7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Noelle Sterne

This is a recurring column called “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,”where writers (this installment written by nonfiction writer Noelle Sterne) at any stage of their career can talk about writing advice and instruction as well as how they possibly got their book agent -- by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning.

1. After all the time, send-outs, get-backs, and hard work, the ecstasy of acceptance is fabulous and tear-filled. Let yourself scream, cry, feel the nervous soaring rise in your chest. If you can share it with someone, all the better.

2. The ecstasy lasts 12½ minutes. Then the work begins.

3. As much as (you think) you’ve revised and refined the manuscript, it’s in our writer’s genes never to be satisfied. And maybe we shouldn’t be. When you review the manuscript yet again, make notes (I use the Word tracked-change tool) of what you want to change, add, delete.

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4. Give all editorial suggestions your close attention and ample, undisturbed stretches (remember your dominant revising gene). If you really can’t stand what an editor has recommended or dictated or you see something you’ve just got to fix, have the courage to communicate your own revisions. Even on a text or galley that looks “final.” The editor may groan from afar but will admire you for the time, effort, and attention you’ve taken to make the book better. Remember, the publisher benefits too.

And when they say “final,” don’t be scared. This term can change like cloud formations on a windy day. After my book was supposed to have gone to the printer (“final”), I found a terrible typo. I rushed an all-cap email to the editor. She quickly responded and said one of the copyeditors had also found a late-stage error and both would be corrected before the final really became final.

5. Nevertheless, at some point, you’ve got to let it go. We’ve all had the experience of reading a “finished” work and having to admit to ourselves it’s great. Then when we return to it, days or weeks later, we cringe. And want to dive in and tear it apart. As I extracted article material from my book, I saw with horror what I thought were awkward phrasings, overcuteness, obscureness, inconsistencies, gaps in transitions, no reasons at all for some of the text. I was ready to burn the pdf. But then I remembered that this was just my insecurity and the ol’ revising gene acting up. So, swallowing hard, I did what I advise you now: Let it go.

6. Once the manuscript really is done, much of your writing time may be (should be) taken up with developing your publicity and platform-building (you know—blogs, websites, ads, reviews, press releases, social media, articles, interviews, book tours). For most of us introverts who never have enough time just to write, the prospect of all this may sound uncomfortable, distasteful, or migraine-prompting. But accept the steps and give them your best. Your book’s success depends on them. You’ll stretch yourself, conquer a few fears, and maybe surprise yourself by almost getting to like the promotion process (it is writing too).

7. Despite this pep talk, keep filling the well, as Julia Cameron says. At least twice a week, give yourself uninterrupted time to write. Let it be something connected or unrelated to your present book. I’ve done drafts of spinoff essays, the opening of my sequel, a quirky short story that blossomed in the parking lot, a poem, and even a list of things I learned from publishing my first book...

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