How to Achieve Longevity in your Writing Career
By Carmel Harrington
At the end of May, A Mother’s Heart will be published in the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada. And while every book publication is special, this one feels extra. Because it’s my tenth novel to be published in my tenth year as a published author. Double the double-digit celebrations.
If I had a euro for every time someone said to me, ‘I don’t know how you do it…’, I’d be a rich woman. My response to this statement is usually the same, ‘It’s my job. I get up and go to work every day like most people do. I just happen to write words for a living.’
And that’s true. I’ve always been a grafter. Whatever role I’ve had in life – which includes hostess, PR girl, marketing manager, sales representative, waitress, babysitter, and strawberry fruit picker – I’ve always had a strong work ethic. It’s in my DNA; I come from a long line of women who only operate in only one speed – full throttle! Last year I had a milestone birthday, too – I’ve now had fifty spins around the sun. So between that and my milestone book birthday this year, I’m in reflective mode. And this time, it’s me asking, how have I done this?
Here are my top ten lessons learned, one for every year as a published author.
Celebrate the wins
There have been missteps and searing disappointments, just as there have been incredible milestone moments and career-defining highs. Trust me when I say that it is vital that you celebrate the wins, no matter how small they are. You’ll find the strength to face the disappointments that come your way with these stored away to fortify you.
Turn up for work even on the hard days
When I started to write full time, I had two children under two. Fine time to find my creative side, right? Like any big dream, be it to lose weight, get fit, or learn a new skill, you need to put in consistent effort. Writing is no different. Some days it’s a joy to sit behind my desk to write new scenes. Other’s, it’s like pulling teeth. But it’s on those hard days that it’s more important than ever to show up. Even if I can only manage to write one new paragraph, I’ve at least moved my story along a further beat.
Keep your characters close
This brings me nicely to this, another reason why writing every day is essential. If you listen to my readers (I always listen to my readers), my relatable and realistic characters make them want to buy my books. So trust me when I say that I invest time with my characters, hanging out with them every day. Because of this, they start telling me their truths. When I ignore them, if I let life get in the way, they make me pay for it, and I lose days and sometimes weeks trying to find them again.
Aim for the Bullseye!
For me, the more I write, the more I write…I set myself a target to write 1500 words, Monday to Friday. Somedays, I do double or triple that. But no matter what, I try not to stop writing until I bypass that number. I have to be honest here and admit that there are times that life gets in the way and targets are forgotten. But life is messy and complicated and wonderful, so you have to take these slips in your stride. I’m a Scrivener gal for many reasons, one of which is that I can set a deadline to complete a manuscript, which then breaks down what I need to write each day to achieve that deadline. A daily target! This keeps me in check.
The art of self-editing
Before sending my manuscript to my agent and editor, I will bring it through several rounds of self-edits. Once I have completed my first draft, I’ll put it to one side for at least two weeks. Then when I get back to it, I’m reading it with readers’ eyes. It also helps to read your work in a different format from how you’ve written it. I save to my kindle for my first read and then highlight notes as I go along. Repeat this process twice. Trust me, once, twice, three times, an edit is a charm. And then read your work out loud. I guarantee you will catch some further issues when you do this.
Trust your editor (and your gut)
I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best editors in the industry over the past ten years. And a truth I know for sure is that there is no room for ego on the editing dance floor! As painful as it may be, I always take the expert advice I’m given. Now, of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, where you must stick to your guns. But in general, I’ve never had a bad steer from the editors I’ve worked with.
Eliminate distractions
Sacrifices had to be made to ensure that I could write 100,000 words per year. I gave up TV, except for a few favourite shows. I work around my children’s schedules. And while I’ve missed social occasions, I’ve never missed a deadline.
Read and listen
First of all, reading is good for you. Studies have proven that it relieves stress. And goodness knows that writing a novel can result in high anxiety levels! But apart from those holistic reasons, you need to read and listen to become a better writer. Audiobooks are one of the best tools for writers. Every time I listen to a new book, I am learning. What works, what doesn’t, how sentences are phrased, how dialogue is written, and when the pace is slow or spot on.
Your only competition is yourself!
It’s so hard to avoid comparing yourself to others. I think it’s only natural to look over your shoulder at others who have achieved more than yourself. And don’t we always find ourselves lacking? Try to stop doing that. Don’t feed the imposter syndrome. The only person you are in competition with is yourself. However, it’s good to know what other writers are doing for that all-important inspiration! I am forever setting new goals to reach, and many of them come from watching author pals succeed with theirs.
Find your tribe
It took me a few years to find my tribe, but now I have a tight-knit group of author friends who I trust implicitly. They are by my side to celebrate every milestone and offer a safe place to fall when things are not going well. And it’s great to have people in your corner who understand the sometimes puzzling life of a writer.
I’m really proud of all I’ve achieved over the past decade, and I’m so excited to see what the next ten years have in store for me. Now, I better get back to my edits for book number 11…
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USA Today bestseller Carmel Harrington lives in Ireland with her husband Roger, children Amelia and Nate & rescue dog, George Bailey. Her tenth novel, A Mother’s Heart, is on sale now. Other bestselling novels include The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, My Pear-Shaped Life, A Thousand Roads Home, The Woman at 72 Derry Lane and the ITV commissioned novel, Cold Feet The Lost Years. Carmel’s trademark is to write warm, uplifting stories with humour, heart and hope. She loves to write about family, friendships, love and life within complex, twisting plots. Carmel’s novels have been shortlisted twice for an Irish Book Award, and her debut Beyond Grace’s Rainbow won Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2013. Carmel is also a regular on Irish TV screens and is co-founder of The Inspiration Project, a coaching and writing retreat.
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @HappyMrsH
A MOTHER’S HEART
How far would you go to protect your family?
’Full of heart and essential truth, this moving book will sweep you to a very satisfyiing ending and perhaps a few happy tears’ KATIE FFORDE
‘A riveting family saga, with terrific characters, that has you utterly engrossed from start to finish. I loved it’ PATRICIA SCANLAN
‘I absolutely adored every page of it . . . No one blends love and loss, happiness and heartbreak quite the way Carmel does. Not since the late, great Maeve Binchy’ CLAUDIA CARROLL
‘An emotional family drama . . . full of the warmth we’ve come to associate with Carmel’s writing’ HAZEL GAYNOR
‘An exploration of familial love and grief . . . and how in the face of our greatest trials, our strongest bonds can be forged’ ROISIN MEANEY
’Warm, uplifting and thought-provoking . . . The perfect book club read!’ DEBBIE JOHNSON
‘Beautifully written, warm and wise. I adored it’ ALEX BROWN
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
While Rachel Butler likes her life in a pretty Dublin coastal village, her heart lies in Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up. Visiting for the first time since tragedy tore her family apart, she and her stepchildren fall for its beauty and outdoor lifestyle.
Malahide, Ireland
As Rachel picks up the threads of her life as a single parent, she can’t shake off the memories of her loving family in New Zealand – and her dream house, the villa on the bay. But it’s time to move forwards with their life in Ireland, close to the children’s grandparents, amid the familiar surroundings they all know well.
Until the children’s grandmother, still grieving, starts to interfere, questioning Rachel’s position as stepmother.
Until Rachel’s attempts to strengthen the family she loves so dearly backfires, pitting everyone against each other.
And until her late husband’s parents mend the rift that has existed as long as she’s been married – bringing with them an explosive secret . . .
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Category: How To and Tips
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