Joy To The (Writerly) World!
By Vaughn Roycroft | December 20, 2021 |
It’s the holiday season! It seems like seasonal joy has been somewhat of a theme here on WU lately. I’m not sure about you, but for me, somehow the writing life and this particular season have not always made for a joyful pairing. Don’t get me wrong, I can be as jolly as anyone. I mean, I’m as fond of the taste of peppermint where it’s normally not found, the sound of bells ring-a-linging, and the smell of a coniferous tree slowly drying out in the house as the next guy. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that it’s the end of one year and the start of another, but this season has tended to conjure more writerly angst than joy.
It might be my nature, but I’ve always leaned into self-evaluation this time of year. Worse, when it came to my writing life, for years I was inclined to a fairly harsh appraisal. Writing has been my primary occupation throughout the last decade, but in terms of tangible accomplishments, there have been precious few to count. The process of writing a novel is a relatively slow one to begin with, which can make looking back over the prior year a little dreary. A year is a long time, right? And yet, in the span of the making of a novel, not especially so. When viewed in hindsight, a lot of the year can feel more like treading water than sailing along toward a destination.
Speaking of destinations, I have also felt compelled to annually confront the weightiest of writerly milestones: publishing. As an unpublished writer, for many years I went through the same ole’ inevitable meta review: 1) Did you get published this year? 2) No? Well, did you do anything that moved you closer to being published? 3) Not sure? Well, do you think you can get there in the coming year? And more recently, there’s the bonus question: 4) No, you’re not much closer and the chances for next year are slim? Well, do you think you’ll at least get there before you lose your marbles and can’t do this anymore?
So now that I’ve sucked all of the joy out of your evergreen-scented home on the Monday of Christmas week, you might be asking, “What’s the point, Roycroft?” I’m glad if you did, because I’m here to tell you that this year feels different to me. And I’ve got a feeling that it could for you, too. If you’re up for a shift of perspective, that is.
Go ahead and warm up your peppermint flavored coffee or tea, and allow me to at least take a joyful swing at making things jolly and bright, won’t you?
None of It Matters
Those of you who’ve been reading me here on WU (if you have, thank you!) might recall that I’ve fairly recently made the decision to self-publish my debut trilogy, and I’m willing to fess-up: that decision is central to my new outlook. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and a big hill to climb once I hit the ole’ metaphoric publish button, but the process has led me to no small number of realizations. Realizations that have shifted my perspective.
The realization that’s had the most impact might, at first, sound harsh. To some it may sound painfully obvious, and to others it may—on its surface—feel dispiriting. But I promise you, if you allow your perspective to shift appropriately, it can be freeing. Even joy-inducing. Are you ready for it? All right, here it is: Nobody cares.
I spent a lot of years fretting over countless aspects of writing, and I doubt I’m alone in that. I’m talking years weighing seismic story-changes, months spent trying to force square pegs into round holes, recurring vows to quit, and no shortage of tossing and turning. Heck, a quick perusal of the topics for my WU posts over the years reveals a plethora of my writerly worries. The list includes: manuscript length, inclusion of a prologue, number of POV characters, use of genre tropes, reader acceptance of tragedy, and the appropriate portrayal of females as warriors. And those are just the highlights.
In other words, you name the writerly topic, I’ve likely found a way to worry about it.
Since I left my quest for a traditional publishing deal behind, I’ve allowed myself to tune in to the fantasy reading community in a new way. And you know what I’ve found? Nobody really gives a shit. Admittedly, my observations are mostly anecdotal, but I’ve found that even the most diehard epic fantasy fans have only a passing interest in how long a book is. Those who do care seem mostly inclined toward longer rather than shorter books. And I haven’t found any fantasy readers who genuinely care whether or not a story begins with a goddam prologue.
Readers want a good story. Full stop. I’d be a fool to avoid recognizing that the vast majority of epic fantasy readers will never hear of me, let alone care enough about my work to decide whether or not it fits their definition of good.
But you know what that means? It means I’m free. I’ve come to realize, in a new and wonderful way, that I’m utterly and completely free to stay true to my vision for this story. I’m free to choose how it’s presented, how it begins, and how it ends. I’ve got to tell you, after over a decade of fretting this makes me feel pretty darn joyful.
Yeah But… Sales
I want to start this section by acknowledging that I’m a lucky guy. Yes, writing has been my primary occupation for over a decade. And yes, I’m fortunate that I do not have to rely on selling books to pay the rent. I also want to acknowledge that I understand that the publishing industry has a primary underlying purpose—one for which decades of evolution and refinement have made it exceedingly adept: To sell books.
Apologies if my realization above comes off as crass. I honestly respect those who strive to maximize sales. I wish the very best to those who need them. I remain committed to supporting all of you, however I can. Also, I readily admit that my years of striving to make my work more suitable and attractive to the publishing industry have made me a better writer. I believe my pursuit of a traditional deal has mostly made my work better.
But I’ve found that my freeing realization has led to others. Again, they might seem obvious to some, harsh or even dispiriting to others. But I find them hope and joy inducing.
