 Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash Why did you choose creative writing?
Writing is a great creative outlet for introverts and overthinkers. Those who know me well can attest that I have never been a quick thinker. My answers had to be carefully measured, which often made me the quiet one in the room. I’ve also always been better at expressing myself through writing, and it often takes me some time to craft a reply. Did you do a lot of writing when you were younger? I was a reader when I was young, but not a writer. I learned how to read when I was very young. There’s a story my mom told me, where I was just four years old and I was on a train trip with my parents, and fellow travelers were amazed that I was able to read a newspaper with understanding at such a young age. This ability meant I devoured books and became a knowledge sponge. Unfortunately, the strict school curriculum I was subjected to didn’t offer opportunities to be creative. Essay assignments were mostly about analyzing poems or books with a strict emphasis on history. That was when, feeling discouraged, I turned to the sciences. I concentrated on math, chemistry, and physics, as these provided me with clear structures that I could lean on. Writing essays became a mindless activity to just get by and get a good mark, not something that would further advance my understanding of creative writing. Did immigrating to Canada change your mind about creative writing? Not at all. I was eighteen when I immigrated to Canada. I entered Canadian high school with only a basic understanding of English. I remember sitting in the school hallway during my break period when one of the teachers came over to talk to me. I had no clue what they were saying, and only after a while did I realize that I had been asked to take my winter jacket off. When the teacher left I felt everyone's eyes on me, and that moment got imprinted in my memory. Being proficient in English felt like an unattainable goal. I buried any dreams to do any creative writing in favor of the scientific subjects that I knew well, and which would allow me to get into University and find a good job, where poor English skills and accents were not major obstacles to succeeding. I never abandoned books, though. I began to read more and more. First in Polish, but slowly I started to read in English as well. I always carried a book with me wherever I went, a habit that I keep to this day. My vocabulary continued to improve, but even though story ideas began to come to me, it was not enough to convince me that I could write. When did you gain the confidence to write? Writing and confidence don’t necessarily come together. I’ve heard many writers say this, and it’s true. When I sat down years later to write the first story, I still felt like I was kidding myself, because who wants to read a story written by some immigrant with broken English. I eventually put it on paper with the intention of one day lighting it on fire. I found the process of writing relaxing and enjoyable. My introvert self loves diving into the story and its characters, and exploring human emotions. Each evening I look forward to spending some time with the heroes and villains. I even enjoy editing, modifying and rewriting the manuscript. After six months of writing I became attached to the story and eventually gave it to my husband to read. What motivates you to keep pushing forward? Now that the publishing target date has been set for March 2022, I’m experiencing a lot of fear and uncertainty, but I wouldn't be here without the army of family and friends standing behind me giving me the courage to continue. To write. And to never let go of my dreams.
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 Photo by srinivas bandari on Unsplash I think I touched on this a bit in previous posts. Self-publishing definitely requires more effort than working with a publisher. While traditional publishers will provide you with an editor of their choosing, a self-published author has to do the work of finding an editor they connect with and can work well together with. The traditional publisher already has a contract with a book cover designer. Self-published authors have to research cover designers themselves and choose one they like best based on their past work. Once you are ready to self-publish, you will also need to navigate the different platforms available to you. How will you submit the book to print? Will you use a local print shop, or use a print-on-demand giant such as IngramSpark? How about Amazon, Google Books, Kobo, and so on? You need to worry about formats, forms to fill in, contracts, quality of the print, etc. If something goes wrong, how much time and effort are you able to put in to resolve these issues with all these different vendors? Traditionally published authors don’t need to worry about how the books are printed. The publisher takes care of everything until the books are ready to be distributed to bookstores. Once the book is published, the work doesn’t stop there. Self-published authors must also learn how to market their book to the public. The author must build their reader base and hold their audience’s interest while working on new future publications. Both types of authors, traditionally and self-published, will give readings, attend book fairs, and visit bookstores and libraries. Ready for a challenge? If so, self-publishing may be for you. No matter which road you take, the first book will be the hardest to write and publish. Once you get to know how the industry works, and how to navigate the publishing labyrinth, publishing a second book will be easier.  