Chasing Mermaids: The Process of Writing a Novel

You may be happy to hear, I actually ventured into public presentation of my merworld related writing yesterday. Actually, I had my arm twisted just a little. Jessie, the head librarian for the public library in Frankinville, NY (where I have had an unplanned and less than ideal extended stay), asked if I would be interested in doing a presentation on writing; "It'd be a way to help promote your writing," she suggested.

So I did it. Overall folks seemed happy with it (or at least my two sisters and mom said that I did a good job). I guess it was okay. I tried to share how the process might go. I let them know up front the process for my merworld fantasy was anything but complete. I also tried my best to make it useful to those who would like to take themselves on a similar adventure.

In the end, no mermaids were caught. Sometimes life isn't about the product though...sometimes it is all about the process. Swim deep, Joe

Chasing Mermaids: A Presentation

The local library in Franklinville will host a presentation I'll be doing next Saturday at 10am. I titled it "Chasing Mermaids: The Process of Writing a Novel". I haven't started thinking about what I'll say yet. I guess I am figuring it will mostly be winging it. The story of how the novel evolved is pretty rich. I guess I'd say it isn't typical...so I need to keep in mind what would be useful to those wanting to pursue writing a book.

The Merworld Reality

I am speaking with a friend in France at the moment. She loves the sea as much as I do...maybe more. I thought I'd make this short entry while she finishes a phone call over her way. It amazes me that the signal of my voices and images are traveling completely over the Atlantic Ocean. I am liking to hear her conversation in French and wonder what lies in the waters between us.

Stressing Over the Merworld

The manuscript for my Merworld fantasy was sent off to my publisher/editor/friend over 1 ½ weeks ago. I’ve not heard word one from her and I am hoping I didn’t completely alienate myself with my creation.

I have to be honest. I suck at packaging. I know I should have taken the publisher’s guidelines completely serious, but somehow I didn’t. Is it ego? Ignorance? Brain damage? All of the above? I’m not certain. So, it may be I made too many mistakes in presentation, grammar and wording. At this point, I am uncertain.

The other possibility is that the content goes against the wishes of my publisher. As a writer I am anything but meek. I push the envelope and present some controversial materials. I’m wondering if the woman merman relationship is too close to being bestiality. Or is cannibalism beyond? Or it may be it reads as just too damn violent. In the end it’s my story. I’d like to create some safe kind of story, but I just can’t.

In the end, I won’t be upset if my publisher rejects the idea of taking on BNB. I do hope to keep my friendship and continue to write the YA fantasy series for them. I guess it is all at a just wait and see point.