Never bring a knife to a gun fight

That sounds like good advice for those who are hoping to become published. In fact, I think it’s PERFECT advice for those hoping to become published. I can use all kinds of cliches to describe the climate in the publishing industry if I wanted to. It’s a jungle out there–comes to mind. But this is a post about NEVERISMS. What is a neverism? An ism of the never kind. That which reflects things one should not ever do, say, be–ever.

I’ve been thinking a LOT lately about the box we put ourselves in and why we LIKE that box and how we make it our home, our comfort zone and never seek to climb out of that box. We call ourselves: fiction writers, YA writers, MG writers, editors, agents, whatever. But here’s the thing. Why? Why are we YA writers or just MG writers? Why can’t we be MG and YA writers and illustrators? Why can’t we be editors and PB writers too? The short answer is–we can. The only one stopping us from doing it is–well, us. You CAN write erotica under a pen name and PB with fluffy rabbits and forest animals who teach kids about sharing. You don’t have to limit yourself to one or the other if you have an interest in both, for example. NEVER underestimate YOU. You are fabulous and capable. Remember that.

Now, I know what you’re gonna say. You’re gonna say I can’t use “gonna” in a sentence and call myself a writer. Well, in the ever-brilliant words of Cee Lo Green, “FORGET YOU.” As for those of you who would say it’s impossible to excel to more than one craft, I say–if you want to limit yourself, go right ahead. But do not dare try to limit the minds or creativity of others with your limited view of yourself. To do so is no better than those would-be dream crushers who seek to destroy the souls of struggling writers around the world–telling them what they can and cannot do, write and be.

Someone told me the other day that I should be a motivational speaker. Perhaps. What I want most is to encourage writes and other creative types to stop and think before they make a critical career decision and say to themselves, “WWJBD?” That is, what would Justin Bieber do? That’s right–never say never. But never giving up on one’s dream is about more than just perseverance. It’s about seeing it from all sides of the fence. It’s about understanding that publishing is a business and like every business there are roles and depending on the climate, roles can shrink or expand–as can need, supply, demand, interest etc. As such, you must be will to grow your role from just writing to writing plus marketing and maybe even graphic designer for your website! To me–neverism is about always being prepared for whatever comes–whatever the next trend in technology is, if every bookstore closes (God forbid), if computers ceases to exist, if someone passes a law that says publishers can only put out ten YA books each year collectively. Absurd? Ready to give up?

Well, in the spirit of never giving up on one’s dream of being published, finding an agent and selling more books than Stephenie Meyer and JK Rowling combined (and getting on the Oprah show), below find a list of inspiring “neverisms” from the book called, “neverisms” by Dr. Mardy Grothe. Of course, I’ve added a unique spin on who they may apply to relative to the publishing business. I hope you are well entertained.

For those who are well-published
Never confuse the size of your paycheck with the size of your talent. –Marlon Brando

For all writers
Never let yourself get between you and your character. — Michael Caine in What’s It All About (1992)

To our readers
Never judge a book by its movie. — J.W. Eagan

For newbies
Never assume you’ll be turned down. — Joan Rivers speaking about auditions
Never listen to anybody who tries to discourage you. — Mariah Carey

To our agent friends
Never say bad, cruel, crummy, unhappy, unpleasant, critical things in a letter. –Helen Gurly Brown in I’m Wild Again (2000)

To our reviewing friends
Never speak disrespectfully of anyone without a cause — Thomas Stonewall Jackson, in Memoirs of Stonewall Jackson by His Widow Mary Anna Jackson (1985)

To authors who find themselves on the raw end of a bad review
Never answer an angry word with an angry word. It’s the second one that makes the quarrel. — W.A. “DUB” Nance

For those of us who refuse to accept friends on FB
Never refuse any advancement of friendship, for is nine out of ten bring you nothing, one alone may repay you. — Claudine Guerin De Tencin

To anyone who writes for the public
Never, ever underestimate your readers. Everything you do registers. — Rita Mae Brown in Starting from Scracth (1988)

Check out even more “neverisms” in the book by Dr. Mardy Grothe: neverisms, a quotation lover’s guide to things you should never do, never say or never forget. I’ve found a way to apply these neverisms to my life and career. How will YOU apply them?!

Neverisms was sent to me by Collins Reference, an imprint of HarperCollins. Learn more by visiting www.drmardy.com. If you live in North Carolina, you may find Dr. Mardy at one of the below appearances in May:

TUESDAY, MAY 17TH, 2011 – SOUTHERN PINES, NC
COUNTRY BOOKSHOP – 7:00 PM
140 NW Broad St .
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: 910-692-3211

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18TH – RALEIGH , NC
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS – 7:30 PM
3522 Wade AVE
Raleigh , NC 27607
Phone: 919-828-7912

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011 – DURHAM , NC
REGULATOR BOOKSHOP – 7:00 PM
720 9th ST
Durham , NC 27705
Phone: 919-286-2700

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011 – PITTSBORO , NC
MCINTYRE’S – 11:00 AM
2000 Farrington Village
Pittsboro , NC 27312
Phone: 919-545-5700

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