First, as a consumer, the thing I most crave in any artistic product is innovation, a fresh take.
Second, my striving for publication instilled in me a tendency to seek conformity (in a sense, the opposite of innovation). Not trying to assign blame–this was entirely on me. Whether or not it was foolish, I had come to a place where I’d unconsciously equated success with a sort of conformity.
Lastly, stepping back from my quest to be traditionally published forced me to get real with myself. What did I truly want from publishing? What had I really been seeking? Were they realistic outcomes? Could any of them be discarded? If so, what was I left with? Of course it would be nice to find a large audience, to receive accolades, to see my covers on bookshop endcaps. But even if I achieved them all, they are fleeting things. Books can last forever, but they rarely do.
While I know I’ll never be perfectly satisfied with any novel I produce, when it comes down to it, I would rather produce something that best matches my imperfect artistic vision than something that sells well. If the public results of publishing are almost always ephemeral, why wouldn’t I seek personal results that are enduringly self-satisfying, free of regret?
Each and every reader with whom I have found, or will find, connection is a blessing. Regardless of financial gain, I will be richer for having made this journey.
Imperfectly Me
Have you ever watched the video series called Polyphonic? If you’re a music fan and you haven’t, you should. Content creator Noah Lefevre utilizes video essays to explore various aspects of the music scene from a unique perspective that never fails to fascinate. In a recent episode titled The Great Singers of Old, Lefevre delved into a few of the vocal artists who rose to prominence almost a century ago, during the blooming of the fledgling recorded music industry.
One of the vignettes in the clip features Billie Holiday. Lefevre notes that the hallmarks of a great singer of her day were range and power. Holiday had neither. Her phrasing and pitch were far from what was considered classic. And yet, per Lefevre: “Holiday brought all of herself to her music, including her flaws—her off-kilter rhythms; things that were traditionally taught out of a singer—were the very things that helped Billie tell her own story through her music.”
Lefevre’s take on Holiday got me thinking about my year-end realizations. It’s not that I think writing books and singing on records align perfectly, or that I would ever compare myself to a great like Billie Holiday. It’s not that I aspire to her popularity or acclaim.
But what if my lack of conformity makes my work a bit more innovative? What if my imperfections–perhaps even imperfections that inhibit mass appeal–are part of what will define my uniqueness as a storyteller? What if the things that I leave out have as much to do with that uniqueness as what I include?
What if the stuff that kept me worrying, through all of the passages of one year to the next, could become the very things that make my stories special, even if it’s only to me and a few others who were meant to discover them? Isn’t that what really matters?
If so, isn’t that what will provide me with peace of mind—a peace that endures through all of the holiday seasons to come, through the rest of my days as an imperfect storyteller?
Isn’t that a cause for hope, a reason for joy? I choose to believe it. Whatever realizations you encounter this holiday season, I wish you the same peace in their discovery.
What about you, WU? Have you come across the peppermint refreshment that you refuse to try? Have you been watering your tree? Do you believe that your imperfections can make your work unique, and therefore more innovative? Are you ready to renounce writerly worry and embrace writerly peace of mind?
I bid you tidings of comfort and joy.
Vaughn Roycroft’s (he/him) teacher gave him a copy of The Hobbit in the 6th grade, sparking a lifelong passion for reading and history. After college, life intervened, and Vaughn spent twenty years building a successful business. During those years, he and his wife built a getaway cottage near their favorite shoreline, in a fashion that would make the elves of Rivendell proud. After many milestone achievements, and with the mantra ‘life’s too short,’ they left their hectic lives in the business world, moved to their little cottage, and Vaughn finally returned to writing. Now he spends his days striving to finish his epic fantasy series.
This is an inspiring post, Vaughn. I’m glad you’re taking matters into your own hands if it gives you joy! You deserve some. :) Happy holidays, my friend, and keep us all abreast here of when your novel has a cover and will be published!
He deserves more than “some”. Vaughn’s post is brilliant!
Thanks, Pam! :)
Thanks, Heather! Your well-wishes mean all the more to me as you’ve always been an inspiration. Not to mention a tireless supporter. Happiest of holiday seasons to you and yours.
Vaughn,
Thanks for this reminder that our true joy and freedom lie in writing our best work—which may not look anything like what’s “expected” of us. Self-publishing isn’t easy either, but at least we get to decide on the definition of “done”. Good luck with your continued progress!
Hey Carol, Indeed, deciding when it’s done is wonderful due to it being “our own definition.” You nailed it! Thanks much for the well-wishes and happy holidays to you.
Raising a glass to our “imperfect artistic visions,” as you put it!
I’ve come to believe that those so-called “imperfections” are the spaces that allow the reader in. A “perfect” work would be something (perhaps) to admire from the outside, and how boring is that? Billie Holiday was great because we felt her whole being, her whole raw humanity, when she sang. She drew us into the music, demanded our participation, rather than settling for our admiration.
I’m imagining a great spirit asking you or me on our deathbed: “So, who was your publisher?” No way! But if she asks: “Did you write your heart out?” I want to be able to say YES YES!!
