I like these stories because they add a sense of realism to the blindingly optimistic writing "advice" that permeates social media. No, you cannot finish your novel in ten weeks using "X" method. A challenge to produce 4000 words a day only results in a lot of words.
I like to think writing is similar to bricklaying, building a wall. Each day, you find a brick with which to work. You chip around the edges, making it fit into the overall scheme. Then, if you are lucky, you can place it into the wall you are building and it fits.
That wall may end up being a work of art. Or it may fall down before you are finished. The joy is in showing up every day, making one, and only one, piece fit.
Man, John, I agree - those "write 4,000 words every day" routines just leave you with a lot of words. Or at least that's how they affect me. And the supposed systems that'll allow you to finish in a few months, they're just as dubious. Maybe because I've moved house many times, I tend to think of books as similarly enormous undertakings. You can't get them all done in one day or one month. They have a lot of phases and parts, and you just have to keep showing up to the task until you're all moved in and the silverware is sorted and the last box is broken down for recycling. Something along these lines, anyway. :)
Great analogy. I am in the Dead Zone right now, awaiting the ARC, which is yet another form of limbo. But let me just mention, once again, how grateful I am for getting my hands on your book proposal. (I didn't steal it! It was in a webinar I took, so you must have given permission ... I hope.) I was banging on the door until then. That placed a key squarely in my hand and turned the lock.
Thanks Cat and Andrew for an awesome and insightful interview! I'm so thrilled your journey's paying off and can't wait to read VICTIM in a few weeks.
And I couldn't agree more about having fun. Nobody in their right mind writes for the money. You gotta write because you love the art form, and the art form's way easier to love when you're having a blast.
Two delightful morsels from this slice of Andrew, his characters stayed with him, demanding to be written about and writers should be having fun,playing with words. I look forward digging around in his past bylines before Victim comes out.
Great piece, and a more honest and fulsome characterization of the artist's journey than the "straight-line-to-success" that we all tend to imagine that it would be. I'm looking forward to reading this book when it comes out.
My trajectory has been 20 years now with my 4 Award winning books in the last 3 years via Lulu.com; AuthoRhouse.com and over a dozen Awards for all of them on Film Freeway..
Such a great interview! Thanks so much for sharing your story Andrew. I was feeling a bit embarrassed to admit how long it has taken me. I needed the reminder that it's really about loving what you're doing while you're getting there.
The NYTimes posted over 1,400 of my Comments on their website. They now comprise part of SUBLIMINAL. This cyberscript already won 2 Awards on Film Freeway.
Besides 83 other Awards for my 4 books and 2 short films. All accolades, no money.
Have you been to Poe Cottage yet in the Bronx yet ?
I like these stories because they add a sense of realism to the blindingly optimistic writing "advice" that permeates social media. No, you cannot finish your novel in ten weeks using "X" method. A challenge to produce 4000 words a day only results in a lot of words.
I like to think writing is similar to bricklaying, building a wall. Each day, you find a brick with which to work. You chip around the edges, making it fit into the overall scheme. Then, if you are lucky, you can place it into the wall you are building and it fits.
That wall may end up being a work of art. Or it may fall down before you are finished. The joy is in showing up every day, making one, and only one, piece fit.
Man, John, I agree - those "write 4,000 words every day" routines just leave you with a lot of words. Or at least that's how they affect me. And the supposed systems that'll allow you to finish in a few months, they're just as dubious. Maybe because I've moved house many times, I tend to think of books as similarly enormous undertakings. You can't get them all done in one day or one month. They have a lot of phases and parts, and you just have to keep showing up to the task until you're all moved in and the silverware is sorted and the last box is broken down for recycling. Something along these lines, anyway. :)
Great analogy. I am in the Dead Zone right now, awaiting the ARC, which is yet another form of limbo. But let me just mention, once again, how grateful I am for getting my hands on your book proposal. (I didn't steal it! It was in a webinar I took, so you must have given permission ... I hope.) I was banging on the door until then. That placed a key squarely in my hand and turned the lock.
Thanks Cat and Andrew for an awesome and insightful interview! I'm so thrilled your journey's paying off and can't wait to read VICTIM in a few weeks.
And I couldn't agree more about having fun. Nobody in their right mind writes for the money. You gotta write because you love the art form, and the art form's way easier to love when you're having a blast.
So true about having a blast. Funny how I still manage to forget that between times, somehow, but this is a good reminder.
Thanks again, Cat
Welcome as always, Daniel!
Two delightful morsels from this slice of Andrew, his characters stayed with him, demanding to be written about and writers should be having fun,playing with words. I look forward digging around in his past bylines before Victim comes out.
Thanks for reading, Cameron. Always enjoy hearing from you - not least because you've got the better eye for color.
Thank you both for bringing this to us!
Andrew, I'm tattooing your three pieces of advice on my figurative forearm. 💜 🔥💪🏼
Great piece, and a more honest and fulsome characterization of the artist's journey than the "straight-line-to-success" that we all tend to imagine that it would be. I'm looking forward to reading this book when it comes out.
My trajectory has been 20 years now with my 4 Award winning books in the last 3 years via Lulu.com; AuthoRhouse.com and over a dozen Awards for all of them on Film Freeway..
Such a great interview! Thanks so much for sharing your story Andrew. I was feeling a bit embarrassed to admit how long it has taken me. I needed the reminder that it's really about loving what you're doing while you're getting there.
Needed the reminder, too, Theresa, for what it's worth! It's too easy to feel alone in this but we really do all share the same struggle.
The NYTimes posted over 1,400 of my Comments on their website. They now comprise part of SUBLIMINAL. This cyberscript already won 2 Awards on Film Freeway.
Besides 83 other Awards for my 4 books and 2 short films. All accolades, no money.
Have you been to Poe Cottage yet in the Bronx yet ?
I feel the same way. Thanks for reading :)