Ah, the irony. Seems like the internet has been full of complaining lately. About writers, about agents, about publishers, about vanity presses springing up like mushrooms, about the economy, about politics. So I want to complain about the complaining.
Ever notice letters to the editor? Have you ever seen one where the author of the letter says in effect: “I’m doing something I really disapprove of and I really need to stop doing it.”?
Doubtful. The letters are always: “Someone else is doing something I don’t approve of and they need to change.”
So I’m going to bitch about me. Because the only person I can change is me. I need to stop getting upset about agent and editor twitters and blogs talking about how ignorant authors are. How writers don’t know the business. Instead, I will continue to run my Warrior Writer program to educate authors about the business so they can work more effectively with agents and editors. Perhaps one day, some agents and editors will catch on and direct their authors to the program to increase their business efficiency by having well-educated authors. Every other business I know trains their employees (and if I hear one more time that authors are not employees in the world of publishing, well, darn it, I’m going to tear up all those 1099s that will be arriving in a couple of months from agents and publishers).
I need to stop giving a damn about Westbow and HQ vanity line, whatever the hell the latest name is. It’s not my money that will go to those. And, hey, it will make someone, somewhere happy. Mostly Thomas Nelson and HQ. But caveat emptor to those who slake their publishing thirst at the fountain of vanity. I’m not going to. So not my problem. Actually, it’s a good thing, because it means there will be that many less people trying to get published the traditional (aka hard) way. Give those editors and agents more time to focus on their slush pile and those who are putting their money and effort into becoming better authors rather than taking the easy way down.
I need to stop worrying about the economy and how some assholes on Wall Street continue to rape this country while producing absolutely nothing. When our infrastructure collapses and people are eating each other in the streets, their multi-million dollar bonuses won’t mean squat. We reap what we sow. What I can do is be first in line to throw them into the pot.
I need to forget my military training and not be concerned there is no solid strategic goal for Afghanistan. Did my time. We didn’t have one when we were in Lebanon a long time ago and look how that turned out. Didn’t have one in many ops we ran after that. Why start now?
But I go astray from the world of writing and publishing. What I really need to do is write a damn good book. About something I am passionate about. And then all will be well in the world. Because the thing I control as an author is very simple: The Writing.
Very well said and a very good read!
Hi Bob, I am delighted to hear that you actually don’t think authors are mentally deficient. I too was quite fed-up of agents (and some writers) saying how ignoramus authors are, including, especially myself. What a breath of fresh air!
As Eva said, “What a breath of fresh air!”
Agree with Bob: We are what we focus on, and if our focus and energies are scattered, especially on things we can’t control, then …
Loved the comment about Letters to the Editor, complaining about the behavior of others, but not doing anything with ourselves, where we do have control. I think it’s a trap to be focused so much on what other people are doing and not on oneself and one’s goals. Just another distraction.
Excellent points … it’s the writing that is important, and the only person we can change is ourselves. And the only thing we have control of, as writers, is.. the writing — the thing we are passionate about. Really liked this!
Thank you for this, especially that last paragraph, Bob!!
Yep, good idea. Go put all that bitching, frustration, and anger, into your writing.
But, don’t give up on your beliefs, get good and stinking angry and go write that book. It’d be a hell of a good read.
I tend to stay away from making comments or giving opinions about most issues in the news these days. With info being delivered at the speed of light, and responses made before full content is disclosed, it can make you crazy. Who needs all that info overload, that minute by minute reporting, the specualtion, it’s all so
toxic.
I believe in the saying, “choose your battles wisely” and when it’s really important to me and my loved ones, I’ll come forward. Otherwise I just read a good book, sink deep into writing something, or bitch privately with a few friends.
Dear Bob,
You made me laugh hard (quite an accomplishment when you consider all the very serious things you vent about!)–thanks.
It would be great if we would all bitch a little more about ourselves (or better yet, quick bitching altogether and just move to remedying what we don’t like about ourselves, our habits, etc).
Hoping to take part in one of your workshops in the next year or two, but in the meantime, controlling what I can control–the writing,
Ev
Thank you. I don’t bitch about writing, except mine, agents, publishers, editors or other writers. I have been bitching about policies that are needlessly putting our troops in greater danger than need be and the bs political correct tippy toeing around. Yeah, if he murders like a jihadist he probably is a terrorist not overstressed.
