The WAR Cycle for Writers

In one of his acts, comedian Chris Rock tells a joketo accelerate the development process necessary to
where he calls a certain class of men,getting known as a writer.
"Low-expectation-having folks." (Of course, that's notWhat made me realize this is a friend (who is
the word he used.) At any rate, he had a valid pointself-published) went to a literary retreat and came
about people not expecting enough from life.home amazed at the number of disgruntled writers
Granted, we've been taught that it is a sin to aim tooshe met. Even when they had four or five books
low. And although I don't think a person can ever aimwith traditional publishers, they alleged they had not
too high, I do believe a person can suffer frombeen paid since their advance. In my friend's case, at
having unrealistically high expectations as to what thethe end of the day, not only did she and another
returns should be on an endeavor.self-published writer sell the most books, they got
To illustrate the point, as a social worker, one of thepaid. The other writers could not collect any money
first trainings I ever attended was about the worlduntil their royalty payment. Perhaps both
of abnormal childrearing. The WAR cycle, it wasself-published and traditionally published writers can
called. Simply put, at the crux of most child abuse, ittake lessons from these two literary entrepreneurs'
was found that the parent had unrealistic"hustle." The main thing is to avoid the WAR Trap.
expectations as to the stages of child development.How to Avoid the War Trap
This included expecting children to be potty trained atRemember, it can take 20 times exposure before a
six months, to not get into things at age two and toperson recognizes or buys a book. In direct
even sleep all night as a newborn. Subsequently, in amarketing, only 10% of the people contacted will be
fit of rage, a parent would inappropriately "physicallybuyers. The 20/80% rule also applies to book buyers.
discipline" (abuse) a child. Sad to say, many of theseTry to write more than one book and develop
children wound up in the hospital, or worse, for theserepeat customers. Remember it can take 100 no's to
normal developmental milestones.get to a yes. Don't spend all the book advance and
As a writer, I'm always looking for comparisons in lifethen not have enough to go on a book tour. Try to
lessons, so let's apply this to being a writer. This isnegotiate more for marketing. If you live near a book
what I've come up with. I am beginning to see astore, why aren't you scheduling booksignings on a
similar syndrome, for some writers, whetherregular basis? If you can't do a physical tour, why not
self-published or not.do a virtual tour? Give up the fantasy that you get
I call this syndrome The "WAR cycle" for writers. Inrich with one book. (If you do, fine, but it's a rarity.)
other words, "The World Of Absent Realism." WhenEmpower yourself by getting a web page. Stop being
we are writing, we are often absent from reality.afraid of sharing, which leads to networking. There is
And by no means should we give up our imagination,no shortage when you come from a position of
since it is the source of our writing. But let's face it.abundance. Make use of print on demand. Write
When it comes to pushing our books, we have to bee-books. Use e-mail and save postage. Use Free
"Keeping it Real." As writers, we are dreamers.advertisement on the Internet through book reviews,
Okay, we've written the All American Novel. Even so,interviews, and e-zines. Start a newsletter. Write
our biggest dream is to be published. We can alreadyarticles to help promote your books. Post on
see the red carpet rolled out with stretch limousinesmessage boards. Do Internet Radio Show Interviews.
and six-seven figure checks rolling in as soon as theDevelop ways to market your book off-line and
ink dries. We're fulfilled with the writing in itself, but ifon-line such as through the Publisher's Marketing
we by chance luck up and get published, we expectAssociation, Cushcity.com's coop advertising.
the world to beat a path to our door after we'veMaxine Thompson( and ) is the owner of Thompson
accomplished this feat.Literary Agency and Thompson Literary Services.
Unfortunately, when things don't take off right away,She is also the owner of Black Butterfly Press. If you
we abuse our child, our dream, by either giving upare interested in being on one of her internet radio
too soon or blaming our publisher or our agent. Toshows as a guest you can email her at or
use a metaphor, we want to plant a seed and see aYou can sign up for her free newsletter at .
tree the next day. Like the abusive parent, we want