by Bethany Jett, @BetJett

I’d planned on posting Part 2 in the series of 11 Ways to Create a Sense of Place. However, on my drive home from a meeting tonight, all the similarities between writers and politicians flooded through my mind. It’s amazing what goes through my brain when there is complete silence. 

As of this writing (Tuesday, Nov 8, 10:30 pm), there is no clear winner in the Presidential election, although by the time you read this, half of the country will be cheering, the other half in mourning. This was a super close race with passions and opinions running high and loud. But as I sit in my living room surrounded by family, watching the networks estimate the states’ winners, I think there are some key lessons we writers can learn from the election.

Reputation Matters

As we’ve seen in this election, the past matters. Sometimes a vote may be decided based on the reputation of the candidate. The same can be said for writers. We have to be careful about how we are perceived. Our social media accounts, the content we post, the things we say, the places we go all add to our n. Elections are won or lost and books can be rejected or sold based on our reputations.

Appearance Matters

You can say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but it’s futile thinking. Of course we judge a book by its cover. We judge everything by their covers. Brands spend millions of dollars making sure the right colors are used on their products. There is a reason that 75% of all pencils in the United States are yellow.

We have to make sure we spend time on our appearance, both physically and virtually. Make your website attractive, use striking images in your memes, and get professional headshots taken. The way we present ourself matters.

“Hook ’em Early”

Candidates need to make an impression early. So do writers. We talk about the importance of grabbing the reader from the beginning with a great hook. I can’t tell you how many books started out great but ended up disappointment me in the middle. But I stayed with it! Why?!!??! Because I already felt invested.

I’m definitely not saying to start strong and then get lackadaisical. But hooking the reader (or sometimes the voter) can be crucial.

Meet the Deadline

Candidates have a deadline. They campaign until the very end, but polls close and it’s over. Similarly, writers have a deadline. This hit me personally today. This afternoon, the final final edits were finished on my next book, Through the Eyes of Hope. It goes to print and it’s completely out of my hands.

It’s bittersweet.

I’m thankful it’s done, but knowing that I can’t make any corrections and don’t have any more chances to make it better are a little scary.

Clear Point of View

Both candidates and writers have to have a clear point of view.There can’t be wishy-washy shenanigans without an outcry from the public. Have an opinion. Voice your thoughts. Stand by it. Candidates have to have a point-of-view. So do writers.

And in some cases for the writer, you have one chance to make that opinion matter. You have one shot to make your book touch the hearts of your readers. As we’ve seen in the election, both candidates have distinct stances and points of view. We know what they are. Love them or hate them, we know.

Your reader needs to know what you think, too.

Leave it All on the Table

Once the campaign is over, once the book is sent to the printer, that’s it. You have to give it everything you’ve got before your deadline, before election day. You must know that you gave your book everything you had, that you put in the blood, sweat, tears, hand cramps, wrist pain, eye strain, sleepless nights that it takes.

As Hemingway said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” So give it your best, be willing to be vulnerable, and leave it all on the table.

And on this Day-After-Election-Day, I wish you all the best in your writing. God bless America.

[reminder]Got any other lessons we can learn from politicians?[/reminder]

Bethany Jett is an award-winning author of The Cinderella Rule, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink, a consulting and editing company. She has written for numerous publications, created the My Moments Planner, Serious Writer Companion, and is the founder of Serious Writer Academy and the Build Your Brand Program. Her newest work, Through the Eyes of Hope releases January 2017.

Bethany is a military wife and all-boys-mama who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She writes on living a brilliant life at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest,  Instagram (new profile), and Twitter.