I take a day off from writing and then I’m hopelessly behind in my writing. Go figure! Simple math, right?
The thing is, though, unlike when I was younger, today I just toss up my hands and shout “OH WELL” and be done with it, rather than weeping and grinding my teeth all week long. There are some advantages to growing older and learning that “it just doesn’t matter,” to borrow a line from the movie “Meatballs.”
So, what shall we talk about today?
How about relevance?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It used to be that we felt that when we went to a theater, a legitimate theater… that we were going to share an experience together. That when we walked away where there would be something to talk about in that movie that had some meaning and relevance in our lives. And I think that we have lost that.” Frank Pierson
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
This is an interesting quote with regards to writing. If I understand Mr. Pierson’s quote correctly, he’s saying that there is no relevance in the theater today….but I’m not sure, from his quote, whether he thinks that’s a bad thing or not. Maybe he’s ambivalent and that’s fine if he is.
What about in writing? Is it necessary for a fiction writer to include relevance in his/her fiction, or is it enough to simply entertain and tell a good story?
As a former firebrand of the Sixties, I have changed regarding this topic. Once I thought there had to be relevance in all of the Arts. Today I feel entertainment has great value, and there are millions of people out there who simply need….some desperately….to be entertained.
TIP OF THE DAY
You are the writer. You know what motivates you to write, and you know your vision. Do not be swayed from your chosen path because others think your vision should be different. In the end, how you feel about your writing will be the determining factor whether you succeeded or not.
SELF-MARKETING
My new novella is out…..”The Billy the Kid Chronicles: Home is a Dangerous Place.” It’s available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. I priced it as low as possible, so I hope you take a chance on it. You’ll find some pure entertainment in it as well as some social relevance if you dig deep enough. Thank you! And I’ve started the next in the series, “Breathing Fire on a Cold Winter’s Day.” It is never-ending!
SHARING CORNER
I thought I’d start a new segment to this blog and call it “Sharing Corner.’ My hope is that those who read this will then comment, and in the comments you’ll share new ideas for marketing with us all. I think it is always helpful to hear from other writers who are paddling the same boat as the rest of us, so how about it? Do you have any marketing suggestions for us all?
QUESTION FOR YOU
I’m not pointing fingers at all. I’m just tossing out something to consider. I was on Facebook the other day and my buddy Mike Friedman was showcasing the books written by a number of his friends. He must have posted ten of them before he ran out of steam, and I thought at the time how nice that was of him to do that.
We, as writers, are going nowhere if we do not foster “word of mouth” sales and marketing. A friend tells a friend tells a friend, and slowly our sales increase.
So my question for you is what have you done lately to support a fellow writer through word of mouth?
Just something to think about! This is not an easy business, and anytime we can help a fellow writer we really should…don’t you think?
MORE NEXT WEEK
Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to check out Mike Friedman and his fine book “The Carriage Driver.”
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 