Hey Barbara, What a brilliant addition you’ve provided here, about what will be important on our deathbeds. So perfectly stated! I can only hope that my imperfections become open spaces for the readers that need to read something in my stories. I can see that most of them are elements that are there because of what I have always sought as a reader myself.
Indeed, here’s to staying true to ourselves, Barbara. Raising my peppermint libation to your wise enhancement to the conversation. Cheers and happy holidays!
Thanks for your honest reflections! I’m in the midst of publishing dilemma. Your words made me stop and think about the direction I’ve been pushing – traditional publishing and reconsider. Love the humor.
Hey Becky – I’m glad I inspired reflection on all of the possibilities. There can never be too much of that. And I’m tickled that you found some smiles along the way. Wishing you a peaceful, angst-free holiday season.
Congratulations on your debut trilogy! It sounds like you and I have reached similar realizations at the same time. In March, I was so fed up with 20+ years of writerly angst that I actually quit writing (for good, I thought at the time). I took up classical guitar and focused on music instead.
But I still had stories on my hard drive, sitting there doing nothing. I still had tons of ideas in my notebooks and even more in my head. When I did Dan Blank’s clarity card exercise to reflect on what I actually wanted out of my creative life, writing and sharing stories made the cut. Chasing traditional publication didn’t. That’s when I decided to embrace self-publishing. When I hit “publish” on a small collection of short stories, it was the first time I felt joyful about my writing in many years. Best of all, I’m actually *writing* again, with a much lighter heart than before.
Best wishes on your self-publishing journey, and enjoy your newfound freedom!
Gah, just realized your trilogy isn’t out yet–this is what happens when I post before enough coffee. I’ll be on the lookout for your release announcement!
Hey Grace,
Wow, what a story you’ve provided here in the comments. An inspiring one! Kudos to Dan for the exercise, but even more kudos (is that a thing) to you for your willingness to reflect and stay true to your passion. You’ve made my heart lighter just hearing about it.
No worries about the very slight misunderstanding. Thanks so much for sharing and for your well-wishes. Here’s to freedom! Happiest of holiday seasons to you.
Vaughn,
I can’t tell you how incredibly freeing your words felt to me. It’s helpful to think as I embark on the beginnings of a novel (first of a trilogy, I hope) that I should write it as the story calls to be and to satisfy foremost my own desires as a reader for a good story.
And though I’ve been reading your posts for years, it was your story summary at UnCon-16 that left me impatiently waiting for the announcement of your imminent publication. So please, do give a shout out as soon as the first book is self-published. You’ve got your first sale here!
Best wishes for a more gentle end-of-year self-appraisal this season.
Hi Christine! Great hearing from you.
I’m delighted because I can never get enough encouragement to simply allow my storytelling to pour straight from my heart–on the first draft if nowhere else. I’m so glad that the post provided that reminder. Wishing you heartfelt and joyous days of storytelling ahead on the new (yes, it will be a) trilogy.
Thanks so much for your ongoing support. I’ve still got a few months of work ahead, but watch this space for a somewhat imminent announcement. :) Have a peaceful and joyous holiday season, my friend!
As one of your biggest fans–this is awesome. It is freeing and the decisions you have made are important ones. Though what I write is very different from your creative endeavor, there are similarities in our journey–and I too am ready to take a different course. And maybe there is something in the air this weekend, something about being one’s own guide and avoiding much of the so-called writing “rules” that are pounded into us by writing critics and advisors. ANNE R ALLEN wrote a similar post this weekend that is helping free me from the “rules”. Or is it that some of the rules have lost their purpose. Wishing you the best writing NEW YEAR ever. I’m with you, Beth
Hey Beth, Aw shucks, you are always so very kind and supportive. It makes my heart glad to hear that you’re staying true to yourself and following your passion. Here’s to following or breaking rules as it best suits our work.
Your kind note reminds me that I owe you an email. Wishing you a merry Christmas, and the very best in ’22. I’m so glad to have you alongside on this journey.
There have been times in my life where I’ve decided to free fall and see where it takes me. That decision is always harder than the eventual landing. The point is once you let go of the outcome, it really frees up your creative juices and alleviates your self-conscientiousness about what others will think of your writing. And by the way, many readers like prologues. P.S. read in the NYT this morn that there’s a peppermint shortage!!! That is having an effect on the availability of candy canes!! See, so many things to worry about that we don’t have control of now. Anyhoo – have a blessed and merry holiday, Vaughn! t
Hi Thea! So delightful to hear from you, old friend.
Such an insightful point, about the fear before the leap. I’m growing excited to see where the free-fall takes me. Lol on the peppermint shortage. I’ve got nothing against candy canes, but I’m partial to minty beverages. Have I ever told the story about coming of age in the hometown of A.M. Todd–the company that produces mint oil for Wrigley and others? Their processing plant was next door to the drive-in theater, and to this day the smell of mint as I imbibe in brewed beverages takes me right back there. :)
Merry Christmas, Thea! Wishing you a blessed ’22. Here’s to the free-fall. Cheers!
