by jeffw » Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:47 pm
Hi Tom,
Understand where you're coming from - starting a book is easy - everything's fresh and optimism runs high! Then the months tick by... and by... and - you know what I mean. That's why it's so important to interact with other writers otherwise weariness sets in and you'll throw in the towel. Put up some of your writing - not saying I'm good at the business, but maybe I can help out. As an outsider, sometimes it's easier to see where the trouble lies. We all need interaction. Talking with like-minded people is good. Takes guts to bare your soul in a forum like this, but I'm sure there are plenty aspiring writers on this site who would love to do the same. Re my own writing - took months for me to pluck up courage to post on a WS site - but where else do we talk about all things Africa? Like I have already pointed out, not here to compete with WS or anyone else. Writing is all about learning from other writers, and yes, I think I learned a lot from WS and for that he has my respect and admiration. Having said that, WS did his fair share of learning from other great writers and I know he would never deny this. When all's said and done; to be a surgeon you learn from others in that field - preferably the best. You must have seen my blog? Helps me handle the discipline of novel writing - every day, without fail I write,and yes I'm knackered, but must keep going(sounds like someone struggling to reach the south pole!) more and more people are viewing and hopefully enjoying what they see. Will, in my next blog, be putting up a small extract of Sons of Arica, and every week thereafter, just to make things more interesting.
Re the 'snappy story starter' or 'must-grab-the-reader' first line? Load of bullsh**. Nothing nicer than easing the reader in - fair enough if you're writing whodunnits, but books on old Africa? as S. King always says "fugetaboutit". Wouldn't work. And writing African adventure/historical stuff aint easy, that's why so few writers give it a go. The wolves of political correctness and incorrect usages are waiting to devour the errant writer. No place for mistakes, but to hell with them - just do it!
Jeff
ps enjoyed the ramble; stay in touch.
Sorry - forgot; re approaching a publisher? Might sound crazy to you, but if they want it - they know where I am. Go well and keep writing.