I meet a lot of gifted writers in my travels as I speak and teach at quality writers conferences from east to west (not to mention north and south, though I just did mention it, so I’ve already lowered my grade on this homework assignment. You didn’t know Steve Laube—He Who Must Be Obeyed—assigns homework? Psssht. Don’t be naïve.)
Anyhoo (more points off for the slang, doggone it), I often find myself saying the same thing to many of those fine writers: “Don’t quit your day job,” “Buy my books,” and “Stop saying ‘begs the question’ when you mean ‘prompts the question’!” And also this: “The problem with being multitalented is that you can do any number of things well.”
Does that not sound like a problem to you? Well, in writing for publication, it can be. Just because you can do many things doesn’t mean you should. Especially when it comes to pitching your work to an agent or editor.
Yes, you can write both nonfiction and fiction. Or both political thrillers and historical fiction. Or devotionals and personal finance.
But as I often explain to aspiring writers, “Let’s say an editor likes your idea for, say, a devotional but in your proposal you also mention that you have a completed novel available. That editor might wonder, ‘Well, now wait a minute. If I take the risk of committing our publishing resources to this person’s nonfiction book, will she go off and write novels instead of sending me a perfect follow-up to this? Is she a devotional writer or a novelist? Does she even know who she is?’”
Yes, I know many of us think in terms of I’ll do either! Just give me my big break and that’s who I’ll be!
But a novelist’s brand is usually not a nonfiction author’s brand. And all the work you’ve put into building, say, an outstanding platform for a nonfiction writer won’t easily transfer to a great platform for a novelist. Or vice versa.
I also know this is frustrating for a multitalented writer. Like me. I’ve had some success in many different genres as an author of 50+ books (thanks to my great agent, who I’m required to credit for all of my publishing success … or I’ll get even more homework).
But Christian publishing has never been more competitive, and publishing a debut book in any genre is such a challenge that both editors and agents (because as agents we take our cue from editors, who are really smart people, which I’m also required to say) often advise, “Pick a lane.” That means to become an expert in your genre and keep at it, month after month, year after year, book after bestselling book.
When you’re famous, of course, then everyone will want to buy your every thought, every word, even your cookbook. Maybe.
But until then, the multitalented writer will probably do best to focus in an area of great passion and skill and show a pattern of producing irresistible content in that area.
And one more thing: “Buy my books.”
Pick a lane, just pick a lane,
choose your lane and stay right there
even if your heart and brain
want to cry, “It’s just not fair!
Why should I have boundaries
when my talent’s limitless?”
Friend, multitasking’s a disease
that will serve to make a mess
of the path you want to take
(can’t walk on two roads at once!).
Don’t be a scatterbrained mistake,
wearing the cone-shaped hat proclaiming “Dunce!”
Just pick the passion you love well
and let it be the tale you tell.
Interesting. Hadn’t thought about that in terms of non-fiction. With fiction, it’s natural to think of having multiple books in the pipeline. I guess in my mind, I wasn’t thinking that if you write a non-fiction book, you’re going to be doing more than one. Although I’m not necessarily thinking of only Christian subject matter. More along the lines of if you’re writing a health and wellness book, for example, how likely are you going to be to need to publish an additional title? Maybe it happens far more often than I realize.
Thanks, Bob, I always enjoy my posts! Your self- depriction softens the edges of your sarcasm enough to be inspiring instead of condescending. Thanks for provoking me to a better branding mindset! 🙂
What’s hard about this is that women are wired to multi-task. Especially those women who are wives and mothers. We multi-task pretty much every waking moment. I understand why authors need to pick one thing, stick with it, and get known. I really do get it. But it’s not easy for us natural multi-taskers.
I’m a children’s author, so what helps me is that I can write picture books, chapter books, middle grade, or YA and still stay in my lane. And I have no desire to leave it, so I can “multi-task” to my heart’s content in my writing.
Although, I have sold daily devos to The Secret Place and some anthologies. But I didn’t need an agent for that, and it kept me writing when I wanted to give up. So, there’s that. 🙂
Why not set your political thrillers in the past and enjoy the best of both genres? But maybe that degree of freedom only belongs to indies like me. Or award-winning and bestselling authors like Roseanna White who writes both great historical romance and fantasy.
But the success of my Roman novels has done nothing to boost my traditionally published semiconductor fabrication book, so diversification probably doesn’t help.
Bob:
For years, responding to rejection letters from acquisition editors–even long-time friends–I would sincerely thank them for “taking a look.” But then I’d follow up with the phrase, “BTW, if you find yourself kicking around an idea in pub board and need a writer, please think of me. I can write anything.”
I’ve actually landed two (maybe three) book deals with that strategy. Still your point is well taken.
From now on, I’ll focus solely on my single genre of writing strength. Can you help me identify what that is?
/jay
Bob,
Interesting timing, this story.
I am working with Barnes and Noble to publish a military/international thriller with an Alaskan native as the protagonist.
Yesterday I submitted a historical fiction about Cornelius from Act 10 to Steve Laube.
I thought I was strange working two different genres. You do give good advice about picking a lane. While work through this process I will wait and see which lane the “great traffic director” will send me down.
Bob, I have written five novels that were part of a series. When I switched over to write a Hallmark Love Story book,, my readers asked, “But what’s going to happen to the Prescott family if you switch to romance novels?” I took the hint and switched back. Gotta keep the folks happy and do one thing well rather that multiple things poorly.