Theme for the Day: Validation

I'd forgotten how reading a bunch of blogs could inspire me to write my own blog post. So many interesting topics out there! I know when my comments start getting long-winded on someone else's blog, that I need to edit that comment and then make a blog post about the topic myself, so today, I'm going to blog about validation. I saw the topic twice today--once on a Kindleboards thread and once on another blog. I've addressed the topic before, but it can never be stressed enough that validation, at the end of the day, should come from readers. They are the ultimate stamp of approval.

There are different routes to attracting those readers. Some authors go the traditional route, some the indie route, and some do both. I'm not here to debate the merits of any of them, just to point out that authors looking to get an agent or publisher might be so focused on receiving validation from a single agent, that they might lose sight of the fact that one agent, in and of themselves, isn't really capable of validating your writing. Agents are looking for manuscripts that they feel publishers want, and if your werewolf/deer hybrid paranormal space opera isn't on that years list of 'hot' topics, your chances of landing that agent plummets to almost zero--even if your writing is spectacular. That's when they send those rejections saying that as much as they loved the manuscript, the book isn't right for them. (Mind you, I never received such a nice rejection, but I've heard of others receiving them.). So, does that mean your writing sucks? What about if the next agent turns around and accepts the same manuscript? The manuscript hasn't changed, so what has? Maybe that second agent just got word that MegaPublisher is looking for a werewolf/deer hybrid paranormal space opera. Score! It has less to do with your writing at that point, sad as that may seem, and more to do with being in the right place at the right time with the right book.

But let's say no publisher is looking for your kind of book, and you self-publish. You're feeling all depressed because an agent didn't touch you with the magic validation wand and proclaim you an "Author". Still, you smile and pretend it's just fine, but inside, you're feeling like a fake and failure. Every time you tell anyone you're an author, if you even get up the nerve to say it, you feel like a complete fraud. You stick with it though, and suddenly, your book is selling by the thousands! Same book, nothing's changed except some readers liked your book and via word of mouth, blogs, and review sites, spread the word that Herds of Space Wolves is an awesome read. Suddenly, it occurs to you that the readers didn't care how that book reached them, only that it did, and they loved it!

Now, you proudly tell anyone who will listen, and even those you have to run down in the mall and grab by the sleeve, that you are an Author.

Authors who go the traditional route might feel validated that an agent accepted them, but I have a feeling that they'll agree that the real satisfaction is in receiving the emails and reviews from readers.

Different routes, but same outcome. Just write a good book, and you'll get all the validation you need.