From Copy Writer to Author: Sarah Smith

One of the most common questions I get as an author (right after “so what is your book about?”) is, “Wow, I could never write a book! How did you do it?” 

The truth is that writing a book was something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a little kid and had tried—and failed at—a million times. And when people find out that I worked as a copywriter before I was an author, a lot of them assume that it was an easy transition. Like, I wrote for a living for years, so writing a book should have been a piece of cake, right? 

It wasn’t.

Anyone who has ever embarked on the writing and publishing process knows well just how difficult and long that journey can be. And given my background, I was well aware. Because every single person I knew with my background (copywriter who studied journalism and/or English in college) had the exact same goal: to eventually write and publish a book. 

Almost everyone in my friend circle was in the same situation: working whatever full-time job we had while writing on the side, hoping that someday that our writing would end up a published book. 

And for years that’s exactly what I did. Whenever I wasn’t working or spending time with family and friends and could muster up the energy, I’d write. I started and stopped more manuscripts than I can count. I tried out a million different genres. And I never finished a single manuscript. It was a pretty discouraging process, knowing that I had this eventual goal to publish a book and yet not being able to actually finish writing one. 

But then a few years ago I moved halfway across the country to a town in the middle of nowhere where I knew no one. When I wasn’t working on my copywriting projects, I suddenly had all this free time to read and write whatever random ideas popped in my head. And during that first autumn in my new town, I did it. I finished writing my very first book. A sexy romcom! I was so freaking proud of myself. 

That elation didn’t last long though. I queried that book to around thirty literary agents and it was rejected across the board. I was disappointed for sure, but also strangely enlivened. I had a million other story ideas in my head along with the knowledge that I was actually capable of finishing a book and could do it again.

So I wrote a totally different sexy romcom, revised it, and queried it again. The first couple dozen queries were rejected. As discouraging as that was, I expected it since that’s what happened with the first book I ever finished and queried. And I was able to use the feedback I got from those agents’ responses to revise my book and make it even stronger. 

And then, in the spring of 2018, it happened: I got an agent! And with her amazing guidance, I revised my book, we went out on submission that summer, and by the fall I had a two-book deal with my current publisher, Berkley Penguin Random House. 

So even though it was a long and rough road to becoming an author, my copywriting background helped a lot. How exactly? 

Copywriting helped me improve my writing skills. 

I wrote mostly product descriptions when I worked as a copywriter, which doesn’t seem like it would be helpful to novel writing, but it actually was. When I wrote product copy, I had to learn to write in a succinct and compelling way.

Usually I only had a couple of sentences to capture customers’ interest. Every word counted and I had to be strategic in the tone I used and what product features to highlight. That skill has translated well to novel writing. I used to be the queen of purple prose, writing long, drawn-out descriptions and conversations between characters. But after years of practice I’ve learned to write punchier dialogue and narration that helps propel the plot forward. 

Copywriting taught me how to take criticism and advice. 

As a copywriter, I received feedback often, telling me what I was doing well and what I needed to improve. It was sometimes hard to hear, but it was also important. You’ll never improve as a writer if you refuse to listen to what others think of your writing. In publishing, you get feedback constantly.

From agents, editors, beta readers, bloggers, trade reviewers, and more. And even though I absolutely advise against seeking out negative reviews of your books (seriously, don’t do this. Nothing good ever comes of it and you just end up feeling like crap about yourself), I think it’s so important to be able to listen to the people who you work with, who truly care about you and your writing, and are giving you thoughtful feedback. Taking that feedback and being able to implement it into your writing so that you can revise and improve is such a vital skill and helps you become a better writer. 

Copywriting taught me how to sit down and get stuff done. 

Some people think that being an author is easy. That inspiration comes easily and you will write a perfect first draft, and then you spend the rest of your time autographing books and reading glowing reviews. Not even close. For me and every other author I know, it’s a tedious and difficult process.

Don’t get me wrong, I love writing and can’t imagine doing anything else, but it’s not glamorous. Every single day I’m sitting down and staring at a computer for hours. Author life is writing and rewriting, it’s having silent conversations in my head, it’s doubting almost every single idea that pops in my brain, it’s reading aloud a sentence or conversation a million times until it doesn’t even make sense anymore, it’s remembering a billion deadlines.

But I’m used to it because that’s exactly what I did as a copywriter. And I’m thankful for the perseverance and patience that job taught me because without it I wouldn’t be the author I am today. 

—

Sarah Smith is a copywriter turned author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since – most recently with her books Faker (2019) and Simmer Down (2020). On Location comes out Fall 2021. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and her adorable cat, Salem. Learn more at https://www.sarahsmithbooks.com.

• Facebook: @authorsarahs
• Instagram: @authorsarahs
• Twitter: @authorsarahs

ON LOCATION

Nothing like a rocky start between enemy coworkers stuck together on location to prove that love isn’t just a ploy for ratings—it’s a force of nature.

Alia Dunn has finally gotten her big break. After years of working her way up at TV’s top outdoor travel channel, she gets the green light from network executives to bring her dream project to life: produce a series about Utah’s national parks. It’s a touching tribute to her late apong, who sparked Alia’s passion for travel and the outdoors as a kid.

Alia is thrilled—until she meets her newest crew member, Drew Irons. The same Drew she had the most amazing first date with two weeks ago—who then ghosted her. The same Drew who has the most deliciously thick forearms and who loves second-guessing her every move on set in front of the entire crew. It’s not long before the tension between them turns hotter than the Utah desert in the dead of summer, and their steamy encounters lead to major feelings.

But when the series host goes rogue one too many times, jeopardizing the entire shoot, Alia realizes that she’ll need to organize one hell of a coup to save her show—and she’ll need Drew’s help to do it. It’s the riskiest move she’s ever made. If she pulls it off, she’ll end up with a hit series and her dream guy . . . but if it all goes wrong, she could lose both.

BUY HERE

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips