The ABCs of Writing a Book
A glossary of terms for the uninitiated
Art — As in, to write a book is to create a work of art. Also known as: craft, exploration, imagination, wonder, curiosity. Some consider art to be a quest for truth, hope, or meaning. Others call it the pursuit of finding, making, and preserving beauty in a broken world. To make art is to make magic, to be fully free and fully alive. See also: artist—who you are; who you were created in the image of; a person who would notice flowers growing in the cracks of sidewalks.
Business — Not to be confused with art. As in, the publishing industry is a business, made up of contracts and sales reports and something called “First Year Projections” — or FYP for short.
Calling — A term often used in Christian circles to describe the idea that God summons a person to use particular gifts and talents in the world. Karen Swallow Prior once said the primary difference between passion and calling is that a calling comes from “outside the house.”1 By that definition, a calling is more than a desire; a calling is when a desire divinely meets an open door.
Disappointment — How a writer would feel upon learning, via The Email, that her book has not sold as many copies as the publisher expected it to. If not handled with care, disappointment can—in some cases—become part of the writer’s identity. For example, an author with low book sales might not simply say, “I feel disappointment,” but might go so far as to say, “I am a disappointment.” Related words: discouragement, despair, depression.
Encouragement — The antidote to disappointment. Arrives immediately via texts, voice memos, and memes. Most effective when transcribed to post-its and plastered around the writer’s bedroom.
Failure — The word the writer sees floating above her head, flashing on a neon sign, the day she receives The Email.
Guilt — Arrives promptly after disappointment. The writer wonders, What more could I have done? The same thought rattles on in a loop: I let everyone down, I let everyone down, I let everyone down.
Holy — How she did, and does, and will always view the writing process. The Email does not change that.
Imposter Syndrome — A psychological occurrence in which a person doubts their skills and talents. The term “imposter phenomenon” was first introduced in a 1978 research article in correlation with high-achieving women. According to the study, women suffering from imposter syndrome experienced symptoms of "generalized anxiety, lack of self-confidence, depression, and frustration related to inability to meet self-imposed standards of achievement.”2
Juxtaposition — Putting two things side by side to highlight their innate differences. For example, the work of writing a book is both an art and a business.
Kathryn / Katelyn / Kristen — Generous readers who sent unsolicited encouragement to the writer’s inbox over the past year. Messages include: “I am ready to revive my creative spirit and you have been a big catalyst for that.” // “Your words are a light in a dark world.” // “Your work has helped me call myself an artist, a title that was belittled and pushed away most of childhood. I now imagine, paint, and write, in part because of YOU.”
Ladybugs — Represent protection, healing, good fortune, and grace. If a writer were to miraculously see ladybugs dozens and dozens of times while writing a book, she might call them God winks. Breadcrumbs. Tiny signs of confirmation. See: calling.
Mission — Why you do what you do. As in, the heartbeat of your work, or the core motivation that drives you to the page. For example, a writer’s mission could be encouraging mothers to use their creative gifts in the world. A writer’s mission might be rooted in love and genuine care for her readers. Mission should never be confused with metrics. Mission is connected to art. Metrics are connected to business. They are often linked, but they are not the same (see: juxtaposition).
Nutella — A top-rated snack choice after The Email. Pairs well with Netflix numbing and a good cry in the shower.
Obedience — Doing the thing God asks you to do in spite of fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome. See: mission, ladybugs.
Publicity — Talking about your book and/or getting other people to talk about your book. Related to marketing, which is related to sales, both of which fall under the umbrella of business. Specific examples might include: going on 38 podcast interviews, writing original essays for various publications, designing print ads, leading a book launch team, creating and promoting pre-order bonuses, hosting Zoom calls, posting on social media, adapting excerpts, leveraging every single aspect of your “platform” until you are blue in the face, writing handwritten personalized cards to include in 75 influencer boxes, making clever book club guides, and other exhaustive tasks.
Quit — A looming temptation, always.
Resilience — The inner strength God plants in all of us to keep going. Related words: rebound, reassurance, remarkable.
Success — Subjective, open to interpretation, important to define upfront. See: Kathryn / Katelyn / Kristen.
Trust — A steady belief in the reliability of something or Someone, regardless of outcomes.
Unwavering — Her dedication to the craft of writing. The Email does not change that.
Voxer — A safe place to process, cry, ask questions, cry some more, whine, shrug, laugh, and cry one more time for good measure.
What If? — The question every author asks. Includes: What if the book goes to print with a typo? What if the book gets a bunch of one-star reviews? What if the book is a total flop? Also known as worst-case thinking. Also entirely possible.
EXclamation points — How the acquisitions editor continues to communicate her enthusiasm and overall affection toward the writer. As in, “Create Anyway is truly a triumph of a book!” and “Sales DO NOT DEFINE HER!!”
Yesterday — The last time the writer was under the impression the book was selling fine. (Also known as: ignorance. Also known as: bliss.)
Zzzzzs — All the sleep she’s lost over the disappointment, the guilt, the shame and embarrassment of crying on so many Zoom calls. Most of the zzzzzs go missing around 3am, when she tries to solve the “mystery” everyone is calling this. What happened, what happened, what happened? Zzzzzs, as in her bottle of melatonin, her weighted blanket, her desperate prayers, the sound machine eventually shushing her back to sleep, where she dares to dream again.
Oh my gosh, my heart actually hurts at the thought of you harbouring ANY DOUBTS WHATSOEVER about the success of Create Anyway. Thank you for every single word you have laboured over and published. Praying the voices of K will be louder than the voices of B. (I can think of a more appropriate B anyway. Bull💩.)
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My daughters played “library” in the living room last night before bed.
A couple hours later your book was still sitting on our couch.
A friend came over who’s been having a rough time and we prayed together.
And there was your book. I opened it up “randomly” to the breadcrumb page. She’s not a mother yet but took a quick photo on her phone of that page.
Even a year later your book and the truth in it is passing through toddlers’ hands to struggling twenty somethings to thirsty thirty and forty year olds. Thank you.
Keep writing, Ashlee! I’m here to keep reading.
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