The Joys of Writing

As writers, our greatest joys are our accomplishments. To have a work recognised for its merit by publishing is what we all strive for. And, to that end, I wish to share my news with you.

I received the edited manuscript of my first novel, The Wrath of Amun, from my publisher. The editor enjoyed the work, sent me a list of suggestions to tighten it up, expand on some areas, and add a little colour here and there. But, overall, no major changes or rewrites.

As this is my first work of fiction, I can not describe how this makes me feel. Non-fiction has been my genre for the past nine years; non-fiction, to me, is much easier than fiction. Whatever possessed me to think I could write fiction - well, it must have been a weak moment.

But, to have my fiction accepted for publication, now in the editing stage, and with publication pending, my world has opened up to far more possibilities. Writing is what I love, but I have more avenues to persue, by writing in multiple genres.

So, don't limit yourself and think of yourself as just a one-genre writer. Experiment, test the waters, even if it is just a short story. Though I shall continue to write non-fiction, fiction gives me the chance to fantasize, to create, to soar. Stay true to what you love and never give up.

Are You Kidding, Again??

When did we become so desperate that, as writers, we would take a job for no pay? To further rant on my perusal of craigslist postings, are people really that clueless to believe a professional writer or editor would take a job with the promise of pay from possible royalties?

These postings only illustrate how little people understand about the business of publishing. If traditional publishing is the route these people intend to go, less than 5 percent of manuscripts submitted ever get published. And, of those that do, many never realise royalties, and only receive an advance and nothing more.

So many of these postings are for ghost writers to write their memoirs or autobiographies. Unless you already have an established platform, are a celebrity, or somehow well-known, what "hook" do you think will interest a publisher in your story? And, if I'm going to devote weeks or months to writing a manuscript, I want to know my time and effort is worth more than a promise of "possible" payment. The last I checked, my mortgage company does not accept "promises to pay" while I submit a manuscript for publication.

Now, if your goal is self-publishing, some will charge you for the privilege to see your name in print. Does the ghost writer get in line, waiting for payment that may never come? We have all heard stories of "overnight" success, where an unknown writer is "discovered" by his first self-published work and signed to an outrageously funded contract by Big Name Publisher. But, they too are few and far between.

The computer age and the advent of electronical publishing has been a blessing and a curse. The blessings are many: books no longer have to be printed in large print runs, books can be distributed electronically, less printing costs should translate to higher profits and higher advances to the authors. The curse: everyone with a computer and a story thinks they can be the next Truman Capote, Stephen King, or Stephanie Meyer.

Writing a book, or making it a career, is hard work, thus the reason professional writers freelance. Helping a fledgling author to realise their dream is fulfilling and satsifying. But, as a professional, my time is worth something. Why do I want to use my valuable time ghost writing your book for no money, when I can be writing my own? If I don't attract a publisher with my own work, I can move on and write something else, but it is my time and my work. And it is what I love to do, knowing that it can, and has, paid off for me.

So, please, do not insult us. We write for the love of it, but we also write for the monetary remuneration. If we want to be rich, we would be in another line of work, but we do want our work appreciated -- you certainly wouldn't hire a plumber or advertising agency and expect them to "hope" to get paid. Expect to pay for writing services, just as you would any other service.

Are You Kidding?

As a freelance writer, I believe in presenting my work in the best possible light, and often edit the heck out of my work. And, I am also willing to assist others, to make their work sing. Copyediting and proofreading are skills which not all possess, and as such, I am more than happy to offer my services. But, have we really sunk so low that we will take jobs which undermine our integrity.

Two recent Craigslist postings, "Help Me Cheat on My Spanish Test," and "Will Pay for Classes," illustrate what is wrong with our society. The first one I refused to open, but the second one was quite interesting. The person who posted does not "have time" to attend his/her online classes and is willing to pay someone $100 per class, to attend instead.

Numerous posting ask for professional freelancers to research and write thesis papers, do their homework, and now, attend classes for people who apparently don't understand the concept of education. If I'm going to do your work for you, regardless of what you pay me, that diploma or degree better have my name on it, not yours.

What makes me even more sad, is there are writers out there perfectly willing to take on these jobs. Is it really worth it, to sell yourself out, for the amount someone is willing to pay to steal an education. Because that is what it is -- theft. I often wonder if the colleges and universities know, or even care, that their students are paying for their grades, rather than earning them on their own merits.

I am struggling financially, as are many people in this economy, but I will not compromise my ethics and take such a job. And, I would love to know why a professional writer would. I may sound naive, but if you have no intention of doing the course assignments, and apparently can afford to pay someone to do them for you, why bother going to college in the first place? Your education amounts to just a piece of paper, that someone else earned, and should be rightfully theirs.

