It’s Harder Than It Looks

I’ve mentioned this before, but it seems like everyone can sing…or write. Nary a few words about my latest book escapes my lips when the asker (and hey, weren’t they asking about me) launches into his or her own desire to write.

I’m cool with that. Mostly. Maybe they do have a book in there. And I’m willing, within reason, to help.  I can’t read every manuscript because I’d never get anything done, but I will offer advice, such as I have, to anyone.

I was talking with a writer the other day. I read his book because he’s a friend. It was good. But as we talked about the other part of writing, aka, marketing, rejections, and more rejections, I could see his heart sinking.

He was sad to find out you have to wait a long time to get a book back from a publisher or agent, and sometimes “no” is simply they never write or send back. You can’t, for the most part, simultaneously submit. Agents and publishers are sometimes less than kind. They can be excited one minute and then decide they don’t want your material. It doesn’t pay very well at first. And on and on. At one point he whispered that’s not fair.

Yeah…sometimes it isn’t. When I’m feeling that way I bring to mind a Jareth quote about unfairness from the movie Labyrinth: you say that so often, I wonder what your basis of comparison is? Publishing is a business and business isn’t personal when it does what it does. It’s just business.That's my basis of comparison.

But of course, that doesn’t help much when you get a mean rejection or never hear back from an agent or publisher. I felt bad for my friend, but that conversation also made me realize I have toughed it out, and I will continue to tough it out. Writing is not for the faint of heart. If nothing else, I can be glad for my stalwart, if often bruised, one. Everyone who has ever sent anything off into the Never Neverland of publishing should be.

Jareth would be so proud. At least I would hope he wouldn't give me one  his nasty peaches. :-)

Amazon Marketing

OK, so my husband likes to take surveys. Of all kinds. I think it's kind of cute. Me, not so much, maybe because I spent a great deal of my life designing them. But anyway, Gary was taking one on what his religious belief's might be (he knows, but he likes to see what a survey would tell him), and lo and behold, up pops an add for my new book beside it. I do tend to put spiritual undertones in my books this one no exception, so that was a nice placement . :-)

Thanks Amazon.



Another Sad Passing

First Anne, now Ray, sigh. His works will live forever. Rest in Peace.

And the Narrator Says…

There are many different “voices” in which an author may choose to write. Without going into them all, I have written in third and first person using the protagonist’s viewpoint. There are subcategories; for example, when I use first person it is first person past with a sprinkling of first person present. Hence, I would say “I bit my lip” as opposed to “I bite my lip.” I do use first present, but only when the person is thinking or saying something in the moment.

Voice has been on my mind a lot ever since I finished the Hunger Games. I really enjoyed them. Different from anything else I’ve ever read (a huge plus for me), and they were riveting. There was something I didn’t like though, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on until I realized it was the voice: this author uses primarily first person present.

For me, there is something jarring about it. The argument some have used is first person present puts you right in the action. Well yes, but for me there is something false about always using first person present… “I bite my lip" is an afterthought…I don’t believe anyone thinks "I bite my lip" while doing it. I believe biting lips HAS to be past, even if only a fraction of a second in the past. Thoughts, in my opinion, are the only thing that can truly be in the moment…or if you are biting and speaking, such as “I replied, biting my lip,” and you have to be careful with an out loud statement, because can you truly do the action you are suggesting and speak at the same time?

That’s just me and my opinion, which I state often when saying things like this. Considering voice in books helps me to better understand not only what I do and don’t like, but how that applies to my own work…

I said, my stomach growling. I bit my cookie and swallowed it almost whole. Oh dear, my waistline will expand, I should watch what I bite.

Read The Reckoning FREE

My newest book, The Reckoning (World Castle Publishing) is free if you have Amazon Prime. Just sayin'. :-)

Thanks

My newest book, The Reckoning (Worldcastle Publishing), comes out May the first through Amazon. I’m so excited ! The editing process went very well.

Which leads me to answer a question I received about book dedications; an aspiring author wondered who should be included, specifically, if the publisher and editor should be.

When a new book of mine is about to be released there are tons of people to thank…friends and family, and others who have been such a tremendous influence I also feel they should be acknowledged. Not a bad thing, but I didn’t want my dedications to resemble those Oscar winners who drone on an on, thanking each and every person who touched their lives.

But then, I don’t want anyone to feel bad. So what to do? I finally decided on the personal level I would thank two people: my husband, who understands and sympathizes with a writer’s lifestyle not to mention he’s my husband and if you're not thanking your mate, um...why wouldn't you, and my sister, who reads every single book I’ve ever written and is my first editor. If I were to choose these two as bridesmaids hopefully everyone else would understand why they were picked. Can’t imagine a dress that would look good on both though. :-)

Professionally speaking, I always include the publisher. They believed in my book, and for me that goes without saying. The editor is a different story. Do I thank them? Of course. Editing is hard work and a talent. My books are always better after editing, and I acknowledge that to each editor I work with. Often.

Do I include them in every dedication? That depends on how I perceive our relationship. A thoughtful, collaborative, communicative editor I do. A mean spirited, autocratic, and non-communicative editor I don’t.

Happily, I’ve had more good than bad; this time a resounding yes…Maxine Bringenberg was fabulous. That didn’t mean I got my way every time something came up, but she was willing to listen and compromise. I know editors get their share of cranky and diva-ish authors. An editor like Maxine who is willing to go that extra mile is a treasure indeed…and she is most certainly in the dedication of The Reckoning.

Something Quite Atrocious

As you may know by reading my blogs I abhor snobbery in any form. I also am not much of a rule follower, mostly because rules and social mores change with the wind so I might as well follow my own heart as much as I can.

I include the English language in my diatribe. I understand there has to be rules; we all must read other people’s work, after all. And I do admit that I have a rebel streak. But I’ve worked with enough publishers now to know that 1) even “accepted” rules are not always interpreted the same and 2), English rules change. Language evolves. It has to, even if we don’t like a particular slang word or what we might perceive as laziness. Language is of the people and reflects who we are in this moment.

But sometimes a word so captures the heart and soul of a people that it stays long after its trendiness has faded. Take "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." It originated within a song from the musical Mary Poppins decades ago. I sung the word when I was a kid and still do. I think most people would, at the very least, recognize it as a tongue twister from an old movie.

This word embodies everything I love about English: brash, sometimes silly, complex, and often poking fun at pompousness. The creator of this word, songwriter Robert B. Sherman, died the other day. He and his brother wrote many memorable songs, but this one will always be my favorite.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it
Is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough
You'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!