Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[horrorscifiguy]

I started writing stories in the 2nd grade, but I think I've been a writer since I've had a soul. I didn't really make it a truly serious pursuit until about a dozen years ago.

There are a lot of great things associated with being a writer, much less a writer of horror or dark fiction. But there are also a lot of negative things attached to this livelihood that I'd love for other writers on this board to chime in on.

To start things off:

Queries are the bane of my writing existence. But it's an unavoidable staple of a writer's publishing process. YUCK.

And what about blurbs? I'm not sure which is worse - asking for blurbs or being asked for them. On the surface, being asked for a blurb is really quite a compliment, but I guess what I'm thinking of is accepting the offer but then not having favorable things to say about the material. Been there, done that, and it's an awful, awful feeling.

Care to chime in?

[Dylan J Morgan]

I've never been asked to write a blurb for someone (doubt I ever will) but with a new novel coming out I am tempted to ask someone else for a blurb -- just can't figure out who.

As for me, the bane of my writing existence is the synopsis. Trying to get that 80K novel into a page or two of present tense prose is the biggest test of my mental strength.

[horrorscifiguy]

You never know Dylan. I certainly thought the same way once. And that's the catch about blurbs - the folks in the writing biz I felt comfortable enough to approach weren't at a level where their blurb would make much of a dent on the marketing/sales side. But at a certain point I feel like it's a part of the growth process that just can't be ignored. I know what it feels like to reach out to name authors I've had brief conversations with at conventions, who politely passed on reading my material, and I also know how tough it is when I have to pass on a request. It hasn't happened often, but enough to have a clear sight from both sides.

And I hear you about creating a synopsis, and totally agree. They are extremely difficult and each feels like one of those trials Hercules had to endure...ha ha ha. They never cease to suck! 

[horrorscifiguy]

Well, I've just set up my work space in location #6 since last June. I can only speak for myself, but there is something to be said for having a consistent and comfortable writing area. I've continued to be productive, but it does take more energy and focus for me when I'm just plopping the laptop any old place compared to having a regular Batcave to create in. I'm hoping that this new spot will become just that in the years to come.

Any thoughts from other cheap seaters?

[Dylan J Morgan]

I use our office /guest room upstairs to write, but I like to have peace and quiet to formulate my words. Being at home, with a teenaged daughter needing to use the room for studies, is not the best solution. But it's home, it's comfortable, and it's only a short walk to the refridgerator for refreshments. 

[BryonMorrigan]

And what about blurbs? I'm not sure which is worse - asking for blurbs or being asked for them. On the surface, being asked for a blurb is really quite a compliment, but I guess what I'm thinking of is accepting the offer but then not having favorable things to say about the material. Been there, done that, and it's an awful, awful feeling.

I'd love to blurb people, but the few who have ever asked me to, have only wanted to send e-books...and I don't have an e-reader, and will certainly NOT sit at a computer desk to read a book.  Whatever happened to ARCs?

[frank]

I use our office /guest room upstairs to write, but I like to have peace and quiet to formulate my words. Being at home, with a teenaged daughter needing to use the room for studies, is not the best solution. But it's home, it's comfortable, and it's only a short walk to the refridgerator for refreshments. 

My wife and I are about to become grandparents.  And I've been notified that I'm going to have to move my office out of the guest bedroom.

Guess I'll have to get a laptop and go nomadic.  I used to do my best writing in the near by University library, but that was before I moved.

[Bobbie]

I find kids climbing around my feet oddly soothing.  I write in the same room where they watch cartoons and make marker art.  We talk to each other, ask what the other is doing and that's our little community.

[horrorscifiguy]

Well, I've settled into a little space we called "the yellow room"...3 guesses on why...ha ha ha. I already feel comfortable here - the place has good vibes I guess. I'll see how quickly I get back into doing serious work, but I'm hoping for the best.

Having a laptop offers up that nomadic option, and I worked that way productively all through last summer and fall, but I really prefer a specific place to go, with my books and stuff around me. Sometimes I think I stay productive out of habit more than the other things, but over a long haul, I think I do my best work in a writing spot.

And I hear you loud and clear re: reviewing/blurbing an ebook. I understand the popularity, but I need a book or manuscript in my hands. I stare enough at my laptop screen as it is.

[horrorscifiguy]

So, the 2011 World Horror Convention in Austin Tx. looms in less than 2 weeks. I'm really looking forward to it. The WHC cons I've participated in (San Fran, Toronto, Salt Lake) have been well worth the time and $$$, but as I look forward, I'm really leaning toward fan cons instead of pro cons, simply because I'm much more interested in making an investment in selling books than spending a good chunk of change for networking.

And don't get me wrong - networking & pitching projects at late night mixers or in hotel lounges are important, but for me personally, I'm a writer who L-O-V-E-S  to sell books. Selling books at a writer's convention is like offering discount teeth cleaning at a dentist convention.

Next stop for me - St. Louis' 2nd annual CON-TAMINATION horror/sci-fi con in late June. Can't wait!

Thoughts?

[horrorscifiguy]

WHC 2011 in Austin Texas was a smash. Sold some books, networked, and might have even put myself in a great position for a future project or two.

May be the last one for a bit. Next year is back in Salt Lake, but I think I'll pass and try to stay closer to home. I mean to target more fan-based cons so I can maximize book sales. Horrorfind anyone?

How was Austin's WHC for everyone else?

[Lord Anubis]

You think you may be at ZomBCon?  On our coast, very short plane hop or maybe a long train ride?

[horrorscifiguy]

I'll have to check out the dtails on that one. The downside is that I don't have any new zombie material to sell.

[horrorscifiguy]

Well, St Louis's 2nd annual Con-Tamination explodes this next weekend. After missing last year's horror/scifi/pop culture weekend party, I was lucky enough to grab a last minute dealer table. Hoping to make good in the shadow of the Gateway Arch.

If you live in the St. Louis metro area, check out the link below:


http://www.con-tamination.com/


It'd be groovy if someone from the board stopped by and said hello! Buying a book not required...ha ha ha.

[horrorscifiguy]

The 2011 Con-Tamination Convention went well, thank you. I look forward to next year.

My first shipment of the revamped The Blackest Heart arrived yesterday but I didn't feel the usual Christmas morning excitement. The book looks awesome, and the publisher, Northern Frights, did an excellent job of re-packaging the material. But it almost feels like it's much more business this time around. Is it because it's being re-published? I don't know. Perhaps I was so unhappy about its original publishing back in 2004 that I'm simply emotionally worn out after all these years.

I just don't know.

But I am looking forward to the world finally getting a chance to see my second novel, a dark sci/fi western.

Maybe a good review or two will pick me back up.