Into the Fire

Have you ever stopped to think about what it is you enjoy or like about a certain commercial? Or an ad in a magazine? Or a site or homepage? 

The same specifics vary from one medium to another, but chances are they each have something in common that appeals to you.

So. Let's talk novels. Yes, we've exhausted the subject of marketing without coming to any conclusions, but if we examine what it is as readers that draws us to a particular novel, it might prove meaningful to those of us who want readers to notice and like our work. 

Let's first eliminate those books from favorite authors because, let's face it, we could maybe not be all that impressed with a particular cover or even the blurb (i.e. back cover copy), but the author has hooked us in the past and we're going for whatever they deliver.

We've also established how important cover design is in drawing us into checking out a new book, although some readers claim cover is a lesser factor in their book selections. For me, covers are huge. The reality is if I don't know the author, that novel better have an intriguing cover. 

The blurb or back cover copy better not tell me too much – although if I'm intrigued by the first couple of sentences, I'll just quit reading whatever comes next. For me, make it short and point to the story not any conclusions. 

That certain "something" isn't all that definable at times. There's a radio commercial that I must have heard at least 30 times on the station I listen to. Every time I hear it, I laugh. Every. Time. No visuals and yet the voices project a mental image that gets a laugh even when I know it's coming. And I can actually remember the company that's advertising. This is what we want to do with our novels. Make an impression. Make it memorable.   

Father, you're the only One that can make certain things happen. You are an amazing God and apart from you, we can do nothing. We rely on you and trust in you for the big and small things. Help us to trust you more. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The theme of love continues . . . 

Father, you are Love and we only get glimpses of its meaning here on earth. In sin we've corrupted it, used it, tried to achieve it, but we only get a taste of it when we know you. And it's all worth it then. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

If you're an author in today's independent publishing world, and if you're an established author but not a bestselling or "noteworthy" author, and if you're a rebel at heart as far as certain parameters are concerned in the genre(s) of your choice, you realize that taking a risk really won't much matter if you're inclined to take one – or more. 

"Why?" you ask. Taking a risk in the writing or production or marketing of your work probably will not draw attention to it either positively or negatively because your reach – or fan base – isn't large enough to cause you any kind of damage to sales or reputation. Of course you're working hard to expand your readership.  . . .  That "you" is me.

"Whatever it takes" is the mantra for many indie authors. Not necessarily for me. 

Others waltzed into publishing with just the right steps, talent, approaches, and have cashed in on the market for their genre. 

The individual cases each have their own accounts of what they did and how it helped them or how it did not.

For me, I want to briefly discuss the actual writing risk – that is, when you are that rebel that dares to do something a bit different with your novel. Let me give you two examples from my own books. The Famous One is written like a fictional biography and begins in the omniscient point of view but eventually morphs into third-person. It focuses on the one character's life, that of Joey Parr. My other risk was my first primarily first-person story from a male POV with all of his (Michael Jamison) narrative in italics, but it also included the third person POV in standard text. A normal complaint about using italics to that length would be the possibility of it being hard to read. I can say honestly that is not the case with Breath of Life. The italics are done well and just as easy to read as the regular font used. 

In my writing world I have nothing to lose. Most novelists can't say that. Many of them are younger and full of the energy and stamina it takes to figure out a marketing scheme, willing to write what is trending/hot. Some of them have had other careers prior to writing and have the "chops" and contacts to know who to call upon for assistance. Some have a built-in audience for their work when they're ready to publish. Others know how to cultivate readers within the genre(s) they write. The writing world is made up of all different kinds of people with all different levels of success – and many diverse needs. 

Personally speaking, my writing risk arrives with each new novel I publish. Will it be well received by those who do in fact love my work? Will this next one produce the desired effect I want them to experience? Will they tout it to their friends because they "loved" it? 

The writing life is full of risks, but then life in general presents risks. Do we take them? Do we avoid them? Do we welcome them? What do you do about risk . . .?    

Father, you lead me. I hope to always follow. You lead us into risks at times and walk through them with us. You have a plan. May I stick to it as it unfolds before me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Woe to those who plan iniquity,

   to those who plot evil on their beds!

At morning's light they carry it out

   because it is in their power to do it.

They covet fields and seize them, 

   and houses, and take them.

They defraud a man of his home,

   a fellowman of his inheritance.

"I am planning disaster against this people,

   from which you cannot save yourselves.

You will no longer walk proudly,

   for it will be a time of calamity.

In that day men will ridicule you;

   they will taunt you with this mournful song:

   'We are utterly ruined;

     my people's possession is divided up.

   He takes it from me!

     He assigns our fields to traitors.'"

   Therefore you will have no one in the assembly 

        of the Lord

     to divide the land by lot.

Micah 2:1-5 (NIV)

From the 09/06/2007 post: "The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing . . ."

The isolation of writing is often declared to be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes even a necessary evil. Sometimes a celebratory collusion of computer and writer and Holy Spirit.

