Sugasm #68

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Sugasm #67

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Confessions of An Attention Whore

I amaze myself. I should be thankful, but instead I'm a little scared. I spent my usual amount of time on the computer this weekend, just a little less since one of my usual nuisances was missing.

Today alone I've written almost 5,000 words on this wild story I'm writing, bringing my total to almost 7,000 for the weekend. Something is so off with me. It's rare for me to write that in one day, it happens maybe once or twice a year, if that. I don't want it to stop, but I don't know what I'm doing differently to help it happen.

Thinking about it, I wonder why I couldn't write like this when I was in school. Other than the obvious--that poli/sci papers didn't interest me. I can't even get a concrete interest in the other story I'm working on, the one I could potentially get paid for, and I've been writing it for weeks. This new thing is now longer. The other story isn't even gonig badly, just not holding my interest.

Why is that? Is it because I'm posting this one at a message board and getting instant feedback? Maybe. I've never been one to shy away from compliments. And, being a Leo, any chance to have someone tell me my work is wonderful is a chance I'm willing to take. It's scary, though. Will it always be hard for me to produce results if there isn't that instant gratification waiting for me?

I've been struggling for years to finish several novels and the only one that's made it to the finish line so far is the one that was being read by a decent number of people chapter by chapter. Sure, that motivated me to finish, but it also affected what happened in the story. I've feared this before. I attempted to write my last somewhat long story without showing it to anyone until I was finished and was asked (polite word for told) to show it to one person, eventually got insecure because of the unsolicited feedback I received, then ended up sending it to a friend for some good old fashioned ego stroking.

Will I ever be able to complete a masterpiece without baring the unfinished skeleton to a chosen few? Time will tell.

Ah, such is the weakness of budding genius.

The POD Stigma (Or Scratching the Self-Published Itch)

I'm a "real" writer, I swear!

There is nothing better for a print-on-demand writer to have in his or her arsenal than the ability to lie creatively. This, you may think, is to fool the potential readers into thinking the novel or story being promoted is The Greatest Story Ever Told. No, my friends. The writer's ability to lie is used, simply told, to get reviewers and other writers to not dismiss the project as one of those self-published books.

You know the ones I mean. The stories so badly written, so incoherent in execution, a mainstream publisher would laugh before tossing the manuscript into the nearest trash receptacle. The books that make you wish you'd never bothered wasting your time when you'd finished reading them. The writing world's equivalent of a straight-to-DVD movie.

And yes, it is appropriate to feel sorry for the poor writers forced to peddle their wares this way.

Or is it?

Print-on-demand publishing is still in it's relative infancy stage, utilized not only by novice writers who haven't been brave enough to send their writings off to big publishing houses, but also by experienced authors who wish to have their older titles remain in print or are jaded by the sometimes daunting experience of working with established publishers.

After hearing tales of books taking years to get to stores, an even longer wait to turn a profit, frequent rejections, advances that don't quite pay the bills, and first-time authors having to foot the bill for promoting their novels, I concluded that print-on-demand publishing is not only time and cost-effective, it would help get that much-needed word-of-mouth out before I send one of my gems off to a "real" publisher.

Herein lies the problem.

Many newspapers and review sites simply do not care for print-on-demand titles. They prefer not to wade through the trash to get to the treasure, however much each writer insists their work stands out from the rest. It may be a convenient way for writers to get published, but getting a reputable reviewer to notice the finished product can be like drawing blood from the proverbial stone.

As an erotica writer, it is even more difficult for me to get one of my novels reviewed. Of the sites and publications that "consider" POD titles, some simply prefer to keep everything they review in the PG-13 range to protect the interests of their advertisers and concerned parents, while others think of any erotic writing as pornography. Heavens no! She describes human body parts performing natural functions. Consensting adults enjoying themselves? Oh the horror! Naturally, I am disappointed at those refusals. Those who have never read my work simply have no room to judge, right?

Unfortunately, they do. They have the right to not review any novel submitted to them, whether in electronic or print form. They have the right to give you a negative review if your book is "merely" a POD title lumped in with others on a quickie publishing site. They have the right to disregard your work as "probably not that good" if you didn't go the conventional (slow and often fruitless) route of mainstream publication.

They may have the rights, but it puts the readers at a distinct disadvantage.

There are thousands of print-on-demand titles available in every possible category. While some fall into the "never should be read" pile, many are worthwhile, with more talented writers choosing this option every day. It is unfortunate and disappointing that some reviewers do not see the potential. In a world where electronic publishing is becoming more popular every day, and large publication houses are foregone in lieu of faster, more convenient options, readers should feel they are missing out on a great deal.

Perception is everything dear.

Writers struggle with ideas of perception every day. While you may consider yourself a writer the day you decide to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), others may not do so until your book is "real", as in, in print. The definition of "in print" is evolving, so that perception alters still when considering in print by a publication house vs. print-on-demand. Reviewers can not only help writers establish legitimacy by taking POD books seriously, they can help readers connect with works they may not have the chance to hear about elsewhere.

The solution for readers? Ask the site or newspaper where you read reviews to look at a specific POD title that's worth reading or to consider them in general.

The solution for reviewers? Find someone whose job it is to sift through the sludge for you so those gems you're hoping to find can surface that much faster.

The solution for writers? Get creative. Until conditions change and the stigma lifts, describe your POD works as going through "a publication transitional phase" or "prized collector's items" or any other apt description. Sometimes, in order to get read, we must use our writing skills in ways that we'd never dreamed we have to. But, that's part of the joy of being a writer.

Stevie King, I'M TRYING

Look, I'm trying.

*sigh* Oh Mr. King, over the past few years, your book, On Writing, has changed how I approach my craft. I have taken a long, hard look at my own developing writing style and applied your expertise in honing every aspect of it. I have taken your words to heart. I have TRIED to become a better writer.

I hope I am succeeding.

The only part of your advice I'm struggling with right now is consistancy. You said that a writer should try to get down a certain number of words a day. You stick to 3,000, but recommend 1,000 for those of us starting out. For a few weeks after I bought your book, I thought it was an impossible task. But in the past week or so, I can see the possibilities. I've been writing about that number almost every day and I'm amazed that I've kept it going this long. I keep thinking that if I wonder how I'm able to do it, I'll jinx myself and won't be able to do it again.

I'm just happy to be motivated right now. You and your books are part of the reason. Part of the reason I'm motivated to keep going every day, part of the reason I made the decision to become a writer in the first place.

Thank you. For helping me see that not only can I become the writer I want to be, I can enjoy it for the act itself, not just because it could potentially become a profitable career. Sometimes, I lose sight of the joy I get from writing and get caught up in what I think other people want to read. But every day I write something that makes me smile, I'm happy I chose this profession.

Or maybe, it chose me.