The writing life is full of learning curves, but the steepest one for me (at least so far) arrived when May B. debuted in 2012. The writing I’d done privately for fourteen years was suddenly available for public consumption. I had to decide how I wanted to function in this new-to-me phase. I ended up writing three blog posts about my thoughts at the time, which I called Navigating a Debut Year. I condensed these posts into my Writer’s Manifesto, a print of which hangs over my desk. While I don’t look at it everyday, these concepts guide my choices and gently remind me of what I want to do with my work — and what I want to avoid.
A few weeks back, I visited Prince Edward Island with my dear friend, Jamie Martin. She’d just released a new book into the world with huge success. (We’re talking in the top ten books for all Amazon titles, people!) As conversation turned to the writing life, I found myself referring to the ideas in my manifesto. It was interesting to note how much these concepts have taken hold. Do I do all these things perfectly? Absolutely not. But by simply having named them I’m one step closer to the author I want to be.
Here’s my Writer’s Manifest0:
In my public life I will…
- Be generous in my interactions with others. This doesn’t mean committing to every opportunity or request. It means being warm, friendly, and supportive of the writing community and the publishers, teachers, librarians, booksellers and readers who make it all happen.
- Speak well of fellow writers: Whether I know them personally or not. Whether I like their work or not. These people are my people. This is reason enough.
- Conduct myself in a becoming way: While I can’t control what others think of me, I can choose to present myself in a way I’m proud of, whether that be in person or through social media. I’m in no way perfect, but I can strive not to embarrass myself, the children I write for, or the people who publish my writing.
In my public life I won’t…
- Add to or perpetuate gossip: In my first months as a debut, I heard things about fellow authors that broke my heart. Whether shared maliciously, as some sort of cautionary tale, or just for fun, it was more than I needed to know. I choose not to participate in spreading the stories any further.
- Disparage others’ books, genres, or talents but will find value in what they create: Many writers talk of becoming more critical readers the longer they write. For me, some sort of weird opposite has happened. Because I know first hand of the hard work the writing life demands, I’m learning to appreciate books, topics, and styles I would have ignored years ago. The books I don’t connect with aren’t really my concern: they weren’t written for me. There is an audience for them somewhere.
In my private life I will…
- Err on the side of love: I got this beautiful quote from author Irene Latham, who first heard it from her mama. It’s a good way to think about the world in general and is especially important in our small community. Assume the best of others, their intentions, their actions. It will make you happier and kinder, too.
- Let go of what I can’t control: This covers everything from how my work is received by professional reviewers, bloggers, readers, and friends to sales, publicity, and marketing efforts out of my hands. I can do what I can, and that is all.
- Be real with other authors in a safe, closed community: It is vital to have a group of friends I can go to for support. This life is full of experiences only other writers can truly appreciate and understand. Knowing I can go to these stellar people with anything has helped bolster and encourage me.
In my private life I won’t…
- Hold my colleagues to unspoken expectations: This one is easy to do without even realizing it — trusting a colleague will read my book as I have read hers, assuming someone else will talk up my titles as I have for him, and so on. Insisting others are beholden to me because of what I’ve done for them is a sure formula for heartache, especially when those friends have no idea of my expectations. Maybe they haven’t read my book yet but still plan to. Maybe they have, and out of an attempt to be courteous haven’t mentioned it because it wasn’t their thing. Ultimately, it shouldn’t be my concern.
- Compare or begrudge the successes, sales, or careers of others: The drive to compare is such a gut-level thing it’s sometimes hard to avoid. Some people are able to use comparison as a sort of motivation for their own work. Not me. Comparison leads to frustration and feelings of inadequacy…or feelings of superiority, neither of which benefit me. My friends’ successes don’t somehow negatively reflect on my own efforts. Just because my career will unfold differently from someone else’s doesn’t make it wrong and shouldn’t make me bitter toward others’ success.
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 ahead of me 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, there is much joy. This is more important to me.
- Compare my work against itself: I choose not to be paralyzed by comparing my titles to previous books I’ve written. Each manuscript 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.
With the wisdom of four more years of writing, I’d add these two things:
- I’ll continue to learn what it means to write smart and not scared.
- I will hold to this belief: If I am proud of my work and my editor is proud of my work, this is enough. Reviews, sales, or awards (or the lack of these things) do not equate a book’s worth.
Have any of you written a Writer’s Manifesto? If you have, I’d love if you’d share. If you haven’t but are toying with the idea, might you leave in the comments things you’d include in yours?
Wow, Caroline, that was extremely helpful. I especially relate to not comparing my work to past books. That one has paralyzed me so many times, and it’s just not fair to compare my clumsy first drafts with inspired and completed stories. It’s difficult not to, sometimes!
This whole post resonated with me. I’m going to have to print this one out!
I have to tell you, Wen, this is probably the one I continue to struggle with most. It’s oftentimes very hard for me to believe until the very last moment that a book is viable. That’s when I need to borrow others’ belief in me and remember I’ve done it before.
Can not explain how much reading your manifesto means to me. I could brag forever about your books, but this… this touched my heart and comforted me. Thank you, Caroline.
Wow, Bonnie. Thank you so much. This means more than I can express.
What an affirmation, Caroline! Thanks for sharing these reminders.
Thank you, friend. I’m still learning, trying, making my way. But at least I have a direction to point myself, right?
This is such a great idea. I have written a writer’s manifesto, but it’s been a long time since I looked it over. The most recent Happier podcast talked about manifestos, and I was so inspired to revisit mine. Yours is so helpful!
I haven’t listened yet but saw that, too! I’d love if you’d share when you’re done.
I’ve not written a manifesto — but I strive to do pretty much what you’ve said. I do have an artist’s statement: give voice to those who have none.
Oh, I love this, Vijaya.
This has meant so much to me since you first wrote it, Caroline–I revisit it from time to time when the writing and submitting gets me down.
Oh, Faith. This makes me happy through and through. I hope you’re well, dear one.
Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration, Caroline!
Right back at you. xo
And this is why I respect you and your work so deeply. I will be sharing this. Thanks.
Thank you, Margaret. I so appreciate you.
What an inspiration this piece is. I’m saving it to read again and consider what I would like to see in my own manifesto. And, I’ll share this with my writer’s group. It’s wonderful. I can see each one of the four of us in your manifesto somewhere. Thank you, Caroline. This post is it’s own work of art.
My goodness, thank you. It makes me happy to know others can benefit from the lessons I’ve learned and am learning. Please share if you do write your own someday.
This is so very thoughtful and beautifully written and honestly, I’m not sure I could add anything else – because it’s perfect. xo
Thank you, dear one. I missed you on Tuesday! Lunch soon?
As a children’s librarian; I found A WRITER’S MANIFESTO to be a resource that I hope my fellow librarians take to heart. I think we librarians are so involved with “our part” in the world of children’s literature; we tend to forget the effort, pain, joy and the entire process of what authors do to create a book. The same books we place on our shelves and in the hands of children only come about because authors place their hearts and souls into the art that they create.
Many of the points mentioned in the MANIFESTO- negativity of other’s work, gossip, how to conduct yourself to the public and on social media, unspoken expectations, jealousy of other’s success, etc, are also points that my fellow librarians can take to heart.
I am an American Indian of more than one tribal heritage. I wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your historical novel BLUE BIRDS. Your dedication to research and talent as a writer is obvious as you brought such an authentic portrayal of the American Indian characters and settings to life on those pages.
The American Indian children (and the adults in their lives) who I knew got the book; loved it. I myself have given BLUE BIRDS out as gifts and used it as prizes in charity events that I host. One American Indian child who had checked BLUE BIRDS out at her library- was so very excited to have her own personal copy. As a children’s librarian and as an American Indian- thank you so much for this novel. With American Indian representation in children’s literature; not as common as other cultures/races… it is very nice to find a novel such as yours. I always look forward to reading your works.
Caroline, thank you for being an inspiration for not just authors… but for librarians as well!
Arjay, this means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.