Staying True to Your Voice

I’m hardly a veteran in Romancelandia. In our patch of the publishing world, it’s not uncommon for an author to published 50, 100, 200+ books in their long and prolific careers. It’s not just the sheer volume of words they’ve written, but their ability to continue to find new readers and keep afloat in a constantly changing environment that I truly admire.

Since getting published in 2014, my career has encountered its share of turbulence. This year I hit a milestone of twenty books written across three publishers. In that time, I’ve written for five different category lines, worked with eight different editors and written books with word counts ranging from 30,000 to 95,000 words.

I have learned A LOT. And I have been asked to do a lot.

In that time I’ve been asked for : more sex scenes, less swearing, more tropes, higher concepts, something “sticky” (and no, that wasn’t related to the sex scenes). How about an accidental pregnancy story? Oooh, not another office romance. The book needs to be set in the USA. Actually, don’t set this book in the USA, set it somewhere else.

I asked myself a question that many career authors face: how I find the balance between telling my stories and staying relevant in an ever-changing market? (although, let’s be real, when I asked myself that question it was way less coherent and contained way more sobbing and expletives.)

One day I had a lightbulb moment. I will always make sure my books were the stories I wanted to tell because tropes and settings and heat-level don’t define the story, they’re simply the window dressing.

WHAT READERS LOOK FOR

Some months ago I asked my reader group on Facebook what they expect when they pick up a Stefanie London book. Not one of them said “I like Australian books” or “I like romantic comedy” or “I like fake engagement tropes.”

Instead, they told me that they loved how my characters always had great dialogue, that my stories often made them laugh, that they enjoyed how “real” my characters and their problems were even if the story had more of a fantastical setting or plot. They enjoyed that my books had great sexual tension, snappy banter and quippy one-liners. They enjoyed that I always gave them heartfelt HEAs and that I never left them disappointed with a cliffhanger.

I’d been doing something smart all along (although I can honestly say it wasn’t a conscious thing until more recently). I had cultivated an authentic voice that went beyond window-dressing.

I had written my books to suit the “reader promises” within each publishing house, and yet I had always given my readers a true Stefanie London story. A story that’s guaranteed to have humour mixed into the emotion, that’s going to have sizzling tension regardless of how the heat-level might fluctuate, that’s going to have characters who feel real and fleshed out. Everything else—the covers, the title, the tropes, the word count, the number of sex scenes—is simply a sandbox for me to play in.

CULTIVATING A VOICE

This isn’t something you can “learn” from a book or a blog post or a workshop. It takes time, practise, missteps. The more you write, the more your voice will develop. Each time you learn something new and apply it to your work, it will help shape your voice.

But there are a few questions you can ask yourself now that might help you figure out what kinds of stories you want to tell:

• What do I want my readers to feel when they read one of my books?

• What are the bits of the book I love writing most? How can I incorporate them strongly into each story?

• What themes are important to me? What message do I want my books to impart?

• Why do I write? How does that affect the stories I want to tell?

It’s a good idea to revisit these questions, too, as our writing evolves. And as we evolve.

I know a lot of people fling the advice of “staying true to yourself” around a lot. But it is true. Publishing will shift, lines come and go, editors change jobs, and genres fall in and out of favour.

But an author’s voice can rise above all that, and readers will still get the stories they love from you.

Refilling the Creative Well

There’s a shift that occurs when writing goes from being a hobby to being a potential career and source of income. The joy that comes from 'just writing' begins to be overshadowed by deadlines and revisions and submissions and rejections. It's hard to recapture that feeling from the early days when suddenly you MUST get 3,000 words done to meet your deadline.

Early on, when my only goal was to finish a manuscript, writing was my outlet. I’d settle down on the weekend with a cup of coffee and indulge in writing. It was the way I chose to spend my free time. My joyful "me time." It lifted my spirits, helped my creativity to come to life. It refilled my well.

Now, that’s certainly not to say that writing feels like a chore these day. It absolutely doesn’t! I truly love my job…but it is still a job. That means I view writing with a different lens now—there’s more pressure for speed, more self-criticism, more commercial thinking, and more focus on other activities around the book (like marketing, admin etc.) I can't sit down and write simply because I feel like it, anymore. I turn up to my desk every day like I would at any paying job.

And that glorious time I used to spend on the weekends never really got replaced with anything. For a long time, I found myself without something else to do in order to recharge creatively. So I kept writing, working all weekend (in addition to the workweek) only stopping for social occasions because I wasn't sure what else to do with myself if I had time to spare.

