I’ll admit it. There are a few Reality TV shows I like. At the moment they happen to be Top Chef and Project Runway. When it airs, I don’t miss American Idol either. Each of these contestants have a passion for their art, whether it is an incredibly delicious dish, gown for the red carpet, or a voice that should be signed by a record label. I cannot imagine what it must be like to have such a dream and your one chance comes down to standing before the judges, cameras, and be criticized and praised in front of an audience of thousands.
As writers, I believe we can relate in some part to what these contestants put themselves through. We love our stories, our own voice. Our friends and family think we are great. We polish until we think we have found perfection. We hand it over to a critique group – the first round of judging. The results are not always pleasant. We brush ourselves off, and if we paid attention, make those revisions. Once again, we think we have it, and send out queries to agents. Then the rejections come. Your one consolation is that you opened the envelope or the e-mail in the privacy of your own home instead of being told to go home while a good portion of America is watching.
Despite these rejections, and after consuming consoling chocolate, we once again put our fingers to the keyboard and submit some more.
Eventually an agent, editor or publisher comes along and says “we want to publish you”. Finally, your story can be told. You sign that contract, make the edits requested, review your cover art and finally, proof the final product before it goes to print. Have you made it? Yes and no. Your publisher may believe in you, but there is an entire audience out there who doesn’t have a clue as to who you are. No different than those contestants with numbers on their chests singing for the judges during auditions.
So, what do you do next? You make yourself known! I am still trying to figure out the best way to do that.
Did you watch reality TV? If so, which are your favorites?
American Idol and The Amazing race:) Love the shows where they are challanged--like us with this whole writing thing!
ReplyDeleteI am all for consoling chocolate. No ultimate favorites for reality shows. :O)
ReplyDeleteBig Brother...although I kicked the habit this year. Just too time-consuming. I found it an interesting study in human behavior. Like human rats in a big house of a cage.
ReplyDeleteit comes down to marketing yourself. I wrote a post on that last week I believe. you need a platform-blog, teaching, volunteer work, etc. I write a column for weekly paper-anything to get your name out there.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've been so busy writing, I haven't watched tv in like, 5 months. But I just sent off my ms to some critiquers and I watched Dancing with the Stars tonight! It felt awesome!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Project Runway lately. Just got into it last season. I agree that our journey can be a bit similar to some of those shown in the reality shows. It's more behind the scenes but we still have to put ourselves out there and be courageous and take those chances--send out queries, get critiques, etc.
ReplyDeleteI guess I like the ones you do! Replace Idol with America's Next Top Model though. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like them a lot. There's some drama, but it's mostly about people reaching for a dream, which I totally relate to. :-)
Oh dear, my reality TV is none of the above, well maybe American Idol and the cooking challenges. But my weakness is baseball and football. I know, I know, but I'm hooked. And that IS reality, no? :0
ReplyDeleteHave you put your book on a book blog tour? I participate in reading and posting for one. It seems pretty good.
Blessings*
I have to say that I really don't watch T.V very much. I have to make a choice between TV or writing, because there is little time for both. One that I did see bits of was 'master chef' Do you get that in the US? Anyway, I liked that one.
ReplyDeleteAmy: I quit tv about 25 years ago and don't miss it one bit. I hear everything I need to know from people and God.
ReplyDeleteMichael Hyatt and Rachelle Gardener are two great sources for platform building tips. But don't get overwhelmed--this is a lifetime journey, not a two-weeks to fame plan. God is patient.
Terri,
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the Amazing Race. I have heard great things about it, but have never seen it.
Diane,
ReplyDeleteI think the consoling chocolate is probably the most important out of the two anyway :).
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Big Brother either but now that I see how you view it, I might have to give it a try.
Lin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice.
B.J.
ReplyDeleteI only saw episode of Dancing with the Stars. I think it is my mother's favorite show. I haven't gone 5 months but I've gone awhile before. I don't watch shows when they are on. I have a list of about 6 that I like and they are recorded. When I just need some down time (non-thinking time), I will pull a watching marathon until I am caught up and then repeat the process again in a month or so.
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI like it behind the scenes. I can't imagine standing on a stage with the world watching on.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI used to watch America's Next Top Model. I don't really know why I got away from that one. Probably time.
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI watch baseball on occasion. I would love to do a blog tour but have no clue how to go about it.
Tabitha,
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have seen Master Chef. It is hard to watch all the shows, especially when the muse is calling. But since I only have a few and can record them, I can somewhat keep up.
Jeanette,
ReplyDelete25 years? Wow. I think I could give up the TV shows, but I don't think I am awake in the morning until after I have had my coffee and seen the news. I don't think I could give up the morning news. Thanks for the encouragement.
Amy, go to www.blogtourspot.com and see if there's info about how to submit your book. I only am on the list to read and review. Let me know if this works!
ReplyDelete