By Ron Shaw
So, I hear you're a
writer. How many books have your written? Wow, eleven published works! That's
marvelous. How's the whole putting words into print going? It must be an
incredible feeling of accomplishment to be an author. You're obviously an
experienced one. What does it really feel like when your words finally make it
into print?
If you're an author,
you've probably heard questions such as the ones above and many more. Although
I never tire of answering them, my responses have seen a dramatic change over
time. For instance, the following sentence is how I now answer the last
question above. Publishing a book is like the excitement you experience
on your wedding day only to find after the joyous "I do" you'll be
honeymooning for two weeks alone in the desert. The title of Charles
Dickens novel GREAT EXPECTATIONS comes to mind here.
How do you handle the
solitude that comes with writing, and then, flip the switch to warp speed as
you attempt to market yourself and them? More importantly, how do you manage
the disappointments that follow your greatest expectations once your book or
books are out there? Is it possible to juggle the demands of your characters
and stories and have a normal life? I’ve struggled as a sophomoric newborn to
the often-wacky world of penning books with these questions. I fear there are
more questions than books basking in the evening sun at Amazon.
Writing is an endeavor
cloaked in solitude. I've had to learn this, and after a few books in print,
I've come to embrace this aspect of the alluring obsession. But, with that
said, the drastic change of pace that naturally comes once a book is out there
and you're called into action to hawk the product is nothing short of
phenomenal and frightening. Writing is innately introverted and everything else
involved after the fact is obligatory extroversion and sadly, narcissistic. The
whole yin yang thing here takes ample time to process.
With time and loss of
sleep, the characters, stories, and writing epiphanies will begin to cooperate
better. In fact, I've been amazed how quickly they simply roll over and go back
to sleep when they're directed to do so. Their circadian clocks can be
synchronized with yours.
I can't speak for any
writer other than myself, but as for me, the selling of books remains an
unadulterated mystery. I've evolved to the stage where the act of giving mine
away is far more gratifying and rewarding than taking money for them. I'd never
encourage others to do so.
So, I hear you're a
writer.
_____________________________________________________________________
I'm Ron Shaw, a southern author and radio
host. I'm a retired Atlanta Police officer. Atlanta born and raised. My journey
into words for print began in early October 2013 after a near death experience.
My first book SEVEN FISH TREE is the result of this miraculous dream or NDE.
Before winter this year, I'll have eleven or twelve works published. Every
Monday evening from 8 PM to 9 PM EST I host a live International radio show
that's cleverly named The Ron Shaw Show over at the ArtistFirst Radio Network.
I've had guests on my shows from around the globe like authors, publsihers,
musicians, entertainers, storytellers, and celebrities. Visit my show web site
by clicking this link artistfirst.com/ronshaw.htm
My personal web site and blog link is http://www.ronshawmedia.com
Often, I can be found knocking about at Twitter @rongizmo Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorronshaw?ref=hl or
my show site at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheRonShawShow at
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/gizmoshaw/the-ron-shaw-show-on-artistfirst-radio-network/
My Amazon author's page link is http://amzn.to/1xsKGKs I'm
also at many sites like Tumblr, LinkedIn, iAuthor, BeeZeeBooks, Readers
Gazette, Wise Grey Owl, Authorsdb, and more. I very much appreciate the
opportunity to be associated with you. I'm very proud of my heritage...my
southern roots.
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