I have always wondered how you feel about current affairs, but I appreciate your self-control. I have none.
I study your lessons and hope to take another class of yours soon. Your information to writers is spot on. I nailed the query, I hope and I’ll be able to make good use of your synopsis lesson to nail that as well.
I don’t think we tell you enough, but there are a lot of people who have learned some valuable lessons at your feet.
Thank you.
Bob, just read your Warrior Writer article in the latest RWR. Good work. It came across really well and has given me a hankering to reread Who Dares Wins over the holidays.
LOL … Excellent bitch!
You know, some people love to complain regardless of whether their complaints are valid or not. If they don’t have anything legitimate to complain about, then they’ll make stuff up or create drama where there isn’t any.
I can’t remember where I read it, but someone said, “If everything looks black, it’s because we’ve got our eyes shut.”
It’s so easy to play the blame game and point fingers at everyone else, instead of taking responsibility for one’s actions and the part one plays in the drama. Kudos to you for taking responsibility for what you can control. It’s a very rare thing in the real world.
Bob, for pity’s sake, stop bitching!
You can’t protect everyone from everything. Sometimes, some folks need to earn their own blood lessons, with their own blood.
There’s the rub.
I’m working on it Cindy. There’s a big difference between bitching and acting. I think we need more acting.
I think Bob’s right. More acting and less bitching. A balance is needed, perhaps. While I think it’s important to see and state what we see as wrong in the world, in publishing, or elsewhere, the focus, as Bob says, should be on those things we have control of. The focus should be on the positive. And on what will make us happy…fulfilled.
That’s very true.
I’m all for acting (and writing) but don’t stop bitching. I think it might be a prerequisite for acting. Besides, if you don’t dare to bitch, who will? One of the most intriguing things about your blog is seeing the rarely advanced view that champions the author. More power to you and your bitching, I say.
Also, thanks for The Novel Writer’s Toolkit. I bought it as an ebook some months ago and it’s been a constant source of great information for me.
Yep, sometimes a little bitchin’ gets more done than not bitchin’.
Looking forward to the writin’
Bitching without action is just bitching. The key question is what can you do about whatever it is you are bitching about.
You can inform. Express your opinion. Listen to others. Yes. Caveat Emptor. But in order to let the buyer be ware, someone has to inform them of their other options as well as them being open to seeing all options, as in the case of publishing…. do you want to be paid for your work? or pay to have it published?
Everyone bitches, but most of us don’t feel as though we have the power to do anything about whatever we are bitching about. The thing is, we can by our own personal actions. I agree, we can only change ourselves, but when we do that, things must change around us.
Amen!
I’ve been bitching about the world in general and stupidity in particular. I wish I could get some work accomplished (not my writing, unfortunately) without being interrupted so much, but I can’t tell the customers to go away or I wouldn’t have a roof over my head! Another reason I can get so much accomplished by working at night by myself!
Bob, I think comment #1 is spam.
I think there is a difference between bitching and being informed about bad stuff going on, because I believe that information gives one a foundation for making good decisions.
The most interesting thing I’ve noticed is that the people who bitch the most about political happenings seem to be the ones who don’t vote. If someone starts to bitch at me about politics, the first question from me is, “Did you vote?” If they say no, then I tell them they have no say is what is happening – they should register to vote and vote [whomever] out.
Oh, and the guys with the obscene bonuses?? They will take their offshore funds and flee to Rio where they will bask in the sun. Having tons of money will save a person from almost everything.
You say no bitching, and I guess that’s a man thing. But look at the Declaration of Independence. It’s a document of bitching. It says: “I’m leaving you, and here’s why. Things were supposed to be THIS way, but you’ve done A and B and C and . . . Z so let the world know that I quit you and will now run my own life.”
It’s beautiful bitching, backed up with the long, hard, expensive, dangerous work of running our own lives.
Speaking of bitching, I’m gonna bitch…Hey Bob, when is your next book due out? I’m tired of waiting for it!!!
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