The Geek’s Guide to the Writing Life: An Instructional Memoir for Prose Writers

Description

The desire to create, to write, to fulfil our artistic dreams is a powerful human need. Yet the number of people who make a living solely by their pen is actually quite small. What does that mean for the rest of us, the self-described writing geeks, who are passionate about writing and who still want to sustain successful literary lives? What does it really mean to find time to build a rewarding writing life while pursuing a career, being a partner or raising a family, in the distracted, time-deprived, 21st-century? In The Geek’s Guide to the Writing Life, based on her Huffington Post blog of the same name, Stephanie Vanderslice shares the secrets and tools to developing a successful, rewarding writing practice in a way that inspires the reader to persevere through the inevitable lows and even the highs of a literary life, so that anyone can pursue the path to realizing their artistic dreams. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: The geeks and the cool kids On having what it takes Before we head off Notes 1 Making the commitment Life partners Financial planning Family planning Mind-altering substances It’s a marathon, not a sprint, redux 2 Doing the work (and, sometimes, not doing the work) Finding the time What writing does come before Hobby-free zones, messy houses, and appointments: More tricks of the trade The secret code OK, I showed up at the desk: Now what? Self-challenges Bribes and other psychological techniques Finding sustained time: Get thee to a writers’ colony Write what only you can write: Or, stalking the competition never works 3 Connecting with readers: Publishing First things first Connect locally, regionally: Start small and build Know what’s going on in literary culture: Read, read, read Cast a wide net, work your way up; thicken your skin Interpreting rejection Narrowing the fi eld: Anthologies and themed issues Writing contests Be thankful 4 Writing geeks unite: Finding your tribe Reach out Attend readings and literary events in your area Form or join a writing group Found a literary magazine or press Note 5 Continuing your education: What makes sense for you? Undergraduate programs Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts programs How to write an MFA think piece: A brief introduction to the genre Ph.D. programs Community schools, workshops, writing centers Writers’ conferences Independent learning 6 Making a living: Careers that support the writing life The starving artist is a myth Editing and publishing Libraries Bookstores Teaching Web content Technical writing 7 Being teachable The one thing that matters more than talent The field guide to the workshop egotist Notes 8 Writing 2.0 or, platform-building can be fun 9 Traditional book publishing today: Finding and working with an agent Why should I find an agent? So how do I get one? What you need to do When you get “the call” 10 Making the show: They said “No.” Now what? Or, they said “Yes!” Now what? They said “Yes!” Now what? They said “No.” Now what? Small consolations Note 11 Non-traditional book publishing: What you need to know Self-publishing and publishing-on-demand Other options: Smaller indie presses, hybrid presses Finally, don’t give up! 12 Before you go: Why we do this “Cool” Things I Have Never Done Very Uncool Things I Have Done Appendix Index