As today is World Book Day in the UK, I thought I'd write a little blog post all about writing for a living. At the end of February, I completed my latest psychotherapy book and delivered it to my editor. I have been working nonstop since last summer, on several projects, so it felt wonderful to have the final book finished and in with the publisher.
As a result of all this hard work, there will be six books, including two psychotherapy titles, dropping from me this year, starting in May and continuing throughout the year as various titles reach their release date. It's wonderful and exciting and exactly what I have always wished for - a steady stream of writing work and a publisher who sees the value in my talent and what I can offer. I feel very lucky, but I have also worked hard for it. Plus, I have one of the best editors in the business, acting as a champion of my work, which helps a lot! Having a great, trustworthy editor on your side makes all the difference.
Publishing has changed considerably since I first began my life as an author back in the 2000s, when I received my first book commission and publishing contract. It used to be that I was commissioned for one book at a time and I was given approximately six months to write it. Then there would a lull, as the publisher considered my new synopses and decided which ones they were going to commission next. It was a slow process. Everything was delivered in hard-copy, by post, so there was a lot of printing out of material. Each book had to be delivered as two full length printed versions, which took a considerable amount of time. That was just the way it was done back then, and still is with some Houses.
These days, all my work is delivered digitally. Even page proofs are sent out digitally too, so there is no need to spend hours bent over a printer! It is a much more efficient way of working. It is less expensive for both author and publisher and far less time consuming, as my book can be in with my editor in a single click. There is no need to venture out, in all weathers, to take a heavy double-manuscript parcel to the Post Office, although I must admit that I miss the nostalgia of this. It was always such a hopeful walk - even before I was published and I was collecting rejection slips. I enjoyed the continuity of those walks, knowing that I was treading in the footsteps of other writers who had gone before me. All the great writers of the past, such as Dickens and the Brontes, had sent out their work by post, so I felt that I was in good company!
Now everything is much faster. I receive several commissions at once, with deadlines spread out across the year. The turnaround time is much quicker too. This is the length of time between the commissioned title going to contract and the delivery date, when the finished book has to be in with the editor. Long gone are the six months per book turn around! Instead, shorter books usually have to be written in four weeks, with longer books having a turnaround of eight to twelve weeks. This is great, because it means I have a diary full of work for the entire year ahead, which is good for stability and peace of mind. It can also be a little bit stressful, for instance when a deadline is approaching, or if I think too far ahead at all the books I still have to write!
Usually the deadlines are spaced out to allow me to have a little break between finishing one book and starting the next. This is essential to keep my voice fresh. At the end of the slew of contracts when all the commissioned books are in (which is where I am at right now), I get a whole month or so off! Again, this is vital so that I can rest, because writing at such a pace really is a brain workout! It's a happy kind of tired though and I wouldn't change it for the world. This is my dream job and I love it. In addition, time to dream and plan new projects is an essential aspect of a writer's life.
Obviously, working at such a pace consistently, means that I have to be very strict with myself in terms of the time I give to my writing. My daily word count has understandably increased. I used to write 1000 words a day, now I write 2000-5000 words a day. Some days the words flow more easily. When I feel like I'm forcing it, I know I need to take a break, so that I can come back to the project fresh. I do have to be very blinkered in my approach though - the phones are on silent, I avoid all social media until after my word count is done, likewise with house work and socializing. I keep in contact with loved ones via phone and texting, but everyone else has to wait. Everything is put on hold until the words are pinned down on the page. This is especially the case the closer I get to a deadline. I give myself over to my writing completely during this phase of a project - even medical appointments such as dental and doctor check ups get put on the back burner until the book is finished.
This kind of single-mindedness has served me well over the years. It means that I have a reputation for writing well and authentically, to tight deadlines and to a high standard, which in turn means that the work keeps coming in. I don't, for one second believe however, that you cannot commit to a writing life if you have a full time job, or kids or whatever, because you don't have time.
I know from personal experience that it is possible to hold down a job and still commit to your writing, because I was doing just that for four years, working twelve hour shifts in a vets practice and spending all my free time writing synopses and so on, plus studying and completing a two year Master of Arts Degree in Creative Writing. So I know that it's possible. Is it easy? No. Is it exhausting? Of course. But is it possible? Absolutely, providing you are committed to your craft. Anyone who whinges otherwise is simply making excuses, which are a cop out, because if they say they don't have time, then they never have to experience failure. Being a full time author takes dedication. It's not something you can do on a whim and it's not a job for wimps!
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