Over time, though, dedication to the task or joy of writing can produce a particular kind of lonesomeness. If there are no other writers in your environment, be it in a room at home or a chair and table at the local coffee bar, writing can be a place of alone time. Let’s face it, it has to be. Some people write to head banging music, opera, contemporary Christian, or Celtic strains. Others can write with the TV in the background, the kids crying in another room, or who-knows-what. Personally, I’m easily distracted—especially if the writing well pump is in need of repairs.

Ultimately, there is a place where a writer dwells that renders lonesomeness. Not necessarily as he writes because there are characters to keep him engaged and active and anything but alone. I think it’s after the character comes to an end in a story—at least for a while unless he’s waiting for the series to continue. Once “The End” is clear on the page, that lonesomeness begins to work its way into the psyche and somehow makes us feel like we’ve left behind a real friend. And now . . . we’re alone.

As I understand it—and I don’t frequently “get it”—in today’s (and perhaps yesterday’s) world of publishing, most authors discuss the plots of future book projects with the powers that be at their contracted houses. Authors are sometimes given suggestions or asked if they can write a story about such and such. Some of the well known and well sold authors gather together to brainstorm “plots” and ideas for their future books, able to thrive on others’ inputs, thoughts, and creativity. Books evolve from their time spent together in working fellowship.

As I sit here at my computer and type words on the screen in a story, I am not one bit lonesome. I welcome the time spent with invisible people, searching vocabulary, participating in dialogue, even crying at times. It is a focused time, and it is unbeatable. It’s where God has me, where He gives me situations and stories and sounds, smells, and scenes, and I know it’s Him because my mind is taken along on the journey to places I’d never know to go. No writer would choose to leave this solitary place for long.

But when the words come slow—if at all—and the room/place feels still, a writer might realize the lonesome solitude of creating with words. While we know the Lord is with us, He, too, can remain quiet, insisting we trust him for the next phrase, metaphor, chapter heading. Maybe it is precisely at those self-induced times of intentional lonesomeness that our actual “company” is most accentuated. Our unseen Lord in all His power and certainly not without His glory remains present wherever we are, whatever we’re doing. Sometimes we forget that. And in turn we forget to call on Him or acknowledge Him or be grateful for His presence, silent or not.

I often forget that He knows what I need. When I am fighting melancholy, sick of myself, leaning toward worthlessness and failure, He is there to reason with me. To speak the words which will touch my soul and elevate me to where He is, giving me time to forget who I am and lose myself in Him.

The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing is a gift writers give themselves when the words are flowing, and the current of writing runs strong and sparks. The sometimes intentional lonesomeness of writing is a gift our Lord gives us to exercise the talent He’s planted in us. Either way, we aren’t really alone—not totally. The Creator of the Universe just happens to be there, no matter how we feel.

Father, I need only remind myself how you are always with me. I just need to talk with you, come clean in my difficulties because you know them anyway. Your heart desires to give comfort, and oftentimes I need it even when I don’t realize it. Thank you that you always know what I need. Thank you for being so close. Help me always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

A young girl who loved horses since she was able to talk, born in the city of Seattle, finally got to spend time with them for 3 different summertime visits at The Flying Horseshoe Ranch in Teanaway Valley, Washington. Pictured here is me with the mare "Minnie-Ha-Ha". She was a good horse, and of course I loved her. I think this was the summer after 6th grade. I got to go one more year for two weeks. That horse's name was "Friday", a bit rambunctious 4-year-old. He dumped me once, earning me a "Bite-the-Dust Club" ribbon. The first year I went I rode "Dude" who had the smoothest trot you could ever imagine. Loved my time there with my best friend and horses. Priceless! 

Father, thank you for some of the best times of my young life back then. You've always watched over me and I can never thank you enough for all of it. So grateful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

I don't care what you think about the "newer" version of "Magnum PI". I happen to love it. And it's my getaway series. Pure pleasure, not guilty pleasure. I have no guilt about enjoying it. The 2022 Season Finale was perfect!

However, I just found out it won't be renewed! So sad.

FSyfS5pX0AA0vog (1277×567) (twimg.com) 

Share petition · Save Magnum PI for a Season 5! · Change.org

Father, you own creativity. You share it. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

In keeping with the romantic theme, here's an old amazing love song. Quite a range in her voice. 

Father, you're the author of romance, real love, beautiful music. Only you disperse the talents and gifts and are no respecter of persons. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus. 

 . . . and how to do it. Such is the quandary of marketing a new novel. 

So. If I told you I thought this one was one of my best (which I do) or if I told you that this one touched my heart in an amazing way (which it did) or if I told you this one has one of the most striking covers front and back (which it does), would any of that matter to you?

Tell me, please, because I really want you to read this one. What would matter to you? 

Father, you give me the characters, the stories, the inspiration to write and complete a story. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Please, Lord, help me to do all that you ask of me. And may I do it well. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; 

   but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Proverbs 28:28 (NIV)

A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

   will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1 (NIV)