"I've made it" definitely implies midnight release parties for me! (Maybe I just miss midnight release parties.) Or, more generally ... fandom? Basically, that thing where people are so engrossed by the story and the world that they want to carry a piece of it around with them all the time. They're writing fic, they're getting tattoos, they're making art, they cosplay, they have inside jokes from the books with their friends, that kind of thing. (And it DOES feel incredibly egotistical to admit this! Ugh!!)
I resonated with Anna's explanation of what she finds satisfying about writing. I don't think anything has ever rewired my brain as completely as a great story. For a few hundred pages, you get to live in a whole different universe, and ... it's incredible. Then as a writer, there's this wonderful challenge of having a world burst to life in your mind, then trying to capture it in a way where you can invite other people in to explore and it feels just as arresting to them. It's *so hard* but man when you get it right. When you get someone else to feel what you feel about these characters or this setting or that scene? Ugh, there's nothing like it.
The good side of this arrival fallacy is I think you can take craft implications from it if you want. You're trying to create imaginary people and worlds that real people will weep over? Great, there are techniques for this. But at the same time, there are so many realities of marketing and advertising that go into which books become megahits. Specifically for the midnight release party thing--part of the joy of fandom is getting to share a specific thing you like with a bunch of other people. It's not always because the book is *millions of fans better* than the book next to it, it's just ... everyone knows it exists and has access to it, so you're able to have that human connection with a lot more people. It's not in the writer's control (and not the writer's job) whether that happens.
Of course, keeping perspective when you're drafting or querying or [insert publishing slog of choice here] is a whole other challenge. It feels like if no one realizes your book exists, or if someone passes on your manuscript, that your work is boring or flawed or just otherwise not good enough to move people that much. Maybe, maybe not! Not every story is for every person. But I do tend to catastrophize when I get stuck thanks to this fallacy!
This line really hit me: "It's not always because the book is *millions of fans better* than the book next to it, it's just ... everyone knows it exists and has access to it, so you're able to have that human connection with a lot more people. It's not in the writer's control (and not the writer's job) whether that happens."
It's so true. If only we could measure something as subjective as craft, or skill, or talent, with something like # of readers. it's a blessing and curse that we can't!
I am SO on board with Lyssa and with your desires as a writer. I've always wanted fanart. That is the ultimate form of connection for me, and it's part of why I write. But oh man... You're so right that it's not our job to make that happen. It's not in our control and there are SO MANY mechanisms behind giving people access to those fandom creating stories.
I've been thinking about this- and it's really tricky to pull apart the many many dreams to work out which one is the true arrival fallacy. I think for me it's the idea of fans waiting for my next book. One of my favourite authors as a kid took forever to finish her series- and I'll never forget the excitement of the months leading up to every release. And it makes the querying stage hard because there couldn't be more of a contrast between fans dying to read your next book and agents who don't even want to start it!
Something that has really helped me with this is reminding myself that the best bit of being an author is getting to write and-- while there might be less barriers if someone was paying me or buying the stories--I get to write now and no one is stopping me. I was really struck by Taylor Swift's AOTY speech at the Grammy's. Being the first person ever to win four times is arriving by any stretch of the imagination. But Taylor said in her speech that she was just as happy if not more happy writing the perfect bridge or performing at a stadium. "The award is the work." All she wanted was to be in a position to keep doing what she loved.
BELINDA! What you said about contrast is it! I think sometimes we want to call it comparison game and put the blame on ourselves for feeling anything negative, but it's there always! That contrast is innate because of our past experiences waiting for books, making fan made trailers, etc.. It's there.
BUT the award is the work? Genius. Amazing. Writing that on a note card and hanging it on my computer. ♥️
Me googling Taylor's speech now. "the award is the work." Love it!
Also, I agree with every word you said. The contrast between agents versus readers is huge. It's also a very surreal thing for me, when people (who aren't my mother) ask me when my next book coming out. It may be 5 people, or 50, or 500, and but it really feels surreal in the best way. Thank you for that reminder.
KEEP WORKING HARD, BELINDA! We're rooting for you!
Finally had a chance to listen and as always 🤌🏼 the intro with the bubbles was a nice touch!
For me, beyond the “if I get an agent” and “if I can just sell this book,” my biggest arrival fallacy would be to have others want ME to read and blurb their books.
