Labor of Love

I've discovered yet another thing in my writing journey: writing itself is infinitely more fun than the work of getting stuff to print and promoting it. My stars, 80,000 words is a fun way to express oneself and tell a story...working out the technical details with Amazon and promoting a book is laborious. I believe that if they told newbie writers this fact, far fewer would ever write. 

But, that being said, I am tickled that American Storm; Book Two of the American Revolution Series is now available. It looks good and I know I became a better writer through the time spent working on it. I don't know if other writers can distinctly tell they're doing something better/different, but I certainly could.

I am now working on book number three, American Dawn. My writing "chops" have slipped, but are coming back. As I sit and write, I remember things and it's all coming back to me now. I think I spent so much time trying to go down the traditional publishing route and then doing the work to get these into print that I almost forgot how to write. Note to self- don't do that again! All of the successful writers I've met have talked about sticking with it and writing all the time. I now know why.

I did have au interesting moment this past week. I was talking to a reporter with the Mankato Free Press and am quoted as saying that "history repeats itself". Not an original thought, but darned if it's not accurate! I was reading a quote from President Rutherford B. Hayes, circa 1880. He said, "This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people no longer. It is a government of corporations, by corporations, and for corporations."

That's about 140 years ago! He was having the same thoughts that many folks are having today. Part of it blows me away, part of it makes me think I'm on the right track. As with all things, it will be what I make it to be. Of course, I like to think I'll spin that thought into literary gold, but we'll have to see.

I'll say it again, I'm a history geek. Always have been. I read more biographies as a kid than I can remember. Even today, I alternate between modern fiction and historic non-fiction. From a different perspective on a historic event, like Flags of Our Fathers to more untold stories like The Girls of Atomic City to a broad topic like Coming of Age in Mississippi, there is a universe of ideas in all of it.

Sometimes it plays out for me in a broader theme, like revolution. Other times it's an event like the Kent State massacre. One never knows what will spark a plot point. Part of the art of writing is to pull a thought nugget out of something and turn it into something useful. I think. I don't know. I know it's hard and random.

I wish I could say I know what's next, but... Maybe I'll just have to go read a little more!