Yes, I got a big surprise last night.
I started this blog because I'm on a new road in my writing life. I'm experimenting with flash fiction and found a site I felt I could contribute to.
I sent something in last week knowing that they already had many contributors and thinking that mine wouldn't come up for months.
They have a policy. New contributors get their first piece pushed up and my first one was published today.
I'm excited. But more importantly, I'm inspired to press on with more of my story ideas for that world. Whatever encourages us to write, it's always a good thing.
You can go take a look
http://www.avenireclectia.com/2011/06/until-again.html
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Square Pegs and Round Holes
You know, if you don't fit, you just don't fit.
I tried to write a romance. Okay, it was a romantic suspense. And it looked like it might turn out okay. I did it because I was told that romance was the way to go, the way to break into publishing because it is romance that sells.
Like I said, it looked like it might have been okay. But then, what if I did break into being published with a romance. THEN I'd have to write another one, and another one, and another one. And honestly, I don't think I'm capable of writing that many romances before being allowed to write what I really wanted to write.
Plus, I would have built up a readership that expected romances. And if I ever branched out into anything else, a certain percent of those readers would feel betrayed. And the last thing a writer wants to do is to betray their readers.
So, I think the best thing for any writer to do is to write what is in their heart. I'm not saying that they should never listen to the advice of others. I'm just saying that if you really are a square peg, don't try to smash yourself down to fit into a round hole just to get published. You might be able to keep it up for a while. But in the end, you have to be true to yourself.
I tried to write a romance. Okay, it was a romantic suspense. And it looked like it might turn out okay. I did it because I was told that romance was the way to go, the way to break into publishing because it is romance that sells.
Like I said, it looked like it might have been okay. But then, what if I did break into being published with a romance. THEN I'd have to write another one, and another one, and another one. And honestly, I don't think I'm capable of writing that many romances before being allowed to write what I really wanted to write.
Plus, I would have built up a readership that expected romances. And if I ever branched out into anything else, a certain percent of those readers would feel betrayed. And the last thing a writer wants to do is to betray their readers.
So, I think the best thing for any writer to do is to write what is in their heart. I'm not saying that they should never listen to the advice of others. I'm just saying that if you really are a square peg, don't try to smash yourself down to fit into a round hole just to get published. You might be able to keep it up for a while. But in the end, you have to be true to yourself.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Sky is Wide Open
Writing is changing.
No longer is the written word confined to pages in books.
Publishing is in flux, no longer limited to the big houses. Small publishers are cropping up with print on demand and e-readers as real options for selling their wares.
The sky is wide open for readers and writers alike.
Strap in. I'm not sure what sort of ride we are in for.
No longer is the written word confined to pages in books.
Publishing is in flux, no longer limited to the big houses. Small publishers are cropping up with print on demand and e-readers as real options for selling their wares.
The sky is wide open for readers and writers alike.
Strap in. I'm not sure what sort of ride we are in for.
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