Wise Words on the Writing Life

by Kristi Belcamino

I'm up to my eyeballs in revisions for Blessed are Those Who Mourn. This fourth book in my Gabriella Giovanni mystery series is due to my editor Monday, June 1,

This fast turnaround times is one of the cool parts about being with the HarperCollins imprint I'm with. From what I've read, and my own experience, if someone likes a book in a mystery series they don't want to have to wait around very long for the next one!

But I've worked hard to make this happen.

This book comes out Sept. 29, which means I've published four books in 15 months. On Monday, after I turn it in, that will be the first time in ten months that I haven't been writing or revising a book.

I have a long list of items to do during this free week.

READ my friend's books!
Make biscotti!
Clean the entire house (it has been woefully neglected!)
Send out my author newsletter.
Weed the yard.
Go to doctor's appointments.

Anyway, in the meantime, while I'm finishing MOURN. 'll leave you with links to a few articles about the writing life.

My take away from both of them is that the key to succeeding in a writing career involves lots of hard work and being stubborn enough to never give up.

What do you think are the keys to success in this writing world?

This first article by Lea Wait is gritty and inspirational at the same time. If you want a career as a writer, you can't let the bastards get you down.

When Days are Dark (click on this link for the full article) is on Main Crime Writers

"And, over and over, people (often “pre-published” writers) told me how lucky I was. After all: I’ve had thirteen books published since my first was published in 2001, and I have contracts for more.

And, yes. I am lucky. I also do what most published writers do. I work hard. I do a lot of research. I write and re-write and re-write again. And, when a book is published, I visit bookstores and libraries and schools (and conferences). I blog. (Here I am!) I don’t do as much social media as some of my fellow authors, but I’m on Goodreads and Facebook. (Friend me, both places!) And if I’m not working on a book, and sometimes even when I am, I’m planning another one. Or two. I love my life … but I work seven days a week at my writing job, all year."

The second article, What I Know For Sure, by Rachel Howzell Hall, ran on Jungle Red Writers.

These two points she made really resonated with me. So much so that I am going to buy and read her books for sure. Here is even more from Rachel Howzell Hall on Dru's Book Musings.

      If you really want to write, you’ll find time to do it. A pox on that, ‘I really want to write but I can’t find the time.’ Malarkey. Balderdash. Did you watch the Red Wedding episode of Game of Thrones? Did you eat that entire pint of Chunky Monkey? Wanna know why? Cuz you wanted to. An hour and three minutes—every episode of GOT. An hour and three minutes—how long it takes to eat a pint Chunky Monkey. An hour and three minutes—how long it takes to write a decent chapter. If you wanna do something, you’ll do it.

      It’s never enough. I landed a book contract. Now, I want another book contract. I have ten book reviews, I want fifty more. I want to win a Rotary Club Certificate of Excellence, an Edgar, a National Book Prize, a Pulitzer, a Nobel Prize, and… and… God. I want to be God. Or Stephen King.