Distractions – But the Right Distraction

It's been a while since I've posted to my marketing diary-blog, and while I have been focusing on marketing, fine-tuning what I all ready have online, and looking for new places to create profiles and mention my books, I have also been distracted.

Over two decades ago, I had the idea for a novel – a horror novel to be exact. I wanted to write about racism, but wanted to do it in a creative way. My mind took me to the undead zombies. I decided to write a novel in which the undead, who become reanimated, are not out to kill and eat the living, but are troubled souls who suddenly find themselves trapped in their old, inferior and decayed bodies. The living, having experienced movies about zombies, figures the undead are like they're depicted in them. Because nobody takes the time to communicate, but instead fear one another, or hate one another because of their differences, violence eventually breaks out between the two groups.

When I first started writing this, zombie novels and entertainment was limited; as I attempt to finish the novel, entitled Barkerton (named in tribute to horror writer Clive Barker), I'll look like I'm jumping on an all ready well worn bandwagon. That I don't mind so much. A good story is a good story and will either entertain or not. I'm willing to let it stand on its own.

Barkerton, with its vast scope was the novel that led me to believe I couldn't write novels. I soon turned to screenplays, and became an expert in that medium. Over the years, Barkerton has been my White Whale.

Having written, Tripping on Tears, The Merry Pranked and The Marquis Mark, three books I’m proud of, I finally decided Barkerton was due to be finished. I did all ready have 90,000 words written and was close to the finish after all, and over the years had re-written and polished what I had written, but just couldn't finish it nonetheless.

As I continue promoting my thriller, The Marquis Mark (pre-ordering on Amazon-Kindle and due out on June 7th) and the other books, inspiration for Barkerton has finally arrived; not because I sat down and waited, but because I just began writing, hoping that inspiration would find me; it has. Barkerton isn't finished just yet, but it's very close; and this time I will succeed. I've proven I can write books, and it's time to wipe away that 20-year-plus fear that has stayed my hand in the medium of novels thanks to Barkerton.

Barkerton is definitely a distraction, but one worth indulging, because even though I have written three novels, it is the fear I must finally conquer.

Am I Fooling Myself...Can I Write?

It's Friday night and I've finally managed to find some time to sit down at my laptop and think about writing. Over the past couple of days I haven't done a lot to promote my latest thriller, The Marquis Mark, pre-ordering on Amazon.com (there, I promoted), although I’m guessing finding an audience or readership for the book will be more akin to a marathon than a sprint.

Although we haven’t seen every season, my wife and I are currently watching American Idol. Each year, during the early stages of the competition, we watch the auditions. As the show is entertainment, along with some great singers, they highlight those who are terrible. Some individuals show up for auditions that have no business there; they can't sing, and may even be tone deaf. What is surprising is their reaction; many of them truly believe they're good, if not great. Can't they hear themselves? Watching the show, it's obvious to us that they're fooling themselves. This is a question we must all ask ourselves.

Can I write? Well, yes. If we've all been through high school, we've probably written. The real question is, can I write at a professional level? Am I good enough to be justified in asking readers to spend money on my books? Or, am I tone deaf and fooling myself? Seeing as anyone can self-publish on Amazon.com, that's a fair question we should all ask ourselves.

The truth in my case, is it took time for me to develop my skills. When I look back at early manuscripts or scripts I've written, they're terrible. Along the way, mainly in the screenwriting field, I took a lot of constructive criticism from producers and was pushed to better myself. I didn't believe I got everything right on the first draft, and re-writes weren't required. I was open to the fact I wasn't as good as I thought I was, and because of that I got infinitely better. Feedback I've received from the industry, tells me that, yes, finally, I've reached that professional stage; I can write. I’m not counting the opinion here of family and friends, but working professionals; strangers who don't have to be nice to me.

This is important, as I think writing is something a lot of people marginalize. They don't realize it is a skill one has to work at; there are levels of ability. I've asked myself that American Idol question, I've researched, and I've never believed I knew everything, and as such, I know, after a long time, I've hit that stage where I can write at a professional level. This is important, because it is those who are fooling themselves, or who don't want to work at it, that is creating doubt amongst readers in the self-publishing marketplace. I don't begrudge anyone the desire to write, all I ask is that they respect the craft and strive to provide value, as I'm not only a writer, but also a reader.

If I am wrong, I assume readers will let me know; and seeing how Amazon allows readers to read the first two or three chapters of any book posted, readers can make that determination without spending any hard earned cash. – I'm just hoping that in this vast marketplace, they do me the honor of giving my work a look.