A couple weeks ago, I advised young writers to have patience—with themselves, with the publishing process, and with their development.
Writer Gabe Herron recently wrote an essay for Glimmer Train that echoes that theme as well. He says:
Time is the main thing.
There never seems to be enough of it, especially once you’ve gone and decided to become a writer, and also not sleep in your car. But at the same time, there is no way to rush craftsmanship, or the development of a craft. You must put time aside at the very moment you realize there isn’t enough, that you have started too late, or from too far behind the start line, or both. You have to forget time because it’s going to take how long it takes, not one minute longer, not one minute less.
Read the full essay at Glimmer Train’s site.
Also this month at Glimmer Train:
- An interview with Carrie Brown on the underdog
- On Ambiguity by Stephanie Soileau
- Enriching the Stew by George Rabasa
Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the publisher of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2019.
In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. Her book for creative writers, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), received a starred review from Library Journal.
Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.