If you’re like me and have been writing for long time, you’ll probably recognize the signs of restlessness and dissatisfaction.
Here’s how it goes. You:
- Develop a premise for a new book
- Research
- Write the book
- Re-write the book
- Edit the book
- Re-write the book
- Edit the book
- Complete the final re-write
- Try to get published
- Get it published, one way or another
- Market it
- Sell a respectable number of copies
- Begin again
In each case above, there is a warm glow at the end of each, then . . . what? It’s not enough. Never enough. You’ve created a book from scratch? How wonderful is that? But why can’t you sell it? Why are you not on the top ten Bestseller List? Why, why, why?
Then there are those moments when you think it’s all worth it. That’s how I felt when I recently got my first review of PURE LIES:
”Lynne Kennedy’s new book is a finely crafted mix of classical murder mystery, high thriller and majestic historical fiction. From the start, I loved heroine Maggie Thornhill, despite her narrow judgment of a religion she didn’t understand. And I grew to hate the villains, past and present, so well-drawn that one fears they will visit the front door. Lynne’s trademark attention to historical detail is key to the working of this great story, or should I say “stories”, because Pure Lies provides two thrillers for the price of one. The narrative of seventeenth century Salem gives one the feeling that the author has a time machine stashed in a closet. The sights, sounds, smells and feel of that cursed town come to life under the author’s talented craft. No less compelling is the parallel story that unfolds in modern Washington, D.C.s universities and museums. If you like a good mystery, historical fiction, or just a fun read, Pure Lies is a must.”
Sigh. Maybe it is worth it after all.
Oh, I know what you mean. With my first novel, I became a bona fide review junkie! Good, bad, or medium I had to have those reviews; had to know what each reviewer said,how they liked it or didn’t and what they did or didn’t enjoy. Finally at my sixth full novel’s publication I think I’ve finally gotten that review monkey off my back! And then, yes, the process begins again–painful? Yes at times (many times). Joyful, most of the time. Frustrated? All the time!
Why do we do it?
Oh, yeah, that other monkey: writing!
Ha! Well-said. Thanks for reading.
I think I might even have more re-writes in my list, Lynne! And no matter how much planning and thinking and plotting.. only by writing the first draft will the re-writes follow which in turn become the final novel. There’s no short cut!
But as you say, when you get an enthusiastic response, it makes it all worth it.
I’m now bracing myself to launch into the next writing mountain climb… 😉
Thanks, Wendy. I wish you the best on your next climb!