Well, it's been a quiet week in Junction City.
After the Disneyland trip and the trauma of a husband
in the hospital, life has settled down, but not my need to get things done.
I’ve been manically running my manuscript through an
editing program—not that you need to know this or want to know it. Sometimes,
however, people want to know what happens before something else happens. Guess
that’s called the back story.
The Frog’s Song Publishing LLC will publish my book.
Guess you know who the CEO of The Frog’s Song Publishing is—me. But don’t tell,
it’s for your eyes only.
Time's
a wasten'. "I have miles to go before I sleep"—thanks
Robert Frost. I don't want to wait two years for my book to be
published. And I'm
not paying $3,000 to get it edited. Actually I got a quote for $7,000. So I'm doing it myself. And I’m
someone who
can’t keep her fingers on the correct keys. Preparing a book for
publication requires a learning curve such as acquiring an ISBN, a bar
code, formatting, signing up with a distributor. and I had a heck of a time preparing my cover for the paperback for it didn't fit into their specs. I got it by using one of their templates and modifying it as best I could. (I can be a
resource here.)
Most writers praise their editors for tightening up
their story, and I would if I could. I'm sure input would make it better, but
what the heck. I'm doing what I can.
It scares me. What if my novel--40 years in the making--falls
on deaf ears, or is it blind eyes?
That's what most people think when they put their work
on the line.
But think of this: “Faint hearts never won
fair maidens.” (Disney’s Robinhood).
In Martha Beck’s Joy Diet (that has nothing to
do with food), she admonishes us that “We are responsible for our lives past, present
and future., no shifting blame, no playing victim. If you don’t like this,
please allow me to suggest (in the kindest, most supportive way) that you suck
it up and deal.”
Whew, heavy stuff.
"A
beautifully told story is a symphonic unity in which structure, setting,
character, genre, and idea blend seamlessly."—Robert McKee
Yipes, how about putting the pressure on.
I discovered what McKee talked about in describing
story when I read a novel that struck a cord so loudly my ears rang for hours
afterward. Or was it my voice wailing, “I can’t do it!”
But you think I’m
giving up?
NEVER!
Alfred Hitchcock defined a good story as “Life with
the dull parts taken out.”
Even a seasoned writer like McKee says
that “There is no writing recipe that guarantees your cake will rise.”
Rats.
Most everyone has a story in them; it’s just that some
people write it. So, I guess I’m talking to the people who want to write. Readers can listen, though.
Why am I writing about story?
I’m trying to sway the non-fiction readers to check
out novels. Do read the non-fiction though, just don’t leave the fiction out. Oh good, I looked up fiction vs non-fiction
and found that those who read a mixture of both is 44%
Yea, I had heard earlier that non-fiction far out-sells
fiction.
Those preferring fiction rank is 26%
Non-fiction is 22%.
Why story?
Steven Pressfield says that even non-fiction ought to
have a story element. Our brains are geared to listen for it. Long ago around
the campfire, if someone said, “Once upon a time,” the audience plopped their
butts to the ground and tuned their ears for what happens next.
www.McKeestory.com
Story is about principles, not rules.
Story is about archetypes, not stereotypes.
Story is about eternal, universal forms, not formulas.
Story is about thoroughness, not shortcuts.
Story is about realities, not the mystery of writing.
Story is about mastering the art, not about second-guessing
the marketplace.
Story is about respect, not disdain for the audience.
Story is about originality, not a duplication.
www.McKeestory.com
Invest the time—do the Work—write the truth.
And that’s the truth.
So be it.
Joyce