My cottage is too small for a tradition tree so I make popcorn and cranberry ropes and decorate this cedar tree down by the fence. Some people laugh when I say this but the birds love it. Also, it give me great joy to do it. I’m a big believer in following the joy. It sounds like you’ve found a perfect blend for yourself, Vaughn; your love of writing, plus the open way forward. Your joy is contagious in this post! I can’t wait to read your Trilogy, my friend. Enjoy the Season!
Golly, Susan, I couldn’t love your non-traditional solution to tree decorating any more. Maybe almost as much as the birds in your lovely corner of the world. It does feel like a pretty good blend at the moment. And that was without the peppermint!
Thanks a million for your enduring support my friend. Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a joyous new year.
Vaughn, can you hear me shouting?!?! YES!! YES!! BEST WU POST OF 2021! I am commiting it to memory, as you have said what I have been trying to say for a long time. Thank you for these wise words. Self publishing isn’t easy, but my God, it’s definitely freeing. And that’s worth more than anything traditional publishing has to offer.
I DO! I DO HEAR YOU! :) And I very much appreciate your kind praise.
Here’s to the freedom that you’ve been heralding for years, Pamela. Wishing you the peace of staying true to yourself and the joy of the season.
No one else can write your books. If you don’t, they won’t get written. It matters. All the rest is logistics.
Ah, wisdom and truth, Alicia. And delivered so succinctly!
Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons, and a prosperous new year.
Self-publishing doesn’t hurt much. Especially when you KNOW you wouldn’t have been one of the ‘chosen.’ Pour that energy freed from submitting into learning everything you need.
May your holidays bring you joy!
Rings true deep down to the root of my creative soul. Thank you!!!
Perfect, Gina–Soul-deep is the best scale to measure such things. Thank YOU, and happy holidays.
I`m a huge fan of yours, Vaughn, and your post did not disappoint. You have a wonderful way with words. I especially loved, “It means I’m free. I’ve come to realize, in a new and wonderful way, that I’m utterly and completely free to stay true to my vision for this story. I’m free to choose how it’s presented, how it begins, and how it ends. I’ve got to tell you, after over a decade of fretting this makes me feel pretty darn joyful.“
I am so very pleased to hear you happy. Go get`em tiger!
Hugs,
Dee
Hey Dee, I very much appreciate your kind words and your support!
Wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons, and the very best in ’22!
Vaughn, I am always inspired by your persistence; your openness in describing the growth, changes, mutations, and details of your writing and writerly struggles; and your generosity to everyone here in the WU community (contributors, commenters, devotees, lurkers….). You’re an imperfect storyteller, you say? Not just you—you already know that. Doesn’t the importance of imperfection fade away if we have done the deep dive to locate and offer the stories that will connect with our readers? Onward!
Hey Anna! Always a pleasure to have you weigh in.
You’re so right, and only we can truly know when the dive has taken us to the right depth. And who can know which readers are meant to find that connection? All I can do is know that I’ve put in the effort to properly delve. My heart tells me I have.
I’m always honored by your praise, and am delighted to have found connection with you. Happiest of holiday seasons to you. And, yes, onward!
Alas, the program has done it again: put up my email address instead of my name. So perplexed….
Sorry, not sure why that’s happening, but I did fix it. I’ll keep an eye out for you in the future. Thanks again, Anna!
“But even if I achieved them all, they are fleeting things.” This to me is the truest line in your entire post. No matter how successful you are, the books you publish won’t change who you are or the values of your life. I wish you all the success Vaughn, on whatever terms you choose, but you’ve already achieved much more lasting accomplishments in your life, including the friendships you’ve made here and the community you’ve helped build. Raising my glass of peppermint tea to you, and wishing you the happiest of holidays.
Hi Liz! Gosh, you’ve filled my heart right up with your wise addition. The enduring quality of friendship is one of this journey’s greatest gifts.
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas, old friend. Here’s to a fabulous new year. Cheers! (When can we make the switch to schnapps? Lol.)
Vaughn, this morning I was reading some quotes on happiness, which can seem an elusive thing for so many of us. A couple of them seemed germane to your post:
We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
– Frederick Koenig
Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads us a wild-goose chase, and is never attained. Follow some other object, and very possibly we may find that we have caught happiness without dreaming of it.
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
Of all the means to insure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.
– Epicurus
You are rich with stories and friends, my friend; keep spreading the wealth. Sugarplums to all.
PS I think those sugarplum fairies were making vodka out of those plums.
Hey Tom! Well, I would never want to put you in a corner (don’t worry, won’t call you Baby, even in this sentence), but I will say you’re the Little Jack Horner of the day. Only I’m happy to report that you’ve pulled out more than one plum. These are four of the juiciest I’ve ever heard of, and they are the perfect dessert for the Christmas pie I sought to serve up here.
Bonus: I’m sure they’ll ferment perfectly. Here’s to being story and friend rich, my wealthy friend. Happy days and cheers to you!
Yes, Vaughn, yes! A thousand times, yes. At the top of my desktop it says, “Take pride in whatever makes you different—it’s what divides you from the rest.” That’s vision talking, a vision that doesn’t care that others believe we should be pummeled until we relent, until we surrender the vision, until the vision is molded into someone else’s corporate plan. It astounds me that we’ve been on similar paths so long and are arriving at similar destinations at roughly the same time.
