I worked with an editor, found a cover, and researched how to format, publish, and promote an ebook. If you have self-published, describe the pros and cons to this process.Īnswer: I have self-published and I’d say its biggest pro is also its biggest con. Question: Share your experiences interacting with publishers (query letters, the editing process, cover design, marketing/sales). I probably need someone to remind me my water doesn’t taste like sand and can help attract thirsty readers/publishers. Writers who know the business and can sell themselves are well suited to go it alone. I keep a spreadsheet of all agents and publishers queried, both to keep track of who I’ve approached and as a reminder that I’ve got a lot of work to do. Question: Talk about your perspective on representation (pros and cons of having an agent) and any attempts you have made at securing representation.Īnswer: I’d prefer to have representation. Google Earth is a wonderful tool to walk the streets of a story. Give me Word to write, One Note to hold outlines and research, and Excel for plotting (I know, that sounds strange, but it works for me). Question: What resources are essential to your writing process (software, writing tools, research sources)?Īnswer: I’ve tried Scrivener but I’m just not comfortable writing there. That’s not a good way to sell water or books. Besides, my water probably tastes like sand. I try to keep research to the weekends so I’m not wasting that precious morning hour.Īs for the business side, if you were limping through the desert and came across my bottled water stand, I’d tell you there’s probably another guy on the other side of the dune with colder water. (Is it daily or weekly? How do you structure your day/week? How many hours of writing versus research? How much time is spent on “business”-queries, seeking an agent or publisher, marketing/sales?)Īnswer: Recent events and job changes allow me to block out one hour each morning to plot, write, or stare at the keyboard. Question: Describe your routine as a writer. If it’s not working by then, I move on to something else, but when the characters and story and emotion and voice all come together… well, that’s why we write. Usually, when I’m about five to ten thousand words in, I find my direction, sit back with the outline, and uncover the real story. I outline, usually in One Note, so I can make changes on my phone when an idea strikes. (How do you begin? What comes first-character or plot? Do you outline? Is your process the same for every project?)Īnswer: I’m usually plot driven then allow the characters to trash everything I’ve planned and create their own story. I could list multiple writers I’ve read and teachers I’ve ignored-I mean learned from-but if not for that nudge, I’d still be wondering how my story ends. She’s been my encouragement to keep writing. I hadn’t thought of anything past clicking save. My wife caught me writing a short story and asked what I would do with it. Life happened and storytelling became something I’d return to when a moment of clarity emerged. Question: What propelled you into the world of writing? What/who was your inspiration?Īnswer: I’ve been a story teller since childhood, sometimes as a means to get myself out of trouble. When I use those skills to critique my stories, I see my own growth. Feedback received from having my work critiqued has given insight on how my stories are perceived outside my own little head but the real benefit is reading and critiquing fellow members, watching their stories develop, learning how to interrogate the pages objectively and break down elements of a story. Question: What role has Charlotte Writers Group played in your writing journey?Īnswer: Feedback. We picked his brain to find out a little more about him for our Interview with a Writer series. Lance Butler is an organizer of the Charlotte Writers Group and regular attendee of Wednesday night write-ins.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |