What is Write It Forward?
Publishing is undergoing major changes and these changes are creating new opportunities for writers. Write It Forward focuses on educating writers how to be successful authors and help them conquer their fears. Write It Forward is a holistic approach encompassing goals, intent, environment, personality, change, courage, communication and leadership that gives the writer a road map to become a successful author in today’s rapidly evolving publishing landscape. Many writers become to focused on either the writing or the business end. Write It Forward integrates the two putting the control back into the author’s hands.
Write It Forward fills a critical gap in the publishing industry paradigm. While there are numerous books and workshops focused on just the writing, this one focuses on the strategies, tactics and mindset a writer needs to develop in order to be a successful author; regardless of the path you choose to publication.
Under the current publishing business model, authors learn by trial and error and networking with other authors. Sometimes it’s the blind leading the blind. Given the drastic changes the industry is currently undergoing, the most knowledgeable people admit they have little idea where the industry will be in a year. However, one thing remains constant, writers produce the product and readers consume the product. As we used to say in the Infantry: Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. That is a mantra for Write It Forward: We must all be leaders.
Authors are the producer of the product in publishing. Agents, editors, publishers, and bookstores are currently the primary contractors, processors, and sellers of that product. On-line retailers also offer an option that didn’t exist just a few years ago. While most agents and editors normally get educated in a career path starting at the bottom of an agency/publishing house, writers, from the moment they sign a contract or self-publish their book, are thrust immediately into the role of author as well as promoter. For the new author it’s sink or swim. Unfortunately, with the lack of author training, most sink. First novels have a 90% failure rate, which is simply foolhardy. I submit that the success rate for self-publishing is the same as the success rate for getting an agent, publisher, etc. and breaking out. Either way, this program gives you the tools you will need to succeed regardless of the path you take.
The learning curve to become a successful author is a steep one. In the past, the author might have had years to learn, and when needed, re-invent one’s self, but the business is now moving at a much faster pace. It’s expected that authors not only have to write the books, but also become promoters of their books. Interestingly enough, Promoter (ESTP) is the complete opposite of Author (INFJ) in the Myer-Briggs personality indicator as I discuss under TOOL FOUR: CHARACTER. It’s difficult to go from one mindset to the other. Not only do you have to be Author and Promoter, you must also be Seller (ESJF).
A key aspect of this program is that just by reading it, you prove you are ahead of the pack because you’re willing to learn. When I ran a Write It Forward workshop in San Diego one participant said that simply getting on the plane to come take the workshop required her to conquer several of her fears.
Here is a very interesting question that writers should ask themselves:
I will do whatever it takes to succeed as a writer, except don’t ask me to do . . .
Whatever completes that sentence is your greatest fear as a writer. This question is a great way of finding the one fear that is crippling you. We must attack the ambush, which I will discuss under COURAGE.
So what is the thing that you truly don’t want to do, but need to in order to succeed as a writer?
Uncanny timing. Okay. Sold.
My response would be: TO OPEN A TWITTER ACCOUNT.
Must all successful authors twitter?
Damn, I hate so much about the current all-promo-on-the-author’s-shoulders atmosphere.
Finish my book and submit it. I’m working hard at it but the thought of actually finishing terrifies me. Intellectually, I know all the right things to say to myself but I still can’t get rid of the knot of fear in my chest. I guess I won’t get rid of it until I’m done with the darn thing.
Excellent points as always Bob! I have to stay busy and move on. It is a big step to submit and very tempting to check my email CONSTANTLY but I know that I must always be moving forward in my various projects. Not only does this make me a better professional but it keeps me sane through the submission process. I also have found great peace in alternating from fiction and non-fiction. It is liberating to never get board or stuck in the writer’s block rut. There is no writer’s block with variety.
Downloaded it, read it. The content is excellent and inspiring. There are a few minor quibbles with the copy-editing and some of the formatting — tables in micro font size for example — I had to keep changing the font size when I reached them. But I read it for the content and inspiration. It does really refill the well. It is a combo of practical advice, exercises and know how and belongs in every author’s toolbox (not just those into micro-publishing/self-publishing) Thank you for writing it.