I tried, I really tried to mold my ideas into a traditional fantasy epic. I could never finish it because it contained none of my heart and soul. Instead, it was watered-down, corrupted. Writing since 2000, in 2016 I drafted the first book of a fantasy series that was me writing what I’d write if I didn’t care what others thought. That, though, didn’t keep me, like you, from fretting. I’ve written a lot of blog posts about how the series wasn’t conforming to fantasy norms.
Sometimes someone would leave a comment and always it’d be the same response. “Who cares? Do what you want.”
And so I did.
Ready and determined, I vowed to end the series. This autumn, I drafted the final two books back-to-back after an epic amount of planning. Seven books in total. Each about 125K. I’ve been a full-time writer for years, putting in more hours per day, seven days per week, than most people could imagine. When it’s a passion, when it’s your vision, that’s what you do. Over the course of this time I’ve been editing books 1-5 so those are far along and now I can tweak them with the last two in mind. I, too, see 2022 as either the year I self-pub them or the final steps are taken.
From the start, I’ve taken the long view. Instead of making a splash in the blogging world, I’ve quietly and faithfully posted every Thursday since 2013 to build my following. My approach to publishing will be much the same. Already I have other projects in progress, like an anthology and other standalone novels. I’ll leave the big sales to those better suited to writing for a mass audience. I tried that for too long and there was no inspiration in it.
You’re right, it’s freeing. Just think, Vaughn, of the implications of releasing your vision into the world. It’ll be like escaping bonds, and for the the first time you’ll also be able to move on, to pursue new visions for an audience that recognizes that you’re onto something new and different. There are some of us who don’t need to strive for that one home run, but are content to hit singles all day long.
You know, Christina, it really is astonishing. We have been on such parallel paths! They’ve crisscrossed, endured rugged climbs, taken in gorgeous vistas (you’re an excellent cartographer, so I know you can picture it perfectly ;). So I guess, given the astonishing circumstance of our being writerly twinsies, it’s not all that hard to believe we’ve ended up in the same place at the end of this leg of the journey.
You’re so right about escaping bonds and moving on, and being free to climb in the direction of our hearts’ calling. Thank you for this epic comment, and for a journey’s worth of support. I’m so damn happy for you. Well, for us! Here’s to the long haul! Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons, and the most prosperous of new years to you, my friend.
Vaughan, I always appreciate your honesty and delighted by the freedom that allows us to choose joy. True freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want but doing the right thing. I also chose to self-publish a book that was too important to let sit in a drawer. True that chasing after the trade deal helped me to make the book better. But I had to remember that perfection can become the enemy of the good, that sometimes you must take a leap of faith, and trust that the net will appear. It did. I shall die happy as long as I hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is the only thing that matters. Merry Christmas!
Hey Vijaya – Congratulations on freeing your too-important-to-be-drawer-bound book! It’s so true about perfection being the enemy of the good. Here’s to the leap! Merry Christmas! :)
You have hit several nails on the head. People who decide to do it themselves (me included) will have to market themselves like crazy if they want to sell more than a dozen copies, but that’s true even for 99% of traditionally published writers. And I think (although it might be fun to be famous for 15 minutes) that few of us are really doing it to pay for groceries. We want to have a book we can point at, whether it’s paper or pixels.
I do feel for the professional editors and agents who feel actual pain when they read the first pages of most submissions. (I was an editor, and I know that most people THINK they can write. So not true.) Gatekeeping is logical. But the publishing industry has come to resemble the fashion industry. It’s no accident that on a given day you will see essentially the same colors, fabrics, and styles at the Gap that you’ll find at Nordstrom or JC Penny. None of the big outfits wants to gamble on weird stuff, so they follow each other around.
So kudos, Vaughn. Cut it and polish it and put it out there. Others have done it and we can too.
Hey Michael, You’ve really added some excellent nuance to my points. I agree–gatekeeping is logical. I have absolutely no beef with them or with the industry. They’ve got to do them. But I agree that there’s a built-in drift to homogenization. I was never going to move units at the Gap. And now see how that’s far from the worst thing.
Kudos to you, too. Here’s to the climb, and to selling that second dozen (at least!), Thanks for being such a supportive fellow climber, and happy holidays.
I love EVERY SINGLE WORD of this post, Vaughn. What a wonderful way to take ownership of your creativity and career, and stay connected to why you wanted to pursue it in the first place. LOVE THIS and will be sharing with my subscribers.
Aw shucks, Tiffany. Coming from you, that means so much to me. I appreciate you!
Happiest of holiday seasons to you, my friend. Wishing you a blessed and prosperous ’22.
The same to you, my friend.
There’s a saying, “Stop looking and you will find”. What you’ve found is the truth: What matters is the story, on its own terms and only for itself. Devoted to that alone, you cannot fail.
