'Splaining Part 2: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse

Picture with me, if you will, that you are a starry-eyed, first-time writer with an idea and a dream. Wouldn't it be lovely if the natural course of things for this scenario was that a publisher fell from the heavens--the instant characters began germinating in your writerly head--bearing unending praise at the mere mention of your totally-original-never-been-thought-of-by-anyone-else-in-the-world-so-everyone-has-to-love-it premise, before nary a word is typed, a brow furrowed, sweat poured, an ego bruised, or doubts raised?  Yes, it would indeed be lovely, but as Morrissey and the gang sang...

 

"YOU JUST HAVEN'T EARNED IT YET, BABY"

Seriously.  That's the stuff of dreams. It's the reality for those later into the game, who have a history with an agent and some street cred of published work(s).  It's not for now. SIGH.

The first-time fiction writer, contrary to the notion that so many outside of the field have (and, truthfully, contrary to what some making their first go of things think), has to write THE ENTIRE story, first and foremost.  First-time fiction writers don't get to throw out an incomplete idea and find love and a sealed deal, so there's no way to answer the question that arises each step of the way, from the forty-fifth word on page one to the last word before "The End"--the initial scary part outside of the warm, safe, solitary writing bubble:

"Who's going to publish it?"

I have to admit, the first time I was asked that question, though I knew the short, truthful answer (IDK, yet), I found myself wanting to dodge it and defend the baby I was growing and nurturing.  The person asking the question asked out of innocent curiosity, probably with no suspicion or doubt in my ability, trying to show interest in what I was doing.  After connecting with many first-timers, I now know that I wasn't--and am not-- the only writer with a tiny, nagging inner-voice that wonders if all the hours, all the crazy immersion in a made-up world, all the conversations with fictional characters, is all for naught.  It's a voice that, despite my now-thick skin, sometimes tries to convince me that my manuscript will never sell (and, hey, some don't find publication until the second, third, or never, let's be real).  Or worse, that it will sell and the next will fall terribly flat, leaving me a charred remnant of a one-hit wonder.  Sometimes that voice screams.  Sometimes that voice makes that innocent question of who my publisher will be sting a little more than other times.  And there is danger in that, because if the possibilities are dwelt upon, the beauty of the now is lost.  Joy and excitement is soured a bit if we worry about what others think of our process, if we worry about the what-ifs (this applies to a lot more things than just writing).  To be able to pick up a pen (or bang out words on a netbook) and string words and worlds is gorgeous!  It's awesome!  And, for someone whose sole dream has always been to be a writer, if it's done the right way--as in full, conscious immersion in the process (which doesn't guarantee perfection, but definitely fulfillment)--it's perfect Zen. 

Epicurus once said, "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."    

Write.  Write well.  Revise.  Revise well.  Now is the time to stay in the moment and revel in realizing a dream.  It'll soon enough be time to worry about the nuances of publication AFTER the story has told itself--there's plenty of time for the next long, sometimes frustrating, ego-blowing ride; yes, there's plenty of time to have to resist the urge to run screaming to the closet to ball up in a fetal position ;)  (Also plenty of time to build the anticipation of the deliciousness of the request for more--and it is sublime, let me tell you). 

Next up, query letters, synopses, elevator pitches, and agents.  Oh my.

See also: I've Got Some 'Splaining to Do, 'Splaining Part 3: Here's What's Taking So Long.  I'm Not a Slacker...Stop Laughing., 'Splaining Part 4: This Is It.