One of my favorite books on writers and writing is called Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola. I've read it numerous times, reading it now in fact, and finding it interesting how different writers approach their work. Of course the ones in this book are or have been famous, their work widely read with high acclaim.
How about the lowly writer like myself? Is anyone interested in how we folks view our work and our process? Well, I for one am very interested, which is why I feel sad that so many of my peers have left blogging. It was where writers wrote about writing, the challenges and processes and successes, small though these may seem compared to the rich and famous in the literary world.
Even without writer blogs, in my work with WiDo I have come to know a wide range of writers. I've seen healthy attitudes and unhealthy ones and those in the middle, maybe depending on the response to their submission or their book once it comes out.
Here are a few questions I'd like to ask every writer:
Are you excited about the idea of people reading your work, or would you rather keep it private?
Do you have an audience in mind when you write?
Have you always wanted to write a book?
If you have written your book, do you feel satisfied with it or discouraged and disappointed?
How many forms of writing do you like to do? For example, journaling, poetry, blogging, fiction, personal stories or memoir?
Is your voice the same regardless of the format?
If you have published a book, what do you think determines how well it sells?
How do you feel about critical reviews? Do you shrug and move on or do you feel devastated by them?
Do you feel that book publishing only counts if it's done in a certain way, such as through an agent or a particular publishing company?
I know that other writers as well as avid readers are interested in these kinds of questions and answers. I'd love to see the return of the writer blogs--the ordinary ones, not the professional or monetized ones, wouldn't you?
And if anyone reading this post is a writer, I'd love to see your responses to this list of thought questions!
I like knowing people are reading my work. My experience with DLP has shown that it's a mix of reviews and marketing, especially by the author, that sells books. (And I've had my fair share of authors who do very little marketing.)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Diane. Writing feels incomplete without readers. I agree also that it takes a mix of reviews and marketing to sell books. You gotta love the authors who do little or no marketing then blame the publisher for poor sales.
DeleteIs my voice the same? I think so. Although I'm only blogging, writing fiction, and some non-fiction.
ReplyDeleteYou should join the IWSG! You'd meet a ton of writers that way.
You're right, Alex. I was part of it early on and need to get back into it for sure.
DeleteI was just going to say the same thing as Alex. Join IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group). There is so much support there. You've written some excellent questions. IWSG offers an optional writing question every month for people to answer if they choose. Otherwise, we write about writing issues of choice. Hope you are well, Karen!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled people read my books. I write to make them smile. My voice is the same within a series. It's probably a bit different with each series, since the characters are different.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good list, Karen, that I copied it for future reference to address in my blog posts :)
ReplyDeleteMirka, I hope you do write posts addressing these points. I'd love to see your take on them.
DeleteHi Karen - finding one's voice seems to be the thing ... I certainly wouldn't still be blogging if I didn't have readers and commenters - I'm not that ambitious now. You've had some great book published ... but it's finding one's own way - with support from friends, family and bloggers - cheers and all the best - good ideas listed above - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Karen!
ReplyDeleteI love your list of questions. I've copied them and will use them for blog posts or something in the future.
It's only fair to answer one or two here as i thought that's what you wanted:
1. I love the idea of strangers reading my blood sweat and tears. I get excited when a reader asks me my process, so you're right, readers are interested.
2. Audience? Yep. I guess I try to work out the ideal reader for my book and have them in my head as I write.'
Thanks for posing these questions, Karen. Hope you're well.
Denise
In terms of what forms do I write, I lean toward shorter pieces - flash fiction, especially. I'm working on some longer short stories at the moment, with one maybe becoming a novella.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, great questions. Like Denise, I have copied your questions and will answer them in a post (linked back here).
ReplyDeleteI am a flash fiction writer, currently working on a novel - the two are so different. I lost my "first reader" when my mother passed last year. She held nothing back, and that was good.
Joining a writers group, as Alex suggests, is great. I too think about it. But over the last several years my time was not my own, my blog and other activities were neglected, sadly. Such is life.
Sending smiles your way, Jenny
Hi Karen, I answered your questions in my recent post with a link back to your post here. I found your questions to be thought provoking.
