Two things happened recently. I discovered that, after
some decades of working on and off between various
emigrations and two children, I qualify for a state
pension - so things will be a little easier for me in
future.
Second, I received an email from a poet friend,
stating that she was leaving her job to become a full
time writer and asking for advice.
I replied to her that I thought she was completely
mad, but that wouldnt matter if it was what she wanted
and she thought the move was right.
The request for advice may simply have been a gesture,
like throwing away a pack of cigarettes if you are
giving up smoking, but it got me thinking. Here is my
[general] advice on her situation:
1. Listen to what publishers say about your work. I
had once finished a novel in a month-long tizzy, no
sleep and MSS all over the floor (it was before
computer days). As soon as it was finished I packed it
off to a publisher then went to sleep. Within two
weeks, before I had woken up properly, they replied
asking to see what I had "written since." I should
have sent them work I had done earlier, but in fact I
exploded - inexperienced author!
2. Don't necessarily believe what they say. "We are
desperate for copy" probably means they are desperate
for their sort of copy, and may be a sign of their
inefficiency, or narrowness.
3. Always weigh advice.
4.Always beat deadlines. If they want it yesterday -
send it to them tonight. Utter reliability of the copy
arriving, and you will be asked again.
5. Never write ill of anyone. It will come home to
roost.
6. Use the internet. It's there. Use google. Check
people out if you're working with or for them. Submit
by email when you can - it's cheaper and saves time.
7. Make friends with your post office. They'll help
with postal options, tell you of postal changes in
advance, etc and they will tell other people you are a
local writer.
8. Think laterally, and act on hunches. Sending things
to unlikely sources may pay off, and can only make you
friends. Specialist journals may take poems on their
subjects, for instance.
9. Balance paid work with gains in profile. Magazines
that take unpaid poetry may bring you other
opportunities.
10. Paid work and status are not the same. Nearly all
payments for poetry come from the government, directly
or indirectly. You don't get paid by the readers. You
may be able to earn money for greetings card verses
but you wont earn respect from other poets for this.
11. Confidence. Ditch friends who think you can't cut
it. Ditto partners, especially partners.
12. Living on a low income can be grand. No TV? Read
all the time, as much as you can. Good, cheap food
keeps your spirits up too (with a car to go to
supermarkets late at night). Your car? Buy it at
auction. No credit, no debt! No need to look poor -
clothes have got cheaper. Know your style and stick to
it. Travel? Find concessions - and in the country you
can still hitch-hike. Holidays abroad? Why? but dont
get stuck without a passport - you may get an
invitation.
13. Turn up at writers events. Be seen. There are
quite a few free or reasonable events. Be seen buying
books!
14. Dont knock your head on brick walls. If they turn
you down three times, go elsewhere.
15. Protect your ideas. Can't copyright them, but
don't delay sending things out that have copiable
ideas - get them off somewhere else quickly!
16. Be up to date. Better to write a new novel than
revise a 10-year old one. The new one will be better!
Watch the young people. They're where it's going to
happen. Help them as much as you can. When you're old
they will remember your kindness.
17. You pay for independence. You want to tell the
world what you think? You are paying for this
privilege with the life you lead.
18. Good luck. You might hit the jackpot, in one of
several ways (we nearly did, once). You will probably
be poor, but happy.
Sally Evans