I've been surprised by events in my career. Like being sent on *two* book tours across Germany, sponsored by the State Department. And it took off because of a jam-packed talk and reading I did at the Boethe-Institut in DC where someone was moving to the Berlin embassy and said "We have to get you to Germany." The right time found me.
Luck, in the end, is EVERYTHING. At the same time, two female grad students in NYC each wrote a doctoral dissertation on Veronica Franco, a Venetian courtesan [1546-1591] - - Lynne Lawner and Margaret Rosenthal, whose husband was transferred to Los Angeles.
At a cocktail party, Margaret casually mentioned her research into the fascinating life of the 16th century poet. Next morning, the stranger she'd met at the party phoned. She was an agent seeking interesting topics on women.
Hollywood optioned her dissertation; it became a screenplay & the film "Dangerous Beauty" (1998).
Forever resentful, Lynne claimed her dissertation was superior - - but it was Margaret who met an agent.
Yes, I enjoyed it so much, too - - - especially the time that screenwriter (and now university professor) Margaret Rosenthal and I watched it together and had a nice chat about some people we both know. (big Cheshire cat smile)
Yeah. Too many people discount the role of luck in publishing success. One of my friends got a big break and ended up with a top rank promotional spot with her publisher, years ago. How did that happen? Well, the writer who was supposed to have that spot didn't meet deadline. My friend did.
It's a combination of luck--and the hard work to be at the right place, at the right time, for luck to happen. And some of us can put in the hard work and yet never get touched by the lightning stroke of luck.
And then there are the moments when we luck into things we never imagined...which I guess can balance not getting what we hoped for. :-)
I'm glad you mentioned the promotional spot. When I was publishing mysteries at St. Martin's Press, one of the publicists said mid-list writers got only a week of her attention. Her focus was basically on just a handful of Big Authors.
A friend was at a party, wanting to switch from journalism to a crime fiction series and when she mentioned this and its outlines, the host said, "You have to meet X over there, she's looking for exactly that kind of book." Friend met the editor, series was launched, success followed.
Now, this wasn't just any party. It was filled with literary folk and friend would not have been there without being married to a well-known TV writer.
That's the advantage of moving in or near the various circles where happy accidents take place. Part of success as a writer is location, location, location.
Yes, the main thing is to keep at it, for whatever reason(s) and keep trying to reach readers. Good results may be rarer than one likes, and near misses will sting, but if you're not in the game you can't ever the experience the fluctuating fortunes of "this thing of ours." More broadly, not just in writing, recognizing opportunities when they show themselves and acting on them helps generate "lucky" outcomes.
Absolutely! Seize the opportunity as well as seize the day. Everyone's path in publishing is different.
My college writing mentor told me once after a big disappointment: "You always come back, you don't give up. That's how you'll have a career." And she was right.
Once again a nudge from the universe, that I should keep doing the work and maybe I will be one of the writers who will get lucky, and if not, then at least I am keeping myself amused.
Being there at the right time... if you stick at it long enough, the right time might find you. I'm an incurable optimist :)
I've been surprised by events in my career. Like being sent on *two* book tours across Germany, sponsored by the State Department. And it took off because of a jam-packed talk and reading I did at the Boethe-Institut in DC where someone was moving to the Berlin embassy and said "We have to get you to Germany." The right time found me.
Luck, in the end, is EVERYTHING. At the same time, two female grad students in NYC each wrote a doctoral dissertation on Veronica Franco, a Venetian courtesan [1546-1591] - - Lynne Lawner and Margaret Rosenthal, whose husband was transferred to Los Angeles.
At a cocktail party, Margaret casually mentioned her research into the fascinating life of the 16th century poet. Next morning, the stranger she'd met at the party phoned. She was an agent seeking interesting topics on women.
Hollywood optioned her dissertation; it became a screenplay & the film "Dangerous Beauty" (1998).
Forever resentful, Lynne claimed her dissertation was superior - - but it was Margaret who met an agent.
I've seen that movie twice, partly for Rufus Sewell. It's terrific.
Yes, I enjoyed it so much, too - - - especially the time that screenwriter (and now university professor) Margaret Rosenthal and I watched it together and had a nice chat about some people we both know. (big Cheshire cat smile)
Yeah. Too many people discount the role of luck in publishing success. One of my friends got a big break and ended up with a top rank promotional spot with her publisher, years ago. How did that happen? Well, the writer who was supposed to have that spot didn't meet deadline. My friend did.
It's a combination of luck--and the hard work to be at the right place, at the right time, for luck to happen. And some of us can put in the hard work and yet never get touched by the lightning stroke of luck.
And then there are the moments when we luck into things we never imagined...which I guess can balance not getting what we hoped for. :-)
I'm glad you mentioned the promotional spot. When I was publishing mysteries at St. Martin's Press, one of the publicists said mid-list writers got only a week of her attention. Her focus was basically on just a handful of Big Authors.
Yeah, this was the making of the series for my friend.
A friend was at a party, wanting to switch from journalism to a crime fiction series and when she mentioned this and its outlines, the host said, "You have to meet X over there, she's looking for exactly that kind of book." Friend met the editor, series was launched, success followed.
Now, this wasn't just any party. It was filled with literary folk and friend would not have been there without being married to a well-known TV writer.
Nods. Jean Auel met her agent, Jean Naggar, at a Willamette Writers function.
That's the advantage of moving in or near the various circles where happy accidents take place. Part of success as a writer is location, location, location.
Yeah. Alas, did that for years. Crickets chirping.
Joyce, see my comment on two NYC grad students who each wrote a doctoral dissertation about Veronica Franco, a Venetian courtesan [1546-1591].
One woman got a Hollywood film deal out of it; the other did not.
Yes, the main thing is to keep at it, for whatever reason(s) and keep trying to reach readers. Good results may be rarer than one likes, and near misses will sting, but if you're not in the game you can't ever the experience the fluctuating fortunes of "this thing of ours." More broadly, not just in writing, recognizing opportunities when they show themselves and acting on them helps generate "lucky" outcomes.
Absolutely! Seize the opportunity as well as seize the day. Everyone's path in publishing is different.
My college writing mentor told me once after a big disappointment: "You always come back, you don't give up. That's how you'll have a career." And she was right.
Hear, hear!
Once again a nudge from the universe, that I should keep doing the work and maybe I will be one of the writers who will get lucky, and if not, then at least I am keeping myself amused.
Go for it!
Too too true. All of it.
A hard lesson to learn.