The Professional Writer

In his groundbreaking book, Outliers, Malcom Gladwell wrote about the power of practicing 10,000 hours in order to reach a higher level of proficiency and greatness in one’s profession or hobby.

When I read his theory, I remember feeling as if that was one of the fairest statements ever made. In a lottery world revolving around luck, networking and other variable that sometimes feel out of your control, knowing good old fashioned hard work can eventually pay off changed my life.

I always believed this—even young. I think I was born a limited workaholic. (I say limited because I’m quite functional). Growing up with my little brother, who I adore, was a bit difficult because he’s pretty much a genius. Oh, he works hard too, but he had this ability to touch something and turn it to gold. His brain humbled me (he’s now a big wig anesthesiologist I’m so proud of) but he was the one in the house who never had to study to get A’s. If he wanted to learn about something, he’d read a book and then just do it. (The man built an outdoor shower after reading a damn how-to book!).

But the one thing I always had going for me was the ability to focus on my own path, and work harder than anyone else in the room.

I took the same approach to writing.

When a writer starts out, there is no way for he or she to get over the shock of how hard it truly is. Not just putting beautiful passages of prose from your brain to the page, but how each piece of the story interlocks. It is bigger than anything you can imagine, to think of a mighty theme and an overall growth ARC and write witty, necessary dialogue and describe the scene so readers can close their eyes and imagine it in detail. Even harder is to spend endless hours locked in a room alone. Social media doesn’t count as having friends. You are alone with your dog (you should get a dog if just starting out!) and your words and your demons.

Scary, but powerful. And sometimes, the only way to get to the next word and the next page is sheer grit to just write through the pain.

But something else happens as you grow in your career. With each book written, it doesn’t get easier (I can’t lie) but you gain a certain amount of skill from all that hard work. Hours and hours of drafting, practicing craft, and reading books goes into the cauldron to simmer. Sometimes, you have no idea what’s really in that witch’s brew but when you need it—the ingredients are there. We are able to trust in our Muse more. We are able to see hard truths that soothe the pain and keep pushing us forward.

Here’s one misconception I’d like to explore.

Statement: I have to love every book I write. If I don’t, it’s proof the book is bad and will fail.

Umm, no. Hell, no. I am currently working on my 38th published book. I have been writing since I was ten years old. Besides my published work, I have dozens of books under the bed, articles, essays, and an entire thesis I completed for my master’s degree in English Literature.

A few months ago, I began writing the second book in my series, A Brand New Ending. I had high hopes for the book. I was excited to write it. The first book had gone so well, and I knew the characters, so I figured this would be a bit of a cake walk.

This is the book that nearly killed me. Seriously. My family looked into renting me a separate place so I would go away and not live with them anymore. I fell into a deep, dark hole of depression, agony, and sheer misery. I hated each word I wrote on this book. Every morning, I’d almost weep at the idea of going back into my office to be tortured for ten hours per day.

And then it got worse, because the book didn’t die.

It went through three huge re-writes based on a very savvy editor who saved my ass. I am on my fourth round and have copy edits to look forward to. Yay.

But I learned something important during the writing of that book. Sometimes, lessons taught are not easy to go through. This was one of them, because I probably needed to learn it now, to grow and move forward in this career and as a human being.

Though every word was fought for and struggled with, the story was good. Solid. It was emotional and real and deep. The rewrites were more for structure, moving pieces around, but the gritty draft had done its job and gotten the GOOD STUFF on the page, despite the pain.

Somehow, my Muse knew what to do, even though my logical brain did not. Somehow, though I believed the story sucked, I was able to write from my subconscious and my practice and create a solid story. And I was reminded once again, that writing takes a leap of faith.

My ten thousand hours were worth every second.

Do your practice and then jump. Your Muse will catch you, because you have trained her.

And when it’s finally over, take some valuable time to appreciate what you were able to do. Appreciate how working hard is truly its own reward, and you are out there in the trenches, getting dirty and getting real because you are brave and you KEEP WRITING NO MATTER WHAT.

Even when you hate the book.

And remember to Write Naked.

It’s the only way to write real and true.

May the words be with you!

—

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed,  joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews. She is also a proud three-time RITA finalist.

She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.

Write Naked: A Bestseller’s Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success

Learn how to transform your passion for writing into a career. New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Probst reveals her pathway to success, from struggling as a new writer to signing a seven-figure deal. Write Naked intermingles personal essays on craft with down-to-earth advice on writing romance in the digital age. Probst will teach you how to:

• Commit to your current work-in-progress, get focused, and complete it on schedule
• Reveal raw emotions and thoughts on the page to hook your readers
• Assemble a street team to promote and celebrate your books
• Overcome writer’s block with ease
• Develop themes that tie together your books and series
• Write the most difficult elements of romance–including sex scenes–with skill and style

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Category: How To and Tips