Suspension of disbelief or “willing suspension of disbelief” is more important than most authors realize.
The term…
Suspension of Disbelief
…is usually used to describe something that fiction readers do: Temporarily “forget” that something is improbable, and focus on the fact that it’s possible (so they can enjoy the journey).
But…
Suspension of disbelief is equally important to you as
an aspiring author. And I don’t just mean novelists
(I’m talking fiction and nonfiction authors).
Why?
Because suspension of disbelief isn’t just a strategy for
fantastical fiction. Suspension of disbelief is a strategy every
author must implement, to get any book (in any genre) published.
* * *
Suspension of Disbelief
As an aspiring author you must temporarily “forget” that getting a major publisher is improbable, and focus on the fact that it’s… so you can enjoy the journey (and increase your chances of being successful).
* * *
Why’s it so important for you to suspend disbelief?
Because you aren’t just writing stories.
You are one.
Yes (like it or not), you’re a character in
your own true-life drama as an aspiring author.
So, suspension of disbelief is a philosophy that you
must follow, as you’re watching the story of YOU unfolding…
the story of you as protagonist (on your very own Hero’s Journey).
That means you need to forget the cynics
(including those inside your head).
* * *
Suspension of Disbelief – Example
How important is suspension of disbelief?
Let’s just say that I almost got into a shouting match over it
at the Santa Barbara Writers’ Conference many years ago
(some things are worth fighting for, this is one of them).
I was on stage in front of hundreds of aspiring authors.
And I was on a panel, amidst a gang of jaded agents
and editors. I was literally under attack, along
with all the innocent writers in the audience.
The publishing professionals surrounding me were doing
what many people in their position do at writers’ conferences,
spinning tales of personal and professional struggles and the
oh-so-dire condition of the publishing industry… making it
seem impossible for anyone to succeed but them.
Stepping on the throats of aspiring authors.
Watching the light fade from their eyes…
I wanted to slap them
(or at least shake them violently).
Yes, it was really that bad.
I couldn’t believe that good people (talented writers)
had actually paid money to sit there and listen….
To that… well, crap.
Of course, I openly protested.
And I wondered if those broken beings on the stage
with me, had ever heard the expression…
* * *
Suspension of Disbelief
To be honest, I can’t remember every word I said that day (it was many years ago),
but I do remember leaping out of my chair, gesturing wildly, and speaking
passionately about the following:
First, every single person on the planet has at least one book in them with bestseller
or high commercial potential. Of course… not everyone has the desire, patience,
or passion to get that book out there. But, everyone has the potential
(I’ll explain that in greater detail in a future article).
Suspend disbelief.
Second, even though many people won’t go on to get a literary agent,
a reputable publisher, and a decent book deal… many will.
Suspend disbelief.
Third, I pleaded with the audience to surround themselves with
people who are positive and hopeful. Because I’ve found that
to be much more productive than the alternative.
Suspend disbelief.
At the time of this “incident” in Santa Barbara, I was admittedly
younger and less experienced than most of the people I was on
stage with. I could see that I was challenging “the establishment.”
And I knew that I probably wouldn’t be invited to return to
the Santa Barbara Writers’ Conference, but I didn’t care.
Suspend disbelief.
Sometimes we need the naïve, idealistic voice of youth and
possibilities… to remind us who we are (or who we used to be).
We need the voice of youth to remind us what’s possible.
Suspend disbelief.
Because anything is possible,
especially when it comes to publishing.
Suspension of disbelief.
It only takes one person to see
and understand your vision.
Willful suspension of disbelief.
It only takes one person to help you
share that vision with the world.
Don’t listen to the cynics, including
those inside your head.
Suspend your disbelief,
– Mark
* * *
Mark Malatesta
Your “Undercover” Agent
* * *
* * *
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
A good piece of writing meant to encourage all the new and aspiring as well as the old authors.
🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I was wondering if it would be worth it to attend some writers conferences. Not any like the Santa Barbara one for sure for sure! Are there any that are positive and upbeat or is it just a crap shoot?
Love, Somraj
TantraAtTahoe.com
Hi Somraj, there are many different types… and it’s important that you choose the right one that fits your wants/needs/genre. Start looking at a few online and you’ll quickly start to pick up one the differences. I don’t have an article about finding the right one for you… but I do have a (2-part) article about what to do once you get there: https://literary-agents.com/writers-conference-part-01/. 😉
Google a bit and you’ll likely find a list of writers’ conferences.
I’m going to put one together myself at some point. 🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
That is so true! I am believing now that those special “Writers’ Circles” are just to demotivate new writers to make their dream come true. Many won’t belive it, but here in Venezuela that kind of elite is very exclusive and while they pat on each other shoulders (very few ones) they destroy the dreams of hundreds of great authors around here by not accepting them into the Circle, and sometimes even degrade their work. And I can assure you, we’ve seen much better works than theirs out there!
Well said Sara, and thank you for sharing that… other authors who read your words here will appreciate them.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Bravo, Mark, way to sock it to the man! What a dangerous attitude those self-important blow-hards had! I wonder how many people were sitting there, on the precipice of sending out a wonderful manuscript that would change several people’s lives for the better, then received just a few rejections, and thought back to those idiots and actually began to believe they were right! I hope your words and influence shone much brighter and allowed them to leave with more hope than hopelessness.
Hi Nikki, I hope so… at least that how I play the movie in my mind… ha ha ha. If we ever stop thinking what we do matters we’re in big trouble. So I hope I got through to at least one aspiring author out there in the audience. Have a great Friday and I hope you know how much I enjoy and celebrate your spirit. 😉
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
This article emphasizes the major theme of my writing: spirituality! You address your audience as spirits and make it clear that disbelief is an attitude and like all attitudes is a choice. Psychology might explain the reasons for choosing our various attitudes, but the fact that it IS a matter of choice is more important than those reasons. I like your analogy of the separate room. We (ok, I) need to isolate and put all “reasons” for disbelief into that room.
Thank you Michael, I love it… here’s to good choices. 🙂
Have a good Friday!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark
I read your post on suspension of disbelief and it lit up like a light bulb as I realized it was something I have been practicing all my life in all facets of my life. I think it is something we have to do to survive in this subjective life that we call life. At least those of us who want to share themselves in creative form with the world.
Thanks….John
Hi John, thank you for that… and I’m glad to hear it. Sometimes hearing about something we’re already aware of makes it better. My wife loves to say that it’s not about whether you know something, but whether you’re implementing it, implementing it right, and getting the results you want. Here’s to greater awareness and success in the new year, and thank you for posting. Warm wishes and happy holidays. Mark