Dan Balow has been posting a series of blogs on different types of writers. I’ve been reading the posts with great interest, and I wanted to add one other type of writer I’ve come across:
The writer who doesn’t know what he/she doesn’t know.
I’ve been going to conferences and attending or speaking to writers groups now for over fifteen years. At these conferences, we have these things called 15-minute appointments. As an author, I often meet with those who enjoy my stories and want to write in the same genre or for my publisher. They’re there for some mentoring, advice, or they just want to pick my brain as to how to get a foot in the “traditionally published writer” door. These writers are the ones doing the work. They’re attending conferences for the right reasons; working hard on the craft; putting themselves out there; and quite possibly crying over rejection letters, then pulling themselves back up to try again. And then there are writers like this one:
A young woman sat across from me, pushed her one-sheet and first chapter across the table, and asked why she kept getting rejection letters.
I took a look. Her one-sheet was lovely without a typo to be found. She had a great story premise; but by the end of the first paragraph in her opening chapter scene, I could tell right away why she wasn’t getting any nibbles on her story.
She needed a lot of work on her writing craft.
Rather than say that, I asked her a variety of questions.
Me: “How long have you been writing?”
Her: “All my life.”
Okay.
Me: “How many conferences have you attended?”
Her: “Well, this is the first one. I don’t want to waste my money on these things; but this one was within driving distance and with agents and editors here, I figured I’d give it a shot.”
Oh my.
Me: “What classes have you taken so far at this one?”
Her: “None. There are agents and editors here. Why would I waste my time on classes?”
Me: “So, what effort have you put into learning the craft?”
Her: “Honey, I’ve been writing and telling stories all my life. I don’t need any classes for that. I just don’t understand why these people can’t see that!”
How do I answer that?
Me: “I’m not an agent or an editor. What do you think I can do for you?”
Her: “Introduce me to agents and editors.”
Aha!
She and I talked a little more before time ran out. While I did my best not to hurt her feelings, I was honest with her about her need to improve in the area of craft. I’m not sure she agreed, but I may have convinced her she should go to a few classes just to be sure she didn’t need to learn a few things.
Just in case you’re wondering, no, I didn’t introduce her to any agents or editors; but the encounter really made me think. Sometimes people just don’t know what they don’t know—especially if they live in an area where there aren’t many opportunities to gather with authors further along in the publishing journey than they are. As a result, they don’t realize there’s an art to crafting a story. It’s harder than it looks! And this goes for nonfiction writers too. Nonfiction writers often use stories to illustrate their points, and those stories still have to be well-written, following the rules of what constitutes good fiction writing. Honestly, with the Internet and online classes, conferences, etc., there really isn’t an excuse anymore as to why one can’t learn to write well. Access to good teaching is so much more available these days.
It is quite exciting what Steve Laube has put together over at The Christian Writers Institute. With inexpensive instruction available at one’s fingertips, there really isn’t an excuse for not trying to learn.
On that note, over the next few posts, I will be talking about some basic craft elements that writers (fiction and nonfiction) need to master when it comes to writing a story that stands a chance of capturing interest from an agent or an editor. And hope those who think they don’t need to study the craft because they’ve been “writing all my life” will have their eyes opened to the wonderful world of learning how to craft a story worthy of a reader’s time.
Where Do I Even Start?
Lynette, did that 15-minute actually happen? If so, most of us shouldn’t be so nervous about our upcoming appointments!
It really did happen. And no, no need to be nervous at all!
Thank you, Lynette! This was timely and helpful—mostly because about 2 years ago that arrogant person could have been me! After 25+ years writing in the marketing and advertising field, I was confident I knew how to craft a story. How hard can it be? I’ve been reading books and writing stuff my whole life! Well, the Lord in His mercy knocked me off that high horse, and now I am scrambling to gather all the knowledge I can, and that includes coming to the WTP Conference in two weeks at Wheaton College. I’m going to be doing my best to breathe in the writerly atmosphere, take mad notes, and sit happily at the feet of the experts, so one day I might have work worthy of being published that will glorify Him, not my ego.
Love this. God is so merciful in continuing to teach us, isn’t he?
Congratulations on your new position. You will be a phenomenal agent.
I sat across the table from a person like this. It’s very sad. Thank you for sharing this important topic.
The first class I took at my first conference with Cec Murphy, Dancing with Dialog. When he said he is always learning, I took note.
I look forward to seeing you and giving you a hug, my friend.
Thank you for your kind words. Look forward to seeing you too!!
In college I took writing classes
mainly so I could meet girls,
but all of them wore dorky glasses
and they had peroxide curls.
Never went unto a conference,
and no crit group, thanks, for me.
They would have made no difference,
and bored me off my tree,
for really I am not a writer,
just wanted lots of cash and fame
to make life’s load a little lighter,
and it always was, to me, a game,
but the one thing on which I ain’t clear
is just what am I doing here?
Lol!!
Thank you for your much-needed post, Lynette. It reminded me of an incident at a writers’ conference I attended years ago. In one of the workshops given by an editor, he told of a writer who approached him with a poem she had written.
“Sir, i think you should publish my poem in your magazine.” An arrogant smile crossed her face. “I got it verbatim from God himself.”
The editor read through the poem and then looked her in the eye. “Ma’am, if God gave you this poem verbatim, then his writing has certainly deteriorated since he wrote the Psalms.”
I never forgot that story. It put the fear of the Lord in me to do all I can to learn the art and craft of writing fiction.
🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Lynette! Having sat in many of your classes at Blue Ridge, I can vouch for your tact and compassion in working with beginning writers. I’ve never had an appointment with you but your Red Pen Alliance class was huge in helping me “know what I didn’t know.” I keep that notebook and the resources you shared handy while I’m editing and revising. I can only imagine what the first agent I met with thought of all the things I didn’t know. But one thing I have always tried to make sure I “know,” is that I listen to what they are telling me without arguing or defending. I can disagree with them later all by myself, but when I have the time and experience of an advanced author or agent, I’m listening! Congratulations on your new position with this agency. What a continued blessing you are to the writing community.
Thank you for your insight!
I had shades of that writer in me at my first conference. I’d written stories since I was 11 years old; I had a BSJ in Journalism. Woo-hoo! I was ready to roll. Then I met an agent who didn’t try to be nice or diplomatic. He cut me off mid-sentence and told me my work wasn’t for him, dismissing me without even making eye contact. Crashing and burning was 180 degrees from where I thought I’d be during that conference. I cried so hard and so long that I missed the next class. But even in my shame, God sent me a wonderful woman who took me outside and prayed with me. She has become a good friend over the years.
Later I met Francine Rivers at a writer’s conference. She was not a teacher or even a keynote speaker. I asked her why she was there. Since she’d “made it” as a writer, she certainly didn’t need to be there. She replied, “I find it’s always good to attend a conference, even now. There’s always something to be learned.” What a wonderful model of Christian humility! I’ve tried to adopt that attitude ever since.
As always, Lynette, you’re spot on! And it’s so wonderful when you share your wisdom. I, too, am reminded of an ACFW conference where Steven James was presenting and Frank Peretti was in the front row taking notes.
We are always learning.
Blessings, m’friend.
Thank you, Lynette. Such an important reminder that we all need to study our craft and be humble enough to know there’s always more to learn.
I also spotted Francine Rivers at a conference. Although I didn’t talk to her, one of the other attendees said she was there to learn. What a beautiful example for us all.
Lynette, you are a true diplomat!
I always encourage aspiring writers to attend a writer’s conference. I tell them it will change their lives. Thanks for sharing.
As a writer of nonfiction, I look forward to your insights on crafting story. I admire the gift of fiction writers.
Looking forward to your next blogs here!
This is so true. We really don’t know what we don’t know. But if we have humility and a teachable spirit, we can improve. Thanks for the excellent post.
I had kids like this in my classes (art)–and they had a hard time with pride. I would rather not have that–and be thrilled when I learn something new! Thank you, Lynette!