What It Demands

Essential to the writer is the art of reading. I'm juggling three books at the moment, each as intense as the other. I wish I could clone myself to read, write, and keep up with social media ... alas, I'm not one who can find a balance to the three.

Lately, I've also been studying how books adapt to film. The reason everyone usually loves the book more is obvious, but often a film can stir the interest in a particular writer. These days, I'm reading Truman Capote. He died in 1984, and yet his work is as popular as ever. Maybe because two films, "Capote" and "Infamous" have sparked interest, which is true in my case.

In the film, Infamous, Toby Jones brilliantly plays Capote and Sandra Bullock (who should've been nominated for an Oscar) portrays the elusive Harper Lee, childhood friend of Capote.

Harper (Sandra) made an amazing statement that struck me to the core. Something I'll never forget.

"I read an interview with Frank Sinatra in which he said about Judy Garland - every time she sings she dies a little. That's how much she gave. It's true for writers too, who hope to create something lasting. They die a little getting it right. Then the book comes out, there's a dinner, and maybe they give you a prize, and then comes the inevitable and very American question ... What's Next? But the next thing can be so hard because now you know what it demands."

Many writers can spit out a book every six months. I'm always amazed at that. But for some of us, writing takes more than blood, sweat, and tears. It takes a piece of our existence. I guess if you want to know why a few writers take forever to come out with the next book, you should remember what Harper Lee said ... "they know what it demands."

Blessings.

Climb Every Mountain

Climb Every Mountain ... that beautiful song from the Sound of Music rings in my head these days ...

I think this is longest I've ever gone without posting a blog since I started blogging in 2005. There's a reason for that as I ... ford every stream ...

Other than posting daily on Facebook I'm writing another book. I'm also working through yet one more edit of The Sanctum since there continues to be interest from major publishers. So please forgive my absence, while I follow every rainbow ... but it's hard to be in more than one place, even though the "experts" say we writers need to maximize our social media exposure.

I'm afraid ... 'til I find my dream, my exposure time is consumed with writing novels.

Stay tuned ... and please don't give up on me ...

Until then ... blessings to you and yours.

The Simple Secret To Writing

I've been thinking the more writers read how-to books, web sites, and blogs on writing, the more confused they can become. The more it stifles their energy to sit down and write that next story.

Most writers don't fear the first draft. We know it's a draft. It's not for public consumption. But what happens between writing that first draft and finishing the book? Hoping to find a nugget of truth, we pour over blogs and web sites and books that tell us what we "need to know" about pacing, voice, character development, on and on ... until it stops us in our tracks.

Writers are artists. As a whole, the doubt and fear we battle is like walking into a swarm of hornets. We just know we're going to get bit.

What happens as a result of that fear? If you are a writer, you've felt it. You know what I'm talking about.

But here is something to consider. Even Donald Maass started somewhere. And I'll bet he'll tell you he's still learning.

You've already gathered enough knowledge to write. You know the middle of the story matters, to show and not tell, to kill your darlings and prologues and keep backstory to a minimum. So while you're in the process of creating, as you write your next story, don't read any more blogs, how-to books, or web sites that tell you how to write. STOP IT.

Stop second-guessing yourself. Just write the story. Let it pour out of your heart. Weep over the keyboard. Burn the midnight oil until you've finished the second, even the third draft. Put your soul into it. Then, my writer friend, you have something to work with. To revise. To hone. To make beautiful. Then you can submit for critique, or to a professional editor for revision. Then you can refresh yourself in a how-to book as you EDIT.

Remember, there are a ton of "experts". Intimidation is a monster. Even the most seasoned writer questions their own talent from time to time. The secret is ... get the story out of you first. Overcome the fear of writing by writing for yourself first. It's the simple truth.

Blessings to you and yours.