I’m frequently asked to give the ‘insider secrets’ of how to write a bestseller.
Sadly, most writers searching for an answer to this question are baffled by the vast amount of conflicting information on the internet. But one person I know with a very clear view is HarperCollins publishing editor Jane Johnson.
Apart from being a successful historical novelist , Jane is UK editor for the George R.R. Martin series A Song Of Ice And Fire which was made into the TV series Game of Thrones. She also published the J.R.R. Tolkien books during the 1980s and 1990s and worked on the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. I was very fortunate to have her as the editor and driving force for my bestselling ‘Merlin’ book.
I caught up with Jane this week and asked if she would give some ‘insider’ insights for writers.
“Jane, as the editor for famous authors such as George R.R. Martin, and as an established author yourself, can you give three tips for writers that will inspire them, and set them on the road to success?”
Here’s what she had to say:
1. Write with a fire in your heart…
“First and foremost write the book you want to write, not the one you – or others – think will sell. You’re going to be working on this project for a LONG time, believe me, so you’d better love it. Write with a fire in your heart and you’ll create something special, something readers will want to read.
There may be all sorts of received wisdom out there about ‘what agents are looking for’ or ‘what publishers want’ or ‘what’s selling’ but who wants a second-rate copy of someone else’s idea? Write something unique to you and it will stand out from the crowd.”
2. Authenticity is key…
“Readers need to trust an author in order to be carried along by the story without tripping over obstacles that are sticking up out of the path. If a reader is struck by a detail they sense is out of place or incorrect they will thrown out of the narrative quicker than a blink and you may never get them back again.
I’m not saying ‘write what you know’ or heaven knows there would be a lot of very dull books out there: but make sure that when you have the idea for your story formed in your head you do your research.
Go to the places you’re setting your narrative in, eat the food, see the sights, ride the camels, and imagine, imagine, imagine your characters in these places and situations. Then you can bring the world to life and readers can see through your eyes the vistas you’re describing, smell the spices in the market, hear the crickets chirring at sunset. You don’t want to overload their senses, but a single telling detail that encapsulates a moment your character is immersed in can do the work of 1000 words.”
3. Your words should be a transparent window for the reader to look through, not a fireworks display or an obstacle course.
“Research is crucial. Talk to the experts, read the source material, become the world’s greatest expert on the subject, and then bury your research deep! No fiction reader wants to read an academic history book or a forensic science manual: readers want to be transported and entertained. Your depth of knowledge is the sea on which your characters sail; but all the work should be going on beneath the water — like swans’ feet — while the story proceeds smoothly and swiftly across the surface.
And when you’ve finished your first draft go back through your text and cut, cut, cut. There’s not a single first draft in the world that wouldn’t benefit from editing: aim to cut at least 10% of your original text. Be ruthless! Cut those flowery phrases and the self-indulgent imagery. Your words should be a transparent window for the reader to look through, not a fireworks display or an obstacle course.”
A Great Example Of These Tips In Action:
What Jane failed to mention is that her own new book ‘The Sultan’s Wife’
Her exotic historical novel is set in the courts of the Sultan of Morocco and Charles II in 1677, and features a fascinating central slave character, Nus-Nus. Most fictional characters gradually disappear from the mind after a few months. But Nus-Nus has stayed with me, and my hope is that Jane will bring him back again.
The story is fragrant, bejewelled and full of murder, intrigue, poisonings, deadly conspiracies and romance. But while it offers beautiful writing craft and a page-turning narrative, it’s the depth of authenticity that enthrals, demonstrating the power of drawing on personal experience.
In fact it’s clear to me that Jane not only adores her subject material but has lovingly researched it. She is married to a Berber Tribesman and knows Morocco well, and even rode camel trains across the Sahara to experience the rhythms of daily life in the desert.
As I read, I could smell the fragrances, hear the clamour of the markets, feel the immensity of the desert and amidst it all, the tenderness of love.
Jane and Abdel – Sahara Desert
I’d like to say thank you to Jane for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share her insights. You can read more about Jane and ‘The Sultan’s Wife’ on her website. The book is also available on Amazon
What do you think? Do you agree with Jane? Are you writing the book you should be? Do leave a comment below.
