Some days, when it comes to writing, I feel like I’m rocking a mullet.
“Say what?!” you cry. “Nobody rocks a mullet.”
I kinda think Kiefer did, in The Lost Boys. But otherwise, you’re right. Nobody rocks a mullet. But stay with me for a minute.
On the surface, publishing is a business. Money changes hands, professional people are invested in your success, you’re invested in your own success. Your brand matters, your reputation matters. You’re concerned about what people think about you, about what they say about you. You set up Google Alerts so you can keep track of what people say about you. You set up a Facebook page, a Twitter account, you blog. You stress about writing a “marketable” book, you worry about your cover art and what it “says” about your story. You grow anxious over having to talk about what you write, because you’re a writer, not a speaker, and you start wondering what you should wear to future speaking engagements even though they’re still months away and it’s entirely possible no one will show up. You question whether you picked the right name to write under, and whether your author photo really captures the essence of you. You worry about whether anyone will buy your book.
Publishing is a business, and like any business you’ve been involved in, you want to succeed. You want your book to sell well. You want to feel like it’s not a fluke you’re here. You want to feel like you’ve earned every great thing that’s happened to you so far, despite the mean little voice in the back of your head that whispers how lucky you got, how you were in the right place at the right time, and to enjoy this while it lasts because pretty soon people will figure out that you don’t deserve to be here at all, because you didn’t pay your dues and you didn’t get a thousand rejections, so it’s not fair you even made it this far.
And all the while you smile. You pretend you’re confident, you stand up straight, you speak like you know what you’re talking about. Because you’re expected to be a professional, goddammit, and PUBLISHING IS A BUSINESS.
But despite all the work you do to make your business a success, you can’t deny that writing books is still fun. Really fun. Hell, it’s a PARTY. Because you get to wake up every morning and do something creative, something that fulfills you in ways no other job ever did before, something that pushes you to get better with every page you write, something that allows you to meet other writers who totally “get” you, something that tests your stamina and character and self-esteem, something that makes you realize you’d do this even if you weren’t getting published. You’d do this even if you won a $100 million in the state lottery tomorrow. You’d do this no matter what, because It Fills You Up and It Makes You HAPPY.
Business in the front, party in the back, people. I make no apologies for the mullet.
I'd have to say I agree with you. Although, I'm not so sure about Kiefer Sutherland rockin' that mullet . . .
I totally agree! Even about Kiefer rockin the mullet. I loved him in The Lost Boys, one of my guilty pleasures!
Maggots, Michael. You're eating maggots. How do they taste?
I've seen that movie at least a hundred times too many. LOVED it. And he wasn't the only one rockin' a mullet in that movie. Alex Winter did as well.
I really thought this post was going a different direction with the 'business in the front, party in the back.' 😉 It's not always easy to act confident. Kind of like it's not always easy to hide a mullet. But my grandma always said, "Fake it till you make it." I've tried to live by that. Just because I don't feel confident inside, doesn't mean that people aren't buying that on the outside! I've really missed my laptop. I haven't written since the power cord died last week. I'm jonesing for my story again. That's when you know you're writing for the love of it – can't stop thinking about it!
Great post and I think most writers would agree that even if no one ever read a word, even if the dream of being published NEVER happened, we'd still write, because of exactly what you said. It fills us up. It makes us happy.
AND I totally believe Kiefer rocked that mullet! Love the Lost Boys.
Awesome analogy! And yes, Keifer did rock that mullet – even if he was all pasty and fang-tastic. ;o)
Great entry, Jen. I agree with your analogy completely. And also about Kiefer and The Lost Boys — I've watched that movie too many times to count! 🙂
I saw a guy with a mullet the other day, and I thought whaaah? Why?
Too funny. Good analogy.
Well said! I couldn't agree with you more. Rock that mullet! 🙂
Nice! I totally agree! Loving what you do is a labour of love and can't be topped. Once you find it it's great. There are too many people out there doing jobs they're not passionate about so why add to it?
Here's to keeping the party going!
Joe Dirt totally rocked a mullet.
Great analogy — despite my loathing of all things mullet. You're right; even if I won the lottery and didn't have to work another day in my life, I would write.
Awesome post! All the business in the front takes time and energy away from the party in the back. ((sigh))
YOU are rocking your mullet. (I never thought I'd EVER say that to anyone)
How fun, and true!!! I agree fully and Kiefer? Yum!!!!
You rock that mullet, girl! lol
Although let's be honest…no one truly rocked it like Kiefer. Loved that movie.
Part of writing is a business and we have to accept it but the part that keeps us going has nothing to do with that. It's all about the happy.
I don't think I'm going to ever look at writing or mullets the same way again! 🙂
I rocked a mullet in the 80's and I'm not too proud to say so. It was, um, surprisingly similar to Kiefer's. Oh boy.
Great post!
Joann – REALLY? Consider this my request for photographic proof of said mullet. 😛
What an awesome ass post!!!!! Loves ya, Jenny H. And FWIW, Kiefer TOTALLY rocked that mullet! Kiefer kinda rocks anything he does 🙂
Jack Burton from Big Trouble InLttle China, now theres a mullet that rocked !
Just checked the official site, it rocks too !
I completely agree! Great post!! 🙂
Nicely said.
Thanks for the insightful post. I can assure you a few copies have already been bought 🙂
That is an awesome mullet. And I love this post. Bring on the party! (and the business)
OMG, there could be no better metaphor. I think you rock the mullet quite well!
Great post Jennifer.
You nailed it with "publishing is a business" and it's all about getting down to business, getting things done and then enjoying the party after the last page has been flipped.
Enjoy your ride, Jenny
Drop by my site, there's a little treat waiting for you!
HA! Great analogy, and I would have to agree. And, I completely agree that Keifer rocked the mullet in The Lost Boys!
Great post! I think the mullet will come back (everything does eventually, right?) You're right about writing, though. I'd do it anyway.
LOL, rock on!! And yeah, when is Kiefer not hot?
Awesome post! And so true!
And, lol, I'm just watching 24 with a very older version of Kiefer! I think this pic made my day! lol