The Fine Art of Being Crappy

This may seem like a strange title for an article by a debut author, but, I’d like to share how I managed to write, edit, win two awards, and find a publisher for my debut novel, The Exit Strategy. And it required mastering the art of being crappy.

As children we are often taught, especially girls, that talent is innate. We are naturally good at some things and not inclined toward others. (This can also play into the pseudo-science of girls being more inclined to arts and language than math and science, despite this being disproven.)

This advice to focus on what you’re good at has influenced my entire life. For example, I chose languages and business over math, even though I enjoyed physics but found it harder. Throughout my career, as I rose to be Vice President at one of the biggest blue chip tech companies in the US, I continued to believe, as the senior woman in the room, that I had no room for failure.

This avoidance of crappiness fell apart one night in my late thirties in San Francisco, when after a few too many pisco sours, my friend Mary posed a question: Would I join her in competing in a triathlon? 

Honestly, I hedged that night (even drunk). I still felt scarred from the humiliation of placing last in every single race in elementary school. Not to mention that I couldn’t run more than a hundred yards. But my friend convinced me it’s all in the training. Increase your distance only 10% per week, and with enough time, your stamina and competence will increase. 

I rapidly understood the most important attribute in training isn’t natural athleticism but resilience; the willingness to stick with the discomfort of being crappy for an extended period. Perhaps that persistence is why I observed that, for women, the competitors who achieved the best times in local triathlons were in their forties.

With the help of a community (an all-women training team), I discovered I could enjoy the ‘I’m terrible at this’- phase. I’m convinced that without those lessons, I couldn’t have sourced the courage to tackle my writing journey over the last four years.

When I started drafting The Exit Strategy, I knew I didn’t possess the skills to achieve my goal of writing a page-turner. My solution was to read every writing manual I could find. While I love craft books, I don’t recommend this approach. For most of us, writing is something you learn by doing. As a comparison, can you imagine if I’d trained for that triathlon by reading every book I could find on how to run or develop stamina?

Instead, I stepped back from the books and worked for a year with a book coach through Author Accelerator, where we revised the same scenes, until I understood how to create an arc, balance internal thoughts with external drive, and get emotion on the page.

And the finished manuscript had success. It won two awards, including 2nd place in The Rising Star award by Women’s Fiction Writers Association. But I learned through querying agents that the pacing and characters were still undeveloped. (My primary protagonist is a razor-sharp investor, and I underestimated the challenge of making her relatable to those not from my Silicon Valley world). In fact, this book wouldn’t be ready for publication for another 2+ years. 

I stepped back and over another twelve plus months, with the insight of an amazing developmental editor, I completed three full rewrites. This time,after more beta feedback, I knew the book was worthy of representation and felt confident I’d find the perfect agent partner. 

And again, the world did not agree. After over 130 + queries and over 30 full manuscript requests, the feedback from agents was entirely consistent and equally depressing: “love the writing, love the characters, page-turner, but I’m not going to offer representation”.

And yet, I persisted, in part because of support from the amazing group of women writers with whom I’d connected. Remember that all women’s training team? That was a core lesson for me in the power of community. Putting in the time to help others can make your own journey more enjoyable.

I pushed to find the actual reason for these rejections. The answer, as best I’ve concluded, is there aren’t comparable women’s fiction titles about Silicon Valley, and sexism and the power of female friendship. One publisher even told me they didn’t see a market for women’s fiction set in the workplace.

Based on brilliant advice, when plan A didn’t work out after 6 months (agent path to big publisher), I moved to Plan B. I submitted the manuscript to smaller publishing houses (perhaps more willing to take a risk on something new?). Within  a few months I received several offers. I tapped into that same community of writers to help me select the right publisher for me: The Wild Rose Press.

My debut is releasing on July 8th, and now readers will reach their own judgements. But I’m thrilled to see early reviews call the book ‘unputdownable’,  ‘uplifting’ and ‘a page-turner’.

And what of the art of being crappy? Have I passed that now? Well, I’m 20,000 words into book two, and I’ll let you guess what stage it’s at- smile. My core lesson learned is that it’s fine to stay in that stage again as long as I need. 

My advice? Find your community and try to enjoy the journey of being crappy in the company of friends also in training, instead of viewing this stage as failure and rushing to get through it.  

THE EXIT STRATEGY

Silicon Valley, sexism and the power of female friendship

Silicon Valley investor Ryn Brennan is on the verge of achieving everything she’d dreamed. She’s proven herself in the male-dominated venture capital world, benefits from the support of her successful husband, and is about to close the deal of her career. 

Everything is going exactly as planned, until she meets Carly, her husband’s mistress, across the negotiating table.

Carly clawed her way back from being a teenage runaway to become an accomplished scientist, loving single mom, and co-founder of her startup. Once she marries her perfect fiancé, she’ll secure that ‘normal’ life she craves. But she’s blindsided to discover her not so perfect fiancé is already married—to Ryn, her company’s biggest investor.

In an industry full of not-so-subtle sexism, can the two women rise above, and work together to overcome heartbreak and ensure their success?

Purchase options for THE EXIT STRATEGY: https://www.laineycameron.com/purchase-options

Lainey Cameron is a digital nomad and author of women’s fiction. A recovering tech industry executive, her award-winning novel, The Exit Strategy, was inspired by a decade of being the only woman in the corporate boardroom

A digital nomad—meaning she picks locations around the world to live (and write) for months at a time—Lainey is an avid instagrammer, and produces regular IGTV episodes highlighting The Best of Women’s Fiction.

She’s a proud member and volunteer with Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and believes community makes the author’s life worthwhile. Originally from Scotland, Lainey has a soft spot for kilts and good malt whisky.

Find out more about Lainey on her website www.laineycameron.com, or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads or BookBub  

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips