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Sometimes It's Hard to Say Goodbye
by Kathryn Schleich
Like most authors, I belong to several writing-related organizations and groups, and subscribe to a number of newsletters, e-zines, and databases. After being gone for several weeks over the holidays, I began looking at all the writing-related endeavors I’m involved with and came to the following realization – I needed to tell some of them goodbye.
Maybe it was returning to e-mail In Boxes overflowing with newsletters and e-zines that most likely would never get read or the fresh promise of a new year, but I knew it was time for some serious house cleaning. I’m fairly confident I’m not the only writer with this dilemma, and you can do your purging at any time. I approach this process as I would cleaning out closets, carefully evaluating what stays and what goes by asking some questions.
What have they done for you lately?
For me, if the answer to this question is that as a writer I learned something new about the craft, discovered interesting resources, or was simply entertained, then I’ll keep the group, publication, or database on my list. If, however; after a cursory review such materials are going straight into the cyber trash can, it’s time to sever our relationship.For example, one such writing organization I’ve been a long-time member of has moved away from writing towards online entrepreneurship. While the writing group is now its own separate entity, it no longer meets my needs which at this time focus more on writing fiction than nonfiction. Membership is also getting expensive, and most of the authors I know don’t have piles of mad money lying around to spend at will. So I’ll be telling this group so long, while wishing them all the best.
Are you getting your money’s worth?
If you’re paying to belong to a group, receive a newsletter, access a database, or obtain lists of paying markets, analyze how often the money spent is turning into useful information, valuable writing contacts, or helpful services. In the final analysis, if you’re not getting anything of value, ending the relationship can save you hard-earned dollars. That same money might be better spent by participating in new groups, newsletters, databases, etc. that better meet your needs and goals as an author.Is the organization or publication a good fit for you?
When I published my first nonfiction book, I joined several organizations that offered promotional opportunities for the work. However, as time as passed, I came to realize that at least two of the groups I belonged to were not a good match for me personally. At the time they seemed to offer benefits associated with writing, but it was only after being around members for a while that I realized these groups wanted something entirely different from writing than I did. Again, it was time to say goodbye.Doing some serious pruning of organizations I’m involved with as an author does not mean these groups, lists, or databases aren’t any good, it’s simply a realization that they’re no longer meeting my needs or expectations as a writer. So while I am telling some writing organizations goodbye, I’m welcoming others. Writing is a fluid process, always changing and evolving, just as our lives do. As we keep progressing in the great journey that is writing, it’s important that the organizations and groups we invest ourselves in evolve in ways that help us as authors to stay relevant, fresh, and knowledgeable. Otherwise, it’s time to say goodbye, even if it sometimes hurts.
Kathryn Schleich is the author of Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images(iUniverse 2003). A similar version of this article was published through Absolute Write in October, 2007. She has been published in numerous other publications including the Lewis University Alumni Magazine, and Christianity in the Arts. She is currently at work on her second book, Salvation Station. She may be contacted at: kathrynschlei777@yahoo.com. Or visit the web site at: www.women-write.com.
