Sunday night I watched The Glee Project with my daughter. In the show, talented twenty-somethings compete for seven guest spots on GLEE. In each episode a regular cast member gives the contestants advice and a challenge.
In this episode, the cast member, Max Adler, who plays Kurofsky, told the hopefuls they needed three things to make it in this (show) business.
Passion. Persistence. Patience.
I said, “OOOH, I’m writing that down.” And I did. (Who says television isn’t a teaching tool?) And then I thought about how those three P’s apply not to writing in general, not to the pursuit of publishing, but specifically to the writing of women’s fiction as I see it, and as we’ve discussed on Women’s Fiction Writers.
Sometimes it’s the little reminders — a word here, a phrase there, a Post-It note — that make the biggest impact because they take up the least amount of physical and mental space. (I like to leave as much room as possible for my characters to breathe and grow and dance around. Did I just write that and post it? Yes. Yes, I did.)
PASSION
In women’s fiction the main character’s passion for her personal journey must supersede her passion for discovering or keeping a romantic partner. The passion is for making it on her own — with others perhaps along side, but not always.
As a women’s fiction writer, my passion is stories where women are champions of their own lives, and to show readers how my characters get to that point. For me, there’s also a passion for writing what some women might be uncomfortable admitting is true for them or someone they know. Imperfect parenting, snarky retorts, occasional selfishness, ignored red flags, big secrets. Occasional wardrobe lapses.
PERSISTENCE
In women’s fiction the main character may not always be persistent — her journey may take a detour — but someone in the story persists, or the antagonist persists or the situation persists and spurs the main character to action. This hearkens back to the fact that in every bit of your writing the character must want something — even if it’s a glass of water. She must persist to make it to The End.
As a women’s fiction writer I’m persistent. As I dip into my reserve of clichés, I stick to my guns and I dig in my heels and I don’t budge an inch when someone rolls his or her eyes at the genre. I just keep writing women’s fiction. Even more so, I keep reading women’s fiction, buying books, doing interviews, joining groups, promoting the cause. I also persist in communicating what women’s fiction is — and what it is not.
PATIENCE
As a women’s fiction writer I’ve learned to have a lot of patience, not only in the writing, querying and publishing processes but in learning that being part of a women’s fiction community can be an uphill battle. It’s not this, it’s not that, we like you, we don’t, we want you here, now get away. Sometimes I only realize I’m at the top of the the hill when I stop and look around. And by “at the top” I don’t mean with a book deal or bestseller, I just mean — I’m at the best part of my writing career for me at this particular moment. I am where I need to be. I can’t be further along because, well, I’m just not farther along. I can’t go backwards because, well, that’s plain ridiculous. I’m patient because the alternative is not to be patient, which accomplishes nothing. I don’t twiddle my thumbs. I write and revise my novels. I read, read, read. I learn about craft. I communicate with my agent. I write and publish short stories. I do not get perturbed or panicked too often. I’ve also learned patience when it comes to fielding questions from folks who want to ask “Why choose patience when you can choose self-publishing?” I’m patient as I watch the industry change and as I figure out how it all impacts the books I want to write.
And I believe that because of this patience, I can be even more persistent when focusing on my own passion — my journey as a women’s fiction author.
Are you passionate, persistent and patient? How does it relate to your women’s fiction writing?
Great description of Women’s Fiction . Will RT!
Thanks, Anne! 🙂
TV is definitely a learning tool. The more I read, and the more I write, the more I can watch a television show and not appreciate it just superficially. I look past the possible bad (or good) acting, the physical characteristics of the actors, and even the script and deeper into the themes. I wonder about the mind of the creator and admire how the writers can pull together a long story and string it out over a series of mini-stories that still captivate the audience.
But okay, your post is about passion, persistance and patience. Those are heavy words but so true to women’s fiction. Not only to the characters about which we write but to us as women’s fiction authors. Great post!
PS – I am a Gleek myself. *turns red*
Hi fellow Gleek — I mean, April…
I definitely agree that watched the right way, we can learn a lot more from TV than just Broadway tunes!! You’re right!!