Article written by Jonathan Gunson
Author / CEO Bestseller Labs
Notice: This article is copyrighted material. Reproduction of brief snippets of this article with a link to this site are permitted, but it may not be reproduced in full anywhere without the written permission of Jonathan Gunson at BestsellerLabs.com
I appreciate how Jane laid it out. Quick, informative, and to the point. All the rules, forums, and advice from experts can definitely send someone to the doubt farm. Encouraging writers to stick to the passion seems grounded and healthy. Thanks for providing a professional source of information.
Johnny. All true re such high-grade advice from Jane. By the way, I checked out your page. The angle for your EKKO books is intriguing to say the least. “CJ has a craving for the supernatural and he brings it to work with him… ”
Thanks Jonathan.
Hmmmm nice article but a lot of us can’t actually afford to go traveling around and riding camels.
Belinda. Yes, it does look rather grand, but I happen to know that Jane did it all on a ‘shoe string’. Besides, any subject is a goldmine of fascination no matter how small or close to home. For example, even a confederate army belt buckle found in the back yard has its fascination for Civil War fiction readers. For my own bestseller I had to do virtually all my research online and use old albums to access the local / geographical history in England of Merlin and the Authurian Legends. It’s a matter of imagination – and as a writer that is your special skill, not available to most of the population.
Yeah Jonathan,
Game of Thrones is made here in Belfast, Ireland and the surrounding areas and a lot of people got jobs out of it, actors, film crews etc..If you remember I mentioned a book I wrote and is on Amazon called The Twilight People, well a bit of good news hopefully. The local British Film Institute send me a letter wanting to talk to me about making this book into a movie.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for next Monday when I get to talk to them, thanks and regards, Patrick..
NB: I don’t know if I have to meet some of the costs myself but I won’t be long in finding out next week. The film called Paranormal Activity 1 cost $15.000 to make and made $200.000.000, quite a return!!
Exciting news indeed re the movie possibility Patrick. And I do recall your book ‘The Twilight People’. Let me know if and when things firm up. I’m a massive supporter of book / movie tie-ups. To motivate you here’s a link to the Lorna Suzuki article again – as you know, her books are being made into a trilogy of movies.
http://bestsellerlabs.com/interview-with-indie-author-lorna-suzuki/
Thanks Geoffrey,
I’ll certainly keep you posted. This is the first meeting with the Film Institute and I have to get into it with them, and when I contacted them last week I told them to look up The Twilight People on Amazon and kindle and they did and got back to me. Their message read: ” If you would like to contact us we can chat about how we’d like to proceed with adapting your book for film. ” They must have seen something promising in it and I suppose we have to have confidence in ourselves to push on. I will contact you after Monday’s meeting, thank you and good luck, Patrick…
Sorry Jonathan,
I called you Geoffrey in my last post there, a mix – up as the guy I’m talking to is called Geoffrey, all fingers and thumbs!! Thanks again, Patrick..
I did find it very helpful Jonathan. October 4th launched my debut novel SINGING HEART on KDP at Amazon. I sold a whopping 8 books the first week which quite honestly was disappointing considering I had been seduced to publish an e-book there with the thought that there are over 600 million readers downloading around the world. But then I read everything I could find on promoting an ebook, took webinars, read tweets from other writers, talked to my family and friends who all encouraged me by saying; “Just be patient, if this book doesn’t sell perhaps the next one will and it will catch up when they go back to see what else you’ve been writing.”
So I’ve been trudging along this week, tapping out a new novel like a woman possessed and the words have been flying on to the pages seemingly by themselves. Yet, at every turn, I keep hearing people saying things like, “You should write this genre, it sells best, OR, do this and do that, be smuttier, be less flowery and descriptive.”
You know what…I don’t want to be someone else. I am me. I am writing the kind of novels I love to read. I have been an avid bookworm since the age of two. There are soooo many novels out there its a wonder any of us get noticed. Many of them ARE brilliant. How can you compete?
Last Saturday, impatient and taking advice from another writer I did a free promotion for one day of my novel. 390 people downloaded it. I went to bed laughing and crying because that would have been such a great day if only I had sold even one! ha…ha… My bad!
I sold another one the day after. As people are reading it they are finding me and tweeting or fanning me on FB. So the conversation has begun. And isn’t that what every writer really dreams of, to make contact…to connect to the hearts and minds of others…
I have decided tonight, Jane’s encouragement inspired me even more deeply, to follow my own passion. To just write from my heart and soul as I always have and I won’t sell 600 million copies. But maybe, just maybe there will be those few who feel me real and that for me is even more important than the sales.
Because having recenlty lost my only child and my father, who were the people closest to me, I realize now that all that is left for me in this world, for anyone to even know I have existed is this glimpse in to my being. No one else can ever write my stories…no one else has lived my life or memories, experienced what is uniquely only mine…only I can…
and I will…
Thanks Jane…
Sounds like good news Darlene. Jane set me on the right path years ago re fiction authenticity, research and clarity. So it’s great to know that she’s doing the same for you through this post. Plus, sounds like you could use some support for your mission – which is clearly heading down the right path too – so please do keep in touch. I’ll help as much as time allows.
Jonathon, this post comes at a good time, as I’m in the planning and pre-writing stages for my third novel, which will be my first attempt at historical fiction. Very true that you must immerse yourself in your story’s setting. I also agree with the point on writing with fire in your soul. So important! I just told an audience of writers in my recent author lecture that if you aren’t passionate about what you are writing, then it will be obvious to your readers in your prose. Readers are smart – they can sense when something is off. Great post!
You’re welcome Stephanie. “Write with a fire in your heart” says it all yes?
This is really helpful to me. I am writing my first book and could use a little help getting it together! I have turned it over in my mind but I need to hook up my plow and get with it!
Elizabeth. Re motivation / getting it together, this 3 minute video interview with Maeve Binchy should help: http://bestsellerlabs.com/maeve-binchy-her-writing-secrets-interview/
Thanks so much for including this (Maeve Binchy) link, Jonathan. Such great advice, to set a goal of 10 pages a week. Simple yet powerful. I also appreciate the interview with Jane.
While I’m not able to travel to the places in my book, I have been to most of them, and draw from my memories while trying to place the reader there. One of my goals is to write the story so well that I will be able to re-visit some of these places while on book tour!
I really appreciate your blog as a source for information on becoming a better writer, and REALLY appreciate that you are not just some self-promoting robot like so many you see on social media. Thanks and keep it up.
Heidi, I DO have things to sell, and I’m writing a very useful new product for authors right now. But I find that I sell far more if I help others first.
I have great admiration for Jane Johnson, and agree with everything she said. Jane has the knowledge and expertise lacking in so many who trot out “tips” when they have little real, or in some cases any, background in the publishing industry.
Thank you for publishing this interview.
What I like about Jane’s tips Liz – as much as anything else – is that she applies it to her own work.
I can’t agree more, I wrote about my nightmares as I suffer from dreaming bloodthirsty dreams and I remember them. They are like mini stories as I dream them over and over, each time revealing more! These form the basis of my 1st book “New Soil” and I wrote it for me. It turned a negative thing in my life to a possitive. Currently writing book 2 “Diamonds” as it follows book 1. But, still dreaming, so will have to keep writing…
I love all of Jane’s suggestions, but one resonates totally with me – the one about being authentic. When I was writing my series I heard many pessimistic comments about what I was trying to do being difficult. I wanted to blend fiction and non-fiction in the one series and was advised against it. I wanted to write for all age groups and was told to stick to a genre and age group. Much of this was expert advice, but by following my heart and soul I have reached the point I was working towards and I am grateful I didn’t listen to every piece of expert advice I received. I took on the advice that felt right for me. You are the expert of what you CAN create.
Love many, trust a few and always paddle your own canoe Dee.
Thanks to Jane and thanks also to Jonathan for this great article.
I couldn’t agree more with the advice. I have two self published YA books out on Amazon and lulu paperback, sales are now coming in slowly but so are the reviews which I know helps.
I’ve had a lot of great advice from your website Jonathan, thanks so much, I’ll be looking out for more.
Writing from the heart and researching thoroughly then burying it deep in a great story, for sure. Edit edit edit is just so important to cut away and correct to find the best book that lies deep within.
Good luck to all out there!
Chris
You’re onto it Christopher. BTW re your slowly increasing sales, do read the Kindle post. It will motivate you I’m sure. http://bestsellerlabs.com/why-your-amazon-kindle-book-will-be-far-bigger-than-you-imagine/
This is an inspiring interview. I’m looking forward to reading her book. As I get ready to launch my first novel I find a lot of conflicting advice which feels baffling. Write with a fire in your heart was the most comforting piece of advice for me. Thank you also for your twitter course which I downloaded as I began twitter. I’m still learning how to build a playfom, thanks Jonathan and Jane!
Fiona. Re Twitter: I’ll soon have a new product out that you’ll get for free since you bought my Twitter course.
Jonathan, Jane is so right about authenticity. My story’s location is modern Northern Scotland, a place I’ve never been. All I can say is thank God for the Internet. From my home in Maryland I can access maps and videos, find websites of businesses in the area, and also, thanks to Twitter, get much-needed info from people who work in the NHS Scotland. Also, I’ve “met” a few people who are willing to beta-read my story once I’ve revised the 1st draft.
Of course, I have to finish writing the first draft before I can revise it, so your link to the short Maeve Binchy video was a good motivator.
Thanks.
Any chance you might travel to Scotland Suzanne? Not crucial, because you obviously have a good sense of location – but actually being there might spark an even deeper emotional attachment to your main character and the crisis they face.
My main character. Ally. is actually an American teenager. She travels to Scotland with her family to attend the funeral of her great-grandmother and the story is told through Ally’s POV.
I’d love to visit Scotland, though, especially Mackay Country, which is where the novel takes place. I have Mackay ancestry, you see, and I’ve learned so much from my research. Maybe … if I sell the book and the publisher wants a sequel ….
[...] Game of Thrones Editor Talks About Writing – Best selling author Jonathan Gunson over at Bestsellerlabs interviewed Jane Johnson about [...]
I especially like where she talks about being ruthless with cutting–flowery phrases and indulgent imagery. I think this is where so many writers have problems. We want to come up with new, beautiful ways of saying things, and we do, but this is for us. Most readers don’t appreciate such things and, as she says, it pulls them out of the narrative. I appreciate her remarks and agree one hundred percent!
[...] original post here: Interview: 'Game Of Thrones' Editor Reveals Her … – Bestseller Labs http://icsbookstore.com/2012/interview-game-of-thrones-editor-reveals-her-bestseller-labs/ [...]
Excellent advice. We should always write the books we want to write as well as the books we want to read.
I’ve heard game developers say what lead them into creating games is that they couldn’t find anything they wanted to play
All the best,
-Brian
Aw, c’mon, let’s get a little honesty into the discussion here. One look at the indie charts tell us that the most successful fiction authors are those who are giving readers what they want: an escape from reality. I don’t believe that these authors are passionate about vampires, dragons, extra-terrestrials and erotica – they are writer-preneurs who are leaving us ‘from the heart’ writers in their dust.
It’s a very good point you make John. Depends what you’re referring to.
No doubt common sense must prevail. If an author writes a tale that no-one is ever likely to read except the author’s mother, then of course it won’t pay for the new Ferrari. But I come down on the side of passion every time. The fact remains that a book cynically written to ‘chase the market’ by an author with absolutely no interest in the genre at all is unlikely to succeed, and may even be surfing on a wave that’s about to crash.
To quote Niel Gaiman on this point when asked if he would write in the ‘Vampire’ genre:
True enough I feel, but the fact is, it’s the originators of UNIQUE tales who will continue to succeed, even if they do this within an oversaturated genre such as Vampires, by creating an original idea, not a slavish imitation. They are excited by their idea, and writing what they love. In my case for example, I’ve been obessed with the Arthurian legends since childhood, particularly the wizard Merlin, and also with modern stage magicians who create ‘magic’ illusions. Can’t get enough of it! But while thousands of books had already been written within that over-worked genre, when I suddenly had my unique idea, I was on fire with it, which enabled me to complete the project, even though it took two long years of overcoming pitfalls and failures, including periods of self-doubt.
See Mistake #1 in this article: ’3 Simple Mistakes That Can Kill Your Chances Of Having A Bestseller’
http://bestsellerlabs.com/3-simple-mistakes-that-can-kill-your-chances-of-having-a-bestseller/
Great rebuttal, Jonathan. You make a telling point – I think you have convinced me. Thank’s for taking the time to do so.
Please come by again John. Very gracious. And you brought a great counterpoint – it made me stop and think.
Solid advice. My motto is: write the book you’d want to read. That’s what I aim to do with my writing. Instead of trying to piggy back on what’s popular, or second guess what readers want, I just try to write what I like to read. Jane’s advice is pertinent as well, especially being passionate about one’s writing. I also appreciate the advice to bury the research deep. It’s a fine line that a lot of writers get wrong. Great interview!
The world is replete with imitators and their originators. e.g. Since ‘Hunger Games’, the publishing houses have been super-saturated with dystopian copyists. A dull glut that won’t find a market. But some will, if they have passion-driven originality to light the fire – even within that heavily saturated genre.
