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| Melinda Viergever Inman |
Everything
Changes After Publication
Published authors advise new writers to enjoy the
pre-publication stage of their writing journey. We tell them to write as many
stories as possible while waiting and querying, so they have a pile of
manuscripts awaiting their editing when the day arrives.
Why? Because life changes drastically after publication.
There is marketing to do, a business to run as a writer, a blog to feed with
constant content, a platform to maintain, and preparation of the subsequent
novels. Time commitments alter.
After publication, writing is no longer the most
time-consuming activity. That seems ludicrous, doesn’t it? The life of a
published author today is not what we imagined.
The dynamics of indie publishing and the demise of a large
portion of the Christian writing industry have demolished those expectations
while at the same time opening many more doors. After publication, the majority
of us can’t hide in our writing caves, basking in tranquility as we create more
stories. We don’t have the leisure of turning over the publishing process and the marketing to a publisher. Few
writers do.
One published author I met recently plotted her schedule.
One-third of her work time was spent writing and the other two-thirds expended
on her platform, blogging, and the marketing work that supports her writing. I
realized this had become my life as well.
This is not what I wanted. I toyed with the idea of giving
up.
Like you, I must keep my eyes on Jesus. He has given us
stories to tell. He knew what that would require, even if we did not. We endure
the hardships, so we can illustrate truth about the Lord in the most powerful
way possible, through stories, exactly as Jesus did with His parables. This is
why we keep pressing on.
But be forewarned. The reality of this feels different than
the expectation of it.
We are pushed into arenas most of us never wanted to
explore. We have to learn the necessary business, marketing, and tech skills,
if we want our stories to find their market. Now, before publication, is the
time to take those courses at the writers’ conference, to sign up for that
how-to podcast, and to participate in those webinars.
There’s another surprise that comes after publication. Our
relationship with our stories changes. I love my characters. Writing them,
cavorting with them in our imaginary world, experiencing their emotions as I
write from their points of view, anticipating their actions and thoughts in
each situation—all of this ends.
After publication the story is no longer organic. It’s alive
to your readers, but it’s stationary and unmoving for you. Your readers long
for the story to continue, but when it’s in print, it no longer involves your
imagination but theirs. You have left the building, leaving your characters in
their 6” x 9” box called a book. Your relationship is reduced to parental
nostalgia about how you used to play with them in your imagination.
But, have no fear, you’ll be spending your time with new
characters, so you’ll hardly have time to miss your first imaginary friends.
For now, enjoy where you are, bask in the presence of your characters before
they’re set in stone, linger with them in obscurity, and be patient with the
process. While you’re awaiting publication, establish your quirky and unique
voice. Talk and write about your baby novels.
There’s a time for every purpose under heaven. This is the
time to soak in the quiet and to listen carefully to the Lord’s direction for
your ministry of the written word, so that when it gets noisy and busy, you
will remember where you're going and why you’re following the Master Author,
the One who gives you these stories. He directs your journey.
Love
takes action: The Creator God establishes the cosmos and shapes a man. Adam
rises from the dust. Envious, the powerful angel Lucifer despises him.
Oblivious to the threat, Adam is captivated by his strong, intuitive wife Eve.
In the Garden of Eden, they enjoy abundant food, gorgeous vistas, and
intriguing challenges, including their budding love and passion. They have it
all!
But
Lucifer’s deceptive brilliance tricks them into disobeying God. They eat the
one forbidden fruit. Their innocence is shattered. Their unity with one another
and with God is destroyed. Death will follow. Lucifer’s jealousy threatens
mankind’s tenuous beginning. But God is merciful. What astonishing promise does
He make? How will Adam and Eve survive—broken, shattered, and separated from God?
Melinda Viergever Inman was
raised in a storytelling family. There her roots were sunk. During years of
relocation, tragedy struck. Wounded and heartbroken, Melinda forsook her roots
and ran from herself and from God. A journey of trial and heartache brought her
home again. A prodigal now returned, she writes with passion, illustrating
God's love for wounded people as He makes beauty from ashes. Fallen is her second novel; Refuge, the sequel, is her first.
Melinda shepherds women in prison ministry and writes inspirational material at
http://melindainman.com/blog/. With her family she is involved with Mission
India/RIMI, rescuing orphans and providing theological and job training for
impoverished students.
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