🙂
Amy
Great minds and all that. I wrote something over a year ago about “The 3 P’s of Publishing.” Mine were “patience,” “perseverance” and “perspective.” “Passion” is a great addition to the list. And I now think that patience, perseverance and perspective are only possible if you have passion about what you do. And a dash of OCD tendencies when it comes to language doesn’t hurt either.
And about TV? i have a notebook next to me on the sofa at all times. You never know when television characters are going to dispense golden nuggets.
Another good one, Amy.
I like the addition of “perspective”, Densie.
I was also thinking that “persnickety” could be added as well!!
🙂
Amy
Great post! I’m happy to know I’ve got passion and persistence. Might have too work on the patience. Having a full-time job and then feeling guilty if I don’t write after a long day shouldn’t be the case. If I miss a day its ok as long as I get back to it the next day or don’t miss too many days in between. I should be more patient and not try to rush to finish my first manuscript.
Hi Nicole,
Depending on how you approach it, I think it could be ok to rush through a first draft. What you never want to rush through are revisions!! (you know, the second, third, fourth and fifth draft!)
🙂
Amy
Great post, Amy – I love your perspective on this. I’m struggling a bit with patience but I’ve got the other 2 in spades 😉 it comes back to forcing myself to be patient with myself … I can’t learn everything and do everything overnight but I certainly want to. That makes for some frustration. Is there a “womensfic” hashtag on twitter? Well, there is now because I just used it 😉
Love the hastag, PJ!
Like Nicole, I might have to work on the patience part, but i have the other two for sure. Love this explanation of what we need to write Women’s Fiction. All true, Amy!
Hi Tina,
Sometimes I think I just don’t have the energy to be impatient. Does that makes sense? I do wonder, at times, if I’m complacent – but that would mean not caring and that’s not it at all. I guess I’m just good at waiting. I have done quite a bit of it in my life!!
Hugs,
Amy
Passion – yep. Persistence – yep. Patience – yep. I can really relate to what you’re saying. I have only been in this game for two years now, but I’ve already learned those three things. I LOVE to write. I refuse to give up although I could paper my whole house with my rejection letters. And I’m willing to wait for however long it takes until my books get published (in whatever form that is). Thanks for a great post.
Patti
Quite the checklist, right Patti?
I think persistence and passion go together like pb & j. The patience is like the bread. You don’t need it, but it makes the whole thing a little easier to swallow.
🙂
Amy
I’ve found persistence is the P most often missing from my writing life. It’s easy to be complacent, as you said in the above comment. It’s far more difficult to be persistent. Hanging out at places like the WF-RWA loop or on blogs like yours are great for strengthening my persistence.
Thanks for a great blog, Amy!
Persistence slips, that’s for sure. Just don’t let it go for too long!!!
🙂
Amy
Excellent insight, Amy!
And so true. Those of us who have plugging along in this business for years on the unpubbed, unagented side of the door fight these P’s daily. It’s a struggle, and it’s only the love of the craft that get us through. My ultimate payoff only came 5 months ago…I’ve been writing seriously since 2001 (10 yrs!)and just this year in February did I finally hit the prize. And that came from the patience of researching the true agent I wanted, after months of querying and then sitting down with the passion and persistence P’s and revising heartily. Then I targeted just her. And it worked. After querying for years, I did it right, and got an agent within five days of the query. And because I’d been so passionate with the revisions…I got the book deal with a major house exactly 2 months later. Those three P’s work if you wrap your heart and soul around them. Never give up, ladies…don’t sell yourself out. Believe in your passion and it will return the favor.
You’re the proof, Sharla! (yet another “P”)
🙂
Amy
I LOVE the three P’s! I don’t watch Glee (in fact I don’t watch TV, we got rid of cable) so I never would have heard of them, so thank you! I’m definitely passionate and patient…. it’s the persistence I really need to work on. Do you think re-subscribing to cable would help me find out how to become more persistent?
GLEE is on Fox, Julia. Any ol’ TV at all. Or Hulu, I think.
😉
Amy
I needed this blog post today, Elizabeth. I have been steered off the path of writing women’s fiction by agents who have prodded me to change my story to a romance, but thank goodness I am back on track. You explained very clearly the difference. Thank you.