On writing: Beginning a new novel

For about three weeks I've been making notes on the protagonist for my new novel. I started writing Saturday night. After a few beers...and a few glasses of wine...I opened another beer and suddenly I was typing full-out.

An hour and a half later I had the first three pages done...as well as a bunch of plot notes and even had the ending fully written out.

On Sunday, over coffee, I  read what I had written, expecting to begin deleting. Instead I really liked what I had down, and, besides [quite] a few typos, may have captured the feel I was going for. Even though it's early yet, Paul [the main character] is filling out nicely, and even with all of his predicted weaknesses and mishaps, seems to be someone I'm going to enjoy spending the next year or two with.  Probably over a few beers.

On writing: The dreaded SYNOPSIS

The book's done. It's good; I'm really happy with it.

My query letter is written...not so good.. It needs work. An agent won't read my book if they aren't intrigued by the query. I'm trying...even getting some professional help. [Thanks Gary!]

Onto the synopsis. Somehow, I'm to put the main plot lines of the story into a  one or two page summary...keeping it interesting, hitting the key points and leaving out the mundane.

This is hell.

I  made progess on it tonight, but the professional procrastinator that I am, I made more progress on my notes for my next book...actually for my next protagonist. He's starting to really form for me, and what he's up against is no fun...especially with his limited skill set and built in weaknesses.

The thing is, I'm starting to love this guy, and, the story is beginning to form--organically [Thanks Beck!] ...without me forcing it.

And this is why I'm addicted to writing...I may even be getting better at it...[not counting tonight...I'm posting from an Irish Pub in Raleigh with internet access...]
Geoff

Freedom and Rejection: Jonathan Franzen

I started reading Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom" on Saturday. I was on the treadmill at the gym, reading on my trusty old Nook when my phone started blinking, indicating that I had mail. I opened it to see that it was another rejection from a New York agent, and I had to smile.

There I was reading a book by the author that made the cover of Time Magazine as I received a kind let-down email on my book. Mr. Franzen and I are on opposite ends of the literary scene. and that's okay [for now] because damn, can that man write.

First Submission: First Rejection

At the beach for Beck's b-day

I wrote about sending out my first query letter on Wednesday. Well, I actually sent out a small batch [5] based on advice I'd read.

By Thursday morning I had my first [form letter] rejection. It wasn't a surprise. After all I had 46 rejections on my previous novel.

But still...I've worked really hard on this book, and have been editing for 10 months, where for my first book I edited for 10 minutes.

So, what to do?
First off, I need to get used to it...there are more coming. Then I'll rewrite my letter before submitting it again, and finally, I'll keep believing in the story; I laughed as I read a section in the middle of the book the other day...and to me [who wrote it and have read it countless times] it was a good sign...my characters made me smile.

On Writing: Pete Hamill

On Wednesday we were eating lunch in Manhatten when I looked across the restaurant and saw one of 

Pete Hamill

my favorite authors, Pete Hamill having lunch. I tried to explain to the chef I was with how cool it was for me.

I wanted to say hello, that I was a big fan, etc. etc. the way other people go crazy when they see Derek Jeter.

Of course I didn't.

First, I didn't want to interrupt their lunch.  Second, I was afraid I'd tell him I was an aspiring author who'd just begun sending my book out to agents and make a fool of myself.

Still, it was a highlight of my time in New York to see the writer that so well defines the city, it's history and especially it's people.





On writing: Submitting to Agents

I'm in NYC, and for some reason I am always creative here. When every other visitor is exploring the sites, I'm in a Starbucks or a dark bar typing away. Of course I should be creative here, my first book started as a short story in my hotel overlooking Times Square four years ago.

I have finished my [10 months of] edits, and, after re-reading the book again have decided it's ready, so this morning I sent my first query to an agent after working on my letter for probably not long enough.  I have a good feeling about the letter and a good feeling about the agent, though.  It's kind of cool to decide who to send your manuscript to first. Chances are it won't be the last once rejections begin to flow, but for now I feel great.

Besides, I owe to Billy Connelly and the other great characters of Into The Middle Distance who are ready to meet the world. Wish us luck.

On reading: When a book clicks

Haven't been reading much lately, but yesterday I finally dug into The Sojourn. I started it last week and read about 15 pages. It didn't capture me, so I wasn't expecting much when I read again yesterday...but then, on about page 23, I was hooked. The whole book clicked for me, and I read for an hour straight.  I
 can't wait to find out what happens, but I don't want it to end either.

And that's the point. I try to never give up on a book, because who knows when it's going to pull you in and own you. How many people give up on a book [that they might have loved] too soon?

I'm incapable of telling where [or even if] in Into The Middle Distance that the reader connects. I wrote it and still spend two hours a day with it, so there's no way for me to be objective. A lot happens in the first pages that hopefully pulls the reader in, but I think until the reader builds empathy for the protagonist...in this case Billy....there is no real connection. As a writer, I can only hope they stick with it until they do.