I first ran this series five months after May B. hit the shelves. With Blue Birds releasing next week (!), it feels like the right time for me to revisit my Writer’s Manifesto — a list of things I’d like to focus on in my public, private, and writing life.
This is not in any way meant to be preachy or condemning (please notice I’m directing all of this to myself). I have yet to figure everything out and am in many ways a pro at doing the exact opposite of what I know is best. Yet these are ideas I’ve circled back to again and again, things I know will ultimately benefit my career, my friendships, my writing and my life. I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
In my writing life I will…
- Write the stories that speak to me: I will continue to write what nourishes and interests me first and worry about the market second.
- Seek guidance, support, and direction when needed: I will ask questions of my agent and editor when I’m unsure or need help. I will go to other writers in the same life phase or those older and wiser when I need assistance.
In my writing life I will not…
- Lose my love for story, kids, or words: Once you’re published, art becomes commodity. It’s not right or wrong, it just is. I want my motivation and passion to remain firmly in the place it always has been. While there are no guarantees of success in writing this way, their is much joy, and this, in the end, is more important to me.
- Compare one book against another: I choose not to be paralyzed by comparing my titles to previous books I’ve written. Each deserves to stand alone and has its own merit. The rest of the publishing world has the freedom to compare if they choose. For me to do so is unfair to new stories beginning to form.
- Despair: If you know me well, you know panic is a part of my writing when I’m drafting something new. I fret that I don’t know how to write or have nothing new to say. But I can’t let that panic lead to despair. Reminding myself that things always start this way keeps things in perspective. Allowing myself to play with language and ideas is much more doable than telling myself I’m writing an entire book. Choosing to nurture rather than berate gives me permission to try.
It’s my hope that holding to what I’ve processed these last few months will keep me grounded, help me grasp the deep satisfaction writing brings, and hold at bay the things that only lead to disappointment. What about you? What things do you want to uphold in your public, private, and writing lives?
I’m friends with amazon people like you–who are grounded and thoughtful and everything I want for myself. There were lovely important posts–than you for sharing them. <3
Likewise. So glad we have each other!
I made the mistake of getting into the mindset of “how can I make this story more edgy and therefore more commercial?” with my most recent book. It’s been a long process of rediscovering the right tone and content for that part of the story, but I think I’m getting there. Thank you for this, Caroline!
xo
Caroline, this is a stunning series of posts – so vulnerable, true, relevant, and moving. Thank you!
Thank you, Mike. Watch out, world. Here you come!
These are words to read and remember every single time we start a new project. Doubt, fear, feelings of being overwhelmed, *this sucks* (ha, ha!) are always whispering in our ears.
And see — you with the ideas flowing always strike me as fearless with new drafts. 🙂 So glad we’re friends. Are you going to Carolyn’s signing today?
Blogging daily as I am doing this month with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge helps me to let go of some of my anxieties about writing and just do it. I sent a query off yesterday to an agent with SCBWI for critique. I’m biting the bullet and going to their conference in Houston in April. I feel both extremely scared and soundly determined to put my story out there. I am writing the story that speaks to me. Just hoping it speaks to others. Thanks for being such a great mentor.
Margaret Simon recently posted…Celebrate March!
Oh, Margaret, I love hearing this! Good for you. I’m honored you see me as a mentor, too. Please tell me how it goes.