Friday, September 3, 2010

It's the middle of the night

Today, I felt sick most of the day. It's just a small cold but it made me sleep a lot this afternoon. So now, I can't seem to sleep at all. I keep tossing and turning, waiting for the final analysis of I AM WOLF.

The truth is, it can always go either way. There are so many talented writers out there with so much to share and say. It makes me wonder how my small voice is going to be heard among the millions that are working to achieve the same as me. I'm very proud of the story I have written and very humbled by the awesome response it has received, especially since it isn't with a publisher yet.

What a great thing it is to create something from nothing, no more than just mere words on a page. There is no greater joy than that accept for my family. What would I do if this doesn't go right for me? I don't know. I do know that I can't stop. It isn't in me to do that, not this time. I have been stopped so many times in the past by situations that were not in my control. This time though, life has stepped in and given me a way to make it all work. What would any of us do with such a small opportunity like that?

So, here I am, waiting for my cold medicine to kick in, and I have to say I hate the way medicine makes me feel. Tired. Fogged. Loopy. I think being sick is a waste of time. I don't know how some of my friends who live with sickness everyday are able to get through it. I have such a great amount of respect for them. They are the brave ones, not I.

I guess soon enough I will know the answers to all the questions that I have been asking myself. The last thing I need to work on is the synopsis. What a pain in the ass those are to write. With a single piece of paper I can be tossed in the slush pile, all the work for nothing. What a lot of pressure that part is for me. Truth be told, I have no idea what to put in one of those. I have read many many articles about them. All of them seem to say something different. They are all bound in the same philosophy that it takes a good one to make someone want to read more. Yet none of the articles clearly define what makes the magic happen in a synopsis. What is the potion for a good synopsis?  Be clear, but not too clear. Draw them in, but not too much. Make sure you're vague about the ending, but don't make it too vague. It makes me wonder if any of the people who write those stupid articles even know what makes the magic work themselves. Probably not. It all sounds good in theory, and others have found it for themselves. So where is the magic for that?

In the simplest of terms, the only real question that should be asked is this: Did I entertain you? If the answer is yes, then I have done my job. All the pomp and circumstance aside and the working to make a name and even all the talk boils down to that single question. Hmm so much goes into that, if it didn't it wouldn't be worth doing.

I AM WOLF. Who would have thought such a simple title would end up meaning so much? I sure didn't when I came up with it. I even thought about changing it. Glad I didn't now. Anything else would have been ordinary, and that is something I always strive to stay away from. Who wants to be like everyone else? Not me...lol...

Yawning now. This is good. I need to sleep a little more and hope this cold goes away before it's a full blown case of what ever is roaming out there in the world. Once again, above all else, entertain. That's it. That's all there is to it.

3 comments:

C. D. Bennett said...

Wonderful post. I have to say I'm glad to have met you, Tami, and all the "muses". Being in such talented company makes me feel like a writer again. The way I used to feel before all the concerns of the day-by-day started to whittle away at me. I thank all of you for that.

I wish you all the best with your novel, and all your other pursuits. :)

Joann H. Buchanan said...

Chris, thank you soo much. I'm glad we met too...smiles...hugs...you have a great talent..never ignore it! I'm going to bed again...lol...I think the medicine is about to make me pass out...finally...lol....

ShadedLady said...

I've heard it said that every writer gets nervous and insecure with each book they write. The initial insecurity never goes away. I don't know if it's true for everyone, but remember what Stephen King had to say about it in "On Writing". He still is nervous every time, especially until after his "first Reader" tells him the book is good. (his wife Tabitha)

With writing the book, and finding an Agent, you've already gotten further than many writers. Yes, there are many other talented voices out there, but why can't one of them be yours? Your nervousness is a natural response. This is your first book. Remember that many of us have faith in your talent, Joann. Keep reminding yourself of James' words today...

As for the Synopsis, I think you have a very strong beginning for it that you haven't considered......
“I am part of Tibolt’s clan. A creature of the night. I wash myself in the shining sun and dance with joy in the glittering moonlight. I am loyal to a fault and sing in the midnight hours. I AM WOLF…”

Powerful words. Use them Joann!

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