I’m nearing the end of Bob’s Write It Forward class and already seeing the changes to how I think and approach my career as a writer. The principles are sound and prepare us to handle modern life as a writer with intelligence and poise. I’d highly recommend this book (and the class if you get a chance to take it).
My biggest fear is no one will like me. Yes, that’s how it rears its head: that no one will like ME, not my book. I fear that they won’t like the book because they don’t like me, or that they won’t like me because they don’t like the book. I don’t like failure. I’m not used to it and the more I care about something, the less I tend to work at it for fear of putting all that effort in and getting nothing out. There’s only one way to conquer those fears, though, which is just to do my best regardless and see what happens. I will be releasing my book on 27th October, come hell or high water (looking at the UK weather report, the latter is looking increasingly likely), so I’d better make sure it’s the best it can possibly be.
Fear of finishing is common– because that means one has to move on to the next level and send the manuscript out there.
As far as Twitter, you don’t have to do it and many people waste time on it. It’s not really a marketing tool but a networking and information tool.
I have noticed writers and people in general either love Twitter and Facebook or hate it. The thing is from a readers standpoint I find that social media makes me more likely buy a book when it is first released instead of waiting to run into it. It also offers you an audience that would never have found you otherwise. I am reading Bob Mayer’s blog because Sharon Wray referenced his writing in her blog, and I believe Bob Mayer popped in and commented. The only reason I was at Sharon Wray’s blog was that Kieran Kramer had tweeted and posted the links on social media site. Just something to think about.
I actually like Twitter and have from the start. The key with twitter, or anything like twitter, is not to go overboard. It’s presence marketing. Get your name out there. Yes, you have to pimp your blog, your books, etc. But it’s making a connection and getting your message, whatever that message is, out there where people can see it.
I think many people view social media sites as a way to sell, when in reality it is simply a tool to help create recognition.
It’s good to revisit that question. A few years ago when I first attended this workshop the answer to that question was very different than it is now. And today, my own answer surprised me.
I will do anything it takes, except don’t ask me to….take a risk with my writing.
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Great post.
I believe mine is doing major networking. Beyond Twitter and a little time on Facebook, I don’t like the practice of social networking. It’s time that could be better spent writing.
Skydiving.
Or going to the eye doctor. These glasses are so bad that I read Steven King’s quote as “fear is at the root of most bed wetting.” Which may also be true.
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I’m none of the personality types listed — I’m an ENTP (Rational-Inventor) don’t know how that affects my writing …
Great question to ask, BTW. I’ve thought a lot about this lately because I recently made a major decision in publishing (changing houses) and had to get in the mindset that I would not make a decision out of fear. I had to risk a lot, be willing to walk, and only then could I move forward in my career. So my answer last year would have been, “I would do anything but don’t ask me to take business risks because I have a family to support.” This year … I don’t know what I wouldn’t be willing to do. Other than sacrificing more family time, because I already sacrifice enough time, more than most demanding careers.
Great Inspiration! I heard you speak last year at a conference. Thank you for the work you are doing to encourage fellow writers. I think that by answering that question we are admitting that we have fear and just by doing that we are making a giant leap forward.
Thank You for a useful post Gene.
JH
Looks like the latest fear is preparing for a serious taped interview that could be seen by thousands. Not only am I anticipating what questions I might be asked about the background behind my novel, but also, will I show up glorious in what I’m wearing?
Wow, now that’s a hard question to answer. There are so many things in this business that’s ‘scary,’ but I’m just working on tackling each one as I come to it. Right now I think the hardest one I can think of long term is Promotion. It’s a piece of this business I have to tackle now, and I’ll have to tackle for the rest of my career. Hopefully it’ll get easier.
Wonderful post! Love the Stephen King quote and your discussion of Meyers-Briggs personality types! I’m finding the modern world of publishing an exhilarating ride. It’s now possible to write as creative a book as possible without hearing those nagging warnings in your head (so-and-so says such-and-such types of books will never sell, so-and-so literary agent won’t represent this type of book, so-and-so publishing houses only want such-and-such types of books, etc.), to actually publish your most creative work, to go on to find readers and to sell many copies of your book! It is truly possible to write without fear.
Um. Or I could just write a really great book.
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