Writers can be a skittish, self-deprecating, woefully self-conscious, if not all-out-depressing group of people. In discussions with other writers, I’ve often spoken to people more about concerns about publishing and success than the business of actual writing.
Above all, we are always comparing ourselves to others and worrying: do I measure up?
With this in mind, I’ve decided to start a series of posts that highlights some key facts about the careers of those ‘who’ve made it.’ My intention with this is inherently contradictory. I want to both calm fears and exacerbate them. I want you to realize how inherently silly a lot of your fears are, and allow you to superstitiously worry that what I’ll write below actually means something. Why? Because that’s the game. We love to compare ourselves for peace of mind and we love to compare ourselves to drive ourselves crazy.
Papa Bear and His Pipe
So let’s start by comparing ourselves to the Granddaddy of all Fantasy Writers. Papa Bear: J.R.R. Tolkien
As a writer, what’s one major thing we are up against? The answer to that is the answer to my favorite of Gollum’s riddles:
This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
The answer is time.
I’m always intimidated by people who say things like, “I’ve been writing books since I was six” or “I published three stories when I was in High School” and so on. I hear those things and I think: If I haven’t done those things by now then maybe I’ll never do them!
Let’s see how long it took Tolkien to get his writing out there, so you can play the game of seeing how you compare.
Papa Bear was born in 1892.
He began writing The Silmarillion in 1917. In other words, this is more or less when he created Middle Earth, the locale that would be the basis for his career as a writer. He was 25.
If you are younger than 25 you have some time to get your big idea. If you are older than 25 and don’t have it yet, you’d better get cracking.
Papa Bear began writing The Hobbit in 1930. He was 38. This would be his first published novel.
If you are younger than 38 you have some time to get started on what will be your first published novel. If you are older than 38 and don’t have it yet, you’d better get cracking.
Papa Bear published The Hobbit in 1937. He was 45. It took seven years between starting to write The Hobbit and publishing it. If you are working on what you think will be your first published novel, you have seven years to finish, if you want to keep pace with Papa Bear. If you have already been working longer than seven years then you are late by Papa Bear’s standards.
Papa Bear published The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers in 1954. He was 62. If you have published a book, but are waiting to publish ‘the one you will be remembered for’ then you have until age 62 to find it–according to Papa Bear’s standards.
How does that make you feel? Better, worse? What are your current anxieties? Discuss below.
At that rate, I have a little less than 40 years to write that singular, revolutionary work for which I will be known for eternity. That’s a good feeling to have.
Then again, if I haven’t produced anything by the time I’m 62, I will feel incredibly disappointed in myself.
Uh oh.
Of course, he did write LOTR for about 15 years. So, you don’t have to find that singular, revolutionary idea for another 25 years or so!
Dreadful and reassuring. I’m beginning to think that about 85% of writers are overly concerned with the pressures of publishing, and the aura of quantity in place of quality. I’ve considered trying to churn out 1-2 self-published YA, vampire-based novellas during NaNoWriMo, but that’s not my passion. If Tolkein was spending 7 years on one book, perhaps we all need to step back and realize that the best self-promotion available is really preparation and dedication.
Good post. Thank you.
A.M. Schultz
http://amschultz.com
I admit I’m more the “spend 7 years on one book” type, but it’s a risk. What if you spend seven years and no one wants it?
I’m a firm believer that if you “rush the magic,” there is a very good chance that no one will want it.
The idea for my potential magnum opus hit me a few weeks ago, and I’ve scribbled about seven pages worth of notes in my Moleskine about it. I can’t stop thinking about it… but nobody knows I exist. I could maybe get 70 people to read it if it were done today.
Is it better to throw your name on as much literature as possible, get established simply through volume and the reputation as a prolific writer, then attempt to “wow” the literary world with a hit?
I intend to find out, one way or the other.
Everybody works at their own pace. Tolkien himself was still refining the mythology of Middle-Earth into the early 1970′s when he passed away. He never really finished it to meet with his standards.
I’m 41 and just started a book last week. Do I feel pressure because of my age? You bet I do. Am I going to let it bother me? Not so much.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Tolkien was gainfully employed throughout all of this. He also had a pretty large family. Who knows how much time he had each day for fiction writing.
Worse. I didn’t decide to start writing until I hit 50. Then hurricanes and a lot of other bad life stuff hit me and I’m still rewriting my first book. Arrgh. I hope I live a very long time without getting Alzheimer’s.
I have a friend who recently signed two two-book contracts. The first novel took more than 10 years to develop, write, re-write, edit, polish, and sell. The next three are coming along a bit quicker. She’s in her mid-40s.
Gregory Maguire spent upwards of 10 years on Wicked, and it’s still the best of the bunch. The rest of the series, which appeared at smaller intervals, is just more depressing than interesting.
I’m just going to keep on keepin’ on until my book is done, and the hell with how old I am or how long it takes me.
You last point is basically what I’m trying to say. Comparisons are fun but ultimately meaningless. People need to just do what they can do and see how it goes; anything else isn’t worth stressing too much over.
This article encouraged me. It reached in the murky depths of frustration and handed me a towel to dry off. Enrolled in an MFA program for popular fiction at Seton Hill University, my fellow students have submitted more and have publishing cred. This is the first time I have shared my fiction with the world. Plus, no matter how hard I try the short story eludes me. I must have too much to say. I am on track. Since I turned 30 in Sept., my fantasy world “The Isles” is well- developed. I have been building it for over ten years now. It is a lot easier to write fantasy if you know your world first. If I finish drafting my novel by the end of next year, I have 7 years to get it published.
As a final thought, I do not think it is a good idea to rush into publishing. I am selective about that. I want to be known for talent and writing quality. If it takes me longer to get published that is okay with me. I would rather wait and submit something I’ve worked hard on and can be proud of than deal with the embarrassment of a piece that did not meet my standards for the rest of my career. What do you think?
I agree with you completely. I am not a fan of churning out writing as quickly as possible for the sake of being able to then churn out more. I like to take my time, and I hope that will pay off. Sounds like you have a plan though, so good luck!
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