Monday, July 24, 2017

Writer Reading About a Writer's Life



This week I read a book by E.J. Copperman titled Written Off. It’s the first in a new series called “A Mysterious Detective Mystery.” I loved the book. The protagonist is a mystery writer, which wouldn’t be that earthshaking, but she has something out of the ordinary to deal with, and… Okay, I don’t want to give the story away. Let me just say that the premise is fairly unique.

However, in the process of writing this book, Copperman let the fictional author discuss some of her experiences as a writer – and I could relate – which made it a fun read.

For instance, Rachel Goldman (the fictional writer) does a book launch at her friendly bookstore. You never know how many people will show up at a book signing or a book launch, or how it’ll end up. You might twiddle your thumbs all day or you might run out of ink while signing books.
I recall once when I did a book signing at an RV park. Several people showed up, and when I began to give my presentation, they looked at me like I was nuts. As it turned out, the woman who set it up invited everyone to the recreation room for free ice cream. She forgot to mention there’d be an author doing a presentation. Oh, well, that’s the life of a writer.

Another time I was set to do a presentation at a library in a town that consisted of mostly Asians. I had to wonder when, on my way to the library, I saw that most of the advertising signs were in Asian script, but I shook my head and forgot about it. Only one person showed up – a young Chinese man who attended a local college. I gave my presentation to him and the librarian. His only question at the end? Would I please explain what humor is? Interesting day.

What about a bookstore owner “hand selling” your books? I’ve had a couple of people do that, and I can’t tell you how thankful I was. Imagine someone liking your books enough to recommend them to readers. Amazing!

The fictional mystery writer also talks about revisions and how they made her feel. Need I say more? Sometimes the revisions are more difficult than writing the book.

As I said, I don’t want to give the story away, so I’ll switch to a few things I’ve been through and things other writers have talked about.
How about when a fan tells you they looooved your book, but it turns out you’re not the person they thought you were. They actually looooved someone else’s book. Uh…

What do authors do in their “down time?” Yes, there are occasional moments of free time, although it’s not often. My down time is spent cleaning the house I’ve let go for too long. I’ve got to think of something more entertaining.

The age old question: What if, as a mystery writer, you were asked to help solve a real life crime? We’ve seen it done over and over again on “Murder She Wrote” and enjoyed watching the way her thought processes worked, and it happened in “Written Off.” (I’m still not giving away the unique part of this storyline.) What would you do if this actually came to pass?

Research is another issue for many of us. It can be time-consuming, especially if the research turns out to be interesting. There are rare occasions when the research may cause you to head in a new direction instead of what you’d planned on writing.

What if someone said they didn’t like the way you ended your story, and went on to tell you how it should have ended? Thankfully, that hasn’t happened to me – yet.

Anyway, as I read this book there were parts where I found myself thinking, Yes. That’s just how I feel. It was refreshing to read about another mystery writer’s thoughts, even though the story was one of fiction. Or was it? Maybe the author’s writing experiences and thoughts were real. Ya think?

Until next time, I hope the things you experience this week are all positive, and if they’re not, I hope you can find a funny side to them.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website (Definitely to be updated this week)
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

Do you think you understand billionaires, the Internet and bad guys? Give Entrance to Nowhere – A Sandi Webster Mystery a try. Find out if she understands these things.




29 comments:

  1. Marja,
    You've had some interesting experiences at book signings. I think most writers can relate; I know I can.
    As to solving crimes for real, no thanks. I'll let my characters do that. :)

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    1. I'm with you, Pat. I have no desire to become involved in a real crime. As far as book events, some are good and some... Not so much. Thank you for commenting!

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  2. Fun article. Book signings are fraught with unknowns...

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    1. That's for sure, Janice. Thankfully, the good ones outnumber the not-so-fun ones. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. Great post, Marja! I enjoyed it immensely and could certainly relate to much of it.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! We just never know what's going to happen. It's a roll of the dice, so to speak. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  4. Good post, Marja. I'm writing my third Hazel Rose mystery. She's a romance writer and I share some of her experience, but not a lot. In #2 she was a very successful writer. In #2 she gets dropped by her publisher and decides to start writing mysteries. Does she kill off the publisher on page? Hmm.