Thank you both for your words and laughter — you bring refreshing views to the publishing industry and remind me why I want to be doing this: for myself
"for myself" is EVERYTHING, and I had the biggest smile when I read that part. The rest will come, and you'll be in such a good headspace bc of it. Thank you for listening! ♥︎
"I've made it" definitely implies midnight release parties for me! (Maybe I just miss midnight release parties.) Or, more generally ... fandom? Basically, that thing where people are so engrossed by the story and the world that they want to carry a piece of it around with them all the time. They're writing fic, they're getting tattoos, they're making art, they cosplay, they have inside jokes from the books with their friends, that kind of thing. (And it DOES feel incredibly egotistical to admit this! Ugh!!)
I resonated with Anna's explanation of what she finds satisfying about writing. I don't think anything has ever rewired my brain as completely as a great story. For a few hundred pages, you get to live in a whole different universe, and ... it's incredible. Then as a writer, there's this wonderful challenge of having a world burst to life in your mind, then trying to capture it in a way where you can invite other people in to explore and it feels just as arresting to them. It's *so hard* but man when you get it right. When you get someone else to feel what you feel about these characters or this setting or that scene? Ugh, there's nothing like it.
The good side of this arrival fallacy is I think you can take craft implications from it if you want. You're trying to create imaginary people and worlds that real people will weep over? Great, there are techniques for this. But at the same time, there are so many realities of marketing and advertising that go into which books become megahits. Specifically for the midnight release party thing--part of the joy of fandom is getting to share a specific thing you like with a bunch of other people. It's not always because the book is *millions of fans better* than the book next to it, it's just ... everyone knows it exists and has access to it, so you're able to have that human connection with a lot more people. It's not in the writer's control (and not the writer's job) whether that happens.
Of course, keeping perspective when you're drafting or querying or [insert publishing slog of choice here] is a whole other challenge. It feels like if no one realizes your book exists, or if someone passes on your manuscript, that your work is boring or flawed or just otherwise not good enough to move people that much. Maybe, maybe not! Not every story is for every person. But I do tend to catastrophize when I get stuck thanks to this fallacy!
This line really hit me: "It's not always because the book is *millions of fans better* than the book next to it, it's just ... everyone knows it exists and has access to it, so you're able to have that human connection with a lot more people. It's not in the writer's control (and not the writer's job) whether that happens."
It's so true. If only we could measure something as subjective as craft, or skill, or talent, with something like # of readers. it's a blessing and curse that we can't!
I am SO on board with Lyssa and with your desires as a writer. I've always wanted fanart. That is the ultimate form of connection for me, and it's part of why I write. But oh man... You're so right that it's not our job to make that happen. It's not in our control and there are SO MANY mechanisms behind giving people access to those fandom creating stories.
I've been thinking about this- and it's really tricky to pull apart the many many dreams to work out which one is the true arrival fallacy. I think for me it's the idea of fans waiting for my next book. One of my favourite authors as a kid took forever to finish her series- and I'll never forget the excitement of the months leading up to every release. And it makes the querying stage hard because there couldn't be more of a contrast between fans dying to read your next book and agents who don't even want to start it!
Something that has really helped me with this is reminding myself that the best bit of being an author is getting to write and-- while there might be less barriers if someone was paying me or buying the stories--I get to write now and no one is stopping me. I was really struck by Taylor Swift's AOTY speech at the Grammy's. Being the first person ever to win four times is arriving by any stretch of the imagination. But Taylor said in her speech that she was just as happy if not more happy writing the perfect bridge or performing at a stadium. "The award is the work." All she wanted was to be in a position to keep doing what she loved.
So that's my new manta- the award is the work!
BELINDA! What you said about contrast is it! I think sometimes we want to call it comparison game and put the blame on ourselves for feeling anything negative, but it's there always! That contrast is innate because of our past experiences waiting for books, making fan made trailers, etc.. It's there.
BUT the award is the work? Genius. Amazing. Writing that on a note card and hanging it on my computer. ♥️
Me googling Taylor's speech now. "the award is the work." Love it!
Also, I agree with every word you said. The contrast between agents versus readers is huge. It's also a very surreal thing for me, when people (who aren't my mother) ask me when my next book coming out. It may be 5 people, or 50, or 500, and but it really feels surreal in the best way. Thank you for that reminder.
KEEP WORKING HARD, BELINDA! We're rooting for you!
"I get to write now and no one is stopping me" -- that is BEAUTIFUL I love it!!
Finally had a chance to listen and as always 🤌🏼 the intro with the bubbles was a nice touch!
For me, beyond the “if I get an agent” and “if I can just sell this book,” my biggest arrival fallacy would be to have others want ME to read and blurb their books.
Thank you both for your words and laughter — you bring refreshing views to the publishing industry and remind me why I want to be doing this: for myself
"for myself" is EVERYTHING, and I had the biggest smile when I read that part. The rest will come, and you'll be in such a good headspace bc of it. Thank you for listening! ♥︎