But this is a slippery slope to creative burnout. To be a writer you DO NOT have to write every day. In fact, sometimes the best thing you can do is take a day off.

Why is it important to recharge your creative mind?

Have you ever felt stuck on a project for no apparent reason? You have a solid plan, the characters are cooperating (for once!) and the words should be flowing freely…except they’re not. This can happen when you haven’t given your mind time to enjoy being creative without the pressure of a deadline/reviews/feedback etc. How do you feel when you create something simply for the sake of personal enjoyment where there’s no expectation of performance? It feels great. Freeing. Motivating. Insert your adjective here.

What can I do about it?

Allow yourself some time to indulge in a creative activity for your own enjoyment rather than feeling guilty about “stealing” time from your writing (I can’t be the only one who’s had that thought!) Of course schedules need to be balanced, but being a writer doesn’t mean you’ve given up any hope of having hobbies. Like anything, creative recharge requires you to make time rather than wait for it to happen…because we all know how that ends!

Not sure what to do to help yourself recharge? Here are a few ideas for things that might help you to gain that creative spark back…

·      Get visual: see a movie by a director you love, go to an art gallery to see the work from your favourite painter, or watch a play. Just because we work with words doesn’t mean we’re not stimulated by creative visuals.

·      Experience nature: I don’t know what it is precisely about being out in a park, but there is something utterly soul-soothing about it. Go for a walk at a pace that allows you to think. Or go to the beach and watch the waves roll in. If you're a more city type, go to your favourite part of the city and find a place to sit and observe. 

·      Make something: As writers, we love to create with words, but making something with your hands is a great way to engage your mind in a totally different way. Try knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, baking, or grab a colouring book and some pencils. The pleasure we get from seeing our efforts to fruition can be exactly the shot of motivation we need to tackle the next bit of our story.

·      Learn something: this is similar to the above. The satisfaction we get from mastering a new skill can be a great release for our minds. Plus, you never know when the knowledge you’ve picked up might make it into a story! If you don't want to commit to a full course in your new skill, there are plenty of options for workshops or single day/afternoon courses.

·      Have good conversation with loved ones: Phone that friend you haven't spoken to in a while, or take some time out with your partner to have a good yarn over a cup of coffee. Investing in relationships and quality conversation (as opposed to the usual surface stuff) can totally change your perspective on things and recharge you emotionally. Writing - as with so many creative pursuits - asks us to draw down on our mental and emotional reserves whenever we work on our stories, and spending quality time with loved ones is a great way to recharge.

·      Zone out: sometimes you just need to do nothing. Chill out with a book, play a video game, get out a deck of cards, have a long nap. If you're pushing yourself to work harder and faster, eventually you'll find your breaking point. I certainly did. Listen to your body. Sometimes all that's needed to recharge creatively, is simply to slow down for a bit. Ask for help, if you need it. Take a day off if you can. Hang up that "do not disturb" sign and be kind to yourself.

One of the best things you can do for your writing is to take care of yourself. Writing stories is a wonderful thing, but it can't be the top priority 100% of the time. Put yourself first, do something just for you and don't feel guilty about it. Happy creating!

What to Take to a Writing Conference

I've been to my share of conferences now and every single time I umm and ahh about what to pack. I'm also a reformed chronic over-packer (true story!) so I think long and hard every time I flip that suitcase or carry-on bag open. Packing isn't one-size-fits-all, but here are the things I take...and a few I don't.

THE NECESSITIES

• A suitcase/bag that isn't full to the brim on the way over: Here’s a little secret about conference…you get a lot of books! It's easy to get caught out not having the space to bring them home, and shipping can be pricey if you're travelling internationally.

• Comfortable shoes: I know, I love shoes. But I've made it my mission to find cute shoes that won't kill my feet, because life's too short for blisters. These are my personal conference go-to cute shoes. They give height, look pretty with all my dresses, and are easy to walk around in.

• Business Cards: I'll admit, I'm pretty terrible about handing mine out but if you happen to chat with someone while waiting in line for a drink and they ask you what your website is, people are more likely to hang onto a card than a scrap of paper.

• Water, headache remedy of choice, hydrating eye cream and a facial mist: This is my ‘anti-tired’ kit. By day three I want to crawl in bed and sleep off the exhaustion, but I also don’t want to miss out on the fun. The water can be bought at the hotel or in a nearby shop, but I HIGHLY recommend keeping hydrated. Hotels often have air conditioning running and it can make you feel really sluggish and headachy.

• Chargers for your phone/other devices: This seems like an obvious one, but put it on your list anyway.

• A printed copy of your schedule: I always have a spreadsheet printed out with my schedule in case my phone dies at an inopportune time. I don't always need it, but I know I'll be thankful that one time my phone fails me.

THE "GOOD TO HAVE"

• Writing implements: Whether you prefer pen and a notepad or a tablet/laptop, it’s good to have something to take notes on. This isn’t just for workshops but for any ideas that spring up thanks to all the additional creative energy you'll be experiencing, and to jot down the details of those you meet (in case they haven’t brought their business cards). I generally take a notepad and pen because I'm old-school like that.

• Camera: You don’t want to meet your favourite author only to realise you don’t have a camera with you! Phone cameras are totally fine.

• Something unique: I think it’s a great idea to have something unique with you that will stand out and make people remember you. It might be a flashy necklace, a cute headband or a stuffed llama (my personal item of choice!) Every little bit helps!

THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT WHETHER YOU NEED THESE ITEMS

In the interest of saving space (or weight) in your luggage, I'd think long and hard about whether you need the following:

• Books for authors to sign: I know, there’s a huge signing and your favourite author is going to be there. But books take up space and you’ll be bringing a lot home with you anyway. If any author is participating in a singing, they'll have books at their table. So do you really need the extra weight in your suitcase?

• Your manuscript: The rules for pitches (and general conference etiquette) is usually that you provide our manuscript electronically after the conference if (and only if!) you get a request. Check the conference website for guidelines, if you're unsure. Having printed copies of your work on hand won’t make your chances any better of getting a request and they’ll just take up extra space in your luggage.

• That tenth pair of shoes: Honestly, I put this in as a reminder for myself. I always have the "choose half" rule applied pair after I've picked out all the shoes I'd like to to take. Those ten pair of heeled pretties? Reduce by half...at least.

• Laptop: I've never worked at a conference. I know many writers do and if that works for you, awesome! Personally, conference is a time to mingle, attend workshops, make new acquaintances and foster existing relationships. I make it a rule not to hide away on my laptop, and that's very easily achieved by not bringing it with me. I keep a notepad and pen handy at all times, in case I have a sudden idea for something I'm working on or if I'm stuck at the airport and want to get some work done.

Waiting on a Submission?

Hard truth: the waiting doesn't stop after you get published.

When you’re waiting to hear back on a submission, it feels like time moves at a snails pace. Worse, even. What’s slower than a snail? That’s how badly the hours seem to drag.

The constant checking of your email, scrolling through your Twitter feed (just in case the editor your following/stalking-in-a-totally-non-creepy-way announces that they have a ‘special call’ to make), checking your phone for missed calls from New York numbers…

The only thing you can do is GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Trust me, your sanity will thank you. But in case you have no idea what to do next, here'd a handy to list to give you some inspiration.

1. Get working on SOMETHING ELSE. A new project is always a great distraction. Try planning out a new story or get back to one of those unfinished projects gathering dust on your hard drive.

2. Keep Writing. This might seem like the same as point one, but writing doesn’t have to mean working on projects for submission. I enjoy blogging and writing educational material, but you might want to dabble in a different medium like poetry, non fiction etc. Just keep those writerly muscles moving.

3. Pick up a book you’ve been dying to read. What's been on your TBR for so long you'd be embarrassed to tell a friend about it? Go and read it now.

4. Reconnect with the people you neglected while you were in writing cave. Remember those people whose faces fill your photographs…yeah? You should probably call them.

5. Get involved in the writing community. There are plenty of ways to do this, join a writer’s group, volunteer with your local writing organisation, find a critique partner or join a forum. If you’re going to wait, you may as well have company.

6. Do SOMETHING ELSE. When you’re stuck in the writing cave it can feel all consuming. Take some time to do something other than writing or editing. For me, it's sewing and playing boardgames with my husband. Try learning a new skill or exploring a different part of your city.

7. Support another author. There’s plenty of space for all of us in the writing world, so why not support an author you love by tweeting about their book? Or you could write a review on Amazon or Good Reads. What goes around comes around!

8. Prepare for “The Call”. Nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking right? Have you got a website, a social media presence, any of the things you’d like to have in place when an editor calls and says those magical four words “we want your book”? Maybe it’s my inner girl scout, but I’d like to be prepared…just in case.