To promote my horror novel, AFRAID, which debuts March 31, I'm appearing on different blogs every single day in March.
Please follow my daily journey, and broaden your blog-reading horizons.
First I drop by Judy Larsen's blog, Not Afraid of the F Word, and talk about characterization:
http://notafraidofthefword.blogspot.com/2009/03/writers-in-their-own-words-and-blog.html
Then I talk about the importance of writers groups at:
http://awritersgroup.blogspot.com/2009/03/author-of-afraid-jakonrath-shares-his.html
Also, I'd like to clear up some things. This blog tour is generating a fair bit of email, and people are asking me some of the same questions. So, for the record, here are my honest answers.
Q: Did you really get over five hundred rejections before you got published?
A: Yes. And it really took me twelve years.
Q: Did you really send 7000 letters to libraries?
A: Yes. Google my name and "Forbes" and you'll find the article they did.
Q: Did you really visit 500 bookstores on tour for your third book?
A: No. I visited over 600.
Q: Did you really say that to the vet when your dog was being euthanized? (See Greg Swanson's blog for details.)
A: Yes. I get a kick out of messing with people. Here's a pdf download--a 100% true story--where I had fun with a print-on-demand publisher.
http://www.bfnsoftware.com/cgi-bin/home/Members/DLTrack/DLTrack.cgi?User=14915&ID=1432&Code=RMgTDb
Q: Did you really kill one of your series characters at the end of Fuzzy Navel without revealing who died?
A: Yes. And apparently people are curious who took the big dirt nap, because a galley of Cherry Bomb just sold for $42 on eBay. And no, it wasn't me selling it.
Q: Are you really providing new, specific, diverse content on all 31 days of this blog tour?
A: Yes. So far I've done over 40 new blog entries and interviews, and there are more to come. I'm not recycling anything, not repeating anything.
Q: Is all of this really true?
A: Yes, it's all true. I'm a legend in my own household, and an inspiration to dozens. I'm also a very bad example. You should never compare your writing, your print run, your royalties, or your promotional efforts, to any other writer. Each of us is unique, with our own path to follow. Follow yours.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to cure cancer. (okay, that one was a lie...)
Joe-
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I'm never sure how serious you are...LOL. I picked up Rusty Nail again last night. I probably shouldn't read before I go to sleep.
Read the pdf with the POD, and that was some funny shit. I take it you're still waiting to hear back as to whether Geronimo should get the same treatment from your other new character that FastPrint gives to their "clients"?
ReplyDeleteHey Joe,
ReplyDeleteOn Judy's blog you said:
"For example, if you take the most compelling character you've ever read, and stick them in a Starbucks drinking coffee for 400 pages, the book will likely be boring."
Did you then think about an hour later...hey, I bet I could do that and make it a page turner?
Rex Stout rarely had Nero Wolfe leave his house (admittedly not page turners) but what if you had all the action come to your character and just turned up the volume???? Put it on a post it note and after you're done curing cancer I want to see this book! Really enjoying the tour.
Thanks,
Karen
Why is this Posted here? --couldn't get on Judy's feed to comment.
I eagerly await Gerry's story. After all, who can a wheelchair bound, homosexual, half breed look up to in fiction? We need more idols, especially American ones.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I had fun reading it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story, I shall keep on writing until the bitter end.
Best wishes