Turn the Page Blog
Thoughts, Musings & Advice on All Things Writing
Handling criticism can be challenging for many people, especially authors. It can be heartbreaking to pour blood, sweat, and tears into your book and have someone tell you it needs work. Unfortunately, though, this is all part of the process.
Criticism never gets easy, but if you can figure out how to handle it better, you can learn a lot from the process. Read on for some of the best ways to deal with criticism.
You just never know where your “big break” will come from as an author. Maybe it will be a book review, maybe it will be a chance encounter with a literary agent, maybe it will be a phone call made on your behalf. Who knows? The secret is to not depend on that big break, but rather to focus on doing the legwork to get yourself there.
When we are setting goals, we need to be realistic. That doesn't mean we can't "dream big" - that just means we need to be aware of our limits and figure out the steps we CAN take it order to make these dreams come true.
You want to write a book, but you probably can't write for eight hours a day - so maybe you set the goal for 20 minutes a day instead.
And if you miss a day once in a while, is it the end of the world? No.
The important thing to remember is that you need to stay focused, and stay accountable, but also be kind to yourself. The more we beat ourselves up, the less likely we are to keep moving forward with our goals, and the more likely we are to just give up and deem ourselves failures.
“Thank you, Megan. I found a less expensive editor.”
Well, ho, ho, ho.
Receiving messages like this never feels good, and even after going on 20 years in the business, it does still feel like a kick in the pants from time to time.
The sad thing about choosing your rates is that no matter what number you choose, there will be people who come along and tell you that you are too expensive. Basically, they want you to do the work for free, out of the kindness of your heart (though more likely it would be out of their ego).
Are there situations in which people have legitimate financial concerns that prevent them from spending money on non-emergency services? Absolutely.
Would I want to have someone give me their last dime and be evicted from their apartment. Of course not.
But what I see a lot, and what truly breaks my heart, is that authors will talk about their writing dreams…and then do nothing about them.
If you’ve followed me on social media at all you’ll have seen the countless mantras that I have posted that encourage authors to see themselves as necessary, creative beings, and worthy contenders in the world of publishing. There is no better time to write that first word, or that last word.
But what happens after a book has been written? Or what if major writing blocks keep an author from moving forward on their journey? What happens then?
Two things happen – authors either a) struggle indefinitely or b) invest in themselves.
By “invest” I do not mean purchase business cards or purchase another writing course they won’t have time to complete. I do not mean search for the perfect pen or pencil or notebook.
I mean they invest their time in their writing, and then when they need help they invest their money in the best possible guidance they can receive.
My purpose on this planet is to help authors make their writing great and their publishing dreams come true. That is my very deepest passion.
It is also my job, and unfortunately I can’t buy groceries with hugs and good wishes.
How do I choose my rates? I want to fall into industry standards, of course, but I also base my rates on my aforementioned nearly 20 years of experience, as well as the level of detail I put into my work.
Any editor can look at a manuscript and say, “your main character is under-developed.” But when I say that, I also go on to ask the author questions (“what is your main character’s goal?” “what are they looking for in life?”) and then give suggestions on how to improve (“if Brody is willing to sacrifice everything in order to bring Susan home, we need to establish the stakes in the first third of the book”).
So, this holiday season, I am sure that you have already spent a ton of cash on things for other people – toys aren’t getting any cheaper! But what did you get for yourself?
Just imagine what 2023 could look like if you knew that your book could finally become a real, tangible thing.
Just imagine how could it would feel to stop getting lost in the questions and the what-ifs, and have someone actually guide you through the process, kicking the roadblocks out of your way.
I’d love to talk to you about your book project, and how I can help you get that book into the readers, hungry for your words.
Hop on over to the Services page on the website, or simply respond to this email and we can see how to find a way for me to give you the assistance you need.
Give yourself (and your book) a gift this holiday season.
As we begin to close out 2022, I wish you the very best!
To you and your book!
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. Her presence on the screen is unforgettable, and she seemed to move through the world as a sort of luminous being.
She had a pretty tragic childhood (thanks, World War II), and plenty of heartbreak throughout her life, but for all intents and purposes seemed to never lose her vivacity, and her passion for absorbing life and leaving a terrific legacy behind.
She is an inspiration just as a human being, but of course as a creative person who had many gifts that touched people all over the world.
When you’re struggling with your writing, or life, perhaps let yourself hear Audrey’s voice, and let her words permeate:
“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”
Believe in yourself – you must do that before asking anyone else to do so, too. You CAN become an author. You CAN write a book. There are no limits.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
If you’re feeling stuck, get out. Is there a place you can go where you can feel relaxed or recharged? Is there a local garden that delights you with its beauty? Do you feel inspired walking about your local bookstore?
“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”
Even the luckiest of authors still face roadblocks along the way – rejection letters, a lack of confidence, etc. But it’s so important to keep moving forward. There IS light at the end of the tunnel – your day will come.
"Good things aren’t supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but He expects you to do your part first."
You can’t become a bestselling author without a book. You can’t make readers’ hearts swell if they have nothing to read.
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Books have the power to change lives. If you have something to share with the world, it is your goal to share it – whether you’re educating, entertaining, comforting, and/or inspiring.
I believe in you!
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You’ve probably heard that quote about the journey of a thousand miles beginning with a single step, and are quite possibly rolling your eyes at the reference. But the reason the quote is used and re-used so frequently is because it is true! Your book will not write itself, and it will not get written overnight.
I used to dread January, which always seemed like the rainiest, darkest month. The anticipation and excitement of Christmas is over, and January always represented the return to the same old, same old. Over the years, however, my perspective has changed. Now January is all about finding that spark - spark of hope, spark of creativity, spark of beginning. It's not just about resolutions but about goals - dreaming them, defining them, and putting together an actionable plan to achieving them.
How are you doing? Are you hanging in there? This is one crazy (scary/frustrating/sad) time to be alive, huh? There have definitely been some adjustments here - two parents are working from home now, we have a stir-crazy toddler, and another baby is due just next month. Of course I am thinking about you and your book projects. Have you made any progress? Or have you been focused on other things? The editor in me wants to say, "WHY ARE YOU READING THIS EMAIL? USE THIS EXTRA TIME AT HOME TO WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!" Turn off Netflix and get busy churning out those pages!
Literary agents often get a reputation for being cruel and heartless. It is true that not one has escaped the task of sending out many, many rejection letters. I am sure that there are a few slightly sadistic agents out there, but for the most part, authors, please know that we take no pleasure in saying no to you and your project!
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