Five Years of Writing

It was exactly five years back that I started writing my first novel – on this day.

Since then, I have stuck to writing as one of my primary preoccupations, resulting in publishing many more books. That doesn’t necessarily qualify me for advising anyone on writing. But at the very least, it qualifies me on having something to write on writing and what I have learnt in the process.

So, with the rider that beware of free advice, here are my tips for anyone who wants to seriously take up writing based on my own experiences after five years of writing.

1. Keep Expectations Low: from your writing firstly, because you won’t be as good as you think, especially when you start. And from what writing will give you. From how many readers you will get, and how many books you will sell, or how famous you will become, and so on and so forth. Reduce expectations from external measures that often get talked about when it comes to writing.

2. Do It for the Joy: because that is the only thing that no one can take away. If writing gives you joy, then you will do it even if there is no reader. If you are in it for the name, fame and money, or even to make a serious living, you will stop after your second book.

3. Publishing is like Venture Capital: in the same way that they take a risk on the writer and his writing. So they spread their bets, and have a few sure shot ones that pay for the other bets. And much like VCs, they want a big return on the few that succeed, because otherwise, it is not worth their time and money. Keep this in mind if you think you need to wait for a publisher. You should be willing to write and take your work to market irrespective of the publisher. It is ridiculously easy to do it now.

4. Your Writing is Not for Everyone: so everyone is not going to like it. You should focus on finding your voice and getting better at putting it in words, and then uncovering who finds it interesting. It may be a small slice of the reader market. It may take time. But once you discover them, write only for them and for yourself. Others will soon realise that your writing is not for them.

5. Don’t Pay Anyone to Promote your Writing: It is not worth it. It won’t lead you anywhere except get validation from some sources who may not even be your readers. Better to save it and invest it in getting better at your craft. Or do your own selective marketing and promotion to the reader set you have discovered is interested in your writing. There is no point in promoting your book to someone not interested, and that is what someone you pay to promote will end up doing.

6. Book Stores won’t stock your book: because at best, running a bookstore is a lifestyle, hobbyist business with low return on investment. Readers are few, those visiting stores are fewer, and those buying anything other than bestsellers are fewest, and space costs money. Is it surprising that a bookstore owner won’t stock your book, even if you give it free?

7. Pay to Get Better at your craft: as that will ensure that your third or fourth book will be better than your first. This is one expense, either in the form of books, courses or coaches, that if spent well, will give returns throughout your writing life.

8. Editing and Book Covers matter: A good editor will add as much value to your book as yourself. And a good book designer will be worth every rupee spent. Cultivate a team of editors and book designers that work well with you. They are valuable if you want to provide a finished, professional piece of work to your readers.

9. Don’t quit your job: especially if you are under 40 and you need the money from writing. Writing will not cover your expenses in the initial years, and there is no guarantee it ever will. Unless you are financially independent, in the sense that your investments and any other sources of income cover your lifestyle, not making adequate money from writing will affect your writing itself.

10. Writing is still worth it: There is tremendous satisfaction in pursuing writing, especially if you keep in mind point 1 and 2 above. It is a source of joy and fulfilment to finish writing a book, and if you get readers, it is the icing on the cake. There are many reasons that make writing worth it. I have listed them in an earlier article.

If you are still here, and you still want to take up writing, no one can stop you. You are, probably, cut out to be a writer.

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