This sounds very similar to what happened to me when I first tried serialising a story. Until then I'd always struggled to complete projects, either getting stuck or drifting away. As soon as I started putting chapters up online, I was compelled to keep coming back. The idea that there was a reader out there flicked a switch in my brain - much like how your editor kept you going.
Keeping manuscripts hidden away for years clearly works for lots of writers, but I never really progressed properly with my writing until I started opening up to people, sharing the process and the work.
The idea of community is so vital to me. I love the Substack/newsletter space for that, and how it's afforded me the pleasure of getting to know people like yourself, Eleanor Anstruther, John Ward, David and so many others. Those connections feel properly meaningful.
I'm hoping to have more time to work with other people in 2025. Can't wait to hear more about your collaboration with the illustrator. That sounds VERY exciting.
You came to mind, Simon, when I was writing that about sharing with my editor. I know how motivating it's been for you knowing your readers are there waiting for your story. I absolutely understand that now. I don't fully know why I felt the need to keep things hidden away - fear of failure, more than anything. But the irony is, the more public you are about failure, the more it seems to lose it's sting. It becomes just a natural part of the process. Hence I don't mind talking about my new project - who knows what will happen with it, but I'm going to enjoy sharing the process no matter what!
I think hiding things away is also considered the norm, at least for novel writers. That’s what is expected. At least, that’s the impression I always got, which is why I also went down that route for years and years.
Proper authors don’t talk about their books. Polite society does not talk about a book until it is traditionally published and on a bookshelf in a reputable bookshop, don’t you know.
So glad I accidentally stumbled away from that approach!
I hadn't even thought of it like that. I presumed my instinct to hide was mostly a result of messages I'd absorbed at school: you'd better perform perfectly or you're not worth bothering with. Or societal messages more generally: only the best need apply. But you're right, there's also the specific snobbery of the writing world. Who do we think we are, sharing our stories?!
Same here, Jacqueline: it looks easy for other people! I suppose that's a part of the fallacy too: we look at other people's finished work and put it down to natural genius. We're mostly unaware of all their hard work, and also all the people who helped them along the way. Thanks for your encouragement about the new project. It already feels good to be hatching a plan with somebody else!
Great quote. I remember reading once 'a lone wolf is a sick wolf' but I can't remember where it came from! The ghostwriting project was one of the most interesting but also the strangest and most frustrating pieces of work I've ever done. There are NDAs involved so I have to be a bit careful with detail, but when I've worked out how much I can safely share I'll hopefully write a fuller article about it. The whole experience was eye-opening!
Thanks so much for the shoutout, T.K.! I have so many of your newsletters queued up in my inbox to read properly and comment on later...one more week till school term finishes! I can kid myself that I'll have time after that! I did read this one all the way through though ;) Reminds me of Stephen King saying in ON WRITING, which I finally read this year, 'Draft with the door shut, edit with the door open'. I try to stick to that mantra now and it's helping me! If someone sees and comments on first draft WIP (like your editor *didn't* by the sound of it) I'm liable to start second-guessing myself and falling into self-doubt and confusion. But when the MSS has been drafted; now's the time it can survive scrutiny and input. Not that I really know what I'm talking about never having signed a book deal...but it helps me to produce at least! Thanks for the post.
That Stephen King advice is perfect. I've read On Writing but I must have missed that pearl of wisdom! I probably wasn't ready for it; you have to make your own mistakes, don't you? You absolutely do know what you're talking about; you're writing fiction, and finishing things. No mean feat. And please don't let my unread messages add to your tbr pile - it's enough that I know you're there and reading when you get the chance!
I'm very shy to reach out to people. I'm very active on Notes because it feels more anonymous in the public eye, this constant flow of snippets of thought that come in and out of our awareness daily. It was such a joy receiving your DM . When I dived into your articles here I was immediately captivated by your gentle, clear voice and your humble attitude even though you're such an accomplished writer. Though virtual, some connections feel very genuine on this platform. I'm glad that you decided to join!
Thanks so much, Claudia. I'm glad I joined too! It feels like a kind place to be. I'll admit that sharing these essays has been a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm more inclined to be private. I think in part that's why I chose to write novels - it's a way of communicating while maintaining the kind of anonymity you talk about. But increasingly I've came to see it's no good trying to hide behind my books. Being too private is a kind of selfishness that doesn't help anybody. It's interesting what you say about Notes. That's actually where I feel most shy. Perhaps because it's more spontaneous. I always think I'm going to say the wrong thing! Maybe that's my next hurdle to overcome!
This sounds very similar to what happened to me when I first tried serialising a story. Until then I'd always struggled to complete projects, either getting stuck or drifting away. As soon as I started putting chapters up online, I was compelled to keep coming back. The idea that there was a reader out there flicked a switch in my brain - much like how your editor kept you going.
Keeping manuscripts hidden away for years clearly works for lots of writers, but I never really progressed properly with my writing until I started opening up to people, sharing the process and the work.