I have spoken at WU about the importance of stories to the world, of their ability to bind us together, change human behavior and even change the world. I believe those things. However those are effects, an end result rather than a reason to write. Set out to change the world and you won’t. Set out to discover yourself and your story and you may. I think that’s Vahldan’s discovery. He starts out seeking vengeance and to restore honor, but it is a long journey through failure, exile, return and self-understanding that brings him to his place of his destiny. (That and the love of an extraordinary woman.) At first he does what he thinks he should do. By the end, he does what he has determined he must do. Like you.
Alicia above refers to the “chosen”. As a so-called gate-keeper, I bristle at that way of looking at this writing enterprise. My job is not to shut the gate or keep anyone out, but to keep the gate open. (Not that I always succeed, I certainly don’t.) Some stories fit in a way print publishers can market. Others do not, but nevertheless all stories matter and all stories have an audience. Then there are the stories that are not yet understood. They seem unwanted for a time but eventually their enduring truth is seen. It isn’t that a writer is being left behind but that the world has yet to catch up.
That can be very true of story types that seem played out. Historical romance was dead at the end of the Seventies but Kensington Books kept it alive and alive and thriving it remains. At the moment, epic fantasy may be deemed done by some but I don’t buy it. An epic form that takes us all the way back to Beowulf, and even further back to Homer, is not going to succumb because of a short-term oversupply. And another thing: if a novel is imperfect…well, all novels are in some way imperfect. (Except maybe for To Kill a Mockingbird and Rebecca, but hey, that’s me.) That does not make them failures. It makes them the product of a storyteller who is human, as all are.
Your determination to self-publish, Vaughn, shows that you’re putting your stories first. That is right. If the traditional print market isn’t right there with you, so what? You’ve told your stories the way they must be told. Let the rest of the world catch up. This is the season of believing and you do. Happy Holidays, Vaughn.
Hey Don – I greatly appreciate not just your perceptive, astute, and uplifting teaching, but your insight and perspective as an industry leader. You’ve always been a tremendous boon to all of us in the WU community, and your mentorship has meant the world to me personally. And, to set the record straight, as a storyteller I have never felt anything but encouraged by you. If I ever perceived a tug toward conformity–real or imagined–you were never the source of it. You never once asked me to change a single aspect or element of my stories, other than encouraging me to strive to make them tighter, more resonant, more powerful. Your influence on this trilogy has only ever been a positive one.
I very much appreciate your take on the parallels of my journey to Vahldan’s. I think we can both agree, even though you added it as a parenthetical, that the love and support of an extraordinary woman is anything but a sidenote. (I can’t wait until you see the cover of TSS, as it features a character I know you very much appreciate.)
Here’s to the enduring appeal of epic stories. Here’s to the mentors that ask us to ask more of ourselves. And here’s to telling our stories the way they must be told. Wishing you and your family the happiest of holiday seasons, and a blessed new year.
Chosen – grated on me as well. With all the slips between a cup and the lips, who can say who is ‘golden’? When you get down to it, what does ‘chosen’ matter compared to sharing your story and vision? Vaughn, at last , you are giving your story to the world. Like many of us here at WU, we’ve been waiting a long time.
Oops–Somehow I missed this comment when you pubbed it, Morgyn. Just want you to know how very much I appreciate your support and your belief in me. Can’t thank you enough. Happy New Year!
Whitney Houston had range and power. Mariah Carey has range and power. Frank Sinatra, a self-described “saloon singer” had neither. Sinatra’s strength was the ability to tell a story, albeit it at times trite, with hearty emotion – a synergy of subject matter, technique and style. Houston and Carey possess the technical chops and even a modicum of style but lack Sinatra’s interpretive talent. Of the three, Whose legacy will endure?
Good point, Jay. Have you clicked through to the Polyphonic video? Sinatra’s “comeback” after his move to Capital Records is one of the vignettes, and Noah credits his interpretive style on mostly songs that others had sung. He made them the enduring songs they are. Part of it had to do with his synergy with the culture of the day, and his partnership with Riddle, but it was mostly because he stayed true to himself, telling his story in such an authentic way. (He did it his way, I suppose, lol). But yes, such a powerful lesson there.
Thanks for weighing in. Happy holidays.
There’s so much to love about this post, V, and its message. What strikes me is that we talk an awful lot here about character arcs, but we don’t often talk about writer arcs. You’ve been on a journey, I think — one that’s asked you to face various forms of insecurity, to learn, grow and change — and it seems like you’ve come full circle now. You believe, believe, in yourself, your story. That’s an arc, and one we should all applaud.
I couldn’t be happier for you, my friend, and I can’t wait for the world to meet the world you’ve created. Write on!
Hey T – It’s funny, isn’t it? I mean, I can look back on so many of the phases of what you’re describing. The first phase was, necessarily, totally about finding my own connection to story/creation. I had this very insecure feeling that I should be doing… something. I knew that running a wholesale lumber facility was not “a calling.” And I even knew that carpentry wasn’t quite it. I danced around, trying both to avoid actually facing it while secretly dipping my quill in the inkpot. Every step since has forced me to face insecurity. All I thought I wanted was to be told that, yes, I belong. That I was capable of doing an adequate job at answering this call. Meanwhile, the calling was never about adequacy. I didn’t even want to face what it was calling me to do, which was to push myself.
