Change Ain't Easy

By Keith N Fisher

Saturday morning came and I had no article to post. Sunday Morning, I was exhausted, and still nothing. "But I’ve been sick all week," I said. The real problem is changing schedules, along with life adjustments.

I used to have a specific time on Thursday when I wrote my blog post. Then, I posted late Friday night. It was a schedule that worked, but things change. I haven’t had Thursdays off for awhile.

Some of my more conservative friends might be surprised to hear me say, change ain’t easy and sometimes it’s excruciating. We all know, however, true growth cannot happen without trials and the changes that come from them. So here I am on Sunday night, writing an article.

I noticed something at work the other day. Two women wore jewelry that included a skeleton key in the design. One was a real skeleton key, the other used the image of one. They brought back memories of my grandmother’s house. The old locks on her doors used skeleton keys. Some of the doors in my parent’s house had skeleton keys too.

The image brought back feelings and memories I hadn’t thought about in years. I remember when Grandma started locking her doors when she went away. Up until the 1970’s she never locked them. She hid a skeleton key on the back porch. Later she had the outside locks changed.

In my reverie, I realized the wealth of knowledge contained in my head. I can use my familiarity with those keys in my writing. I began to wonder what other objects would dredge up memories I could write about.

What objects do that for you?

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Getting A Boost at LTUE

By Keith N Fisher

Good morning—It’s Saturday, and I’m at LTUE. I had to mortgage the farm to get here, but I’m here. With all the belt tightening we’ve had to do, I couldn’t afford it, but to tell the truth, I wasn’t sure I wanted to come.

It’s been hard to network with successful writers lately, and I just didn’t feel like it. I needed to get away, however, so I came.

It’s been great. I’ve seen presentations that reminded me why I started writing. There have been many fresh, new approaches to teaching the same techniques such as Deren Hansen’s, Verisimilitude, presentation. Look into it.

Last night I participated in Donna Milakovic’s, Professional Networking in the Publishing World, class. She reminded me of all the things I used to do, without thinking, to make friends and increase my network. I needed that class.

Through the weekend, I’ve been having discussions that bring an old debate back into my mind. So I resurrected an article I never posted.

　

Traditional Publisher or Self-Published E-book?

Am I just being Lazy?

No, this Article doesn’t debate the best method. I lost that argument a long time ago. I’m convinced that some writers will do whatever it takes to get a quick buck, or launch a career. Even, if it hurts the industry in the long run. The genie is out of the bottle now. Book prices will never come up. No, this article isn’t going there.

When I started writing, before I got serious about it, the publishing world was a different place. Large houses were still taking submissions by the authors, although they preferred dealing with agents. Authors were reclusive types who didn’t do much self-promotion.

After getting serious about the craft, rejections began to pile up. Doubting myself was easy, but I knew if I could get published, validation would come. There were easy ways, during that time. They were called vanity press and subsidized publishing. The idea was to self publish your book. After all, if you believed in your story . . .

I never had that kind of money, and I held out for the publisher of my dreams. Several manuscripts, and many rejections later, I’m still waiting.

Many of my friends have gone the E-book route. Some of them do very well, even though they don’t make large amounts of cash. They saturate the market with books written by them. Members of my critique group try to persuade me to self publish, but I keep holding out.

Having a publisher can be like being under the wing of protection. It can also be aggravating. Self-publishers take all the risk and do all the work, but they don’t have to share the profit. Still, having a contract with a publisher says something about me. It says I’m good enough for traditional book selling. It also qualifies me for membership in certain author’s groups.

So, what do you think? Should I stop submitting and get all my books ready for self-publishing? I’m I just being lazy? It is easier to be rejected, than to push a book through from beginning to end. Marketing becomes your all-consuming pastime, but it’s the same with a traditional publisher. The days of the reclusive writer are over.

To add angst to my dilemma, I’m a former world champion Dutch oven cook. I’ve been invited to submit a cookbook, but fiction is my passion. I want to be a fiction writer who also writes a cookbook, rather than a cook who also writes fiction.

So, I sit at the edge of effectiveness. Many of my friends are passing me by. I need to get off my duff and write the cookbook.

　

　

LTUE 2013 has given me new hope. I have several stories almost ready for submission, one in critique group and another at the publisher. I’m on the brink of a promising career and my cookbook? It’s on the way.



Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

Did You Miss Me?

by Keith N Fisher

I didn't think so. I've been dealing with more issues lately, and didn't get a chance to post on Saturday. I think I've got it under control now, so I will be back on Saturday. I hope you can hold out til then.

Good luck with your writing---see you Saturday.

Beyond the Craft

By Keith N Fisher

How is your writing? Beyond the craft, how is it coming? I had an article ready to post today, but I decided not to post it. Not that it would be incendiary, but in light of recent blog posts and Facebook status’ I didn’t want to offend.

I’ve learned that people take offence even where none was intended. I’ve also learned that my opinions are not always right. I know, difficult to believe. First, that I would be wrong, and that a man would admit his failures.

I once heard the above question asked of a friend at a writers conference. I knew that person had suffered great trials and had considered giving up. My friend just said, "fine" and went on to talk about the project they were working on.

Why do we do that? Why do we think we can’t be truthful with our writing friends? I suspect the person who asked, didn’t really want an answer and why is that?

My friend later, attended a class and learned we are what we are, and God loves us for our efforts. That friend continues to work at writing without much success, but its part of life.

So I ask, how is your writing coming? Don’t give up. Hold out for your dreams and stay away from instant success. Most of all don’t be afraid to tell someone. We all struggle and sometimes it feels good to know you are not alone.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.