Fantastic post. Thanks so much for those insights. I agree that research is essential. You must become and expert in your world. Robert McKee says you must be able to answer any question about your characters and your world in order to write an in-depth, compelling tale.
Thanks so much for sharing
I had the good fortune to attend Robert McKee’s ‘Story’ boot-camp. (Screenwriting mainly, but applies equally to fiction books.) As time goes by, I constantly recall his vibrant advice. Nothing has supasssed it.
Great article, good advice. Thanks. I also wanted to thank you (at least I think it was you?) for a couple of other recommendations – Story Engineering by Larry Brooks and Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. Both excellent reads. Somehow, I wasn’t aware you had a twitter course. I’ll definitely check them out. Thanks!
Johnny – Yes, I definitely recommended ‘Story Engineering’ by Larry Brooks.
I remember reading somewhere that perhaps the greatest help in a difficult or trying time is having the knowledge that others have faced what you are facing and done what you are doing. Jane Johnson’s quote (below) expresses so well what I had concluded, myself, thinking things through:
Thank you for this excellent article, the timely reminder, and a new book (two of them) to check out…
“Write with fire in your heart” says it all. I’ve always had a great love for fantasy and science fiction, and series like JRR Tolkeins “Lord of the Rings” and Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” and “Robots”, to name a few, have always fired my imagination.
When I sat down and planned out my “Alchemy Jones” series, I was as giddy as a child on Christmas Eve, coming up with grand plans and schemes, heroes and villians, and many deliciously evil creatures and a wonderous land on the flip side of reality with one foot still planted in this one. When I wrote the first book “Alchemy Jones and the Source of Magic”, my mind was tumbling with those ideas. As I wrote the book, I realized a LOT of research needed to be done for some of the ideas I put forth in the book to be plausible, and I believe it paid off. My editor was very pleased with the results.
The hard part in all of this has been the marketing as my sales have been slow. But I do believe as I have learned more and put it to use, I have started to touch more readers. I full heartily agree though, you should write for yourself and not try to force your book to fit the parameters of what others say. I’m busy with the 2nd book now and am even writing some short stories about my realm in hopes that it will help to nurture a greater readership. I think if you are really serious as an author and believe in your work with all your heart, success will come to you eventually.
Thank you for posting a great article to help remind us of what is important to get us on that road to success.
Gregory. Re your sales: Please do download the free Bestseller Labs author guide. It will show you how to grow your readership, and your career.
These are great writing tips–beyond the basics of plot and pacing. They get into the telling details of writing. Thanks!
There’s more about writing to come Judith. Stand by.
[...] first I want to point you to a blog I like and a particular post I identified with. Fellow Author Jonathon Gunson interviewed editor Jane Johnson and posted her tips here: ‘Game Of Thrones’ Editor Reveals Her Top 3 Writing Tips [...]
[...] Jane Johnson has had the good fortune to work on some fine material, and she says some very obvious things, but I continue to be amazed at the number of writers who don’t know this stuff. Check out the article here. [...]
Does it work the same if the story line is based 20 years into the future of an apocalyptic city? My story is based in Ukraine after a major economic disaster due to frantic pandamodium of the 2012 thing…
The world hasn’t ended but things have taken a major dip in economy and livelihood because of the mass response to the ‘what if’…
Any ideas?! Please
Antonette.
Please tell me which of Jane’s three tips you’re referring to so I can answer your question.
-Jonathan
Dear John,
This is a great interview. I was lucky enough to meet Jane at a brilliant talk she did at the Hobbit at 75 Talk at the British Library. She is definitely an inspiring speaker for young adults. Especially one such as myself who really enjoy ‘Game of Thrones’ series and want to be successful as writers one day. Thanks a lot for this piece.
Eliza. A fortunate meeting for you. Now that you’ve met Jane you’ll know how powerfully apt her writing advice is. All the best with your YA writing.
My writing is very shot gun based. So the question is regarding ‘going to the place, eating the food, and staying there’. I follow Stephen King’s method. If I thought it, it gets jotted down. I don’t follow any rough drafts or basically any story line. I make it all up as I go.
So regarding the ‘Ukraine’ city , if it is based in a non-realistic future would that be a problem?
Anonette. If your ‘non-realistic future’ is drawn from your own interests and things that fascinate you, then your story is far more likely to work, because it will be driven by genuine passion for your subject, and this will shine through.
