Why Publish: Iseult Murphy on the Energy to Get Your Writing Out
Sometimes it seems like a long, tedious process getting your writing into the hands of your readers. You might feel lost. You may feel like the gatekeepers in the publishing industry are picking you up, hating your work, or just being mean.
And with all of this, you might be wondering why publish my book?
In today's interview, we talk to Iseult Murphy about her writing journey, her decision to self-publish, and the ability to connect with other writers.
If you want to share your writing, don't let anyone stop you
Getting rejection after rejection becomes difficult. It can feel like your work is terrible and you never get published.
I had the privilege of interviewing writer Iseult Murphy about why you should publish and how just because you are (initially) rejected, you shouldn't give up.
Iseult Murphy lives on the east coast of Ireland and is owned by five dogs, two cats and a tiny parrot. When she's not taking care of her furry (and feather-light) overlords, she scrawls something terrible on the walls and occasionally her laptop. Magic and science are usually included too.
Her book 7 Days in Hell is the first book in her 7th Hell horror series. Her short stories have been published in over two dozen locations. Zoo of the Dead and Other Horrible Stories, a collection of nine of their horror short stories, is currently available in both digital and paperback formats.
You can connect with Iseult on their website, find them on Twitter or Facebook, and see all of their books on Amazon.
You are the published author of several short stories and collections. Can you tell me about your latest book and what inspired you to write it?
7 Days in Hell is a horror book set in Ireland and full of zombies, black magic and humor. It was inspired by a vacation that I took with my sister. We rented a cottage and a lot of mysterious and creepy things happened so I decided to write a book about it.
The first draft was actually written during NaNoWriMo. I enjoyed hanging out with the protagonists – twin sisters Vicky and Irene Murtagh – and started planning a sequel. Then ideas for more books came to my mind and the idea of the 7th Hell series was born.
There's also a little social comment in the books, ala George A Romero, and a dark riff about what I see in Ireland and the world today.
That sounds fantastic! Let's talk a little about your writing journey. Can you show me how long you have been writing, how you got where you are, etc.?
I started writing before I could actually write letters. I scribbled on pages, copied the look of the writing, and then dictated my stories to my older siblings. I am the youngest of ten children and have always tried to keep up with my older sisters who are crazy about literature.
My mother was an avid reader who passed it on to all of her children. She also loved to write and published five children's books as a child.
I started writing fantasy novels at a young age and even then there was a lot of horror mixed in with the high fantasy, but I never thought about sharing my writing outside of my family until I went to high school and the teachers me encouraged to enter writing contests.
I kept writing novels but never submitted them because they didn't feel ready. I've published some short stories, but I've missed a lot of opportunities with editors who sent me nice personal feedback and encouraged me to resubmit it because I thought a rejection meant my story was horrible, not it right was fit.
I had weird writing and publishing ideas where you had to get your work up to this ridiculous standard of perfection before you found it worth other people to read. I saw editors and agents as those alien gatekeepers with giant scythes pulling out the chaff and being very offended that someone was sending them work that wasn't done.
I took a break from writing for a while because of illness. I was very depressed when I started writing again, and I found that stories – which used to be as easy to me as breathing – were now like pulling teeth.
I decided to invest in my writing in hopes of improving and overcoming the painful struggle that had emerged from it. I was trained by a dear friend who is a wonderful writer and editor, and then I saw the Writing Practice to Publish course. I signed up because I loved the idea of being part of a group of writers who encouraged and nurtured one another.
I had also found that most writers who manage to get the pressure on them have trouble making a living from it, and they are the successful ones. So I thought Write to Publish would be good preparation for whether or when I ever managed to get a book published.
The course really made me think about why I was writing and what I wanted from it. I realized that writing was not enough for me. I wanted to be read. I wanted to share my work because books and stories have helped me tremendously in my entire life and maybe my work will inspire, comfort, educate or entertain someone when they are going through a difficult time.
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"Writing was not enough for me. I wanted to be read … because books and stories have helped me enormously in my whole life and my work may inspire, comfort, educate or entertain someone else." – @ authoriseult
Perfectionism is something that writers struggle with all the time, and I know you have had a fair share of problems with it, too. How do you overcome this?
I am not sure if it is possible to overcome perfectionism! I think I am a recovering perfectionist. I had to realize that perfection is impossible for an imperfect being and that it is all you can ever do to be your best. It made me more critical of my own work in a way.
I see writing like building a three-dimensional structure or chiseling a figure out of stone. I have a very clear idea of how the story should feel when it's done. I cut around until I get as close to that picture as possible and then release it into the world.
