Write the Book You Wanna Write...and Leave Me Alone
The only real occupational hazard as a writer is that many people will ask you if you can help them write their book. The only appropriate answer to this question is “Hell no!” For lots of reasons. If they’ve never tried to write before, such people think it’s incredibly easy to write a book. You just sit down and type whatever comes to mind. How freeing! What could be easier? Well, it’s not easy. It’s the toughest and yet most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. And sometimes, despite my misgivings, I help others achieve their dreams. But most people get the brush-off. Why? I talk about a few of those people today in an article at SleuthSayers, the mystery blog.
The article is called:
Giving it Away for Free, Part II!
The Roman numeral is there because I have touched on this topic before, back in 2021, in an article entitled, yes:
Here’s part of what I’m saying over at SleuthSayers today:
Fans of the Joe Show will recall that I have written about the dangers of offering your writing/editing expertise for free to writers who don’t do the requisite work. Since I wrote that post on the topic, I have attempted to change the error of my ways. When a close college friend asked me to read and comment on her nonfiction book proposal, I declined, saying that I didn’t feel comfortable working with friends that way. I referred her to the website reedsy.com, a wonderful organization, which, among other things, allows editorial freelancers to hang out their shingles offering services to authors, most of whom are intending to self publish. My friend did find an editor who had expertise editing titles on the geopolitical subject of her book that I was unqualified to judge. So, in that case, my brush-off was a win-win-win—for my friend, the hired editor, and me.
Years ago, as part of a class my wife and I taught on nonfiction book proposals, I offered to read any resulting proposals the students generated. Only two or three followed through on writing their proposals, and availed themselves of our offer. Which we sorta, kinda predicted. Oddly, the student with the best idea did not contact me until this past spring, a full seven years after the class ended. He offered to pay me to read, since he’d clearly blown through the window of opportunity. But I did not feel good accepting payment since I’d read the work of his classmates at no cost. Before I made a decision, I asked him to send me the first three pages of his proposal.
Holy cow, what a beautiful writer. He had absorbed all the lessons of the class, and applied it to his 19th century true story, and I knew my time would not be wasted. He’s close to submitting to agents, and I’m genuinely looking forward to reading the final draft.I hope you’ll go check out the post. I had lot of fun writing it and thinking about the writing process.
If you are a writer, you will know exactly what I’m talking about. I hope my piece resonates with you. One of the commenters recommended the great essay, “I will not read your fucking script.” If you don’t know that article, go read that too. It’s freaking hilarious. A legend.
Thanks for stopping by! While you’re here, I hope you’ll check out some of my books.
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