A Writer's Ponderings

I'll preface this post by warning everyone that I've had a really crappy week personally and professionally, so I'll try really hard not to let it morph into a annoying and whiny pity-party...but if not, you can have your money back.

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I'm always speaking with would-be writers who tell me how cool it must be to have published books and such. Truth, however, never usually meets up to the expectations we place on circumstances before reaching them. This case is no exception.

I do have fans, and I'm extremely grateful for all of them. They truly are why I keep doing what I do, putting out more and more stories and novels. I have no doubt that several of them would buy any book I put out (did I mention, extremely grateful?). The truth of the matter, though, is that the vast majority of these fans have been a result of my own promotional work, personally finding these individuals, conversing with them either in person or on-line, and getting a book into their hands (either by a contest giveaway or persuading them to part with their hard-earned money).

At some point, one would think that momentum would take over, that these fans would tell their friends and they would become fans themselves, leaving me to do the writing with some promotion when I get a chance. Unfortunately, it doesn't ever seem like this takes place. The reasons for this are beyond me, but the fact remains that I appear forever stuck in a cycle of pushing books in front of people in the hopes that they'll become fans. Then, going back over and over to those fans to keep them in the know for my latest work (literally, one of my biggest fans didn't even realize that I'd had a second novel come out, let alone other works since then)...

Is this what publishing is supposed to be? Just one author's experience? Heck if I know...

But perhaps my writing really isn't all it should be, and those I've befriended through my publishing journey are being generous in their praise? This could be the case. Although I shouldn't take any stock in reviews or the lack thereof, it gets a bit dreary seeing so few posted (not just by customers, but by professional sites that presumably received a copy).

Maybe the substandard writing theory isn't so far-fetched.

If you listen to some, one solution is to go it alone, self-publish through one of the free online companies (Amazon and Smashwords), and rake in money hand-over-fist. As a test of this system, I put up a novella on both, setting the price point below the dollar mark (which the experts claim will . Without going into too many details, its first quarter sales were roughly on par (and once I get this quarter's royalty statements, I'll have a direct comparison) with the number for my two "traditionally" published books, but not as stellar as one would have thought, considering the price point was far less.

I've considered putting one or both of my current in-the-pipeline books up as self-published titles to get a few more data points. Admittedly, the first novel was self-edited (the cover art was an exceptional piece donated by a friend), to do it "right" would cost a couple thousand dollars for editing, cover art, etc. That, in addition to several friends admonishing me for even contemplating the idea...

The question at this point is whether the time would be worth the payout in the end, to: a) figure out why sales are so stagnant and remedy the problem, b) figure out whether my writing style needs a huge makeover and if so, work toward that end, c) decide my future plans for my preferred publication method, and d) keep more writing flowing through the pipeline to avoid becoming a historical footnote.

And then again, perhaps it truly is a matter of continuing to push books in front of each and every person on the planet, until every single one of them has laid eyes on them?

Either way, anyone considering going into writing for publication should be asking themselves whether they are willing to put up with this much heartache...because once you're stuck in the system as I am, it's far too late.

Weekly Goals - April 26, 2011

A decent week for once in a long while...we'll see if things continue to move in that direction.

Results for this week:

1. Only 800 words on the plot outline (focused on #3).
2. Submitted April 23.
3. 1800 words, and a completed first draft for the still-untitled short story. [added]

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Develop 1000 words of plot outline for Resurrection
2. 500 words on a new short story

Submission status for the week:

Novels:

The Cure --
15 queries submitted
6 form rejections
1 no-response rejection
8 still under consideration

Short stories:
"Double Trouble" (since March 28)
"Generations" (since April 10)
"Some Assembly Required" (since April 23)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

To Go Where I've Not Gone Before

I don't have any belief I'm the first author to have ever reached this decision point, but it's an interesting point to ponder, so figured I'd share.

How far would you go with your writing?

When I first started out writing, my standards were sure. For those who've read Heroes Die Young, you know that even if things get a little hairy from time to time, the language is clean (other than the slang term for a lady-of-the-evening that one reader took exception to), and (much to several readers' chagrin) the sexual tension remains that way. The biggest "taboo" (if it could even be considered as such) was Aston's drinking (which is and will always remain his vice of choice).

As time has worn on down this road, I've noticed (and it's been pointed out to me) that things have progressed. The language has stayed for the most part clean (in my writing, at least), but the physical aspects have been getting a lot more risque. Again, to several readers' dismay, it hasn't crossed certain thresholds (what I consider the "what could I show my grandmother" litmus test), but it has taken a decidedly different tone.

So, we get to my latest in-work projects, and at least in their pre-published versions, some scenes cross that threshold. Why this happened could be attributed to any number of factors, but the fact remains that it's out there. Is it a matter of hearing so many readers ask for it? Is it my own personal thresholds adjusting? Do I believe it will help boost sales? It really could be any and all of these, or none of the above.

But when it's all said and done, before these works reach publication, I must ask myself: Do I want to cross that threshold?

And sadly, I don't know...

Weekly Goals - April 19, 2011

Sadly, could not get myself out of the trough this week to get much done. Maybe next week...

Results for this week:

1. Just over 100 words on the new story (still untitled)
2. Just over 1200 words of plot outline developed for Resurrection. Still quite a ways to go.

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Develop 1500 words of plot outline for Resurrection
2. Submit "Some Assembly Required" to an outlet

Submission status for the week:

Novels:

The Cure --
15 queries submitted
6 form rejections
1 no-response rejection
8 still under consideration

Short stories:
"Double Trouble" (Since March 28)
"Generations" (Since April 10)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - April 12, 2011

Things picking up, but still a bit slow...

Results for this week:

1. Completed 1700 words on the first story "Samaritan"
2. Completed 500 words on an unnamed second story
3. Submitted

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Complete 1000 words on the new short story
2. Develop plot for Death Brings the Victory

Submission status for the week:

Novels:

The Cure --
15 queries submitted
6 form rejections
1 no-response rejection
8 still under consideration

Short stories:
"Double Trouble" (Since March 28)
"Generations" (Submitted April 10)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Weekly Goals - April 5, 2011

Still moving quite slow, but picking up the pace somewhat...and if not for some odd eye issues (I'm guessing allergies), I likely would have had a bit more done tonight. At least I've started a pair of stories...

Results for this week:

1. Completed 300 words between two stories
2. Edited, and ready for submission

And now the goals for this coming week:

1. Complete 1000 words on a new short story
2. Complete 500 words on a second new short story
3. Submit "Generations"

Submission status for the week:

Novels:

The Cure --
15 queries submitted
6 form rejections
1 no-response rejection
8 still under consideration

Short stories:
"Double Trouble" (Since March 28)

Aston West
novels
short stories
writing goals

Another Interview Giveaway

Head on over to Blog Bites and read my latest interview. Comment on the post (over there) and get entered to win one of three copies of my short story collection Dead or Alive. Every person who posts a comment will also win a free e-book.