DeleteHere is the link to my post, copy and paste it for easy access.
https://pearsonreport.blogspot.com/2024/03/my-thoughts-on-writing-answers-to-good.html
Thanks, Jenny! I will pop over and read them. I've tried a couple times to comment on your posts and Google isn't letting me for some reason. I'll keep trying.
DeleteYou ask some interesting questions.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an audience in mind when I write and my voice changes according to subject - pedantic and flippant by turns!
Book publishing takes many forms and each is valuable. I have only self-published.
I think that critical reviews are essential for a serious writer - criticism can be helpful if it's not destructive.
Some great questions! Here are my brief thoughts:
ReplyDelete1. Are you excited about the idea of people reading your work, or would you rather keep it private? I absolutely want most of my writing to be read, though I am picky about when it's ready and whether I send it out to the public at large or a select set of people.
2. Do you have an audience in mind when you write? Generally, yes, if it's writing I intend for public consumption.
3. Have you always wanted to write a book? Oh yes, that was a childhood dream (came true for the first time for me when I finished my first one in 2014)
4. If you have written your book, do you feel satisfied with it or discouraged and disappointed? I, of course, wish more people would buy it and turn me into a woman of leisure with their dollars, but I'm still proud of that first book and feel that each one improves as I gain skill.
5. How many forms of writing do you like to do? For example, journaling, poetry, blogging, fiction, personal stories or memoir? I'm published as a novelist, a short story writer, and a poet. I keep a blog and I journal and write poetry for myself.
6. Is your voice the same regardless of the format? No, it varies according to what I'm writing.
7. If you have published a book, what do you think determines how well it sells? A mixture of luck, connections, and hard work.
8. How do you feel about critical reviews? Do you shrug and move on or do you feel devastated by them? Some sting more than others, but I know that every book is for everyone, so I don't carry that with me for long.
9. Do you feel that book publishing only counts if it's done in a certain way, such as through an agent or a particular publishing company? No--it's all legitimate and useful and everyone should choose a path that serves their needs and desires.
@samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Hi Samantha, thanks for your response! My answers to each of these questions are identical to yours except the part about writing poetry. I used to write it many years ago but don't anymore.
DeleteGreat post and thought provoking questions. As far as reviews, I make it a point to ignore negative reviews.I.E. I seldom read anything below a three. I don't feel that there's going to be much of a thoughtful critique in them and ignore them.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
1. I write for people to read, though I don't think I have any kind of following for my novels.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, people like me who like Fantasy Fiction for Grown Ups, I grew up reading fantasy books, and love nothing more than vampires and demons, so that's what I write, they involve, mystery, thrills and the odd romance.
3. Yes, but I let the naysayers and my own fears hold me back, but as I'm getting on now, I don't mind as much. My books will find the people to love them.
4. My first one I've rewritten once, I think there might be issues with capitalisation, that could be off putting, but I'm working on that with the rest, I can't afford an editor, so am doing the best I can.
5. I like my novels, I'm toying with novellas, I would like to do more short stories but am not sure how, and I blog.
6. Oh that's a good question, I would hope MY voice is, but that my characters sound different if you know what I mean.
7. Advertising, you need to advertise the heck out of it, and market it as well as you can, also there is a certain amount of prejudice against Amazon and E-Books still so that would go against things, you have to work harder.
8. I wouldn't mind, sure I'd be annoyed, but when I'd get over myself, I'd appreciate it, I don't have any.
9. I don't think that it should, it's like the whole audio book argument, but I for one don't mind, my wife is dyslexic, and as such we appreciate the audio recordings, as it allows her to read the books she really wants to. I also personally like eBooks, and find that it hasn't stopped me from reading trad books, nothing like the feel of a paper back in your hands, but also, having a load of books at my fingertips when I travel is just fantastic.
10. Yup, mine is one of those not for profit, non monetised ones. I think if you are good enough to be published, and have gone through the mill the least you can do is help out someone else, everything on my blog is for free, not that there is much to get, but the info is good...come and visit.
https://theroadtobeingapublishedwriter.blogspot.com/
I'll put the kettle on...
oh dear, my answers didn't show up here...darn.
ReplyDeleteDear TWW, Fixed! Thank you!
DeleteKaren, I love Stodola's book!!! And a process junkie myself, enjoying how others live their writing lives. Just discovered your blog via Mirka's post and had to check it out. And delighted.
ReplyDelete