The two most
fulfilling moments while writing a book, at least for me, are the beginning and
the end. Big surprise, right?
At the
beginning I’m full of enthusiasm and ideas. It seems like everything around me
is an inspiration.
Then comes
the dreaded (for me) middle, where I’m trying to keep all of my ducks in a row,
trying not to lose sight of where I’m going, and hoping I don’t leave any loose
ends. I have notes all over my desk. That’s about the time I think, “Oh. I
think I want to go in this other direction. Will it work? Should I do it? What
does my protagonist want?”
Yes, I think
about what’s going to work best for my protagonist. Sometimes I think she knows
more than I do. Scary thought.
I have to
admit that my latest book, Entrance to Nowhere, took a few
turns that I hadn’t anticipated. In this case, I wasn’t surprised. The story
touches on topics I hadn’t thought about too much. Okay, that’s not true. It
touches on topics that I’ve thought about and read about and that we hear about
frequently on the news, but hadn’t applied to my own life.
Sandi Webster
gets caught up in kidnapping, Internet technology, hacking, cybersecurity, and
a domestic terrorist crosses her path. Oh, and her Aunt Martha comes for a
visit at the most inopportune time. This is the same moody Aunt Martha who’s
been mentioned in other stories, but this is her first actual appearance. Sandi
is most definitely out of her comfort zone.
This story
taught me a lot about what’s going on in today’s world of technology, although
you don’t have to be a computer nerd to understand the story. It’s simple.
Someone wants to bring down the electrical grid in America, and he needs the
brilliant mind of Andrew Trapper to help reach his goals.
I wrote, I
learned, I added a touch of humor where necessary, and I finally completed the
story on July 7th.
That’s where
The End comes in. There’s something so fulfilling about typing those words. As
a writer you (the general “you”) worry, you fret, you wonder if this story will
appeal to anyone, and you’ve done the best job you can while hoping for results
that will make you smile.
Unfortunately,
it may be the end of the story, but the work isn’t done yet. Now it’s time for
final editing and creating a book cover. The cover won’t be too much of an
issue because I found the perfect Entrance to Nowhere just down the street and
took pictures. You’ll see what I mean when I post a picture of the cover,
coming soon.
I have to
admit that it’s difficult to make a sharp turn from writing to marketing and
promoting. I’m not good at these things and it’s been a long time since a fresh
idea slapped me in the face and said, “Do it!” Oh, well, something new will
come to me.
Do you get
the feeling this talk about The Beginning and The End is just an attempt to
self-promote tactfully? Okay, you’re onto me. I’m self-promoting. It’s all part
of the marketing experience.
To writers, feel
free to promote your latest title or an upcoming book.
To readers,
what types of books do you enjoy reading? Is there something in particular you
look for in a story?
Until next
time, remember that summer reading can be soooo relaxing.
CLICK HERE to
visit Marja McGraw’s website
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