Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Rookie Mistakes

16 Comments

I jumped into writing one summer in my mid-twenties, figuring I could learn out how to write with a how-to manual and three months’ vacation. I checked out books from the library to learn about plotting a story, formatting a manuscript, and submitting to editors. Most of these books were terribly out of date.

I wasn’t a member of SCBWI (had never even heard of it). I didn’t really use the Internet for anything beyond email at this time. A lot of what I did was similar to stumbling around in the dark.

One of the (now) funniest mistakes I made came after I my first partial request. An editor had written, asking for three chapters. I dug through my manuscript, pulling out random chapters to send. Since I didn’t know any other writers and had never read anything about a request, I had no idea three chapters meant the first three chapters.

Now, it makes perfect sense. Then, though, I didn’t know any better. I got a form rejection within weeks.

That manuscript has found a home in my files, where it belongs.

It took me several more years of trying to tackle the writing world on my own before I discovered SCBWI, bought my own laptop (a way to end the forever excuses about why I wasn’t writing consistently), subscribed to Writer’s Digest, and started acting like a professional in the making. It was several years more before I took advantage of all the resources on the Internet.

Most have you have started off more equipped than I ever was, whether that’s due to writer friends, computer skills, or the decade when you began. To that I say, good for you. I hope your journey is a little quicker than mine has been so far.

I’d love to hear about your writing beginnings. What rookie mistakes did you make when first starting out?

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Filed Under: the writing life

Comments

  1. Kristi Faith says

    December 14, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    When I was 14, I decided I wanted to write a novel length story. I had written tons and tons of short stories, or semi-short stories, but never a novel. The idea I had was horrible. I laugh every time I think of it, not to mention the TEN main characters I wanted to have in it. LOL I re-read it a few years ago and it was such a jumbled mess of beautiful words I had to laugh til I cried.

    Reply
  2. Cammie says

    December 14, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    Haha, Kristi, the novel you wrote when you were 14 sounds a lot like the one I wrote last year at age *mumble, mumble.* Thanks to some good beta reading, I finally managed to see the error of my ways … 😉 Speaking of which, if either of you have a little free time (haha, it’s only the holiday season, I know) I’d love for you to take a glance at Chapter one of my current WIP (a rewrite of the afore-mentioned monstrosity) and give me feedback. It’s up on my blog now.

    Reply
  3. Heidi Willis says

    December 14, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    I love this post! I think most writers make mistakes along the way, and it’s good to remember how much we didn’t know at one point, so we stop berating newbies from not knowing.

    I’m sure I’ve made my share. My first finished novel I queried before I’d fully revised it (or given it time to sit), and then I changed the beginning as I got feedback from agents, then could never remember which version I’d sent when they’d ask for more!

    Someday I’ll pull that one back out from under my bed and give it another whirl…

    Reply
  4. Shannon O'Donnell says

    December 14, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Great post idea, Caroline – although a painful one to think about! 😉

    I sent out some pretty crappy query letters for a picture book that was way, way too long. Doh!

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    December 14, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Before discovering all the resources on the internet, I queried a project that was more than 200,000 words. Oops. I didn’t know any better and it was a classic rookie error. Two agents were classy enough to let me know that it was too long. Shortly after, I discovered the guidelines and cut the book in half and really like it better now. The bonus is that if it ever sells, the sequel is already drafted. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kristen Torres-Toro says

    December 14, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    I made a lot of those mistakes! My favorites are the really embarrassing ones, like calling things fiction that don’t contain plot, dialogue, and characters. DUH! Yes, I did that. Yes, I do actually write fiction with all of those elements included. Such a dumb mistake. I’m still embarrassed. :0)

    Reply
  7. PJ Hoover says

    December 14, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    Does anyone start off equipped? I know I didn’t! I am sometimes amazed at how much I have learned.

    Great post!

    Reply
  8. Natalie says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    I’m still making rookie mistakes. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing most of the time. Most of my worst mistakes have to do with punctuation and grammar. Lets just say I had no idea what an em dash was until one of my writing buddies suggested I replace most of my ellipses with em dashes this summer. Yeah, sometimes I feel like I’m just playing at being a writer, when really I’m totally clueless.

    Reply
  9. Susan Quinn says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    You got a request for partial, even with the stumbling in the dark? Your writing obviously rocks.

    I’m hoping to avoid the rookie mistakes, but even with all my preparations, I’m sure I’ll just make different rookie mistakes!

    Sometimes there’s nothing to do, but try! And try again. And try some more!

    Thanks for the great post!

    Reply
  10. Caroline Starr Rose says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    Susan, that’s kind. The manuscript was a sappy mess. Maybe the query sounded strong… . So thankful nothing ever came of it!

    Fun conversation today, All. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Jemi Fraser says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    I feel like I’m still in the rookie stage, so I wonder how many I’m making 🙂 I’ve tried to be cautious, and I’ve learned a LOT online, so hopefully no biggies in my future!

    Reply
  12. Dawn Simon says

    December 15, 2009 at 12:25 am

    I just cringe when I look at my first query letters. The poor agents and editors who received them…my query letters screamed newbie. Even still, none of the agents or editors were ever rude, and some (even before my work deserved attention) gave me guidance.

    Reply
  13. sherrinda says

    December 15, 2009 at 12:48 am

    Oh, I’m such a newbie! I started about 1-1/2 years ago while on summer break. I had turned 42 and thought I better go for my “dream” before I keel over dead. lol So, I’m on this journey and have found so many great writers and aspiring authors. I’ve loved it!

    Reply
  14. Katie Ganshert says

    December 15, 2009 at 1:49 am

    Wasting money on some submission site where you submit your story and believe that publishers will actually have the time to go looking through the massive mess…as if they don’t already have enough on their hands. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Sharon Mayhew says

    December 15, 2009 at 2:40 am

    LOL–I still have my rejection letters from the early 90’s when I put forth my first effort (one was a loevley personal letter). I reread my query letter and noted my little cirled c and date handwritten on my manuscripts. LOL LOL LOL…. Hopefully, my letters and manuscripts are much improved.

    Reply
  16. Liesl says

    December 15, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    That three-chapter story is awesome. I HATE making mistakes so I probably spend more time than I should trying to figure out how not to make them. Unfortunately some things can only be learned through trial-and-error.

    When I first started writing (with the intention of being published,) I wrote a story about a boy and his flying scooter who threw acorns from the sky at all the bullies. Truly, awesomely awful. I will keep it forever. In a drawer.

    Reply

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