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    1. Thank you, Maggie! Excellent reply to engage people in your stories. Couldn't have done better myself. : ) Thank you so much for commenting! (Now I need to start on your stories. Got my attention.)

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    2. Thanks for your interest, Marja. I see a typo in my comment: it's in #3 (my WIP) that Hazel is dropped by her publisher.

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  5. It's been a while since I've been in touch, so first, congratulations on your mystery blog award. That is great. And more kudos for another book.
    As for writers' events, I just did one at a local library with a police chief moderating the panel of writers. It was great fun. And I also a few books. Not like the one I did with my husband where we did a program for a group of 150 people and sold not one book! Writers take the good with the bad.

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    1. Good to hear from you, Lesley! Some of the events we do are a huge surprise and not at all what we expect. Those 150 people don't know what they missed. Love your books. Thank you so much for commenting!

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    2. I love writing mysteries Marja. My two grown sons however I'm concerned at the pleasure I seem to find in murdering people, and planning them of course. Hmmmm!
      Love others comments, Marcia
      M. Glenda Rosen
      Dying to Be Beautiful Mystery Series

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  7. I hope your sons start reading mysteries, Marcia. Maybe they'll get a better feel for what you're doing and enjoy your endeavors. : ) Think about whether or not you'd be willing to become involved in a real case. We have to plan not only murders, but other crimes as well. And our books give readers a way to escape from everyday life once in a while. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  8. Book signing events can make you cringe. I've asked people who were walking past my table if they like to read, and most said, "No." Some said, "Yes, but not mysteries." I especially like the ones who stop at your table, engage you in conversation about your novels and then just walk away without buying anything. These things are always hit and miss. Once a woman came to my table and bought 11 books. I was so happy, I didn't care if I sold any more books for the rest of the time I was there.

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    1. Evelyn, in my WIP Hazel Rose is at a signing. An obnoxious customer takes one of the Hershey's kisses on the table, wads up the wrapper, and tosses it on the table. When he reaches for a second kiss, Hazel grabs the dish and tells him he can't have more candy unless he buys something. He winds up dead ;-)

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    2. Wow, Evelyn, I've never sold that many books to one person with one stop. Congrats! I've had some productive signing and presentations, but you just never know what will happen. Thank you so much for commenting!

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    3. It was a Christmas event, Marja. The lady who bought all those books said she was going to give them away as presents. I signed them all, of course.
      Maggie, I've had an obnoxious customer who kept coming to back to my table over and over for the entire event and taking handfuls of Hershey's kisses each time without ever buying anything. I don't think she ended up dead though.
      LOL!

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  9. LOL Now THAT'S some storyline, Maggie. I think I'll have to read your WIP when it comes out. : )

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  10. Great post, Marja. I hope those people got their ice cream. Otherwise they might have taken it out on you.

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    1. They got their ice cream, John, and then they sat and played poker. Who can compete with poker? LOL Thank you so much for commenting!

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  11. Great, Marja! You had me smiling. A friend of mine DID have the experience of having someone gush over her and say she was so happy to meet Judy Blume. (My friend is not Judy Blume.)

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    1. Thank you, Marilyn. You made me laugh. I'd be curious how your friend handled it. :) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  12. As always, enjoyed your post. And as always, you energized me--a bit! (smile)And I too like hearing the thoughts of other writers.

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    1. Thank you, Madeline! Sharing our thoughts and what's been happening can be more helpful than we realize sometimes. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  13. I'm a little late to the party, Marja, but I loved your post. You give some great teasers about Written Off, and some funny anecdotes of your own, too. I have one that stands out in my mind--I had a signing at a local bookstore and they forgot. So they rescheduled and when I showed up on the second appointed date, they had forgotten to order my books. I'm not sure I'll be going back there for another signing anytime soon. :)

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    1. Thank you, Amy! I'm not sure which is worse; being forgotten or being mistaken for another author. And this, my friends, is why writers need to grow a thick skin. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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