And, by finishing, I'll achieve the first of many hurtles that line the path to publication. Did you know that: the oft-heard stat that only 5% of people who try to write a novel ever finish, has some basis in fact? Try Kristen Lamb's post, "What are the REAL Odds of Being a Successful Author" for confirmation.(Thanks to Kristen for inspiring this post!)
But, there's more to it than finishing. Kristen L. goes on to say that only 5% of those who finish will join a critique group and read craft books to learn how to make that MS better?
And that only 5% of these will apply the things they learn to their MS.
And that only 5% of those who apply the things they learn and attend conferences where they get a request for pages will actually send them.
How many of these writers will land an agent right away? Yep, 5%.
And how many are willing to gut their novel to make it better? 5%.
What about self-publishing, you ask? Only 5% of them do the hard work of building a social media platform to promote their book and seek professional editing and apply it.
Kristen L. goes on to say that only 5% of those authors will keep writing more books until they click with readers and will seek professional editing to make them better.
After I read all of the stats, I had to take Kristen's advice to control what I can control when it comes to my stories to heart. I vow to:
- Take the decision to write seriously (Check)
- To write the book (Check)
- To edit the book (Check)
- To finish the book (Check)
- To learn the craft (Check)
- To accept critiques and learn from them without getting my feelings hurt (Check)
- Network (working on it)
- Follow through
- Not give up after rejection
- Write more and more books
- Do everything I can to lay a foundation for success
Next Week: The first Mini Book Review for 2015 will hit the Shade. Enjoy!
