A little more than a month ago I finished my last project. Since then I've found myself skirting the edges of my next project, unable to dive right in like I used to. I'm hesitating. It's not like I don't have enough work to do, or ideas to pursue.
My goal is to have two more releases out before the end of the year, and one full length manuscript submitted to a publisher. Yes, I'm going to try the traditional route again, I'm not going all in mind you, but I believe there are some works that deserve a better chance at grabbing the brass ring by opening channels that are currently closed to me as a self published writer.
But first I have to step off that edge.
And that's where I'm hesitating. I know what it takes to complete a work, my wife knows what it takes for me to complete a work. When I told her recently I was about to start another book she said, "well I guess I'll see you in a couploe of months."
No one's going anywhere, not physically at least, whenever I become focused solely on the story I'm writing I tend to go away to my own little place until I'm done. A quiet place in my mind where the story is all there is.
I still go to work every day, and deal with an increasingly frustrating public, I still take care of the dogs when I get home. I still eat dinner, bathe, and sleep regularly. I even still interact with my wife every evening during the one to two hours I give her my undivided attention, but that's a lie really. For when I'm writing a book I'm physically present to handle the day to day functions, but mentally I'm working on the story, fleshing out a character, or probing the plot for holes.
I'm, on autopilot.
It's during the writing of the story that time compresses upon itself and I'll wake up one day, several months later, wondering where all the time went. The task will be completed, the work will be done, till next time, and the next, giving a little of myself to each project. Putting everything I have into the story.
It's what writing is all about, at least for me.
Are you the same way?
Fridays 5 with Tony Duxbury
Born in North London in 1955. Left school
at 16 without qualifications. Found work as a trainee in a commercial art
studio, left after two years to travel. That became the main passion in my
life. So far, I have visited 28 countries. I would travel, return, find work,
save money and then travel again. That set the pattern of my life for many
years. My jobs have ranged from pearl
diving (dishwashing) to English teacher. By the late 70s it was becoming more
and more difficult to find work and so I looked around for a qualification that
I could take with me on my travels. To cut a long story short I ended up
studying for a degree in Social Science as a mature student. Because I had been
out of education so long I attended a remedial class and my tutor, a published
author herself, encouraged me to try creative writing. It wasn’t until I
graduated that I tried my hand at it and then I sat down and wrote six pages of
my first novel. Then I was struck down by a severe case of writer’s block. I
couldn’t touch them for two years until I returned to Guatemala, but I took
those pages with me and was able to finish my novel there.
Guatemala, C.A. has become my adopted
country. The first time I visited was as a traveller. The second time was as an
exchange student during my gap year and it was then that I met the woman who is
now my wife. I returned to England to finish my degree, but found no work
opportunities because of the continuing recession. Returning to Guatemala I
became an English teacher. I also married the woman I loved and became the
step-father to three children. For the next 15 years I taught English, first in
a Language Academy. From there I progressed to teaching independently and went
on to form my own company and employ others. A prolonged economic down turn
finished off my business and with my wife I returned to England. After several
years we returned to Guatemala.
When I finished my first novel I was quite
surprised and pleased by the result. Since then I’ve written five more. They
are all fantasy novels except one.When did you get serious about writing?
It wasn't until I was about 34. Up until a couple of years before that, I'd never entertained the idea of writing. I come from an old working class background that can be very limiting. 'We' didn't do things like write. That was for other people. For many years I did wonder what it would be like to be a journalist, but that didn't seem like 'writing'. As an addicted reader I did also wonder how some of the crap I'd read got published and if I could do any better, but that was the nearest I ever got to thinking about writing. It was during my quest for a qualification that i found people who encouraged me to write. I did a short course in a Further Education College that led to another and the tutors were impressed with some of the work I turned in. When I went to university I attended a remedial course for mature students like myself and the tutor, a published author herself, encouraged me to try my hand at it. It wasn't until I graduated that I followed that advice. I sat down one day and wrote six pages of a novel. Then i got hit with a severe case of writer's block and couldn't touch it for another two years. Fortunately, when i returned to Guatemala I took those pages with me and was able to finish the novel.
What is the hardest part for you about writing?
I think we all could say, the beginning, middle and the end! Although I do like writing I do have to force myself to sit down and write. I can think about what to write forever, but actually sitting down to do it can be hard work. Once I've started again I'm OK, but it's the intial start that can be difficult. I'm finding the promotion of my work harder than the actual writing of it!
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How did you feel upon publication of your first completed project?
Over the moon! Triple somersaults and all that. I was a Master of the Universe. Tolkien and all the rest can move over,the main man has arrived! I just sat back to watch all those royalities pour in( what happened? ) Despite all the self generated hype, I felt a great sense of achievement. When i came back down to earth reality set in and I realized that i was one of many and that book couldn't be considered great literature, but it was mine! I had produced it from nothing and it was a wonder to see something I wouldn't have contemplated attempting many years ago. In a nutshell : I felt bloody great.
What's more important to you, story or character? Why?
The character always comes first with me. After that I think of a situation to put him in. The story develops from that. They are both equally important, but I can't custom make a character to fit a story. It has to build up around him. Most of the time I only have a vague idea of what i'm doing anyway.
What is a typical day like in your world?
A typical day is hot and sunny as i live in Central America. Workwise i'm at a loose end at the moment. Recently I was helping my wife run her cafeteria, but we closed that down. I don't have any hard and fast routines now. I'm trying to figure out my next move and in the meantime trying to promote my book: The Adventures of Jojo Smith
Tony can be found online at:
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/hp/dnr=ZofjM
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?=100005086548859
Book Blogs: http://www.bookblogs.ning.com/profile/TonyLeslieDuxbury
Fridays 5 with Pamela Daniell
As a child Pamela loved books, and with the urging of her grade school teacher to ‘Keep on writing’ has been writing ever since. Even with her crazy work and family schedule she finds the time to bring her stories to life so others can enjoy them.
1.) When did you first get serious about writing?
A.) I guess you could say that even though I had stopped writing for a few years, I got serious about writing in grade school. It's always been a dream of mine to become a published author since I was young.
2.) What is the hardest part for you about writing?
A.) I'd have to say the hardest part is getting the time to sit down and write. With a husband, five kids and a job finding spare time isn't always easy.
A.) I know it sounds weird but I'd have to say I felt relieved. I don't have the best of luck so I was always waiting for something to happen to delay or even stop it from being published.
4.) What is more important to you, story, or character? Why?
A.) That's a hard one. I'm going to say my characters are more important to me. They are the ones who drive the story, they decide how the story plays out, not me. Once I establish a character they develop certain characteristics and I use them to help me decide how they would handle each problem as it's thrown at them.
5.) What is a typical day like in your world?
A.) Very busy, I have five kids who I have to get up and off to school. Then I head out to work, home to do homework with the kids, dinner, and putting them to bed. Then if I'm not to exhausted I try to get some writing in.
Pamela can be found online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPamelaDaniell?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaniellPamela
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/pameladaniell
Website: http://www.pameladaniell.com/
Cover Reveal: August's Gardens by Michelle Barclay
It has been three years since Michelle Barclay published her debut novel Morrigan's Shadows. Readers can return to the same world of horror and fantasy this summer with its sequel August's Gardens. The cover is ready and the novel is not far behind. Look for it at all major online retailers on August 18, 2015.
Morrigan is beyond death, trapped in a hellish nightmare from which only the Artist can save her. The Fiend is behind enemy lines learning to reap what he has sown. The Artist reaches deep into his past to find a reason for the strange woman he now must rescue from the vile Dark Man. The Winged Man is forced to wait while all of the elements he needs to start war with hell itself fall into place. Will he fight alone or will his shattered family unite with him?
About the Author
Michelle Barclay is the author of Morrigan's Shadows, Rot and the upcoming novel August's Gardens. She lives on the South Shore in Massachusetts with her husband.
Morrigan is beyond death, trapped in a hellish nightmare from which only the Artist can save her. The Fiend is behind enemy lines learning to reap what he has sown. The Artist reaches deep into his past to find a reason for the strange woman he now must rescue from the vile Dark Man. The Winged Man is forced to wait while all of the elements he needs to start war with hell itself fall into place. Will he fight alone or will his shattered family unite with him?
About the Author
Follow Michelle Barclay on Twitter and Facebook to learn about upcoming giveaways and how you can get a free digital copy of her novella Rot. For author news and very occasional updates, sign up for Michelle's mailing list.
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