“It’s about luck, and timing and so many other factors you can’t control, but it’s also about some you can.”
Being an author is a non-stop learning journey, says novelist Zara Stoneley, but what you learn along the way makes you a stronger writer.
I started off my career as an IT consultant. I’ve not got a degree in English Lit, I’ve not got a background in marketing or publishing of any kind, I’m not ace at social media – but I have always loved a good story, and enjoyed trying to write one. I dabbled. I sent my first sub in when I was still at school, then had another go when my son was a baby, but I wasn’t that bothered about the rejections. It wasn’t until I saw the big five-oh looming that I decided it was time to knuckle down and tackle this properly. I did it, I got a deal, I was hooked and now I can’t not write.
When I started off, I thought that getting an agent (I pestered mine until she gave in and signed me!), and a publishing deal was the tough bit. Nobody told me that it was only the start, and it doesn’t get any easier. In fact, it gets harder. Expectations are higher, imposter syndrome kicks in, you feel the need to write a better book. Being an author is a non-stop learning journey. But it’s a job – I realised early on I needed to be business-like, acknowledge the doubts but not let them stop me (sometimes easier said than done).
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to take things personally. To acknowledge that reviews aren’t a personal attack (normally) and are often a reflection on the reviewer not the book. To recognise that every author has their own journey and comparing yourself to them is self-destructive. At times, every other author in the world seem to be writing LOTS more words, have massive advances and movie deals in the offing. But who knows what my next book will bring (an author needs endless optimism!)?
I’ve learned that it can be a lonely job, but there are lots of supportive people out there. I talk to author friends who are the best; wonderfully supportive and generous, and the people who really ‘get it’. You need people like that, who understand.
I’ve learned you need self-discipline by the bucket load. ‘You can’t edit a blank page’, is something you hear a lot – and sometimes you just have to sit there and write not-so-good words, so that tomorrow you can write better ones. For me setting a daily word count works wonders, I’m not allowed to leave my desk (or drink gin) until I’ve met it.
On the slow days, I remind myself that this is actually the best job in the world. The one I really want. I get to make a living out of stringing words together in a way that hopefully can make other people feel happier, more optimistic, give them somewhere to escape to at the end of their busy day.
And that last bit is the key for me, the driving force when I’m in a slump. It’s about people. I write about people, for people. When I’ve hit the sticky middle and plotted myself into a corner and haven’t a clue how to get out, I go back to the people. The characters I’ve created that I want readers to love, and wonder what it is I’ve missed, why their story has ground to a halt. When my agent isn’t keen on an idea, I think about what people are experiencing today, who they can empathise with, what drives them on – which often gives me the commercial hook I need.
On a good day, being an author is the best, on a bad day it’s a bit meh. At the end of the day it’s about luck, and timing and so many other factors you can’t control, but it’s also about some you can. Like bum on seat, fingers on keyboard – and head in the world of your characters. And it’s about reminding yourself that you’ve done it once and you can do it again.
Author Zara Stoneley writes feel-good women’s fiction and is best known for her contemporary romantic comedies, including the USA Today bestseller ‘The Wedding Date’. She lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a far-too-clever-for-his-own-good cockapoo called Harry, and a slightly evil ginger cat called Saffron. Her latest book, The First Date, is available now.
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