First of all, I want to mention that Edie Ramer will be putting in a guest appearance at Erica Orloff’s blog today. Check it out. She always has something interesting to share.
Now … on to my blog:
When do you know you’re no longer a newbie? When you’re at a point in your writing career where you know actually know what you’re doing. The confidence is finally there. You no longer have to wonder about how to write a query, how put together a proposal, who’s who in the publishing industry.
When you start out in this business, I don’t care how much you think you know, you’re a newbie. There are mistakes to be made, lessons to be learned and contacts to be established. Because writing really isn’t as much of a solitary profession you might think. Sure, you write alone, but you need other writers, you need agents, you need editors. There are always going to be people in your life who will be there to help you along the road to success. You might belong to a writers group. You might join a critique group. Or its just a matter of getting your people fix through attending conferences. One way or another, you will move beyond the amateur status.
There comes a time when you attend a conference and no longer need to hit each and every workshop in an effort to cram as much information into your head as possible. You know the ones. The craft workshops that tell you how to structure a sentence, how to write a synopsis, how to perfect your pitch. You will be able to pick and chose those workshops that will advance your career.
Now you’re at the point where you can concentrate on making contacts. Meet the people who will eventually become your peers, your agent, or your editor. You will find that publishing house who will eventually publish your work.
It’s a great point to reach. So, tell me. When did you realize that you’ve moved beyond the newbie stage?
I think there is always more to learn, but I am definitely beyong the basics, now. When I think how much more I know about the way things work than I did at the start, I realize how far I’ve come. It all came home to me about a year ago that I’d made some giant leaps forward.
Isn’t it nice when you realize that, Michelle? I know of a couple of writers who just haven’t seemed to move beyond that newbie mentality. They still want other (more experienced) writers to “show” them the ropes.
When we went to Dallas in 2007, I didn’t go to many workshops, but I still listen to the CDs, hoping I learn at least one thing new. Although I’ve got to admit, if the workshop doesn’t catch me early on in the beginning, I’m on to the next one.
Like Michelle, I feel that in the last couple years I’ve made a giant leaps.
I know that at the last few conferences I went to, there were very few workshops that I attended and then those were strictly business related rather than craft related. It was interesting that most of the business took place in the bar/lounge.
I want to be a newbie for as long as possible, especially if I can look as cute as the picture you have here. (It’s so nice to imagine a wrinkle-free face.)
But seriously, knowledge wise, I know more about the publishing road than I did four years ago, but feel that there’s always more to learn because it changes so often.
I no longer pick which convention panels to attend based on topic the way I used to, but on who’s seated at the main table. Even if the discussion is on some basic aspect that I feel I’ve “mastered,” there are some people who I’m pretty sure will slip in something new, useful and/or profound. Recognizing these people is the biggest sign I’m no longer a newbie.
I have to confess, it got to the point where I wanted to go to the lunch after my local RWA meetings, rather than the meeting. And since I had done so much reading and surfing before I even joined, most meetings were just recycled stuff. They were kinda boring.
There were some gems now and then, though!
I will probably never be much of a networker. I like hanging out with people, you know? I love talking shop with friends, but I’m not really an acquaintance person.
I think I first realized I wasn’t a complete newb when people started asking me questions and I actually knew the answers. But, for every step forward there is still that rush of newness. First short story-first e-book-first book to go to print…and I’m still waiting on that first agent and first NY contract rush of new!
Nope, I wouldn’t want to stay a newbie any longer than I would need to, Kath. Too many opportunties lost that way. I love knowing some of the ins and outs of the publishing world. And you’re right. Its a constant learning process.
Good plan, Alex. Sometimes it ain’t what you know … but who you know that can make a difference. Recognizing people in the publishing industry is a plus … but having THEM remember you is even better.
I should qualify that THEM knowing you should be in a GOOD way.
Hey Liz, that pic just grabs my heart. I want baby sugars now!
And great blog too. It’s a process like you say, and I noticed a few years ago that my thinking had changed. The last few conferences I’ve attended have been the best. I no longer rush around with those deer-in-the-headlight eyes, and I’m in the moments…really in. I enjoy discussions with friends, and meeting new people.
I must say, I love the new view much better. To me, it’s all about being authentic and following your own road. I’m more focused now, not entirely clueless–which is how my very first conference went. I’m liking my place in the big scheme of things!
I knew I was beyond the newbie stage when people started coming to me with questions and I had answers!
I stopped being a newbie when I stopped taking rejections personally. While it still hurts, after about ten seconds, I’m over it and moving on to the next thing. Heck, I can’t even remember the last time I touched a piece of cheer-me-up chocolate to soothe my wounds.
As long as you get something out of it, Spy.
I always enjoy our meetings, although, you’re right, some of the subject matter is strictly for newbies. However, it does give me an opportunity to share whatever experience I have.
Liz, my comment about wanting to stay a newbie was made with the heartfelt condition that I get to become wrinkle-free, which, of course, without some major Joan Rivers-like surgery, will never happen…:)
Go back to square one and not know nothing? Hell no. I’ve got enough stuff helping me miss opportunities: crappy eye explosions and sucky fate.
I think I’ll be a newbie forever..Or at least it seems that way. I’m still trying to figure out which way is up…Even though, I can write query and synopsis, this industry boggles the mind.
I suppose there will always be a certain newbie experience out there, Lainey. You’re right about there being stuff to learn. If you’ve never published via e-format, you’re a newbie at that until you’ve got the process down. Same with acquiring an agent and/or new editor or even a new publishing house. Its a learning process.
Good way to put it, LaD. “More focused”. I think that’s it exactly. You’ve moved beyond the learning process and know what to focus on … what’s important and what needs to be accomplished. You go, girl.
Nice feeling, isn’t it, Karin. That happens at our meetings. General discussions at which everyone is able to contribute their knowledge and experience. Love it when I’m able to participate with some intelligent information.
Good one, Marcia. Rejections are all part of the game. Sure they sting, but that passes. Brave of you to forego the chocolate to sooth bruised feelings, though.
RT 2007. I’d just sold to Kensington, and the conference became more about networking and less about craft work.
Lee … To a certain extent, I think we’ll always be newbies … if only because there are always things to be learned and new procedures. I like to think I’ve moved beyond the newbie stage. Not an expert by any means, but I think I’m fairly savvy with the business.
That’s making good use of your time, Cynthia. If you’re concentrating on business, you’re making good use of your conference opportunities.
I think what’s potentially harmful is that some writers (and I am not talking about me, I’m saying a general thing I’ve witnessed), are treated like newbie writers when they aren’t actually newbie writers.
They are newbies to the BUSINESS side of writing. And that’s a whole other ball of wax. And I think also, we can’t all know everything, so there are going to be areas we all excel at, and areas we know less about.
But I think automatically putting a big “newbie” banner over anyone who hasn’t achieved this or that “level” in the “writer hierarchy” is damaging to the self esteem of those who really DO know what they’re doing, but because they don’t have knowledge in one area (which may or may not apply to their situation), they’re labeled as someone who just rolled out of bed three weeks ago and decided to write a novel.
I’ve been writing with the goal to have solid physical books in people’s hands, since junior high school (though I have submitted very little to the gatekeepers.), BUT I’m a total newb when it comes to publishing.
Now I may not be a “great” writer, but I’m not a newbie writer.
I think the “newbie” title is generally reserved for someone starting out in the writing business, Zoe. I’m talking about someone who doesn’t know that a single title is generally 100,000 words, what margins to use … craft stuff.
It’s only once you get the basics down that a writer is able to concentrate on the more fundamental aspects such as trying to find an agent, learning which editors are which house, what the publishers are looking for … actively submitting your work and able to carry on an intelligent conversation instead of hanging onto each and every word of a more experienced author with that wide-eyed fascination that we all started out with … myself included.
hehehe, Liz.