Well, here we all are feeling very mildly tired and perhaps just a little headachey, looking forward to all the joys that 2011 will bring us. But I always find it a little intimidating to have a whole new year stretching out before me, all clean and sparkly and bright, knowing that I am once again going to spend a lot of that year bumbling about, making mistakes and generally messing things up.
What I need is a route-map: a plan of sorts. And thanks to Abi Sutherland I’ve got one, which I shall now share with you. Get yourself over to this brilliant post from James Macdonald (he of Yog’s Law fame) at Making Light which tells you all you need to know about how to get published. Make sure you read the discussion which follows, at least as far as comment number 26 because then you’ll find this little gem about writing books:
Do it again. Fail better.
I love that.
Happy new year.
I love the other discussion linked to – Varieties of insanity known to affect authors. It’s great inspiration at the start of the year, and now I’m determined to have at least one novel complete before the end of it.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
“Do it again. Fail better.”
That’s perfect advice. And I can endorse it 100%. After four years and four full ms attempts, I finally got signed up by the agent I wanted, just before Christmas. Because I followed her advice every time, and failed better each time.
Happy New Year, Jane!
Happy New Year to you too.
‘Do it again. Fail better.’ I’m going to write that out and stick it on the wall in front of me.
Happy New Year, Jane. Keep up the good work.
No, no, no I cannot furrail better. The only acceptable thing is try again – furrailure is not an option. I have to succeed in making it better every time!
Thanks for sharing James Macdonald post. Some v. good info, delivered in manner designed to make us sit up and pay attention.
Shall follow…
Enjoy your site so much!
Happy New Year!
I believe its based on a Beckett quote – something like ‘Try again, fail again, fail better’ – I’ve always liked it and think it also features on a postcard of Beckett from the National Portrait Gallery!
greetings.i wrote a nonfiction story longhand.i dont type
or use a computer very well.but i edited the story.
approximately thirty five thousand words.it is a romantic
adventure from hell.it is also historical in context.
at this time im the woods.i dont know how to proceed.
i have alittle insight from the writer beware blogs which
i am greatful for but im still not being productive.if you
or anyone can help me out.it would be duly appreciated.
Jose, welcome to my blog: I hope you find it useful.
It’s a shame you aren’t very happy using a computer, because there are all sorts of online writers’ groups which you could join, which might help you a lot.
Have you considered finding a local writers’ group where you could meet up with other aspiring writers in person? I know several writers who have found them incredibly useful. It’s worth a try: your local library should be able to help you find a couple.
I hope that’s a help.
hello jane.im almost flabbergasted.today i dig telecommunication.iam literally green and ive never been
so sincere.please tell me how i may be of any help to you.
im not a me me me type and im not a crook.ive spent many
unlikely epochs with academic freedom at my disposal.i took advantage.additionally ive always had an intellectual
trait or maybe i should have gone to law school.either
way my instincts always function reasonably.im not very
good in saying later.thank you for your time.
Glad you linked to James Macdonald, Jane. I was proud of my virtue in doing many of his steps but realise now that they’re de rigueur. His Getting an agent bit is of special interest to me, as you know.
Thanks