And now, you’re right–full circle. Only in facing the insecure position of “not belonging,” of having those I sought a gold star of adequacy from take a pass, did I find that I’ve faced the calling itself. To growth, to self-belief and self-determination. I think part of my newfound joy is in being able to approve of what I’ve undergone. Being able to say I truly see my stories’ worth, without seeking for an external assurance of it, is the actual change I have been seeking.
Which will make any result rewarding. I can’t wait either, because I can honestly say that (on my best days) those who need what Vahldan’s and Elan’s story bring them will be the ones who truly matter. Hopefully I’ll remember this lesson most days. I guess I can come back here and read this post and these comments for a reminder. Having the Storywhisperer in my corner is sure to help, as well.
Happiest of holidays, T! I wouldn’t be here without you. Full stop. Wishing you the very best, from tomorrow forward.
Hurray! I am excited that you’re taking this step, Vaughn, and joining the list of folks looking forward to reading your books when they become available. And I always enjoy the way you synthesize so much of what many of us are considering (stylistically, professionally) in your posts.
This season is certainly one for reassessing–like you, I often take stock at the end of the year–but not just for the work; really, for all sorts of life choices. It’s not lost on me that this year I’m spending my first holiday in a house rather than an apartment, staying home instead of traveling (much as I would like to see family), welcoming a new feline member of the household after our last cat reached the end of her life. The writing work is paused, waiting, as all these other pieces shift, but it’s also brewing–like a mug of peppermint tea. You’ve added some extra spice to the brew, and so I say thank you.
Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday–and as I said, can’t wait for the next chapter!
Hi Alisha! We’re with you on staying home when we’d rather see those we love. Hurray for the new home and family member, although I am so sorry for your loss. The loss of four-legged family can be so monumental, so transitional. As difficult and enduring as they are, I know I wouldn’t be the writer I am without those losses, fwiw. Also, I know you know it, but I’m going to say it: sometimes the work requires fallow periods; there is much happening, even while words are not being added to a page. Storytellers gotta storytell, even when the work is technically paused. I’m honored to have added a bit of heat to the brewing process!
Can’t thank you enough for your kind words and support. You too, my friend–wising you a peaceful and healing holiday season. Here’s to a prosperous new year!
In addition to dropping some big truth-bombs and food-for-thought seeds (hey, the latter might be a thing), thanks for a great example of truly heartfelt writing. There’s an art to conveying one’s personality so openly and effectively through writing, and this post shows it’s an art in which you’ve developed some powerful and compelling skills.
Happy holidays, and here’s to a better 2022 for us all!
Gosh, I’m honored and humbled. If I really have developed in that respect as an essayist, I can honestly say that your example and inspiration are a huge part of it, Keith. You are indeed the master of the realm, particularly when it comes to the use of humor in that conveyance. I’m grateful for it, and your recognition has filled my heart right up.
Same to you, Keith–happiest of holidays! Wishing us all better days ahead.
Vaughn, No matter what you write about, there will always be those that love it and others that don’t give a shit. Stop wasting time wondering what others think. Publishers are controlling too many excellent writers and now they are looking at bloggers with a wide following so they can publish and get all the credit. You will find there are many like me who have self-published and are excited about the feedback. Self publishing gives you almost instant gratification–your book in print without waiting for that phone call or mail with those rejected letters. Be proud of yourself. What is the worst thing that can happen?
Good luck.
Good advice. Thanks for that, and for the well-wishes!
You keep posting about indie publishing and it’s making me impatient to read your books!!
Working in church worship settings has been oddly very freeing for me when it comes to the anxiety of choices. A friend once planned a Sunday service that included a choir. Immediately after the service she was approached by two people with tears in their eyes. One had been transported to a glorious place through the choir. One was upset because having a choir instead of choosing a song she could sing had taken away her worship agency. It is impossible to make a choice that will please everyone. Serve the story. Serve the reader by writing a strong, compelling story that is *yours*.
I so love that you are feeling more and more free. Now make all 5,000 of the minute decisions and get your stories into the world :-)
Hey Natalie! Great to hear from you.
That’s hilarious about the two comments being polar opposites. I can never hear it enough, either. You just can’t please ’em all, no matter what you do. Did you know there’s a big segment of the public that hates Tom Hanks? I had no idea until recently. I mean, huh? He’s our generation’s Jimmy Stewart, for crying out loud. I suppose there were Jimmy Stewart haters, too, though, right?
Your excitement for me and support are such a precious gift. FYI, I am at least 2000 decisions into the process, so only 3000 to go, lol.
Can’t thank you enough. Hope you’re having a lovely Christmas season up there. I think you’ve had a bit more snow than we have. Now I hear we’re in for mid-50s this weekend. (That sort of sucks, IMHO.) Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous ’22.
