Writing is a solitary
undertaking. I’ve said it. You’ve probably said it.
But wait!
I spend many hours writing
in front of a computer, seemingly alone in a room (discounting our dachshund,
Winston). But I’m not really alone. I’m in a setting of my own creation with
characters I’ve come to love (or not). Together we’re telling our tale. At
least that’s how it is for me.
Along the way, I talk
to other writers and people close to me about the plotting of the story,
testing to see if I or my characters have led us astray. Then I attempt to include
even more people in the process by sending my work to agents or editors, hoping
they like it enough to take it on or follow through on a proposed project. If
they do, another set of people enter the project. You get the idea.
Long-time authors tell
of the past when a writer sat and wrote stories, then sent them in to editors
who had the time to do a lot of advising and to lovingly usher the book into
the eye of the public. It’s a whole different ball game now.
Editors are overloaded
with submissions, meetings and number crunching, along with the editing work
itself. Agents are overwhelmed with the number of people wanting to break into
the industry. The publishing business has changed a lot since those seemingly
blissful, lazy days when editors and agents actually responded to submissions.
And huge changes are taking place once again with the advent of
self-publishing, e-books, and the explosion of apps and other media
opportunities for a writer’s work.
Today the writer must
be a people person, immersing her/himself into the media frenzy that
accompanies publication in the present world. I’ve heard it said that writers,
as a group, tend to be on the shy side which is why they’re willing to spend so
much time in front of a computer. That may still be the case, but when those
people aren’t writing, they’re forced to market to family, friends, groups and
mere acquaintances. Gone is the time when writing was known as a solitary
business. It simply isn’t.
How has your writing
life changed in the last few years? 
You're so right - solitary is so many ways and yet that's why we need our writer friends, our critique groups and blogging buddies. And being introverts, it really sucks that we must push ourselves to market our books, when we've already done the creative work. But it gets easier with time.
Actually, I started formatting and publishing my own books. I am on Facebook, Linkedin, and Pinterest and I blog, all relatively new and NOT part of my original dream.
Your own world to share! It has to get out there, we're so lucky to have the opportunity to self publish!
I sooo agree, Mary R!
Solitary, that's what I love about writing. It's just me and my thoughts. No one needing me or making demands. Without it, I'd go insane.
Today's publishing world is love hate relationship for me. I miss the days of taking your time and writing your heart's desire and having someone give you feedback before the public see the work. But yet I love the control of self-publishing. With the control however, comes the business side of it and while I'm a people person, it can get trying. I wonder how mega stars handle it. Oh yeah, they hop on private jets and fly away to seculded islands to be pampered. Me I take breaks and load the dishwasher and fold the laundry. I am my own boss, though!
A writer definitely multi-tasks these days and wears a number of hats, Judy. Interesting post.