A month ago I started a new job. This is only my third job in ten years – I was at the last one for three and the previous one for seven. Both jobs had their good points, hence the reason I kept each for so long. But they also both had one distinct disadvantage: I didn’t fit in with my co-workers.
It’s not a big thing. I get along with anyone who does their job correctly and efficiently. It did mean a lot of lonely lunches and wallflower moments at company parties. It also meant it wasn’t as easy to laugh and joke around with them. I pretty much expected the same thing when I got to this job and *shock* it’s not the case. These people are just as socially awkward as I am, like the same lame jokes and puns, and are really a lot of fun to be around. It’s been one aspect of this job that’s made it so fantastic.
I was thinking about that, and about the fact that writing really is work. Even if you’re not getting paid for it (yet), it still takes substantial effort. I read in The Crew that you have to be compatible with your agent. That made me think even more.
As I’ve said before – and I will probably say over and over again in the future – writers who are writing for anyone but themselves can’t operate in a silo. You have to be able to bounce your ideas off readers. You have to have a group of people whose opinion you trust, who will give you honest but helpful feedback on your work. In a case like that especially, it helps if you get along with them.
And the same goes for selling your work. I don’t know that it matters so much whether or not you get along with the editor of the e-zine that just picked up a one-off-story from you, but if you’re going to have a long term relationship…
So I’ve decided that has to be a part of my process when I’m querying agents. During the first stages it won’t be that important – but I can guarantee that if their website or verbiage gives me the creepy crawlies, or just makes me think “Wow, what hard-core hard-ass”, I’m going to think twice about asking them to look at my work.
I dunno…maybe I’ve put too much thought into this? Do you think it’s that important to be compatible with the people who help you polish and publish your work?
Sorry I missed this post till now, but I’m here and have something to say.
It does help to be compatible with those involved in the development of a novel/story. Having left a critique group due to person issues including an issue with one member in particular, I can totally agree with that aspect. It helps to say the least, but there are rare times when compatibility is not needed.
For a good part of the group, there was a member from the same state as me (it was online, so rare to be so close) only I went to school in northern utah and he went to BYU. He is Mormon and his reading tastes were a little different than the rest of the group. (He’s not the reason I left.) He refused to read anything erotic/sexual, and that was fine. Despite his disapproval of homosexuality in general, he still read and gave fair criticism to my stories. So, sometimes the non-compatible can help because they give ideas and viewpoints that we may not have considered because of their difference.
The one that bugged me was less professional in her reviews and sometimes a little insulting. That is something I couldn’t put up with. So, now I’m looking for readers and I’m cautious about where I look. Some people have suggested looking into SCBWI but ummm, I’m not sure how children’s book writers and illustrators will think of adult gay novels. I’m looking for someone who is at least somewhat compatible to be a beta.
I giggled about your Utah reviewer story – I have one almost identical. She’s not around as much any more, and I miss her, but she was a reader for one of my novels. She lives a little closer to me (we’re both in the same valley), and wouldn’t read any sex/heavy inneuendo scenes, so I would actually cut those out and put in brief notes where they existed when I sent her my chapters.
I’m with you on the less than objective critiques, though. I’ve left more than one review group for exactly that reason.
And my offer to be a reader for you was sincere before – don’t feel obliged, but if you want to give it a try let me know ^_^
I’m actually looking for beta readers for the near future. I have 3 first drafts done on different novels but only one is in second draft mode right now. Once I’m done with the rewrite, I’ll do an edit and then the goal is to send to readers. It’s actually YA dealing with genetic mutation. Have other novels that I’m writing the first draft now, but won’t be ready for awhile. I can definitely put you on the reader list if you’re interested. 😀
Yes, yes, yes 😀 Sign me up.