I used to worry that my work had to be brilliant and that everyone had to love it, but I try not to let it bother me so much now. Is the story the one I wanted to tell? That's the most important.
I'm not trying to emphasize whether there are typos or clunky sentences. Everyone has it. I know not everyone will like or "understand" my story, but that's fine. There are many books that are very popular that are not my thing.
Another major hurdle for me was the thought that publication had a “right” path to follow, and that other paths were being taken by the weak or the foolish. I am talking about what is known as traditional publishing, especially among the big publishers.
Now I am in no way criticizing traditional publishing. Those creepy gatekeepers with their scythes are a very valid way to get publicized. There are other options, however, and small presses and self-publishing are just as “right” for getting your work into the hands of readers.
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"When I realized how important it was for me to share my work so that it could be a friend to people when they need it, I didn't care how my work was published." – @ authoriseult
I may get in touch with agents and editors in the future, but for now, self-publishing is the route I've chosen. It has never been easier to produce great-looking, professional-quality, self-published books that don't break the bank. Thanks to social media, it is possible to connect with readers who will love your work.
I was very fortunate to have met some wonderful, talented, and welcoming people online. I met Keshia Erin from Caliburn Photography Group on Twitter and she designed the beautiful cover for 7 Days in Hell and the rest of the 7th Hell series. Another Twitter connection, an artist whose work I love, is currently working on an assignment for the cover of a fantasy novel that I plan to release in November.
People read my short story collection, Zoo of the Dead, and other terrifying stories, and I'm so grateful for their reviews.
For the past year I have spoken to writers I love and admire, something I never thought possible, all from home!
What other advice would you give to writers who are having trouble having the nerve to get their work out there?
That was a shock to me, but editors and agents are human! I thought they were incredibly cool, people together who had the answers for everything. Now they may be incredibly cool and together, but they are trying to give meaning to life, just like the rest of us. You won't bite. Neither readers.
You don't have to share your writing, but if you want, do.
My other advice would be not to collapse under criticism and rejection. I know this is easy to say and very difficult to do, but it really matters.
If your work gets rejected or doesn't win a competition, it wasn't because it was bad. There were only stories that the editors and judges liked better.
A rejection of your work is not a rejection from you. It seems easy, but the writing is so personal and you are just laying on your side that it can feel very personal when someone says they are passing your work on. However, it's not personal and really tries to maintain that distance.
Your job is your baby while you are working on it. However, if you finalized it and decided to submit or publish it, it is now no longer connected to you. You have to put on your business hat. So my dream agent didn't like it – good, see you next one.
I see a lot of posts on Twitter from people who are devastated when their book gets a low rating. I can empathize with you because it's always difficult when someone doesn't like your work.
However, I think it's important to remember that ratings are for other readers, not the author, and even low-rated ratings are helpful. When it comes to criticism, everyone who reads your work has an opinion on how it should have gone, or what it liked or disliked.
If no more than five people are having problems with the same thing, I don't see this as a mistake in the story, but it is an opportunity to make your next story better or to learn what people want to read.
What is the hardest part about writing for you? How do you overcome this obstacle?
My obstacle is depression.
I constantly have to fight a part of me that tells me that I'm not good enough, that I have nothing to say, that my writing is pedestrian and boring, that no one wants to read what I've written, that writing is selfish and i should be doing other things to help people.
Sometimes I lose this fight and I can't write. I have to lie down and weather the storm. Sometimes I manage to ignore that part of me so that I can work.
As a result, I am not as productive as I used to be or how I would like to be, and writing a first draft is very painful. Even so, writing helps my sanity and gives meaning to my life. I think there must be a reason why I keep doing it!
Share your letter!
It doesn't have to be a painful process to get your writing out of there. Iseult had a great reminder for all the writers out there: sharing your work doesn't have to be done through traditional channels! And it doesn't always come in the form of a million dollar book deal. (In fact, that's rarely the case.) Parting small can get your foot in the door and your name out there.
Grab other writers, family members, friends, and colleagues and let them help you get the word out about your writing. Get your writing out there no matter what. Don't let anyone stop you!
What's your biggest obstacle to getting your writing out? Let me know in the comments!
WORK OUT
Today I want you to think about this scenario: your character desperately wants something and they keep trying to get this thing through the "appropriate" channels, but it just doesn't work.
What are you doing now? How do you get what you want? Spend fifteen minutes writing about what your character is doing.
Of course, those fifteen minutes of writing are important. However, the most important part of today's practice is the next step: sharing your writing.
Do share your writing in the comments here for other writers to read. Don't forget to read and comment on your colleagues' work!
Sarah Gribble
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