Re. ‘Shotgun / make it up as you go along’ approach: That’s the way many writers work. It is sometimes called ‘Pantsing’ – writing by the seat of your pants. Nothing wrong with it, and can work extremely well because of the creative freedom it brings, although it can wreak havoc with story structure if you’re not careful in review / editing. Readers like a beginning, a middle and an end, with a crisis for the main character to overcome. This even applies in Romantic fiction, ‘crisis’ being part of an intense relationship, and always with a happy ending. But equally, this is a market-driven principle not a ‘writing rule’. In fact some writers rebel against this prescriptive structure. Maybe you’re one of them?
Yes, I am hoping I am one of those.
Though also, my country have not caught on to the idea of story like this, They are very much still old fashioned and conservative or try to avoid the ‘no-christian’ like story books.
How would one acquire an agent or a publisher overseas?
Antonette. Finding an agent to get you a US publisher is a matter of locating them on lists (as you’ll find on Twitter) and getting to know them. Then sending a well written query letter. See my article on getting to know book bloggers – same thing applies to agents.
http://bestsellerlabs.com/how-to-get-massive-free-publicity-for-your-book/
The other pathway for you is to publish on the Amazon Kindle.
http://bestsellerlabs.com/why-your-amazon-kindle-book-will-be-far-bigger-than-you-imagine/
-Jonathan
Thanks a million Jonathan. I published with kindle. Now all that remains to be seen is the ‘getting it out there” and the people to take notice of it!
Thanks so much xXx
Antonette. Yours is the 1000th comment on my blog. Right on Christmas eve too. Thank you. ~ Jonathan
Loved The Sultan’s Wife, and not just the writing, but the production. The size and weight of the book. You could smell the city, and loved the contrast between Morocco and England. Would make a great film.
Jackie, do let Jane know of your enjoyment – she appreciates all feedback. You can find her at this link on Twitter.
Encouraging guidance when it concerns fulfilling the criteria but the turbulent waters afterwards are perilous to negotiate.
My novel, Hues of Blackness: A Jamaican Saga emerged from twenty-three years in community service in Jamaica, the latter ten years of which were in active research and drafting with a dedicated mentor.
The last glorious burst of wage earning was all invested in the relevant publishing company which produced a great product, has failed to sell it, has mis-categorised it and is currently charging me for ineffective marketing. I now start from scratch with an empty pocket, diminished earnings and the first sequel seeking a publisher who does not demand money up front.
By the way, I encourage, edit and mentor people who have stories to tell and show them the way through self-publishing if they want to go that route.
Thanks for this, Jonathan. I am new to your blog and this was a wonderful introduction!
Welcome aboard Bill. ~ Jonathan
Thanks, this article was wonderful. I really loved the part/ metaphor about the research.
All of this is just dripping gold. Perfect. I need to print this out and have it taped to my wall! Big, heartfelt thank you to Jane and Jonathan for sharing.
I am beginning draft three of my first novel and I am up to my ears in library books. Sure, it’s fantasy but the best fantasy is richly detailed and has the authentic influences of real cultures. In fact, you might even have to do more research for good fantasy! So I’m reading everything, absolutely everything I can get my hands on that deals with Ireland, pre-history, pre-Christian, pagans and druids and mythology everywhere! Oh my!
But my protagonists’ people exist in matriarchal clan society and that’s no where in the British Isles. Fine, also drawing heavily from the Iroquois ‘Clan Mothers’ and their peaceful ‘Corn Way’ ideals that shaped their societies. What is that quote? Easy reading is damn hard writing! Something along those lines!
But sometimes I look up from all this and wonder, ‘Is this working? Am I crazy?’ This article tells me I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing. The fire is rekindled. Thanks again, so much!
Alexandra
“Rekindled.” Great to know. I’ll send a Tweet to Jane Johnson.
~ Jonathan
Thank you for posting, Jonathan, and thank you for sharing, Jane Johnson. I am writing a fantasy thriller, also deep into my third page one re-write after a 2-year journey, and sometimes I catch myself thinking what I’m doing is completely nuts and a waste of my time. But somehow these characters don’t leave me alone. So I’m just going to go ahead and finish that thing.
This post is helpful and encourages me to keep that fire going!
Thanks again.
Elisabeth. No you’re not nuts – au contraire mon ami!
Fact is, characters do tend to suddenly become real at a certain point, and when that happens it’s sure sign you’re well on the road.
Article to keep you motivated: http://bestsellerlabs.com/how-to-sell-8-million-books
~Jonathan