The idea of community is so vital to me. I love the Substack/newsletter space for that, and how it's afforded me the pleasure of getting to know people like yourself, Eleanor Anstruther, John Ward, David and so many others. Those connections feel properly meaningful.
I'm hoping to have more time to work with other people in 2025. Can't wait to hear more about your collaboration with the illustrator. That sounds VERY exciting.
You came to mind, Simon, when I was writing that about sharing with my editor. I know how motivating it's been for you knowing your readers are there waiting for your story. I absolutely understand that now. I don't fully know why I felt the need to keep things hidden away - fear of failure, more than anything. But the irony is, the more public you are about failure, the more it seems to lose it's sting. It becomes just a natural part of the process. Hence I don't mind talking about my new project - who knows what will happen with it, but I'm going to enjoy sharing the process no matter what!
I think hiding things away is also considered the norm, at least for novel writers. That’s what is expected. At least, that’s the impression I always got, which is why I also went down that route for years and years.
Proper authors don’t talk about their books. Polite society does not talk about a book until it is traditionally published and on a bookshelf in a reputable bookshop, don’t you know.
So glad I accidentally stumbled away from that approach!
I hadn't even thought of it like that. I presumed my instinct to hide was mostly a result of messages I'd absorbed at school: you'd better perform perfectly or you're not worth bothering with. Or societal messages more generally: only the best need apply. But you're right, there's also the specific snobbery of the writing world. Who do we think we are, sharing our stories?!
Great insight, Tim. Can't wait to hear about tge new project.
Thanks, Eve - I don't know how it will work out but it's something a bit different so will be an interesting process no matter what happens!
Painfully familiar. I have a tendency to convince myself that everyone else finds it all (be it life or writing) easy and straightforward as well.
I like the sound of a project with an illustrator, looking forward to hearing how that goes.
Same here, Jacqueline: it looks easy for other people! I suppose that's a part of the fallacy too: we look at other people's finished work and put it down to natural genius. We're mostly unaware of all their hard work, and also all the people who helped them along the way. Thanks for your encouragement about the new project. It already feels good to be hatching a plan with somebody else!
I think Aristotle said something like, "He who is sufficent unto himself is either a beast or a god."
How was ghostwriting a fantasy novel? Are you free to talk some more about that?
Great quote. I remember reading once 'a lone wolf is a sick wolf' but I can't remember where it came from! The ghostwriting project was one of the most interesting but also the strangest and most frustrating pieces of work I've ever done. There are NDAs involved so I have to be a bit careful with detail, but when I've worked out how much I can safely share I'll hopefully write a fuller article about it. The whole experience was eye-opening!
Yes, it's an intriguing thing, ghostwriting. I've not done any myself, but I'd love to know how it went. Look forward to hearing more.
Thanks so much for the shoutout, T.K.! I have so many of your newsletters queued up in my inbox to read properly and comment on later...one more week till school term finishes! I can kid myself that I'll have time after that! I did read this one all the way through though ;) Reminds me of Stephen King saying in ON WRITING, which I finally read this year, 'Draft with the door shut, edit with the door open'. I try to stick to that mantra now and it's helping me! If someone sees and comments on first draft WIP (like your editor *didn't* by the sound of it) I'm liable to start second-guessing myself and falling into self-doubt and confusion. But when the MSS has been drafted; now's the time it can survive scrutiny and input. Not that I really know what I'm talking about never having signed a book deal...but it helps me to produce at least! Thanks for the post.
That Stephen King advice is perfect. I've read On Writing but I must have missed that pearl of wisdom! I probably wasn't ready for it; you have to make your own mistakes, don't you? You absolutely do know what you're talking about; you're writing fiction, and finishing things. No mean feat. And please don't let my unread messages add to your tbr pile - it's enough that I know you're there and reading when you get the chance!
Tbh, I have read them already--they are queued up for a deep re-read and a comment; which is something I want to do (eventually) anyway :)
I'm very shy to reach out to people. I'm very active on Notes because it feels more anonymous in the public eye, this constant flow of snippets of thought that come in and out of our awareness daily. It was such a joy receiving your DM . When I dived into your articles here I was immediately captivated by your gentle, clear voice and your humble attitude even though you're such an accomplished writer. Though virtual, some connections feel very genuine on this platform. I'm glad that you decided to join!
Thanks so much, Claudia. I'm glad I joined too! It feels like a kind place to be. I'll admit that sharing these essays has been a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm more inclined to be private. I think in part that's why I chose to write novels - it's a way of communicating while maintaining the kind of anonymity you talk about. But increasingly I've came to see it's no good trying to hide behind my books. Being too private is a kind of selfishness that doesn't help anybody. It's interesting what you say about Notes. That's actually where I feel most shy. Perhaps because it's more spontaneous. I always think I'm going to say the wrong thing! Maybe that's my next hurdle to overcome!