Create Your Very Own Special
You’re a writer, and if you want to publish, you need a manuscript. As a matter of fact, nothing is more important than your manuscript, and you must pour all of your creative energy into it before you so much as dip a toe into the pool of decisions that come with self-publishing.
What this means is that you must work on your craft so that your book, and the writing that makes up your book, reaches beyond your highest expectations. Yes, I said “beyond.” Many writers seem to think the writing of the book is the “easier” part of publishing, and that their manuscript is “good enough,” and an editor can “just fix” the rough spots and make it all nice and perfect, and ready for the world. But that (shockingly) is not so. An editor can only get you so far; she improves on what you give her, but she can’t create a masterpiece for you.
Your book doesn’t have to be a masterpiece (though that would be nice), but it must be special. I don’t really like the word special because it’s been used so much that it has become ordinary, but I’m going to use it here because it’s valid and simple. Your book has to be in some way special—noteworthy, unique, remarkable—if it’s going to survive the thoroughly competitive landscape of book publishing and garner some attention.
How can you make it special? There’s no one right answer to this question, which is a good thing because it means there are many thousands of ways it can be done. It might be the subject matter, the theme, a particularly awesome character, an engaging writing style or voice. A flair for comedy or talent for plot twists or tragic endings. … It may be a je ne sais quoi quality that readers can’t put their finger on. Whatever it is, it pleases readers and renders the book worthy, different, memorable. Special. Everyone has their own personal special, and they should attempt to bring it out in their books. That’s where working on your craft comes in.
It may take you pages and pages of writing and revision after revision of revising, but if you strive for that “special” quality, you will get there, and your book—and your writing career—will benefit. So, while self-publishing is exciting, and I know you can’t wait to see your book in print, you must take the time to nurture those creative qualities that will get your book noticed.
Give yourself all the time you need to work on your manuscript. It is, after all, the most important thing.
In my next blog post, I’ll talk about the editing and revising process that should take place before publication.