Writing Ennui

When I wrote my first novel, the book took many twists and turns I had not anticipated. Once I got to know my characters and they began to trust me to tell their stories, I let them lead me. And, though my outline kept me (and them) on track, it was never etched in stone. It constantly evolved with the telling of the story.

But, my second novel did not go as smoothly. I made many changes to the outline along the way and many of the scenes were not planned the way they eventually played out. I began to realise, about half way through, that I didn't know if I wanted the story to end. Many nights I avoided my computer, all the while my characters were anxious for me to get back, to finish their stories.

Now, I am two-thirds done with my third novel, and I have reached that point again. I know how the story will end (according to my outline), but I don't know how my characters and I shall get there. And, I am loath to sit at my computer and write. For writing the end means the end of this journey with my characters.

When I outline a novel, it is with great anticipation: of the story, the characters, the direction, and the ultimate outcome. Once enmeshed, I want to know how the story will end, but it is also with a great deal of anxiety. For when it does end, I am left empty, sad, and lonely. My characters are alive to me - they populate my waking and sleeping mind, nagging me about a plot point they don't like, or urging me on when the action is fierce.

So why the avoidance? I don't believe in writer's block, but I have writer's ennui. I get to a certain part in my novel and I don't lose interest, I just don't want it to end. I try to hold off, as long as I can, to write the last few chapters. Because I know, it is emotionally draining, fraught with high tension, plot resolutions, and ultimately the end of the novel. And, then, I am left to start anew, but with a sense of loss. One story behind me and another ahead, some characters still sharing the journey with me, others left behind for now, or worse.

So, when writing a novel, or in my case a novel series, keep in mind that although there is a beginning, middle, and end to every novel, it isn't always that clearly defined, or easy to write. We become our characters and we need them as much as they need us.

How Much Is Too Much

I have been struggling with some critical scenes in my third novel, The Savagery of Set. Though tension in a mystery novel is a good thing, can there be too much?

As a novelist, I know that our characters must face danger, unusual situations, and more drama than occurs in most lifetimes. And, our characters must endure or perish. I have grown attached to my characters, like old friends. I feel comfortable with them, and they with me. Which is why they share their stories, so I may be their storyteller.

But, that doesn't make me feel any better when I place them in jeopardy. My protagonist lies unconscious, and in ancient Egypt, the prognosis is not good. Most individuals with head trauma would die, though mummies have been found who had their skulls chiseled into and survived. Fortunate for me, as the writer, since historically, my protagonist can survive.

The challenge of writing a novel, keeping up the action, and keeping it historically plausible is daunting, but it also gives the novelist a chance to experiment, push the envelope, and keep the readers' coming back for more. And, as this novel is the third in a series, I would hope they will keep coming back.

So, when faced with a difficult situation, always look for plausibility. Your reader will accept a lot, but will not accept the impossible. Make them cheer for the protagonist, make them worry about him, but never make them disbelieve in him, or you.

A Day of Mourning

Today is not a day to be dispensing writing advice, it should be a day of remembrance and reflection. Our lives were irrevocably changed ten years ago today. Hopefully, it will never again happen on American soil, but we must be vigilant.

We often forget that in order to be free, we sometimes must give up some freedoms. Travel has become cumbersome, but I would much rather feel safe, than live in fear each time I board a plane. Because freedom is not free - it is costly, in money, time, and lives lost. A member of my family is currently deployed in Afghanistan, doing his part to protect us, and allow us to enjoy our way of life.

So, today, remember, reflect, and never forget that freedom is difficult. It requires sacrifice and courage, from each and every one of us, not just the members of our armed forces. We all need to do our part to protect our freedom, our way of life, and those who are most important to us.

More on Writing Difficult Scenes

Another scene that seems to give writers pause is the love scene. Obviously, some books do not need them, while some include them for no reason, yet still others are richer for them. And, some writers really have no clue how to handle such a scene.

Since I write historical mysteries, my love scenes have to be faithful to the time period, so words become quite important, as do descriptions. Words that could be used in contemporary fiction would seem vulgar and out of place in a historical setting. The emphasis therefore is on the interaction between the characters and the deep feelings they have for one another.

A further note, a love scene does not require page after page of detail. Belabouring the point is not necessary; if the scene is handled properly, it may only cover one or two pages. Since my main character is married, it is only appropriate that he is portrayed at home, with his wife. And, in ancient Egypt, the nobles had a great deal of leisure time, so it is natural that such scenes will play out on paper.

These are scenes I don't have to outline, as opposed to a fight scene or chasing after a fleeing suspect. A love scene should flow onto the page, while a fight scene needs to have structure and stay within the confines of realism.

As writers, it is important to write what we know, but it is just as important to write what may be difficult for us. In exploring emotions which are strong, we grow as writers, testing the boundaries of our comfort zone, and, sometimes, even amazing ourselves.