In high school, it was the designation we drama nerds longed for: Triple Threat. If you could not only act or sing or dance but do all three, you were that much more likely to get the part. Janey Sommers, our fearless teacher, made it clear that in the real world, if you wanted work, you needed all three.
“Triple threat” means something different in the publishing world, but the principle applies. If you want to get published (with a traditional publisher), you need (1) awesome writing, (2) a compelling concept, and (3) a strong platform.
Excellent writing. This one goes without saying, and there’s no short cut. While some people have more natural writing talent than others, good writing is for the most part the result of a lot of practice. Here it is in equation form:
(B + I + C)2 = AW
(Butt in Chair)2 = Awesome Writing!
Another crucial part of developing writing skill is some means of receiving feedback from those whose opinions you value. And of course, read, but don’t just read. Notice the devices an author uses. Notice how an author structures an argument, the mix between narrative and didactic material, and so on. For more, see my earlier post: “How to Write Stuff Everyone Wants to Read.”
Compelling concept. Compelling concepts come in a lot of different packages. Sometimes a proposed title is so witty or arresting that it alone can raise a publisher’s eyebrows. More often, though, a concept is compelling because it speaks to a real need that readers have. Such needs are sometimes born of the human condition and are therefore universal. Other times they are the product of a person’s stage of life, and sometimes they speak to a cultural or historical moment.
Strong Platform. As with good writing, there are no shortcuts to a strong platform. A platform, essentially, is an author’s own ability to bring exposure to her own work, and it takes time and energy. It’s about building relationships and showing up day after day, week after week, so that people begin to think of you as dependable and as someone who has something to say.
Where are you in this journey of becoming a triple threat? Which of these three is already in place? How could you take the next step in one of these areas?
Thanks Chadd. I too am working on the platform (as well as number one). I have heard so many conflicting thoughts on this, is it true that self-publishing can hinder your ability to later get published? It seems to me it could be used as an opportunity to build up both 1 and 3.
Speaking for me and probably quite a few other publishers, self-publishing will only hinder you if the sales of your self-published book reveal a really weak or nonexistent platform.
Thanks Chad, that helps!
(B + I + C)2 = AW
LOVE IT! (but why is this simple equation so hard to do sometimes?!)
No kidding. Can feel like the hardest thing in the world sometimes. The Resistance, to use Pressfield’s term, can be one mean son of a !@$%@. But keep FIGHTING! Ultimately it’s worth it. You’re worth it, and we need you to keep on keeping on. Don’t you dare get out of that chair!
Thanks, Chad, for this encouragement! I need it right now. I’m usually a great manager of my time, but it’s been a battle lately. Hate that! I’m scribbling a post-it reminder to stick on my laptop right now:
“Don’t you dare get out of that chair!”
Awesome!
Great guidelines, I think I might struggle the most with platform, or the patience it takes it build a strong platform…
You’re in good company. The trick, I think, is to find a way to build your platform doing something that you’ll enjoy at least most of the time. Another trick is not to measure pageviews or visitor counts or Twitter followers. Measure hustle, and that’s it. Are you accomplishing the goal you set for yourself? That’s all that matters.
That’s just want I needed to hear, thank you. I love blogging and the people I meet through it. I love that I can encourage so much through building platform. Even if my numbers never measure up, I know I am still being used by God.