A Writer's Life for Me

I used to assume that authors wrote one book and moved on to the next. Partly true. Once released, the writing part is over. In many ways, though, the real work has only begun.

With my first novel, I could focus all my attention on that one story. Whether I spent my limited writing time revising or researching or pitching to agents, I gave little thought to a second story. Why bother, until I knew I could write something people would buy?

Since then, I’m discovering the more books you have out, the busier you are. I currently have four books out in the world, a fifth releasing this summer, a sixth releasing in November, a seventh that my agent is pitching to publishers, an eighth sitting in my computer rejected and lonely, and a ninth still in its first draft.

So, in any one week I might be typing away on #9 when I need to lay it aside because my agent wants me to make some changes to #7, hoping to make it more appealing to potential publishers. Meanwhile, the editor who is preparing #5 for release needs me to collect endorsements from other authors. Then my cover designer for #6 sends his latest draft and needs a yes or no.

A local friend calls to ask if she can stop by for an autographed copy of #4 for her mom’s birthday present. Then I find out #2’s publisher is putting it on sale for the month, so I need to send out a newsletter and let readers know and spread the word on social media. Meanwhile, a book club is reading #1 and wants to know if I can join them on a Zoom call. Then our local bookstore calls to say they’ve sold out of my books. I pull some from my shelf, sign them, prepare an invoice, and cart them to the store.

When I return, I find an email inviting me to judge a writing contest. Another asks me to participate on a panel in a Zoom tutorial. I say no to one (this time) and yes to the other. I spend time creating memes to promote my books. Another day, I give my book launch team a virtual tour of my home office via Facebook just for fun.

Then there’s the relentless deadline of a weekly newspaper column.

And keeping track of income and expenses so I don’t run into trouble at tax time.

And continuing to develop my craft by reading good books and attending online conferences.

And growing a thick layer of skin to handle negative reviews and rejections.

Somehow, I figured retiring from my day job would allow all the writing time I needed and then some. But, as most retirees say, I’ve never been so busy. Some days I feel like a one-armed juggler. I could spend zero time on actual writing and still call it a full-time job.

Honestly? There’s little of this I don’t love. I thank God every day that I get to do this, and I ask Him to partner with me in all of it. To empower me, stabilize me, give me both confidence and humility. To use me and my work for his purposes. To grant me the grace to accept His outcomes when they don’t look the way I’d hoped—which happens a lot.

Seems like a full-time job for God, too. Thankfully, time is nothing to Him. He wants to partner with each of us—with you, in whatever you do, whatever your passion. Invite him into your world and your work. Watch what happens.

But be warned. You may become busier than you’ve ever been.

 

Too Dense to be Condensed?

Do you remember Reader’s Digest Condensed Books? Early in our marriage, with bookshelves in our home but little with which to fill them, I subscribed. Four times a year, I’d receive by mail a hardcover containing four recent bestsellers, condensed to fit into one volume. Reader’s Digest provided this popular service for 47 years (1950-1997) before renaming it Reader’s Digest Select Editions. As far as I can tell, the current version operates the same way. The books provide an opportunity for readers to stay abreast of latest bestsellers with less investment of time, money, and shopping.

At some point, I cancelled my subscription but began buying these books at thrift shops and libraries for 25 or 50 cents apiece. Their matching, faux-leather covers looked fantastic on our shelves and I read most of them. They also served as a lovely way to fill bookshelves on stage for more than one theatrical production over the years.

After I became a novelist, I wondered how authors felt about their work being condensed. Surely some refused to participate. What if favorite scenes were eliminated? What if glaring plot holes left readers with unanswered questions? On Wikipedia, you can find a list of every book published this way, with dates—nearly two thousand in all, sometimes with different selections for the Canadian market. Clearly, Reader’s Digest must pay authors well enough to make the pain of deleted words worth the sacrifice.

