Do the People in Your Life Understand Why You Write?

[wgjones3]

My girlfriend of three and a half years told me today that I needed to get over this obsession I have with my novel manuscript. Granted, she knows I spent five years working on it and she also knows that nobody in the industry has shown even the slightest interest in it. So I've been working on it again, polishing it and rewriting parts, trying to make it saleable. That, apparently, is why she thinks I'm obsessed.

I don't know why, but it bothers me that she doesn't understand this thing yet after all the time we've been together. Does anybody else have this problem, and is it really a problem?

[Dr. Daniel]

Wow, she really bugs you about it? Man, it's hard to expect someone who's poured five years of blood into a project to just dismiss the thing. I've had stories that weren't going well, so I've set them aside until I liked my perspective a bit better. Marta's a good example, I'm doing some other things right now before I go back to it, I can fix it better then.

Then again....I know when it was finally time to give up violin playing after the accidents, I was bummed, but I asked God about it, then I was able to have some peace about the thing. I'd just pray to the Father and see what He thinks. Maybe He has a different story line He's waiting to hand over, you never know. However, if your heart is set on finishing your novel, I'd talk to your lady and let her know what it means to you and how much you need her support.

Dr. Daniel

[wgjones3]

Well, her take is, it's finished, it's good enough to be published, and the rejection letters are just because the people reading my proposals are stupid. Needless to say, she's biased. Of course, like I said in the thread about the query letter summary, I'm sick of working on it and it has been overedited, but it's still not as tight as it should be. I know the thing has problems and, like you said, I've spent six months away from it, but I've also had enough positive feedback to make me think it's worthwhile to finish. After all, I've come all this way and it'd be a shame to just pack it in now.

I don't know, I guess I just woke up in a bad mood or something and it hasn't worn off yet.

[FireFeet]

Why DO you write? Have you ever sat down and wrote out a Purpose Statement? Do you write for the rewards of being published? For the fame and glory? For the money? To change lives? To glorify God? In Habbakkuk we are told to "write the vision and make it plain." Try writing a Purpose Statement for your writing. Then when you (or anyone else) needs to know, "What's the point?" you have a ready answer. And anytime you feel yourself losing focus and writing for the wrong reasons, you have an anchor to hold to.

I have a Purpose Statement and I keep one copy posted to the bulletin board in the study and another copy in my Bible. I want only to write for the reasons that God wants me to write. And, ultimately, I don't need anyone's approval or encouragement but His.

[wgjones3]

That's a really good question, FireFeet. The answer is about as self-serving (but honest) as any you'll ever hear.

I write because I can't stop writing, because when I try I end up miserable and frustrated, but when I do write I feel like I'm fulfilling what I was created for.

The problem is, I'm really not all that good at it and I really haven't found a way to go from being mediocre to good, I haven't found a way to validate to myself that what I've written up to this point hasn't been a collosal waste of time, and I also have the intense feeling (though you haven't read the particular mss, so you wouldn't know) that the spiritual journey of the characters is something people need to see instead of the "Ozzie and Harriot" Christianity that's portrayed within the popular Christian culture and becomes so disillusioning when that is presented as the way a Christian walk is supposed to be, even though I've never known anyone who had that walk.

Like I said, this is one of those days I guess.

[Dr. Daniel]

Dude,

First, what's the rubbish about not being a good writer? You fishing for compliments or something? Man, your writing chokes me up on a regular basis, and I don't mean in a bad way, either. Don't ever say you aren't a good writer. Man, if you lived near me, I'd come over and smack you today. :D
Look, you had a 'first novel' concept and you wrote it, mistakes and all, so now you have to go back and fix it. Happens all the time.
Here's a thought, and I hope it's a good thought. 'Can't say exactly because I haven't read your book (so you had best send it to me) but have you ever thought about making the main characters younger....you may not want to since you sound interested in presenting their life stories. However, the concept of 'teens caught up in improbable circumstances,' tends to be well received. Just a thought.
Okay, I'm in a mood myself. So watch it. My kids are away on their annual week long visit to 'Mom.' :eek: We're no longer at the civil war stage, but it's still weird. So today, I cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, read 'Mere Christianity, The Abolition of Man and the book of Matthew. I'm still antsy. So in about an hour, I'm going to go slip on the panama, go down to this place on the dock, watch the water and listen to the house band.

And FireFeet, even though you compared me to a giant reptile and even though you have stated you require no compliments or encouragement, too bad, you are still a fine writer and I enjoy your work immensely. So there. :mad: ;)

Dr. Daniel

[wgjones3]

So, Dr., how was the band?

I wasn't fishing for compliments but aknowedlinging the fact that my narrative prose has some real issues (choking aside). The teenager thing wouldn't really work with this particular story but I wouldn't rule it out in the future.

Like I told you before, I'd be honored if you looked over what I've got, because I most likely won't be posting this mss in the novelist group (I've got another one for that).

[Dr. Daniel]

Hey, I know you weren't really fishing for compliments, I was just giving you a hard time. :rolleyes:

The band wasn't half-bad. I sat at a table just outside because the bar itself was way too crowded. Fine with me. I had a cold drink,I could still hear the music, and I had a perfect sunset shimmering across the Gulf of Mexico. I even had some nice ladies ask me to dance, but I didn't. It was completely innocent and another time I might have said, Sure, but my mood was definitely too wonky tonight. But then this Spanish dude walks out, waves his hand toward the sunset and says to no one in particular, "Vive la creacion, es no evolucion!" I started laughing, told him, Dios de ben dega, amigo," (Spanish spelling probably wrong, but I said, God bless you) and waved him over. His name is Luis and he goes to a Spanish church in town. They just finished going over Dr. Hovinds tapes in Spanish and he was really excited. I asked him if he knew Dr. H is coming down the end of July and that lead to a whole 'nother conversation. So it was pretty cool and then his girlfriend showed up and she wanted to dance,and no, not with me :D .

It was a pretty good time, nice to meet another brother. My pastor is still down in Dominica and since it's such a small church he decided to cancel services until they get back. Which just leaves me free to possibly visit Luis's church tomorrow. That might be cool.

Dr. Daniel

[wgjones3]

Dr. D, so quick with the rolleyes? http://home.ripway.com/2004-1/61235/images/monkey.gif

Glad to hear you had a good time. Sounds like it was fun. Hmmm, turning down offers to dance? I must say, I'm getting a tad worried about you.

[Dr. Daniel]

:D I liked the monkey. He's almost as good as the giant lizard! :D

Yeah, as far as me and ladies go my plan is to wait until my ten-year old graduates High school before I go on another date again. :eek: Of course, by that time, I'll be a blithering idiot, so we'll see. ;)

(..and for best use of smiley faces...well, actually C.A. is the master..)

Dr. Daniel

[Gumpngreen]

So far no one has give me a hard time about my writing. Then again, not many people have shown much interest in reading what I write either.

[wgjones3]

Don't worry, Gump. That'll all change. Seems like Christian Sci-Fi is the hottest thing going right now.

[Dr. Daniel]

What? Genesis is a cool story. Is it out 'making the rounds' yet?
I think you had mentioned something about that a few weeks ago.

Dr. D

And just to point it out: right now would have been a good time to have the chat 'thing' going.

[FireFeet]

And FireFeet, even though you compared me to a giant reptile and even though you have stated you require no compliments or encouragement, too bad, you are still a fine writer and I enjoy your work immensely. So there. :mad: ;)

Dr. Daniel

:o Awww....that's the sweetest compliment I've ever heard from a sea monster! Thanx!

[Dr. Daniel]

'Sweet?' :o
Dr.D

[wgjones3]

Methinks Bessie is logged into FireFeet's PC.

[Dr. Daniel]

All right, I know I you meant 'Nessie'. The mistake is okay over here, but don't ever say that in Scotland, you'll get hit with a bagpipe.
You know what's scary, I have a four foot iguana that hangs out on my back porch (it's on purpose, he's a pet.) And well, you know how they say people start to resemble there pets? But wait! I also own a parrot, oh no, but he's green, too! This is getting Kafka-esque... :eek:

Dr. D

[wgjones3]

Nessie is the Loch Ness Monster. I thought FireFeet lived next to the Lake Errie Monster, which I thought was called "Bessie."

BTW--did you ever get my email? I sent an unzipped version of the file.

[Dr. Daniel]

"Bessie?" Oh...well, what do I know? :D

No I haven't checked, I'll go check now.

Dr. D

[Dr. Daniel]

wg, Oh, crud. You know what? Your zip folder originally came in through my bulk mail and a few minutes ago, because I hadn't realized you had received my message, I just dumped the thing without looking at it(because usually bulk mail is a waste of time.) So I have most likely zapped it aby accident. However, if you do not mind sending it one more time, I will watch for it more carefully.

Dr. D

[wgjones3]

Dr., you've got SPAM!

[Dr. Daniel]

Got it, Dude! But I'm loggin out for awhile....major lightning moving in. You gotta love Florida summer's...ouch.

Dr. D

[wgjones3]

We've been getting a good dose of random thunderstorms in Kentucky, too. We even had a rash of three or four tornados here within a few days a couple of weeks ago.

[Dr. Daniel]

Okay, I've received and read the first 28 pages and over-all your writing is excellent! When you let your voice go, I get the feeling the thing practically wrote itself. There are some bumps in the road though and my next step will be to read it again and write a report for you. The problems aren't horrific, if they were all that huge and obvious you would have caught them by now. They involve the timing and placement of information, fixable stuff all. But it is perhaps the hardest stuff to catch on your own. I'd write notes in the copy, but I've had a huge amount of problems sending out files from my e-mail. Don't ask me why, the answer all sounds like blah, blah, blah.....

And on that subject (not blah, blah, blah....) Gump, I'm going to see if I can send yours back via one our schools computer's. I never e-mail off them, so I don't know. But basically, your know your story is intelligent, solid, and often fiendishly clever. My only corrections amounted to a smattering of grammar which shouldn't really hold the story back. So that's what happened to it, I'm sure you wondered.

Dr. D

[FireFeet]

FireFeet has successfully wrested back control of her computer and sent Bessie back to the lake. :D

And, yes, her name is Bessie...also Lemmie, as in LEM, Lake Erie Monster.

Um...what what are we discussing? :confused: lol

BTW, WG, I read your essay about the car/flashlight/perspective (forget the title :) ). I think it's proof that yes, you are called by God as a writer...good stuff. :cool: I dare ya to submit it somewhere...it's publishable! :D

[Dr. Daniel]

Fire Feet! I knew you were out there somewhere, or rather, just 'out there.'j/k

I must agree with you about wg's essay, it's really ready to go. But I also must agree with you concerning a post you put on this thread about why we write. You obviously wrote it during a more lucid moment and it sounds right on. ;) Remembering what you said about having a spirtual goal for ones writing reminded me of my silly former goals for the task. You know, the usual, money, ego...garbage. Writing in the world tends to be much simpler in some respects, just pick out your favorite sin and have it. Some fool will pay money to join you there.

Words become like your souls finger prints, I dare say we could all change our names here, but if we continued to write with our own voices, we could probably do a good job identifying each other because you are your words, your words are you.

However, as you pointed out, the vigilance lies in our goals, to write what God wants written and to be workman of the Word. Because, really, if there isn't enough of His Word living in us, then what kind of adventure are we taking the reader on? So yes, you did inspire me to think that through and to become more responsible about this particular calling.

And one more thing.....I tend to tease you mercilessly because you are like the sister I wish I had had. However, if I do step over the line, please let me know.

Oh, sorry about the cookies.

Dr. Daniel

[wgjones3]

Thanks Dr. D. I assure you, the book didn't write itself, but yeah, hitting those timing marks are killing me.

FireFeet, I'm glad you enjoyed the "One Man's Junk..." submission. That's actually chapter one of a planned 57 chapter book on the things God is revealing to me about spiritual restoration through the restoration of that car (yes, it's real, it's not real pretty right now, and if I had a scanner, I'd post some pictures of it so you all could see where it's at now).

[FireFeet]

And one more thing.....I tend to tease you mercilessly because you are like the sister I wish I had had. However, if I do step over the line, please let me know. Dr. Daniel

Awww...you're being a sweetums again. Who needs cookies when Dr. Dan is around? I'm proud and honored to be your sis....and I'm a masochistic when it comes to teasing, so, really, you're miles from that line, bro. :D


And, my purpose in encouraging you, WG, to consider publishing that essay was not in any way meant to suggest seeking self-glory. Our talent for writing is our gift from the Lord...and we are called to use that as a ministry unto others which is accomplised, primarily, through publication. (So, see, Dr. Dan, I am still lucid....just misunderstood. ;) )

[Dr. Daniel]

I quite understand.

Dr. D

[wgjones3]

FireFeet? Lucid?

Wgjones3 thinks not. :eek: :D

[FireFeet]

ppppppppppphhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhh hhh!!!! :p

[wgjones3]

ppppppppppphhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhh hhh!!!! :p

:D

Was that you, FireFeet, or has Bessie been using the computer again?

[Rozkai]

Hey Wg,

If you are having trouble with query letters, I have a formula that has worked before. I would be glad to share it with you. What kind of novel have you written?

Roz

[wgjones3]

Hey Roz,

The one I'm trying to sell is a commercial fiction piece. Think Left Behind minus the rapture, or Frank Peretti minus the demons and angels. It's not really a genre piece, not like spiritual warfare or romance or thriller.

I'd be glad for any tips I could get at this point. Thanks.

[wgjones3]

Thanks again Roz. Got it and appreciate it very much. :D

[ChristChild]

Originally this was a post about "Do the people in your life understand why you write?"

In answer to that I would say that my brother and two of my friends who also write may have some idea, but others probably have no clue.

I think writing is a gift of expression and a type of ministry that the Lord has given me. I write to the best of my ability, have several others I trust edit the work and give me feedback, then I edit the work and publish it. I will not leave the fate of my work in the hands of "the powers that be" publishers. I thank God for the advent of affordable POD publishers. I use Xulon press. My novels are out there now. It is just a matter of getting the word out and the Lord opening doors. The whole point of what the Lord has inspired me to do, is to have others read it and benefit from my novels, while being entertained at the same time. I would suggest some of you pray and consider this way of publishing. It is now affordable, and if it is not about the money and you have another job, you can get your first book published and move on to the next.

My novels: http://www.geocities.com/dsburton_1999/

Just my two cents,
In Christ,
Shane

[Passionate]

Hey ChristChild,
I hope you don't mind. I took a peek at your site. Good stuff.
Nice that you got your work listed on Amazon.com.

God Bless...

[ChristChild]

Thanks, Passionate. :) Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to look at it. :D My novels are also online with BooksAMillion, Barnes&Nobles, Christianbook, etc..., and I think they are also on Amazon in the UK. They are distributed through Spring Arbor for any Christian bookstore to order. Spring Arbor is a division of the large distributor, Ingram, and secular bookstores can order the books as well. That's part of the top program with Xulon press. I'm getting decent reviews on Amazon from people around the country on my first novel, so I must have done okay. I hope you decide to give them a shot.

Thanks,
Shane

[Merry]

ChristChild,

I have gone out of my way to avoid POD's in the past, but after reading your post, I shall be giving them, especially Xulon, another look. Thanks for the tip.

Merry

[ChristChild]

Hey, Merry, I have had good experiences with Xulon. Though they cannot do a lot of elaborate work on the cover, I think the space shots they used on mine look cool.

I guess it all depends if you just want to get your work out there, or if you feel you must be accepted by one of the "powers that be" publishers or not.

It is much harder to get noticed if you go POD, but you can put your book out how you want it, you usually get higher percentage royalties, and you don't have to be concerned with some stuffed shirts watering down your content.

www.xulonpress.com/

Shane

[Secondsight]

Thank you Christchild for posting your experince with Xulon I was wondering if there was a reputable POD Publisher, many things I have heard about Dorrance worry me... I am serious about getting published before my nephew can read. (he is 4 mos old :p ) I was wondering though as far as marketing goes do they take complete control of that or do you as the author get to decide some of the marketing aspects of your literature?... also because this forum was started on the question of why you write, I would like to say that I write because my imagination never stops, I always written in some form or another since I was 12 or so, and stories just seem to build up inside me if I don't get them out one way or another I think I would explode! I have always been creative and If I don't do something to follow that creative passion inside me I feel hollow. (BTW the exploding part... goes back to the whole imagination thing :rolleyes: lol) If I ever exlpoded that would be a very big mess!