Many of us have experienced a writing process throughout our lives, whether it was rushing to complete a school assignment the night before it was due or writing reports for work. Most of our effort is in the creating of a story or narrative we wish to convey to our audience. Hopefully, when we are done we are satisfied with our work and then move on to our next assignment. But for writers at the end of this creative process of writing there is the additional question of, “what now, what is next for my work?”
For many this is the point in the writer’s journey when the author starts working on the business side of the writing process to get their work published, facing the many challenges and decisions to consider regardless of the publishing route they choose. I also started my writing journey with all my energy focused on putting words onto the page and learning the craft of writing. These are important skills to learn and while I always understood there is a business side to writing I believed that would come later after I completed my final draft, or as close to completion as possible. However, after attending James River Writers master classes and conference sessions or just networking with fellow writers, I soon realized that attention to the business side should begin earlier rather than later in the writing process.
Realizing the need to spend time on the business side was both illuminating and daunting given that I was focusing most of my energy on writing and researching my story. Now I would need to divert my limited energy and time resources on these writing business-related areas also.
Fortunately, JRW offered programs covering tips to integrate and balance both sides of the writing process. At JRW conferences while attending the Book Doctors Pitchapalooza sessions, I discovered the importance of developing an elevator pitch so I would be able to quickly present my story to potential agents and readers. This also had the additional benefit of zeroing in on the essence of my story and helping me focus on the direction to follow with it.
I also never fully appreciated the importance of building your writer’s brand, the need for an author’s website or the author’s newsletter until I attended Karen A. Chase’s fantastic classes on these topics. These classes presented the importance of writers spending a percentage of time working on building a brand, cultivating a network of readers, and getting their names out to the public as they are working on their stories. I realized as the work progresses from draft to final product, the percentage of time devoted to the business side changes until almost 100% of your time is on the business side as you prepare for your book launch.
All of this demonstrates to me that one of the most valuable resources JRW provides is bringing writers with various experience levels together to network. This network became increasingly important as the world became more virtual due to the pandemic and JRW created virtual programs to fill the need.
One program JRW offers is a free monthly informal virtual meet and greet with other writers on the second Wednesday of each month. Being able to discuss all aspects with fellow writers, not only from the Richmond area but literally from around the world, provided me an important resource to gain insight on how others balance the business side with their writing process.
As I continue my writing journey an important lesson I have learned by attending JRW programs and talking with fellow writers is not to wait before starting the business aspect of becoming a published writer and being able to answer the question, “what is next for my work.”
About the Author
Mike Christos has been involved with JRW since 2003 in various supporting roles. Due to his years of experience as a computer engineer and chief technical officer, he has helped JRW with various computer technical issues and is currently serving on the Board of Directors, chairing the JRW Technical Committee. Although not originally considering himself a writer, he is published in a scientific journal and is at work on a science fiction novel he considers an Indiana Jones/Dr. Who/Dan Brown mashup.