Taking shortcuts is not uncommon for human beings. For decades, students have relied on Coles Notes and Cliff Notes study guides to help them bypass heavy reading assignments, though the company would never endorse the practice. Since the first “for Dummies” book came out in 1990, that company has released more than 2,500 titles to teach you about almost anything as quickly and easily as possible. In 2016, an app called Joosr released, which reduces nonfiction books to a 15-minute read. Horrifying? To some. But if the choice is between that or not reading at all, maybe the idea holds merit.

Is it “cheating” to read a shortened version of a book? Is it okay to claim you’ve read it? How about condensed versions of long classics you’d never otherwise read in full?

As more books poured into our home and with both of us reluctant to part with any, our shelves eventually became overladen. The simplest solution? Pulling down all the pretty RD condensed books and donating them to our local MCC Thrift store, bypassing the need to consider every single book. Hubby agreed, and I performed the task during one of my spring-cleaning frenzies. I cleared three shelves (which quickly filled again once I reorganized and rearranged our remaining books.) I’m happy with the outcome.

Imagine my surprise when I unloaded them at MCC only to learn they cannot take those RD books, at least not in large quantities. Not enough space, not enough demand. A pleasant young man helped me reload the six boxes into my trunk. I trundled them off to our recycling depot with a twist in my gut. (If you would have loved to receive them, please don’t tell me. My heart’s already wracked with guilt for not trying harder.)

In a warning to his son in Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body … here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

And yes, I condensed that a bit.

 

A Forceful Quiz

My title and the proximity to May Fourth might have already given away the correct answer, but I have a quiz for you this week, a “guess who I’m talking about” riddle.

First clue. This person has been nominated for 52 Academy Awards, winning five; six Emmy Awards, winning three; 25 Golden Globe Awards, winning four; 71 Grammy Awards, winning 25. This person currently holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person and is the second most nominated person in Academy Awards history, behind Walt Disney.

Need another clue? This person was born on February 8, 1932, in Queens, New York.

Third clue: this person is male and is not an actor, director, or producer.

Clue number four. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force, where he played the piano and brass, conducting and arranging music for the U.S. Air Force Band. In 1955, he entered the Julliard School where he studied piano. During the 1950s and 60s, he composed music for several television programs, which led to writing scores for movies.

For your fifth clue, imagine you’re swimming in the ocean. You catch a glimpse of a shark’s fin above the water. What music do you hear? Two notes. Just two simple notes that, when repeated with increasing speed and intensity, would become the “secret sauce” of the 1975 film Jaws. Somebody had to dream that up.

If you’re still not sure who I’m talking about, think Star Wars. Even I, the one who fell asleep in the theatre during my first viewing, can hum the main theme. Although I might sometimes confuse it with the Indiana Jones theme, also composed by the same genius.

His name is John Williams.

In October 2018, two concerts were scheduled at the Musikverein in Vienna, where John Williams, at the age of 87, would conduct the Vienna Philharmonic in a program dedicated to his works. When Williams became too ill, the orchestra voted to cancel rather than proceed with a substitute conductor—not knowing whether Williams would ever be able to do it. Little did they know then how close they’d come to pandemic shutdowns when they finally held the concerts in January of 2020. The limited-edition recordings released last August.

In preparation for writing this piece, I watched portions of that concert on You Tube. I got goose bumps imagining what a highlight that must have been. Certainly for the audience, but how much more for the musicians? Imagine studying and practicing all your life, and then playing these magnificent compositions while led by the one who wrote them. Williams himself said their performance of The Imperial March was the most powerful he’s heard.

Why would someone like me—not particularly a Star Wars fan—get goose bumps? Because I believe I received a tiny glimpse of my future—and yours. The day is coming when you and I will join with the most creative force in the universe—the God who created us and the one who created John Williams. Whatever we’ve been preparing and practicing for all our lives will finally be perfected and we’ll forever honor our Creator with the gifts he’s given us. Whether it’s music or something else, it will be magnificent beyond belief. Every note crystal clear.

May that one true, glorious Force be with you every day of the year.