No guts, no glory

My sister and I were talking about what it takes it get published these days. We talk about this alot, given the manuscripts we critique and the friends we try to advise.

Craft? Of course you need that. Although it's amazing how much folks think that isn't a given. (see previous post)

Perserverance? You betcha. (See Joe Konrath's blog for more on that)

Talent? Yes, I believe you need at least a dollup. Which is why some people, know matter how long or hard they try, will never get published. Sorry, but some of this is just in the genes, folks.

But Kelly and I also came to the conclusion that there is another ingredient -- courage. Which is not the same as perserverance. Some folks have great ideas but lack the courage to face the blank computer screen. Some start books but lack the guts to finish. And many -- oh, so many! -- lack the courage to then send their manuscript out into the world.

I try not to talk about rejection here too much. It can get depressing because no matter where you are on the publishing food chain, you face rejection. Looking for an agent brings you rejection. Then you get an agent and your book is rejected by editors. Then someone buys your book and the marketing department rejects it by deciding not to give it co-op support or a decent first printing. Then, Kirkus kicks you in the teeth. Then you sit at a card table at Borders surrounded by stacks of your book and no one stops. And finally, your book is in the stores but thousands of potential readers reject you and pick up the latest Patterson instead.

See what I mean? It never stops. Which is why you have to have courage. The courage to submit your book and get rejection letters. The courage to hand your book over to an editor and take criticism. The courage to soldier on in the face of astronomical odds, the courage to get back up when you've been knocked down by a bad review. The courage to be true to your style when you see the same old names on the bestseller lists. The courage to keep writing because it is what you do.

My sister loves to write song parodies. Here is her latest on Courage. Sing it to the tune of "If I Only Had a Heart." (From the Wizard of Oz). Maybe it can inspire you to keep going.

I could be a mystery writer,
If I only was a fighter
To get what I deserve.
I could write in any fashion
If I only had the passion
If I only had the nerve.

I could write a mystery story
It’ll be so good and gory
And better than Lehane.
It would be dark and scary
And very literary
If I only had a brain.

I'd write romance kind and gentle
And awful sentimental
With lots of sexy parts.
I could capture the devotion
And all the right emotion
If I only had a heart.

To write my book...to send it out and get a look
That is my dream...to see my work...on the big screen.

See, I have this great idea
About a mob-run pizzeria
It has lots of blood and gore.
But I’d sit at home all winter
And send it through my printer
And stick it in the drawer.

Yeah, it's good, but believe me, missy,
I was born to be a sissy,
Without the vim and verve.
But I could show my talent easy
If I wasn’t quite so queasy
And I only had the nerve.