WRITING DREAMS
Always wanted to write a novel? Is being a published author high on your bucket list? Do visions of launch parties and literary awards dance in your head?
The good news about the publishing industry today is that almost anyone can publish a book about anything. Yay!
The bad news about the publishing industry today is that almost anyone can publish a book about anything. Boo!
The barriers to access have been removed. Opportunities in self-publishing abound. As a result, there is a great deal more publishing ‘noise’ than ever before – more format options, more titles, more authors, more publishers.
It seems everyone knows someone who has written a book, is writing a book or is, at least, pondering the possibility. Everywhere you look there’s a new service designed to help authors, publishers and readers-alike to maneuver the disrupted and dynamic publishing landscape.
HOW DO YOU COMPETE?
If you’re serious and you want to toss your beret into the author ring, how on earth do you compete? Because compete, you must!
The answer to this question is long, complicated and multi-faceted. So, for the purposes of this post, I’ll focus on what I believe to be the foremost and fundamental necessity for great writing. You’ve heard it before. You’ll hear it again, but never has it been more important. “Write what you know.”
WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW AND KNOW WELL
If you’re set to embrace the writing challenge, do everyone a favour and don’t go chasing the latest hot trend, don’t run down the purported fastest path to publishing cash (‘cause there isn’t one), don’t skim across a topic that is ripe for rich discussion because you have only a cursory knowledge of it. Leave that to someone else.
Write about a topic that you know intimately. You’ll know it as that thing you go on about at parties, the one that keeps you up at night, yet provides boundless energy, the one you just can’t stop learning about, talking about, sharing with others. It may even be that thing that people have already acknowledged in you. “She’s our expert in… ”, “You really should write a book about… ” “You are the King of… ”. If you’re not sure what your thing is, start listening to those around you for hints.
Equipped with knowledge of grammar’s basic principles, a few interesting observations and a decent vocabulary, most of us can be good at writing about a variety of topics. But, to be great, to demonstrate true insight, to be perceived as credible, to entertain a variety of viewpoints, to get deep enough into and broad enough across your subject matter, to really explore it, to “poke the box”, to turn it on it’s head, we need to have experienced it, and the more experience you have with it the better. Whether we’re writing fiction or non-fiction, we need to be passionate about our subject matter because passionate writing creates passionate reading.
Creativity will certainly help, but nothing ignites the sparks of innovation like a deep understanding, appreciation and respect for your subject. There’s a noticeable authenticity in writing that comes from first hand experience. It’s more emotional, relatable and authentic. It’s somehow more human.
MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE
I encourage you to embrace your writing dream. I also want you to be great at it. So, write about what you know well. Share your special interests and be proud to do so from your unique and impassioned perspective.
As I see it, writing what you know is an imperative in making your writing dreams come true. It’s also that unique mix of experience that will differentiate you from everyone else.
EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 35 OF ELOVES ME, ELOVES ME NOT
Dylan let out a short announcement bark. I glanced at my watch; it was Tommy time. I gave one last glance in the bedroom mirror. I was very pleased with the final result. My hair was full and curly. I had applied makeup with the detail and intricacy of a painter. The vision staring back from the mirror had dark, captivating and sultry eyes, cherry sun-kissed cheeks with a glow that extended across the top of my nose. It was punctuated by the shiniest and most luscious lips you could ever want to kiss. And the skin on my neck and chest – everywhere, for that matter – was so soft that it screamed to be caressed. I had massaged a half bottle of moisturiser into my entire body following my shower. For the final touch, I had just applied another dab to my hands.
The new top was paired with a clean straight-cut black and white print skirt that fell mid-shin and had a long slit reaching up to mid thigh exposing just enough well tanned leg. The skirt was one I had not been able to fit into for months so it added an extra air of confidence to the ensemble.
I drew in a long breath, threw back my shoulders, did the bat check then the tooth inspection (visions of Roger and his tooth refuse still haunted me), scanned the bedroom and bathroom to ensure I hadn’t left anything telling lying around.
The door bell rang again as I reached the top of the stairs. I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest, harder than during my run earlier that day. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous. All that was left between Tommy and me was for me to descend the stairway that led directly to the foyer. From the front door he could see halfway up the staircase so I had an opportunity to make a grand entrance. Hopefully, as I descended each step he’d be getting more and more excited, just as I was.
My heart had almost reached my mouth. I hesitated. Then, quelling my inner date critic I gathered my composure, set one foot in front of the other and began down the stairs. I took the next step, took a breath, the next step, another breath. My chest was heaving. I could feel my cheeks high on my face from my animated grin and I knew my eyes had to be sparkling with excitement. I could see Tommy’s frame filling the doorway from my perch. I was noticing his broad shoulders and full chest, giving him a good look over as I took the next step. The adrenalin was pumping. I was just about to welcome him into my home. Hopefully he’d greet me with a strong lingering hug.
I took another step closer to this sexy man who had captivated me for weeks now. My right foot hit hard rubber where carpet should have been, twisting to the right and throwing me off balance. The object rolled from beneath my foot and Dylan’s favourite chew toy, a black kong bounced randomly down the remaining five stairs. I grabbed for the handrail to steady myself and my newly moisturised hand found it then slid right off. In that instant I knew I was going down. My butt hit the stairs. Then it was my back’s turn, then my left shoulder blade. I slid down the remaining steps, twisting and pulling my skirt up around my waist, exposing both of my freshly shaven and well tanned legs. I landed in a thud onto Dylan’s bed that sat at the foot of the stairs. Given it was nothing more than a big material cushion that sat atop ceramic tile floor, both it and I then slid into my final resting place, knees pressed against the glass front screen door where Tommy stood watching every moment and taking in every excruciating detail.
I was mortified, but happy I had purchased new underwear.
I looked out the door and was staring directly at Tommy’s crotch. After a cursory inspection, I timidly raised my humiliated gaze up his chest to his face.
Tommy’s expression was a mix of shock, concern, helplessness and I think I detected a wee bit of laughter.
I was speechless. Thankfully he broke the ice. “Well I’ve had women fall for me before but none quite so enthusiastically. I’ll tell you what, I’ll definitely give you an 8.5 for artistic impression.”
I wanted to cry but I couldn’t quell the laughter that was erupting inside me. I knew one thing. This was not the impression I had planned on making, but I could sulk and make it worse or laugh and get on with the evening.
About eloves me, eloves me not (2012)
Still single at 39, Kayte Wexford has everything but Mr. Right. With keyboard at the ready, she turns to technology for help.
Kayte dives fingers first into a sea of online dating, instant messaging and email exchanges where she connects with some charming, hilarious, bizarre and downright frightening characters. Each encounter teaches her something and tests her optimism, intuition and commitment, while advancing her that next necessary step in her quest for love. With so many fish in this cyber-sea, Kayte must decide which ones to toss back, which to reel in and which, if any, should be proudly mounted.
Thankfully she doesn’t have to make the journey alone. Her dog Dylan is not only a good listener but a great judge of character, her best friend Chloe is Kayte’s consummate cheerleader, while her friend and cyber coach Roman provides dating tips and hints as he schools Kayte in the lessons required for online dating success.
e-loves me, e-loves me not is a contemporary romantic comedy that examines the effects of technology on communication, dating and love. It focuses on the relationship of four (five if you count the dog) main characters, each with their unique views on love: there’s Kayte the ever-hopeful romantic idealist who has done, and will do, almost anything to find it, Roman the consummate bachelor who has played the dating game for far too long, Thomas who’s new to all this and wary about trusting love again so soon and Chloe who appears to be living the perfect version of it.
Join this eclectic ensemble on their journey and see if you can predict where Kayte will end up and with whom!
