What's the best
thing about this writing biz? There are several candidates, but one
of the best is emails from readers.
Okay, having a
commute from bedroom to coffee maker to desk is right up there. Not
having a boss ranks pretty high, too. Also on the list is the kind of
research that involves hiking, skiing, and barbecuing at the beach.
Of course, there
is a flip side to this dreamy novel-writing stuff, and that is the
pesky business of actually writing the novels. Not that I'm
complaining. I'm just sayin'... There is some work
involved.
But waking up to
letters from readers telling me that they enjoyed one of my books is
the greatest of joys. They also tell me to say hi to Spot. Sometimes
they write to Spot. (And sometimes they tell me that my
book has typos on page 87 and 231 and 319.)
Many readers have
suggested that I write a regular newsletter or a blog.
Yikes. A scary
thought for a
techno-phobic-jus'-me-and-my-Underwood-alone-in-my-cabin kind of guy.
But I get the
point. While I respond to all emails, a book once a year isn't much
communication coming from me to you. So a blog or newsletter would be
a logical way to fill in some gaps.
When it was first
proposed, I decided to sleep on it. Novelists are not usually blazing
fast think-on-our-feet kind of people. If we were, we'd do stand-up.
Or sell cars. Being slow – I mean thoughtful! – is
in some ways integral to the process of writing a novel. The absence
of fast-twitch neurons goes well with a career that involves the
production level of one item per year, albeit a complex item.
So, nine years
after it was first suggested that I blog, I'm acting on the idea.
I guess this
introduction qualifies as my first blog. Will it be my last? Please
check back and see.
Thanks for your
time and interest.
Your humble
author,
Todd
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