10,000 Hours

 

I once read it takes 10,000 hours of practise to become an expert*. I look at that sentence and am encouraged. It means it is possible. It means don’t give up.

Fifteen years ago, just after my daughter’s birth, I began to script a story; sifting and sorting through characters, plots and scenes that I had dabbled with for years. I wrote a 64,000-word children’s novel and sent it to five publishers. I received two polite ‘thank you but no’ letters, one pre-printed rejection card, and nothing at all from one publisher (I later learned, to my embarrassment, I had misspelled the editor’s name!) But I did receive one very encouraging letter from an editor at Andersen Press who gave me detailed advice and encouragement. 

Then, my baby daughter became very ill, with life-changing consequences, and I was catapulted onto a very different path. Writing became a lifeline through journaling as I tried to make sense of my now shattered plans. 

Back on course, (different direction) I had another baby and embarked on a return to teaching course. However, the story writing itch just wouldn’t go away and whenever I got the chance I worked on my novel. Encouraged by a dear ACW friend, I sent the manuscript to a small publisher who was interested but said it required a rewrite. 

Yes, these are my little monkeys 8 years ago 

So, in-between mum and teaching duties (my daughter must have been around seven and my son four), I started afresh and excitedly sent the finished copy to the same publisher and waited. Some months later, the publisher responded that despite enjoying the novel, her readers suggested additional changes and it would need further rewriting before publication. It was a blow. I started to have many doubts about myself, surely this sort of thing doesn’t happen to real writers?

However, she saw potential and suggested she mentor me for the price of a lunch. I jumped at the chance and over the next year or so travelled to Bristol once per month to work with her for a few hours. This was a time for honing and practising my skills, I learned so much and gained a good friend into the bargain. Once again, my mentor publisher sent the completed manuscript to her reader. After another long wait, the answer came back. Sorry, it’s still not ready. You will need to rewrite the whole novel again and by the way, the ending doesn’t work!

I can almost hear some of you shouting at me, for goodness sake Nikki, give it a rest! Writing’s not for you! You’re too busy with your demanding family and your job!

My mentor advised me to take a year off and perhaps write something else. I wrote a short story and won first prize in an ACW competition, I had a short story published in the Christmas Anthology and it was about that time I started writing a monthly blog post for ACW. I also moved house twice, settled the kids into new schools, clubs. Then I began the task of completely rewriting my novel (Is this the fourth or fifth time? – I forget!)

Now, the rewrite is complete, save for the last few chapters of editing and since my mentor friend has moved back to Australia, my next task is to find an agent and/or publisher. No doubt, I’ll have to make more changes and perhaps even rewrite (Argh! I’m trying not to think about that!) 

I repeatedly fight the thought that when I die, the words “She tried” will be carved upon my gravestone but not for a minute do I regret any of this. I have gained so much. 

There is a point to me sharing this delightful tale with you. Writer friends, I cannot stress enough, if you are passionate about writing don’t give up! Never give up!  As you travel the writers’ road, you will gain confidence, you will develop, you will hone and improve.

I love writing, never get bored with it and, come to think of it, I must be bloomin’ close to that 10,000 hours by now!!

*There has been much discussion about this statement and later, author Malcolm Gladwell clarified he meant simply, a lot of time on top of natural ability is required.