Catherine Jones is a cookbook author, blogger, and the co-founder and CEO of Werbie.....
HAPPENINGS
Catherine Jones is a cookbook author, blogger, and the co-founder and CEO of Werbie. Her books include The Calories In, Calories Out Cookbook and A Year Of Russian Feasts.
In this month’s writers’ club session at Lincoln Corner, Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi, Catherine shared some tips for becoming a successful writer.
What makes writing unique
If you have had a chance to read a couple of Thomas Hardy’s novels, you probably have noticed he has his own distinct voice! Nobody does the cinematic detailing of the characters, events and settings like he do; only Hardy can write lengthy, complex sentences and craft intriguing plots around harsh realities of the society.
Any piece of writing is a reflection of their writer. Readers want to interact with the writer and this interaction only takes place when a writer has a strong voice. That is why fiction and poetry are such powerful forms of writing. In the beginning, writers find it difficult to express themselves fully but as soon as they find themselves in a stable position, they begin to develop a strong voice — it includes your writing style, choice of words, your personality, character and your viewpoint.
Whether it’s blogging, magazine writing or scriptwriting, a clear and distinct voice help writers expand their reach and target the right audience that gives constructive feedback and encourages them to keep writing.
Readers should be a priority
Before you sit down to write or you’re in the middle of the process, try answering this question: who cares? (Stick a note on your computer or desk as a reminder) If you can’t answer this question, don’t write what you are writing! No matter what kind of writing you’re doing, whether it’s paid or voluntary, you have to really figure out who your audience is and whether they will be interested in reading your work.
Your readers’ time and money is valuable; think about how much time they will be required to spend on reading your work and what they are actually supposed to do after they have finished reading.
Superpower of a great writer
To be able create a connection with readers is a gift when it comes to writing. When readers start inviting the writer in their head to create the scene that comes from the words on the page, know that your writing is powerful. It’s truly a privilege to be able to get into somebody’s mind and impact their thinking.
Getting unstuck
Short of ideas? Or can’t write further? Just walk away and do something else, if you’re not on a deadline. Come back to it when you’re ready.
A children literature writer suggests getting on a bus and listening to the conversations of the passengers. You will surely end up getting inspired by tiny little things happening around.
Or discuss your writing plans with your friend or sibling; you will get some ideas or some different angle to focus on.
In case nothing works, be honest with your editor or publisher and say you can’t do that right now.
Navigating through the industry
Printed work isn’t going anywhere. People would be reading more than ever; eBooks might be more popular with all the sorts of gadgets we have today, but the publishing industry will continue to thrive.
Since it’s a competitive industry, getting published is hard. If you don’t have an agent, or you don’t have a platform, or you don’t have a track record, or you don’t have thousands of followers or subscribers on your social media, publishers are not going to look at you as a viable product; they just look at your book from a business point of view. A lot of authors get rejected at this stage.
So you have self-publishing as an option. It is easier and cheaper so anybody can bring out a book. The only problem is you don’t have an editorial team to supervise you.
When self-publishing, it’s also important to make sure that your work is meaningful and you really want that book to be on your track record.
Social responsibility of a writer
Actually, there are writers who just write to create confusion and spark controversies; they want readers to react negatively. Readers have a right to read anything but as responsible global citizens we shouldn’t invest our energy on such writers; they are only offering sensationalism to their audience.
As writers, your intention should be to create a dialogue with the readers and not upset them. Readers are really smart people and they can easily figure out if the writing is based on credible information and if they should trust the writer.
Handling rejection
If you know your book is useful, don’t quit! Good things take time. Keep improving your work and take constructive feedback seriously. Talk to experts in your field to fill out gaps!
If you’re dealing in newspaper or scientific writing, be open to ruthless editing. If there are marks on your copy, you know your editor cares and wants your work to be perfect when it’s out.
