If you have ambitions to ‘be a writer’, you probably already are one. Local writer, tutor and actress, Virginia Betts, discusses self-belief, the purpose of written expression, and encourages you to pick up your pen and get your work published.
Photo Credit: Jacob Rush
I’m sure you have heard authors being asked when they started writing – I know I’ve been asked many times. I expect my answer is the same as the one given by many writers: ‘I’ve always been a writer’. It’s true. Most people who choose to express themselves through the art of the written word have been doing it since they were small. My first ‘book’, aged 3, was about a fairground horse who leapt onto the sand to become real. I always had a vivid imagination and loved reading from a very young age. But I suppose what is meant by the question is ‘When did you start doing it seriously or professionally?’
It's a pity that people feel you have to be a ‘published’ writer to be able to call yourself a writer. I felt much the same way. Because I am newly published, I still have to beat down imposter syndrome from time to time and believe in myself. When I signed a few copies of my book in a local bookshop, I happened to say that I felt like a real author. The owner replied, ‘You are a real author! Why, don’t you believe it yet?’ I pondered that question and since then I have always felt more able to call myself a writer. The same is true of my acting and my tutoring. I’m a professional at all of the jobs I do. How could I expect to be taken seriously if I didn’t take myself seriously?
My journey to publication was surprisingly simple in the end. I subscribed to Writing Magazine, and I read about places to send work. Once I had a story and poem published by paying journals, there was no stopping me, and I wrote enough stories and poetry for two collections. There are many routes to publication, and I chose to go Hybrid, which means you pay the publisher a sum, (make sure you do not pay a huge amount you cannot afford – they will always negotiate) and they do the setting, formatting, editing, cover and the publication of your book. They give you a certain number of free copies and should discount heavily for you to get your book from them when you need copies, as well as design a website, market your book and distribute your book. It is like self- publishing, with the control of self-publishing, but less work for you. Self-publishing is also very achievable on various sites like Amazon KDP or Ingram Sparks. Beware though – even if you have a hybrid publisher, you still MUST check and edit carefully yourself, and this is even more crucial if you self-publish alone. For anything you self-publish, it is important, I think, to use a professional editor (unless, like me, you are a professional in spelling, grammar and proof-reading). My book required several edits to be perfect. I believe it is also important to get a professional cover designed. Perhaps I’d like to be ‘traditionally’ published for my novel, but then again, the royalties and control are better when self-publishing, and you keep all your rights. Plus, for me, aged over 50, I felt impatient to get my creative work out there. Some shops are a bit wary about stocking Amazon KDP books, but most will, if you persevere.
Which brings me to some other points. Firstly, if you write, start to get your work out there. Create a website; do a blog regularly; promote yourself on social media. Just keep writing. I’ve had some criticism from people I know for ‘self-promotion’ and some people have even said that they think at my age, it’s ‘disturbing behaviour’ to be promoting myself on social media. But listen to me carefully: those people aren’t your friends. They will never understand you or your work. There is no age limit on talent, opportunity and being happy. What is the point of creating art if you keep it a secret? ‘I’ve written a book and I’m starring in a play, but shhhh, don’t tell anybody!’ See how silly that sounds? Even if you are a well-known, traditionally published writer, you still have to get out there and promote yourself. And there is nothing wrong with that. Most artists, actually, are only really interested in people sharing in their work. I get more pleasure from someone appreciating my work and its meaning than I do from any money I might earn from it.
There are many reasons why we write. It can be therapeutic, it can be a tribute to honour someone’s memory, (especially with poetry) or it can just be a great story you want to tell. I tend to be inspired by my experiences of people and life, or things I read, and I then mix this with fiction. I often let my dreams take over and wake up with the idea for a story. I always write because I have something personal to say and I don’t write ‘for other people’, but I hope that readers can relate to my poems and stories in their own way. I may not have intended it the way you interpret it, but that’s ok. Art is for sharing and all artists are generous people, who want others to get pleasure or meaning from their creation.
Finally, write something every day if you can. I’m always super-busy, but I do try, even if it is 100 words. Don’t strive for perfection, simply write, as you can always edit it later. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to finish, just enjoy the process. So open up your laptop, or pick up your pen without delay! You’ve got something to say and someone will definitely read it!
By Virginia Betts