Let's Talk About It, Shall We?

Some authors and other creatives, like Steve Pressfield (author of The Legend of Bagger Vance) say you should never talk about a project until it's done and out there in the world or else you may jinx it.  Steve wrote a post on his blog about a month ago advising writers to "keep your mouth shut" and "don't talk about it." Superstition aside, the belief is that you weaken, rather than strengthen a project when you discuss it before it's ready to be birthed.

I've decided to risk this jinx by sharing my struggle to publish my first novel, THE WANTED, here on this blog because I think there are many people who are interested in reading about the creative process and that's what I'm interested in talking about. And guess what? The creative process is full of ups and downs, false starts, turnarounds, failures, reboots, and do-overs, and outright disasters. Yes, I risk feeling stupid or embarrassed if I talk about my novel on an ongoing basis only to have it never fly....but so, what?

 

As I've stated before many times, I am interested in the journey as much as I am interested in the finish line. Trying to publish my first novel is the journey I am on right now and that's what I want to discuss. Just because I may never see a finished project out there in the marketplace, doesn't mean I'm not expending a huge amount of time and energy trying to make that happen. The project is still real and still exists whether I am the only person who ever reads it or not.  But make no mistake, I am determined to see this book out there and will self-publish it if that's the best option available to me.

I'm also going to talk about my book THE WANTED -- a New Adult paranormal novel with romance, crime, and conspiracy elements -- because I have been advised over and over again that it's up to ME, the newbie writer, to create my own fan following. I also feel that talking about the book as if it is real helps me step outside my comfort zone. True, I'd love for an agent or publisher to validate my writing for me and give me a huge advance, but I'm growing past that desire and seeing that I can validate myself by believing my book is already REAL despite a couple rejection notices and the fact that few people besides my closest friends and family and pets even know it exists.

I know in my heart I can conceive and carry and birth a novel. Now I simply have to learn how to promote myself and that novel so I can find my audience that will help sustain my baby going forward. Like many writers, I love the process of writing, but promoting myself and the project? That's something most of us struggle to embrace fully. Even for me, someone who studied public relations and has no problem promoting just about anyone else.

So, since I don't have a publicity machine behind me or the last name of KARDASHIAN, I'm here to start talking about a book that consumed most of my energy and time over the past year. Because whether my novel is DOA or bursts into life with a bang, it's still the same book to me, and will always be the same.

Plus the novel encompasses many fascinating topics to discuss: Psychic Teens....MK-Ultra....The Shadow Government....Soul Mates...Mind Control and Manchurian Candidates...Ouija Boards and Seances...and the Battle Between Good and Evil.

But we can discuss that all in time in good time.

Comments

[Lisa Romeo]

I'm divided on this. When it comes to essays and short memoir pieces, I don't mention a thing until it's published. But for the book length memoir I'm cooking, I am sticking my toe in here and there, talking about it. Partly I think because when (if?) it is published, it ought to land in a warm place, into welcoming arms. Or something like that. Here goes.