Subscribe to one of Suzanne's online bookclubs and receive her daily
column at: DearReader.com
Sample Suzanne's book at:
Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life
AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win: Goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
Dear Reader,
Even though I'd been writing a daily column for 11 years, when I decided to write my book, Muffins and Mayhem, writing a book was a scary thought. I'm a detailed person, the sort of person who visualizes everything in her mind, before she begins. For instance, years ago one of my jobs involved event planning. I'd worked out every detail in advance, right down to where the wastebaskets would be placed. When folks put on their name tags, they'd need a place to discard the peel-off backing and a wastebasket was waiting for them.
But I had to change my mode of operation when I started working on a book. How could I plan something that I'd never experienced before? Writing a book is a solitary process. Helpful authors, or how-to books can tell you how somebody else did it, but every author has to find their own way. I remember the frustration when I first started working on my book. I'd sent some completed chapters to my agent to review, and when he sent back his comments they were encouraging, but he also said that my writing was lacking the "down-home" Suzanne quality. So I called and asked him what he wanted me to do differently.
"I can't tell you what to do Suzanne. You're the writer. I can only tell you how I felt when I read what you'd written."
I hated my agent for a day or two. Then I moved from being upset, to a "poor Suzanne" pity party, and then I picked myself up, sat down and started writing again. This time in the "down-home" Suzanne voice.
But half-way through writing my book, I called my agent again, "I don't know what I'm doing."
And he asked, "Are you still writing?"
"Yes, Dan, I'm still writing."
"Then everything is fine, Suzanne."
You really are on your own when you write, but it sure does help when you have friends who are cheerleading for you in the stands. I can't give you a secret writing formula, but this week, in my column, I'm happy to answer writing questions from readers. I won't be able to answer everyone personally, but I'll publish some questions and answers each day.
Feel free to ask. You can reach me at: Suzanne@emailbookclub.com
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Happy writing,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com
* This month's Penguin Classics book is CELESTINA by Fernando De Rojas. Start reading now and enter to win a Penguin totebag. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/July11Classics
AUTHORBUZZ: To read more about DYING FOR JUSTICE, and to enter this author's book giveaway, click on the link below, then click on DYING FOR JUSTICE.
L.J. Sellers, today's featured author, writes...
When Gina wakes up from a two-year coma, she realizes someone tried to kill her and make it look like suicide. Detective-in-training Lara Evans is assigned the case, but fears she's in way over her head.
To read more about DYING FOR JUSTICE goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
Comments