Investing in Writing

by Jeanette O'Hagan

One day, the CEO of a large company goes on an extended international trip. She gives each of her three area-managers funds to invest while she is away. When she returns, she calls each of them into her executive office to report on their outcomes. Stephen made a killing in renewal energy futures, Zoe more than doubled the seed-investment in property developments.
The third exec is obviously nervous as he enters her office. He fidgets with his tie, fumbles the sugar spoon as he stirs his coffee.
'So Philip, how have your investments prospered?'
The young man clears his throat and pushes a folder across her desk.
Her eyebrows shoot up. 'What's this, a bank statement? Two per cent interest?'
'Yes, boss,' he mutters. 'I knew you can't stand failure. So, I put your money in the safest place I could think of.'
'You knew I can't stand failure? You could have least put it in a growth fund.'
The next day, the CEO made Stephen and Zoe partners of the company, while Philip received a redundancy package.

I've changed a few details but you probably recognise the gist of Jesus' parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). No doubt we could draw different lessons from this biblical short story (dare I say flash fiction) - but one thing seems clear to me. The CEO (or master) expected his managers (or servants) to invest and multiply his money. Perhaps even take risks with it. The one thing that got the boss' blood boiling, was doing nothing, playing it safe. It seems, God expects us to invest, certainly in the sharing the gospel message, but also in the gifts, abilities and passions He has given us.

If God has called us to be writers, then surely He wants us to invest in our vocation. To take risks even. To give it focus, time and effort.

During Grade 11, everyone wanted to know what I planned to do after I graduated from High School. I didn't have much of an idea but eventually decided on Medicine. My mum said, 'If you want to be a doctor, Jenny, you have to work harder in your subjects.' So I did, I worked harder, I got into Med School, studied for six years, was an intern for two. I had to invest hours of study, years of education into achieving my aim.  Becoming a doctor doesn't just happen, it required investment of time and energy and commitment. It also took six years (eight if you count Grade 11 & 12) when I didn't earn a single cent as a medico. It takes time, effort and deferred gratification to be a teacher, a lawyer, an engineer, a nurse, a builder, a painter ... I could go on. And isn't it also true of sports and hobbies; whether it's playing chess, making quilts or sailing yachts.

Why should it be any different with writing? Whether we wish to write as a hobby or hope to earn a living from our writing, it is usually not enough just to write without investing in the craft, in knowledge and connections.

Randy Ingermanson (The Snowflake Guy) in his e-zine says there are three things which help us succeed as a writer:

Content - have a great story to tell (fiction), a great idea or expertise to share (non-fiction).
Craft - learn how to write the best we can and in a way that connects with our target audience.
Connections - network with fellow writers, editors, publishers at conferences, workshops - and I would say, online.

Maybe we also need Commitment - not to give up, but to keep on going despite setbacks and obstacles - and Covenant - the willingness to keep God at the centre of what we do, to honour Him and trust Him with the results.

What are ways that we can invest in our writing?

• Make time to write
• Join a good critique group or form one
• Read craft books or blogs (like this one)
• Journal, reflect on our writing process
• Have creative or author dates - fill the well (Julia Cameron) 
• Read, both in our genre and out of it
• Use writing prompts, free-writing, experiment
• Participate in workshops, conferences, seminars
• Enrol in a writing course
• Get feedback - from beta-readers, editors, fellow writers
• Learn from rejections 
• Learn to assess and edit our own work
• Submit our work to publishers, competitions, anthologies
• Connect with readers at book signing, events or on social media
• Support other writers through constructive feedback, reviews, following and buying books
• Study and invest in marketing and promotion
• Go to book fairs, festivals, conventions
• Pray about our writing and the writing of others; ask others to pray for us
• Trust God's leading and take some risks

Not all of these ideas will suit everyone.
Which ones resonate with you?
Which ones do you think are essential?
Which ones do you do well?
Where could you improve?
What could you risk?

Paul says of the Gospel, 'I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.' (1 Corinthians 3:6).  Whether we are writers of specifically Christian fiction or non-fiction or of cross-over fiction- or whether we are Christians who write for the general market; if we invest, if we keep God at the centre, then surely we can trust Him to give the growth - whether that is spiritual - in lives touched and transformed (perhaps even our own), or more material - books published and sold, audiences reached, a living made.

