As I contemplate the multitude of directions my words have taken me over my
career, I have a bit of envy for those who stick to a single genre and solitary
focus for their novels. There is a thread of continuality and stability in their
work that I can't claim. In the past year I have written a book, REICH OF PASSAGE, that
combines action, adventure, political intrigue with a touch of medical science
fiction, a novel, DARKNESS
BEFORE DAWN, that examines the rage of a woman whose husband is killed by a
drunk driver, THE CUTTING EDGE, a tale of model who is unknowingly being
stalked by a man who slashed her face and ruined her life, a whodunit, THE YELLOW PACKARD, that
has a car driving a plot of murder and kidnapping set in the Great Depression
and, THE CHRISTMAS STAR,
a book involving a sixteen-year-old boy dealing with the death of his Medal of
Honor winning father in 1945. In a very real sense, each of these novels is
vastly different from the others. These books are looking at life from
completely different point of views, have vastly different settings and employ
themes ranging from saving the world to seeking justice to simply finding a
reason to live. And, as I study my next likely projects, this eclectic mix of
subjects, settings, periods and themes continues. I'm even throwing in a
devotional book into the mix. So, why am I all over the place when so many
others stay on the same page? The answer is obvious.
I learned a long ago that I am wired much differently than most people. I seem
to have an interest in everything. I want to know the story behind each person I
meet. I can't watch a classic movie without checking on the history of the
actors, why the script was written and the locations used in filming. I do the
same thing with sports, books and even the Bible. I have to know the
backstories. That is really how REICH OF PASSAGE was born.
I dug into the history of an actress after watching one of her films. After
reading three biographies and seeing all her movies, I began to wonder, could
someone like this deal with life in a modern world. How would she fit in if she
had a "Rip Van Winkle" experience that transported her from 1937 to today? That
idea grew in my mind to becoming a challenge for a book. To create the plot I
had to find a way to take someone who had died at the age of twenty-six and
bring them back to life in today's world. That led me to exploring everything to
do with her era including language and fashion. Then, as just having her come to
life was not enough to create an interesting story, I had to dig into the past
to find a plot that would give her life meaning in the future. What resulted is
likely one, along with THE
YELLOW PACKARD and THE
CHRISTMAS STAR, of the best things I've ever written and maybe the most fun
I've ever had at a keyboard. But is a finished book that is never published
really a book? In my mind it isn't and that is where the solitary nature of a
writer is left behind and as give my work to someone else.
Considering all the different genres I like to use and all the different ideas
that are constantly floating in my head leads me to the reveal the most
important element in advancing my career. I have an agent who encourages me to
go in whatever direction I am going at that moment. She doesn't limit me or
force me to confirm to a specific mold. She lets me be me. And when I am
finished with my work, I have to have faith in her ability to sell what I have
created. Thus, I must trust her enough to let her be her.
Writing might well be a solitary experience in its beginning stages but it is a
team sport. Successful writers have to have an agent who believes in their
ability to tell a story. That agent has to accept us for all our quirks. Then
that agent has to find a publisher or publishers who recognize the potential of
our work and that agent has to convince those publishers our books have value.
Then come the editors who show us the holes in our manuscripts, put us back to
work fixing our books and link us to some incredible folks who do everything
from design covers to securing sellers who'll carry our product. When you
consider all the people it takes to produce the book it is overwhelming. Yet it
is that team that brings one idea to life. It is that team, beginning with the
agent and ending with the readers, that allows my unique way of looking at the
world to actually go from curiosity to concept to book. Yes, writing is a team
sport.
Book trailer for THE YELLOW
PACKARD YouTube
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Ace Collins
5 comments posted.
I think that writers who have broad interests have a better chance of cross-genre writing. And writers tend to ask the hard questions and always want to know more and dig deeper. Shallow and hollow don't fit my idea of a great novelist. Getting a book to production does take a team of people to at least sound out your wants to see if they can stand up in the waters.
(Alyson Widen 9:26pm October 1, 2012)
It's great that you have a very different and varied way of looking at life. It helps to keep your readers guessing as to what your next book is going to be about. The themes of your books are very fascinating, and although I have to confess that I'm not familiar with your books, I like the themes of what they're about very much, and am looking forward to reading them. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'm a child of the WWII era, and the topics peaked my interest. It's also nice of you to stop by and offer your point of view, so that we know where you're coming from as an Author. The cover of your latest book is wonderful!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:43pm October 1, 2012)
It sounds like Captain America. He was frozen from the WWII era before he is awaken. It is always interesting just to see the world through their eyes of how much changes have happened since then.
Love your except.
(Kai Wong 10:45pm October 1, 2012)