One of my beta readers pointed me to this song “Have You Ever” by The Offspring (Album: Americana, 1998) and I agree that this song fits the story of Sābanto. I did some internet research on the meaning of this song, and there are a few different theories on what the song is about. Based on what I was able to find, I think this explanation is most fitting: It often feels as if the world is a ride we’re trapped on and we have very little control over our lives. What we see and experience leaves us broken, helpless, and alone. We slowly become numb and spiral into depression because we don’t believe we can make a difference, and the world becomes a dark place. The lyrics “have you ever” ask listeners who relate to these feelings to acknowledge them. We are not alone and many of us feel the same way. If we eliminate crime, however, everyone will be a winner, but if we all walk away, the future of the world remains unknown. At some point, we all need to take a stand and “leave the world as a better place.” The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. The Offspring is often credited—alongside fellow California punk bands Green Day and Rancid—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the 1990s. Falling, I'm falling
Falling, I'm falling Have you ever walked through a room But it was more like the room passed around you? Like there was a leash around your neck that pulled you through? Have you ever been at someplace Recognizing everybody's face Until you realized that there was no one there you knew? Well, I know Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind Sleep forever (I know) Some days, I'm so outshined and out of time Have you ever Falling, I'm falling Falling, I'm falling Have you ever buried your face in your hands 'Cause no one around you understands Or has the slightest idea what it is that makes you be? Have you ever felt like there was more? Like someone else was keeping score And what could make you whole was simply out of reach? Well, I know Someday, I'll try again and not pretend This time forever (I know) Someday, I'll get it straight but not today Have you ever Falling, I'm falling Falling, I'm falling (Falling) some days, my soul's confined (I'm falling) and out of mind Sleep forever (Falling) some days, my darkest friend (I'm falling) is me again Have you ever Someday, I'll try again and not pretend This time forever Someday I'll get it straight but not today Have you ever When the truth walks away, everybody stays 'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay So if you walk away, who is gonna stay? 'Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place When the truth walks away, everybody stays 'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay So if you walk away, who is gonna stay? 'Cause I'd like to make the world be a better place When the truth walks away, everybody stays 'Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay So if you walk away, who is gonna stay? 'Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place I'd like to leave the world as a better place I'd like to think the world  Photo by Ewa Romanowicz Whatever your choice, you’ll still spend a lot of time editing your manuscript to make it the best it could possibly be. You’ll be working with the editor and spending countless hours re-reading your work. Here are some highlights on how you’ll spend your time in traditional vs self-publishing: If you choose to go the route of traditional publishing, you’ll consume an extensive amount of time finding a publisher. It’s your job as an author to find publishers that are interested in you, your genre, and your book. Due to the large number of submissions the publishers get, they require detailed applications with very specific guidelines. Those who fail to follow the requirements are automatically rejected. Some publishers will take months to reply to your submission regardless of whether or not they’re interested. First time authors should expect a lot of rejections, so get ready for them, but keep moving forward and keep trying. You will find a publisher that will eventually help you to get your book out. With self-publishing you are on a straight line to publishing. You do not need to look for a publisher since you are the publisher. Once your manuscript is complete, you can go straight to hiring an editor and skip the searching stage. There is, however, a catch. The majority of first time authors have no clue how to publish their own book, so you’ll have to spend time doing research, listening to podcasts, following other self-published authors, and researching service providers such as editors, designers, marketers. Regardless of which path you take, publishing your second book will be much quicker. There will be less time wasted finding a publisher or service provider. The experience you gained publishing the first book will have paid off. Some writers think that self-publishing will mean having to work harder to make their book known to the public. I think there is some misconception here, because traditional publishers can’t do much without the writer's involvement. They’ll send your book to local bookstores, and they might put out some press releases. In the end, however, it’s you, the author, who will gain publicity by attending the author’s readings and signings. It will be you attending the conferences and praising your book. You’ll spend a lot of time on this, and unless you are an established author, you may not be able to afford to say no to these events. |
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