"They" say

“They” say you need to blog about your writing. So today I start. I began writing in earnest months ago. Gradually I’m refining my plan and my methods. Two weeks ago I finished the rough draft on my first book with the working title of “Nite Shift” and this week sent it to what I call my Beta Readers. I have found a consultant to help guide me as I prepare a query and book proposal for a literary agent. An author friend has offered to pass this manuscript on to her literary agent.

“They” say that with non-fiction, you only send the first three chapters with the book proposal. If the agent and/or publisher like what they see, they’ll ask for more. Guaranteed they’ll make some recommendations on your content. Since this is to be my first published book, I decided to write the whole thing up front to see how it works. Whatever they don’t want in this book, I’ll save for the future.

“They” say you should have more than one major project going at a time. Which I do. I already have a publisher interested in another book: a seminary wants to publish my doctoral dissertation – as is – except that I’ll write a new introduction. I plan to finish the intro and send off the entire manuscript shortly. I’m also starting to write a narrative nonfiction on living for a decade in a city that grew up on our watch. There are several other book ideas brewing around in my head – all in various concept and research stages.

“They” say you need to set up a website and make your presence felt in other ways in magazines, journals and the internet. Working on all that, too. A local web/graphic designer, Jon Haarstad (jhaasdesign.com) is putting together my website, on which I’ll post this writing blog. And I’ve launched several other focus blogs including www.hnktrailhiker.blogspot.com on personal life and interests, www.hnkjourney.blogspot.com on issues of faith and action, and one on learning to live on the edge (when life pushes you to the brink) at www.squidoo.com/ontheedge. Plus the family and I are launching a commentary and review blog on books, movies, music, culture and society, and modern life at www.k6review.blogspot.com.

“They” say you should set daily goals of how many words you write, not how much time you spend writing. So on days when I am doing a rough draft, I set a goal of so many words – a goal “they” say is a good one. Amazing how that goal helps in overcoming writer’s block. The secret, “they” say, is not taking time to go back and correct or change – save that for later. Don’t interrupt your flow.

So who are the “they”? Well, “they” say you should keep your blog postings to about 500 words (I’m at 465 now), so we’ll save that answer for another day.