Standing ovation! 👏👏👏👏👏
*takes a bow, grunting with newfound elderly stiffness*
Thank you, Kathryn! Wishing you a very merry Christmas, and a blessed year to come. :)
Right there with you, Vaughn. Approaching the end of my novel and am in a quandary about what to do…we shall see. Best of luck to you and thanks for the tip about polyphonic. Will definitely have to check that out. Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on nearing “The End.” Take a moment to appreciate your massive accomplishment. And then don’t rush into anything. Stay true to the work. And enjoy Polyphonic. :) Merry Christmas!
Hey Vaughn, your post comes at the perfect time. I (and so many of us writers, I’m sure) spend so much time and energy thinking about doing things the “right” way, perfecting the secret recipe that will sell the most books, get us the best reviews, blah blah–sometimes I feel like I forget the people that actually matter: the readers. Maybe that’s what happens when capitalism takes over the artmaking process…? (Not to cheapen the fact that writing is a job that people deserve to get paid for.) Love that you’ve decided to take back control of the story you’re telling. I’m going to be taking inspiration from you as I figure out my goals for next year. I’m all about anything that brings us a little more peace of mind in this decidedly un-peaceful time. Happy holidays!!
Hi Kelsey – I’m glad you’re recognizing the reader in this way so much sooner than I did. It’s been oddly satisfying watching fantasy BookTube end-of-year videos, realizing that as many of the books of those who were chosen by editors during the time I was out on submission made the least favorite lists as made the favorites list. It’s just another reminder of how subjective this is.
Yes, seize those reins and hold tight. I’m positive that heart of yours is an excellent guide (it’s apparent even in your essays). Know that I’m rooting for you! Thanks for weighing in. Happy holidays!
V, I’m not a fan of “reality” TV as a rule, but I routinely watch The Voice. And I often quit watching before the results are determined. I long ago determined that, for me, the most interesting aspect of the show is how the coaches help their protégés define themselves. As a rule, they stress that passion and an artistic vision are more important than vocal perfection. That audiences relate to artists who know what they stand for and commit. I take great comfort in this.
On a personal note, I’ve similarly found great freedom and joy in a quieter, self-determined path than I believe I would have had if I’d chosen to pursue the traditional route. (Assuming trad publishing would have wanted to work with me, of course, which was obviously not guaranteed.)
I’m thrilled to hear the happiness suffusing your writerly voice. I’m certain Mo is seeing a man who’s shed a thousand-pound weight, too, so I’m likewise thrilled for her. Wishing you both happy holidays and a 2022 where some of your above answers reach a “yes.” xo
Hi Jan! We’re the same regarding The Voice: we only watch the auditions up through the coaching sessions. I never even know who wins. But that’s sort of the antithesis of the artist’s journey anyway, isn’t it? It’s not about “winning” but about finding our best selves. I too find the process to be the comforting part.
I’m also finding comfort and joy in that quieter freedom. Mo just forwarded a seasonal note from a mentor of hers, who passed along a note she received from a writing conference (yep, writing study, for realtors–who knew?). As she checked into the conference they handed her a card that only said: “There is no way to do this wrong.” Man, I love that. I’m seeing how it’s so applicable, in a meta way, to the self-pub journey. And I’m taking great comfort and joy in my expanding realization.
It makes me so happy to hear that you hear it in my writing voice. Can’t thank you enough, my friend. Wishing you and the ToolMaster and the kids a very merry Christmas, and all the best for the coming year.
Somehow I missed your post! It makes my heart happy to hear that you are taking control of your writerly journey. And also, that there is so much support for you (and presumably others who might make similar choice and/or have similar epiphanies.) And I especially love that you are being brave and saying the quiet out loud. I hope you’ve had a happy Christmas and the upcoming new year is all that you are working towards it being!
Hey Lara! How can I be anything but brave about such things when I’ve had folks like you as inspiration? Talk about making a heart happy. Can’t thank you enough, for everything (over many years’ endings and new beginnings).
You too! Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Happy new year! Here’s to being brave, side-by-side.
Two months late but I’ve had this bookmarked the whole time, and it was a joy (pun intended!) to read.
– “Writing has been my primary occupation throughout the last decade, but in terms of tangible accomplishments, there have been precious few to count. The process of writing a novel is a relatively slow one to begin with, which can make looking back over the prior year a little dreary. A year is a long time, right? And yet, in the span of the making of a novel, not especially so. When viewed in hindsight, a lot of the year can feel more like treading water than sailing along toward a destination.”
Oh yes, I feel that.
– “Of course it would be nice to find a large audience, to receive accolades, to see my covers on bookshop endcaps. But even if I achieved them all, they are fleeting things. Books can last forever, but they rarely do.”
Thank you for the reminder. Thank for this whole post.
I don’t have much to say beyond what people already responded with months ago, but I’ll just add my vote of confidence in you. <3
Also, I think it's great that you're able to look back and see all the good that came from your journey, even if some of that time was spent chasing something that you no longer aspire to.
Thanks, Kristan! Always a delight to hear from you, and I’m honored that my post was able to endure on your TBR. I know that you’re among a handful of people who can fully empathize, and it’s greatly appreciated. Your support means the world to me. Never hesitate to call on me if and when I can reciprocate.