Whatever we do, let's not be like Philip in our re-told parable and bury what we've been given through fear or complacency.

****
Images © Jeanette O'Hagan 2017

Jeanette O’Hagan first started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of nine. She enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing.

Jeanette is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. Recent publications include Heart of the Mountain: a short novella, The Herbalist's Daughter: a short story and Lakwi's Lament: a short story. Her other short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

You can find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes .

Iron sharpens Iron

by Jeanette O'Hagan

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

Writing is often thought of as a solitary pursuit - the reclusive artist scribbling away in the attic as words are distilled and preserved for future generations. And it's true that writers do spend a lot of time alone. Yet, if it takes a village to raise a child, there is also a sense in which it also takes a literary village to birth a book.  From reading the greats, to teachers, mentors, critique partners, beta-readers, editors, agents, publishers, formatters, cover artists, publicists, distributors, booksellers and readers.

Over the last several weeks, I've been reminded of the important role of critique partners - or friendly critics - those valuable fellow writers who give us pertinent and honest feedback on our work. (Similar but different from Beta-readers and editors).

I've recently appreciated finding a group of fantasy and sci-fi writers who understand what I'm writing and invaluable feedback through the critique sessions plus a novel swap (with some great pointers on siege warfare). And I've also appreciated the time taken by a friend in a poetry group I belong to, whose feedback helped me refine a suite of poems I submitted to a competition on Monday. Such input is priceless.

To be honest though, getting honest feedback can sometimes be a painful process. In some cases, it's taken me months to recover :), but better to hear it now, than after submission or publication. And while, sometimes such harsh criticism has been warranted, that isn't always the case. It's good to hear more than one voice - though the sweetest voices are not always the most accurate.

A good critique partner:

• Is available
• Provides a fresh set of eyes - we see what we think is there and often don't see the plot holes or inaccuracies; I've found that each critiquer will pick up different things. One might be best on grammatical issues, another on the use of rhetorical devices or factual issues, while a third might pick up structural or genre related issues.
• Is honest and brave enough to tell you when something isn't working (for them).
• Is specific - not just 'this is a load of rubbish' but given specific examples of what jars them. 
• Will also say what works for them - it's as valuable to know what is working as what isn't (and a little bit of praise keeps one going).
• Is respectful - they don't imply you, the writer, are an idiot or hopeless.
• Have some knowledge of the craft, of your genre and/or target audience - or at least you are aware where their area of strength is.
• Balances the negative with the positive.
• Understands were you are on the journey - when we are just beginning we probably needs more encouragement (so we don't give up in despair) than a more experienced writer. 
• Is descriptive rather than prescriptive - they explain what they liked and disliked, but they understand that you are the writer of the work. 

Being a critique partner is usually a mutual relationship - with each partner taking turns between being the critiquer or being critiqued. 

A good recipient of a critique

• Appreciates the value of receiving a critique - someone has taken time to read and respond to your work. Never take that for granted.
• Accepts the critique graciously, even if it's negative.
• Allows time to consider carefully the points that have been raised. Sometimes what seemed ridiculous when you first hear it, may actually make a lot of sense - with time.
• Listens without arguing back - even when you don't like what you hear. If the critiquer notices something, they may not be right about the solution, or even about the problem - but it is often a good indication that you need to look at whether you are communicating clearly at that point.
• Understands that you as the writer, has the final say - it is your work and vision. You will need to develop the wisdom to know when to change things and when to hold on and follow your creative intuitions.
• Is happy to return the favour (gives as well as receives).

Where ever you are on the writing journey, good critique partners are treasures to be appreciated. 

Where do you find critique partners? This is not always easy - but many writing groups have some form of critiquing (whether online or face to face). Also, meeting other writers online, at conferences or workshops or writing courses may be ways of meeting potential critique partners with interests in similar genre or areas. Omega Writers, for instance, has sub-groups for creative non-fiction, children and young adult, Science-Fiction and Fantasy and Screen-Writers.  

What experiences have you had with critique partners and what tips would you like to share about what makes or breaks a critique partnership.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Image courtesy of tratong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jeanette O’Hagan enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. She is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. Her short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl. She is excited about launch of Heart of the Mountain on the 30th of this July, 2016 - and the upcoming Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master’s in writing. She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

You can find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites  JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes .