Being single is like being an aspiring author. My first book just came out three weeks ago (so officially, I'm no longer "aspiring"), and although I'm still basking in the glow, the question I've been getting several times a day is, "When does your next book come out?" On the one hand, this question causes me great joy, because hey, I'm an author now! People are asking for my next book! But at the same time, it causes me great anxiety, because holy shit, I'm an author now! People are asking for my next book!
Writing a second book is nothing like writing the first. The first was all about me. Nobody was asking for it. I didn't have an agent. I didn't have a publisher. I didn't have a deadline. The only thing I had was a story I desperately wanted to write, and so I wrote it, for myself, exactly the way I wanted to. And lo and behold, it got published! There is no prouder feeling than seeing that book on shelves, because succeed or fail, that book is the best book I could have written at the time.
With book two, there is a contract. The contract is for a book I haven't finished yet. I do have a deadline, and now there are all kinds of expectations. It needs to be like CREEP, but better. It needs to be like CREEP, but unique in its own way. It needs to be like CREEP, without being CREEP. Which is hard to do, because I'm in a different place now. I'm no longer writing for an audience of one. I'm no longer writing from a place of desperation. I'm writing from a place of expectation, and that's an entirely different kind of inspiration, because now I have readers, and they want more.
As writers, we have to get used to this, especially if we want a career. As soon as one book comes out, there will be pressure to produce another. And another. And if you're a thriller writer like me, that pressure means a book every year, lest you risk losing your audience. That's the job I signed up for. Rather happily, I might add. Expectations are not a bad thing. On the contrary, it means people are interested, and that's a good thing.
But I can't pretend there aren't days when I still wish I was single.
* * *
All pressure does is give you a headache. I say still write for you...but don't forget your deadline. ; )
ReplyDeleteThe questions never STOP! It's funny to know that no matter what stage of life you're in the questions always come up.
ReplyDeleteWhen my hubby and I got married I was twenty-one. People thought that was young and said "So when are you expecting?" OR "Are you sure he's the one?"
Now they're really asking when we're expecting. Lately with the writing I'm still working on revisions and people now know the book isn't it out but when I tell them about the new writing gigs they all ask "So how much do you make?"
Isn't it rude to ask how much someone makes in an office? Then why do they think it's okay for writing....
Uh, as a single person should I be offended people aren't asking me if I'm seeing anyone? I truly hate how much time I waste thinking about the fact that I'm failing to live up to people's expectations. If I could bundle all that energy into something productive I might not actually be such a societal disappointment! I hope the support of your agent and editor helps relieve some of the stress that comes with these new expectations.
ReplyDelete...It needs to be like CREEP, but better. It needs to be like CREEP, but unique in its own way. It needs to be like CREEP, without being CREEP.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of those pitch sessions in the movie, The Player:
So it's a psychic, political, thriller comedy with a heart.
With a heart, not unlike Ghost meets Manchurian Candidate.
You can do that, right?
I wish I had something inspirational to say. Since I don't, the best I can do is...
ReplyDelete:hugs:
You can still be aspiring. As in the aspiring best seller author. I have no idea what comes after that. Aspiring best selling author with a movie deal? Aspiring best selling author with a movie deal who's the richest woman in the US? (because the richer than the queen title has been taken)
ReplyDeleteWow, it really doesn't end, does it?
Love this post, Jen - so personal to writing and heck LIFE. People will always have questions, no doubt about it. I have head that writing the second novel is harder than doing the first because there are EXPECTATIONS. For this reason I've started my second novel (even though I don't have an agent yet)So far I've written almost 40,000 words.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason I'm being very focused with it is because I'd rather have it done and out of eh way when I get my agent and book contract. That way it will be done and I can concentrate on my third and fourth. Another reason I'm striving to get it done is because I want to get i the habit of being a WRITER WHO WRITES :o)
I truly believe that if I can finish this novel while the first one is in the works of being published it'll take the stress off.
Oooo...I know the answer to "are you seeing anyone?" I always say "my cat." It gets weird looks, but sometimes they leave you alone after that.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the pressure to write on demand. Well, I can, but I haven't actually experienced it yet for the most part.
But being in demand is a good thing. I think it would be worse to have book one out and no one asking about book two. It means we love your book and want to see more. :)
Even better--Are you seeing anyone? Myself.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm hoping I've earned good karma by cutting bands like Marcy Playground and Our Lady Peace some slack when people gave them hard time for either changing too much or not changing enough between albums. 'Cause I don't even have a single book published yet, and I can already sense that pressure down the road.
ReplyDelete#neurotic
What a great post! So true. I read all kinds of blogs from published writers who warn us unpublished writers over and over again about getting to the contract part where all of a sudden you've got deadlines and you have to produce on command but this is the best-written and most articulate post about that I've read yet! Because you're right, most of us write that first book for ourselves and that is a very unique experience. I can't relate to the being single analogy but I can definitely relate to the "when are you going to have another kid?" analogy. I always want to say, "Why? What's wrong with the kid I already made?" LOL. It is funny though that the human race aspires to one thing and as soon as we get there, there are new expectations and aspirations, new questions. It's always, well what are you going to do next? All I can say is that Creep was great and I'm sure that whatever you come up with next will be even better in its own way!
ReplyDeleteI'm a slowish writer so that is something I worry about -- you know, if I ever get published. Hang in there, and write with your toes on the edge. Couldn't resist. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is just the dose of reality we struggling writers need to read. Is it still a hobby for us? Or do we see this writing thing as a potential career?
ReplyDeleteOh, man! You totally just said everything I'm feeling. The stress really is like being inside a pressure cooker! Deadlines freak me out, so I've been busting ass trying to stay ahead so I won't fall behind. But you'll do great! Remember, they didn't just buy the book. They bought your writing! No matter what you produce, people will love it.
ReplyDeleteI think Oliver Wendell Holmes said it perfectly when he wrote:
ReplyDeleteBuild thee more stately mansions, O my soul
As the swift seasons roll! ...
Let each new temple, nobler than the last
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast.
Or, as one of my best friends loves to say, there's always a new zoo to tame. But what a life!
The dream is now the reality and the job at the same time. That means you did it, but you need something else to dream about, hopefully within the range of literary publishing. When my gym made it in the world of martial arts, managing the sport Vs business aspects was the most difficult thing. I'm not where you are yet, but I can appreciate the difficulty. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know how I feel about the pressure on single people, and this sounds like a great analogy. Kind of makes me wonder if I still want to do that whole author thing. Because I already get enough questions...
ReplyDeleteOnly kidding. Of COURSE I want to be an author. And then I can tell people I'm married to my work. :-)
Love this post and the comparison to being single.lol It's all about the commitment now, baby.
ReplyDeleteEveryone says writing the second book is the hardest and part of that is the pressure of what is expected.
There will always be days when we stare at a blank page and wish for the freedom from deadlines just like there will be days we stare at our husbands and wish they looked more like Bradley Cooper.
But it's not what we really want.
I've heard it said that one's sophomore novel can be a make-or-break effort during a writer's career. I can only imagine how hard it must be, trying to promote the existing novel while digging into the second. (I stress here, I can only imagine.)
ReplyDeleteJenny, you are an exception. Trust me. Your voice transcends all else. The proof lies in those who have read your words and will buy anything you write. (I stress here, umm, me.)
What's that one word we've talked about? Oh, yeah. RELAX.
Let the words flow. They will come, and you'll do fine. Don't succomb to any pressure you might feel. You cleared the first hurdle, time for the second.
Good luck! It sounds from previous entries like you've already done some significant (and interesting) research for your next project. Sounds intriguing! At least you have all the experience you gained in writing your first book to help make the second time around a little easier. (yes? no? I have no idea.) Anyway... you'll be great! I know how paralyzing pressure can be, but you will overcome and it will be great!
