Chapter 1: The Struggle with Platform-Building

For a long time, the idea of establishing a platform filled me with dread. As Amy Poehler wisely states, “The doing is the thing.”

In recent years, I found myself reaching out to literary agents with various manuscripts. If you've never gone through the querying process, let me tell you: it's quite the undertaking. You can easily spend countless hours navigating agency websites, Twitter feeds, and Manuscript Wishlists to ensure every detail is correct. Crafting the perfect query and addressing each agent's specific requirements can be overwhelming, not to mention polishing your grammar until your eyes feel strained. All this effort, and often, you’re met with silence or generic rejections.

Capturing an agent's interest is no small feat. They receive a multitude of queries each day, and their primary responsibilities often extend beyond just reading submissions. You have mere seconds to make an impression before your query is discarded.

One effective way to stand out is by demonstrating your dedication to writing. This could mean obtaining an MFA, actively engaging in the writing community, attending conferences, or establishing a platform.

While a platform is more crucial for non-fiction authors, it can still benefit fiction writers. It signals that you are committed and serious about your craft, rather than simply sending an unrefined first draft of a personal narrative to the first agent you find online. (Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s not the way to go.)

Additionally, a following can potentially translate into book sales, which is ultimately the goal of writing.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Sharing Your Work

Writing can certainly be done in isolation. You might craft a piece in the comfort of your home and, if you’re fortunate, secure a book deal. But the truth is, writing—like any creative pursuit—cannot exist in a vacuum. It gains significance through sharing.

I understand the fear of waiting for a literary agent, a publishing deal, or reaching some imagined milestone. Yet, you cannot keep your writing to yourself forever; eventually, you must embrace feedback from others.

It was only once I began sharing my work that I recognized it as a necessity. Building a platform is not merely a goal; it’s integral to the writing process itself. Engaging with your audience is not something reserved for established authors; it’s central to the writing journey.

While I may not yet have a book deal, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see people respond to my writing. I've also learned to brush off negative feedback more effectively.

In recent months, I’ve started to embrace the wisdom shared by one of my idols, Amy Poehler, in her book Yes Please.

"You do it because the doing of it is the thing. The doing is the thing. The talking and worrying and thinking is not the thing."

Poehler also advises creatives to maintain a balanced perspective about their careers.

"You have to care about your work but not the result. You have to care about how good you are and how good you feel, but not about how good people think you are or how good people think you look."

I aspire to be a writer because I want my words to reach others. But I don't need an agent or a publisher to achieve that. I can simply write and share, observing what unfolds.

Some of my pieces receive minimal views, while others generate some income. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m engaging in the process, and that is what nurtures my growth and gradually builds my platform.

In time, my writing will reach a level that attracts a publisher. Until then, my focus remains on getting up each day and embracing the act of creation.