Hey, yeah. I can write an article about that. That’ll help her.” And it did. Now I know that didn’t happen but it sure feels like it.
What I couldn’t live without as I grow as a writer is the support of my husband. He’s helped me develop a thick skin when it comes to having my work critiqued. He’s given me a shoulder to cry on when it all falls apart. And so much more… And after reading the comments, I see I’m not alone. All hail the spouse or significant other.
Some writers say they can use envy to fuel their work, but it doesn’t happen that way for me. My friends’ success doesn’t reflect poorly on my efforts. There is room for all of us.
A beautiful attitude. Thanks for including this. Carrying it removes a miserable stumbling stone to the team’s work.
Stopped reading soon as I got to “your agent”…
Thanks for a great post, Allison. I especially like this:
“But I do want to add an addendum to this theory of being egoless: and that is that there is a lot of value in knowing your self-worth.”
Thank you, Cindy!
Great article…When I used to write a lot, it was hard to get someone to critique my work because they weren’t really into it, and I never forced it upon anyone
Perfect timing with this and I will share with an author–not yet published–with an agent that doesn’t have her back at all. The list of questions you provide are so important to ask. As you said, it’s an important relationship that can’t be rushed into. Thank you so much for this post.
I found that I have to be the leader of my own team. It’s easy to bad mouth oneself, nurture doubt, display random acts of negativity. I have the support of many, but if I don’t believe in myself, none of it matters and no one can convince me.
I’m not envious of anyone’s success, but I am very envious of those who’ve found critique partners! I’ve had some great beta readers, but finding someone who is a perfect match, and needs me as much as I need her, is hard.
What a wonderful luxury to be able to ask questions of agents. My only question was, “Are you really taking on my book?” But he’s turned out to be great and I’d add to the team both publicist and social media guru. I’ve been fortunate to be able to add both and they have contributed immensely. Publishers don’t always promote effectively these days and aren’t up to speed on SEO and social media so if you want your book to be successful, you almost have to step up and complement whatever efforts your publisher is making on your behalf. Harsh reality but its true. As John Grisham said, “If you think writing a book is hard, wait until you try to sell it.”
Great tips, Allison! I always love reading your posts. Now CANNOT WAIT for the next book.
Allison, it is apparent that you and your agent have worked hard to establish your relationship. I am eager to hear your “super-amazing and fun news” as soon as you are allowed to announce it. Thank you for all of the worthwhile advice in your “Who Is On Your Team?” post.
I can’t wait to hear the amazing and fun news!
Thank you for this encouraging post, Allison. Unlike some responders here, I’ve found that my spouse fills a complicated place on my team. He’s by far my toughest critic–so when he likes a piece, like he did at a public reading I gave this month, I KNOW it’s really good.
I am lucky to have an amazing critique partner and several non-writer (but enthusiastic reader) friends. Like any team, you use the strengths you have.
Excellent, Allison. Thank you for sharing your team with us. And, Godspeed in the writing of your next book!