Writers are illogical
You know, I thought flying helicopters was tough. Pictured is the cockpit of a UH-60 Blackhawk, the last aircraft I flew. It’s categorized as two pilots required to fly it. Lot of stuff there, huh? I personally never knew what most of it was…hey, that’s why you got the other pilot. He probably knows.
In a basic helicopter, you have five flight controls: two foot pedals, a cyclic, a collective and a throttle. An input in any one control, requires a compensating input on one or more of the other controls. And that’s just the hands and feet flying. Add to that, the mental aspect of running a mission and the adjunct decision making required to get it safely done, and you have something more complex. Mission accomplishment includes this brief list:
- where you’re going,
- how to get there,
- what you’ll do upon arrival,
- the weather,
- crew coordination,
- safety,
- where the next fuel stop can be found, and will you have enough gas to get there.
- Lastly, of course, there are the bad guys lurking about with evil intent. Can’t forget them.
As you can see, helicopters are a challenge. Combine them with running a successful mission and you have something not everyone can do—or would want to do. But those things are nothing compared with how tough it is to get published.
I saw a statistic recently that said something like 98 percent of all query letters are rejected. That’s at the query level stage. If a query is accepted, the next step might be the agent or publisher reads twenty or thirty pages. If that goes well, then maybe the entire manuscript will be requested But, even if you reach that stage, don’t get your hopes up. Most manuscripts get smacked down, too.
So, why do we authors play this game? Chances of winning are small. It’s not logical to play. Why exactly do we prostrate ourselves before agents or publishers, some of whom publically admit they’re, “too busy” to respond–with even a pro-forma rejection email. Some say they’ll take 12 weeks to respond to a one page letter—if they respond. However, these same folks want to know if you’re doing multiple queries. Yeah, like I’m gonna admit to that.
A close adjunct to the above is the ego damage. I don’t care how experienced a writer you are, nor how mature you are. Rejection hurts, plain and simple. Even the 100th rejection hurts–maybe more than the first. Yes, over time we build a patina that absorbs some of the pain, but the net-effect is painful…and, given the statistics, we know it’s coming…not logical to engage in the painful activity.
Then, there’s the question of funding our adventure. Helen Ginger, over at Straight from Hel, raised a question about editorial services and an author’s willingness to pay for them. We’ll, most authors need an editor. And, editors should be paid. But, when you’re very statistically likely to not get past the query letter stage…is your editor expense money well spent? That shiny, perfect document is all dressed up for the big ball, but forever consigned to your bottom desk draw, or a dark corner of your hard drive. It’s not logical.
How about the time spent with your head buried in a computer while family-time goes ignored. Yeah, the family is most likely supportive, but, admit it, you’re playing a dangerous game. Like it or not, the message you’re sending is, “My project is more important than you.” Look hard, and you’ll see how that message could be the one received. Of course, it’s not what you want to “say,” but that’s possibly what the family hears. Dangerous, and not logical to do it.
So, tell me I’m wrong. Tell me it’s completely normal and logical behavior for unknowns to pursue a writing career. Or, tell me other illogical behaviors in which we engage for the sake of seeing our words in print?
Themocracy
Sometimes I don’t feel illogical–I feel deranged. Honestly, what we’re doing makes no sense. On the upside, it’s an inexpensive endeavor (for the most part) and we CAN put it off to have family time. This summer has been tough for me–to balance the family time with the writing/promo time. Once school is back in (Tuesday), I’m going to knock it all out during the school day and then have family time when they get back home.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I am not, nor have I ever been, a very logical person, so I guess writing suits me well. I’ve had to train myself to stop and think. I operate mainly on intuition. But for me, I write because I love it. Yes, I want to be published, but I write anyway because it makes me happy. Oh, and absolutely, writers need to have editors, even if they have to pay for it, in my humble opinion.
Karen
I was so hoping in this blog YOU were going to tell me why I continue to subject myself to a writer’s life because I certainly can’t figure it out for myself. Now I’m thinking maybe I should learn to fly a helicopter, instead!
By the way, you are very deserving of the Superior Scribbler Award, but I did need that $50 to buy the excellent books I’ve been reading about during my blog hopping trips.:)
It’s probably not any crazier than wanting to be a ballerina or the fastest sprint runner in the world or the most skilled surgeon in the country. Dream big or you live small. (Did I make that up or hear it at some point in my life?)
But on to the big issue — a pilot only knows how to fly half the helicopter????
Helen
Straight From Hel
Yeah, we’re nuts. But it’s kinda forced on me. I’m not sure I could NOT write. Even when I’ve taken time away from it, writing always calls me back and I feel pressure to do it when I’m not. So to feel at peace, I write. (This is sounding crazier and crazier.) Suffice it to say, I’m mad as a hatter and happy about it.
