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Friday, July 30, 2010

Getting Published

A while back Carly suggested this for a post:  what's the most important thing in getting published?

Carly, this is a question that is not easily answered.  Mainly because people's answers vary depending on who you're asking, what genre they write or represent, and just their general opinion.  I also think it makes a huge difference depending on if the person you ask is published or unpublished.

With that said, answering this as an unpublished writer is a bit tricky for me simply because I've had no experience with the publishing process nor with the industry as a whole.  So, I'd like to write this from a view point as how I would see it if I were a publisher.  If I were a publisher, I think the most important thing in getting published would be a strong voice.  If you are your own person, if your story is its own person right from the first time they glance at your query  or manuscript submission, it'll go a long way.  Having a strong voice.  Be unique.  Imagine reading the same thing everyday, every writer sounding the same, writing about the same thing.  So basically, imagine reading about the stock market everyday.  And then all of the sudden, this wonderful manuscript is on your desk and it's not stocks, it's breaking news.  And the reporter (the writer) isn't someone that represents the stocks, it's someone who knows the president on a first-name-basis.  Can you see where THAT would more likely grab your attention, and that you'd want other people to read THAT than your other submissions?

Now, I will answer the same question as an aspiring, hopeful published author.  In my opinion the most important thing in getting published is...trying.  If you don't first try, you can't get published.  More importantly, trying again.  And again, and again.  Nobody's going to get published or get an agent with the first query they send out - and if that's what you're expecting, you seriously need a reality check.  The industry isn't fair, and it isn't always nice.  But if you don't believe in yourself enough to keep getting back up on that horse, it won't make a difference if you're the next Edgar Allen Poe or Suzanne Collins.  You have to have a backbone to stick up for the story you've worked so hard to create and you have to work hard at changing it around if that's what's right.

Hope this helped and I'm still open for suggestions!  I still have a few left to write about.

With eternal love and blessings,
~Hanna~

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey! Nice Post! I agree with that idea of a publisher's/ agent's outlook on manuscripts. I have a question though. Is it weird that I don't print out my story and make all sorts of written notes and corrections? I mean I just see a problem and fix it or if I have some new ideas I write them down and see where I can fit it or switch stuff around a little later.
~Corey~

Hanna said...

@Corey - no that's not weird. I didn't print mine out until I finished the first draft, decided I needed to read through it before I revised, found that it really sucked, scribbled a bunch out. After that I just found it was easier for me to print chapters as I wrote them and read/mark them when I had time. But draft two will be sent out to friends for what I did with the first draft. Haha my friends aren't going to be very happy about that. :)

~Hanna~
^^you do the same ~ thing!

Carly said...

Hanna you have a LOT of good points. I'm glad you talked about originality and staying true to your voice. Right on. I have no doubt that with enough trying you will be a best-selling author. Please remember me when you're famous :)

Hanna said...

@Carly- I won't have to remember you, because you'll be right there with me! We shall be the next Erica and Julianne of the world!

Corey_Parsley said...

Hanna, Thank you so much for commenting on my blog posts so far. You are a nice and awesome person. I can tell you have Christ in your heart. I deeply appreciate your input and think you and I will be great friends. = ) Also, thank you for answering my question about printing out manuscripts. LOL Yah, I've had a couple drafts that I never really finished. Like 2 hand written and one typed. Now i'm on my second typed. The story kept changeing and morphing into something better so I could never finish a draft. LOL This time for sure!
~Corey~
P.S. You can bet I'll be sending a signed copy to you! You do the same as well! ^_^

Hanna said...

@Corey - Your posts have been wonderful, how could I not comment? My faith is definitely an important part of who I am, and is also very important to me as a writer. Yes, great friends - exactly what writers need. :) Umm...I kinda went into a state of shock when you said 'two drafts hand written'. O_O lol. I get what you mean about morphing, though.
~Hanna~
p.s. Yeah - if and when it happens for me!! lol. It's a deal!

Carly said...

One condition: I get to be Erica :) Hahahahaa

Hanna said...

O_O

Fine, you can make me my coffee and stuff still though. :D