I'm honored to include Jerry Jenkins in this series of blog posts. For those just joining us, I've asked editors, agents, publicists and authors to share their responses to the question:"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
We've heard a fascinating array of responses. To read them all click here, or click on the "Advice for Novelists" label at the end of this post:
Here's Jerry's answer:
What would I say to an aspiring novelist?
Develop a thick skin. A piece of published writing is not a solo but rather a duet between you and your editor. My 175th book will release this summer -- Riven, a novel about a death row inmate who chooses crucifixion as his method of execution -- and I still rely heavily on my
editor.
It seems our very lives and senses of self worth are on every page, but if we are writing for only admiration and acceptance, we should send our stuff to people who love us. If we want to be published, however, and see our best work reach the public, we must be open to that fresh second set of eyes on our precious words.
Sure it hurts, and we'd all like to think we can someday reach the point where what we consider our final draft is what flies from our screen to the printed page. A thick skin allows us to set aside our pain for the sake of a better finished product.
That said, never submit anything until you are wholly happy with it. There will still be plenty for editors to catch without expecting them to correct things you should have caught.
--Jerry B. Jenkins, multi-published author of Riven, The Left Behind Series, Hometown Legend, and many more.
Jerry is also the owner of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild which helps to mentor and train aspiring writers. Read more about them by clicking the logo below.
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