Anyone who chooses a career in the arts is somewhat lacking in logic. Unless you make it big (and I mean big) there’s not a whole bunch of money waiting at the end of the rainbow. But there are advantages – no 9 to 5 routine. No co-workers borrowing your pencils. Best of all, no commute!
I fell into writing after someone pointed out to me that I’d been doing it forever but never paid attention to it. I find it demanding and frustrating but there is no feeling in the world like realizing that you just nailed it.
I think I’m nuts. Why else would I keep going back to write another book when only two out of the five novels I’ve written so far have made it to print? It’s simple. I always wanted to do this and now that I’ve started, I can’t stop.
I figured if I wanted to see my name in print I had two options: write a book or become a serial killer.
I’ll let you know what I decide.
Logic is okay for some people, but life gets boring after a while. That’s why I left banking and finance to become a writer. And you’ve gotta get your family to back you, otherwise, all they’ll see is the back of your head all day long and wonder why you’re not talking to them. Fortunately, my family and I work it out somehow, someway.
Stephen Tremp
http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com/
Logic dictates that we have MSI whilst pursuing a viable income from writing. Odds of “making it” are near lottery proportions. Stephen King wrote in his “On Writing” book that only about 5% of all published authors make enough to live off the royalties. And I totally beleive the 95% “file 13″ thing with query letters received by agents and pubs. So we blog, we self-promote, we often have to start with self-pubs, and we write – we write because we can and we love to. My take, anyway. And we dream, always keep hope alive along with persistency and hard work ethic.
The Old Silly
Elizabeth, as usual, you have good, commonsense, well thought out plan that most assuredly will work. You’ll be busy during the day, but you can make it work.
I’m with you, Karen; every serious writer needs an editor. It’s just part of the deal. Given the odds, I’m just wondering if it’s money well spent. Kinda like buying a new suit and never wearing it.
Jane, If you’re relying on my to tell you anything, seek professional help immediately.
Helen, I guess, as you suggest, it’s not different, but most people give those dreams up when maturity arrives. Re the Helicopter…see how lucky you were never to have had me as your pilot. Yep, 20-years, 6,000 flight hours and only half of what I need to know. Takes a special talent, Helen, a special talent.
See, with you, Jack, there’s a problem: You actually CAN write…you showoff.
Elspeth, got a suggestion. Please post on the feeling of “nailing it”…’cause the only way I’ll ever experience it is vicariously. Please help.
You’re a poster girl for what persistence can do, Patricia. Now that your rich and famous, however, you can drag out those old MS and cash in. Oh, did you see I mentioned you in my adverbs post of a couple days ago??? Tis true.
Hmmm. Well, Alan, we’ve all pretty much agreed that writing has no future and is illogical given the odds. Who’s your first victim. (Why am I suddenly nervous.)
Okay,Steve, seek professional help immediately…see Jane for suggestions. You left what for writing? Now, lots of people say they love it, but you have certainly proved it. Good man. We gotta gen you up some kind of an award.
Marvin, you’re our resident dreamer. We need one to keep us focused on attainable stars…and even those that are maybe not so attainable.
Thanks to each of you for stopping by. Galen.
For me it’s a fine balance– parenting/family time and doing what I love, writing.
I’m glad you wrote this post as I have thought similar thoughts all along. It is frustrating but what we do, isn’t it? So I keep at it..and hope one of these days…
We’re not nuts. The rest of the world is. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Why do we do it? Because either we believe in ourselves, or believe other people who believe in us even when we’re having a hard time doing so. It’s an addiction as well, with no 12-step program to cure it, and we wouldn’t go if there was.
So that is what pilots think – that the other guy knows what to do with all the knobs. Makes me wonder if they are put in only to make the cockpit look insanely attractive to the geeky minded.
And yes, writers are illogical people, but not more illogical than marathon runners or people who take up a new instrument at 60. There are somethings you got to do for yourself, and if writing is one of them, touch luck on you and your family
And to think I was this close to putting in for Warrant Officer School right before I left Active Duty. I wanted to be a helicopter pilot. I can’t imagine knowing even half of the cockpit, let alone the whole thing.
As far as writing however, it doesn’t bother me that there is the very likely possibility I will never get published (at least for the most part). I mean, yes I do want to get published and probably my first query rejection will cause me to consider hari kari, but since the goal of publication is akin to winning the lotto (figuratively anyway), I should be able to take this in stride. Does this mark me as slightly crazy and insanely unrealistic? Possibly. At least there’s still a grin on my face I guess, which of course just reinforces your point!