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, Jennifer! Aspiring authors also get an incessant question: When is your book getting published? (To which, after so many explanations of how the publishing industry works, we just answer with a sigh.)
ReplyDeleteBut the good thing about the second book is that even though you're not writing for one anymore, you're writing with experience and more skill, so it may come out easier than your first baby did :) (look at the positive side!)
Best of luck with your next project!
Lorena
PS. Anyone looking for an agent: Q&A with Agent Elizabeth Kracht of Kimberley Cameron & Associates at Sisterhood Blog on Fri July 29th.
http://divinesecretsofthewritingsisterhood.blogspot.com/2011/07/interview-with-agent-elizabeth-kracht.html
Come visit us if you get a chance!
This is a great, honest post - so many people don't talk about what it's like after being published. Sometimes I think a heads-up is necessary. :)
ReplyDeleteIt never ends. That pressure never goes away, it just shifts! Luckily, I thrive on pressure. I used to put that on my resume out of college. Congrats on no longer being single! ;-) I can't imagine how much the pressure is ratcheted up now, but I know you can handle it!! Like a pro!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jennie when she says it never ends. They will always want a new work from you because you write so well. The upside is that you write so well. :) You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that it's weird posting stuff like this because I feel like I'm straddling the line between honesty and oversharing. But I have this need to chronicle my journey and I don't want to sugarcoat what the experience is really like. It's equal parts fabulous and stressful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, everyone!
Creep was awesome I am sure your next one will be super awesome. My question is.... will Morris be in the next one? Cause you know I love him.
ReplyDeleteI also love that you are so honest in your sharing with us. Thanks. Just wanted to let you know I did a blog post about Creep this week. And my sister asked me if she could borrow my copy of Creep but I told her to buy her own copy...she is so cheap.
I LOVED this post! I've always wondered about the pressure authors must feel when working on the second book. It seems like there would be a lot of pressure, but at the same time you've probably learned so much from your agent and editor that your writing has probably already improved. Good luck! And, no, I don't think you're oversharing at all. I love posts like this, ones that make the author's journey come alive.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered two writers who have been publishing for over 15 years. I started reading their most recent titles and have been slowly working my way back in time. Well, it was those most recent titles that made me fall in love with them as writers, but the farther back I go, the less I like their writing. Not that I don't like it, it's just that they've gotten better over time.
ReplyDeleteThis tells me that writers improve with each subsequent book. It's bound to happen. You know the rules now, how to start out, how to progress, how to pace and tease. You're simply better at what you do the longer you do it.
So I have no doubts whatsoever that your next novel will be as good as Creep. In fact, I'm absolutely sure it will be even better. Your skills are sharper now.
But no matter the new pressures or expectations, ultimately, you're still writing for yourself. You are the first one who has to like it, the first one to get carried away.
So keep writing for yourself. It obviously works for you. And for everybody else, too.
Jennifer, I'm sure the pressure is enormous. Just do the best you can, and try to find a witty answer. Or at least an answer you can live with.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I loved Bridget Jones's Diary. If you're single, when will you date. When you date, when will you get engaged. When you're engaged, when will you marry. When you marry, when will you have kids. When you have kids they finally leave you alone.
People always ask me why I don't have an agent or a full-time teaching job. I wanna say, "Because I'm the biggest loser on the planet." That would probably stop the question.
Keep basking in your Creep glow. Can't wait for my copy!
Yeah, the pressure never ends. Boo.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure you'll handle it awesomely! <3
I remember an interview Rowling once gave, where she talked about that. When she was writing the 6th and 7th book. She said the pressure was too much. From publishers, readers all over the world, her agent, etc!
I have complete faith that your next book will be fantastic. (No pressure or anything!) I'm about 70 pages into CREEP and LOVING IT! Ethan is sooo creepy and it's amazing.
ReplyDelete