Build a Better Mouse Trap – Part III
This is part three of four in a series about writing by authorBrandt Dodson.
In my last post I outlined five characteristicsof successful writers—the kind of writers at the top of the New York Timesbestseller list. Here are the rest:
Successful writers know their market.
Lee Child was recently asked ifhe would ever write a non-Jack Reacher novel. He said, “No. I write JackReacher. If someone wants to read something else, I’m not the guy. I writeReacher.”
Smart man. Lee isn’t saying hecan’t produce something else. In fact, he did for many years while at the BBC. But he is saying he knows his readership andhe will give them what they want. We would be well advised to do the same. Thisdoesn’t mean you can’t expand. In fact, you must if you are to grow as a writerand remain relevant. But knowing your market and giving them what they want isthe first step to a marketing plan that works—the first step toward building abetter mousetrap.
Successful writers know their craftThese writers know how to usegrammar to their advantage. They understand the simplicity and complexity ofthe English language. They understand that what is not said in a story can be just as impactful as what is said. They understand and use subtextto their advantage. In short, they make the execution of a well-written novellook easy. They do this by knowing their craft.
Successful writers are diligentThe writers I’ve met and readthat are highly successful have been diligent in the pursuit of their success.Ken Follett, Jack Higgins, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King were all determined tosucceed. This doesn’t mean that writing and submitting the same thing will makeus successful. But it does demonstrate that a determination to succeed willsupply the fuel necessary to do what it takes to achieve the dream. I heard a sayingrecently that I really like: Dreams don’t come true; dreams are made true.
Successful writers are accessible
This may not have a direct impacton their sales figures, but I’ve noticed that successful authors tend to putsomething back. With rare exceptions, they aren’t selfish or boorish people.Lending a helping hand is something they enjoy. And why not? It is enjoyable.
During the course of my careerI’ve taught at dozens of writing conferences and have mentored several writersinto publications. I’ve given cover quotes, edited manuscripts, and connectedfledgling writers with editors, agents, and publishers.
I enjoy it. But successfulwriters are writers first and teachers second. It is natural to want to pass onthe techniques we’ve learned. But when this takes the place of writing, we areon a very different road.
Okay. So there you have it.Perhaps this is nothing new. In fact, you may have noted these before. But areyou doing them? Are you thinking more deeply about your plots? Are you challengingyourself more? Are you truly giving the readers what they want? Somethingfresh?
It’s hard. No doubt about it. Ifthis was easy, everyone would be doing it. (I know, I know. It seems likeeveryone is doing it.)
Introspection is the key tounlocking our writing faults. Looking into the mirror often reveals the wartswe don’t want to see. You won’t like it. I didn’t like it either. Lazy writingis easy, and I like easy. But the rewards go to the diligent—to those who arewilling to roll up their sleeves and do the work necessary to take theirwriting to the next level. You can do it. You know you can. And there areresources that can help.
I’ll list some of the ones I’ve used in my next post.
