Getting caught up on writing stuff.

It's amazing to me how every day things can get backed up over the years. The treasure hunt came first in so many ways. I felt a real responsibility to make each and every year's game the best I possibly could. I don't have to do that right now. Deep breath here. Now I look at the pile of writing I've done and think, "How will I ever get it published?" the stories I've written are for children and parents to enjoy. Definitely not Dr. Seuss material but to me a bit of a legacy to my folks and thousands of other parents that took the time to make up tall tales of imaginary situations and then sit their kids down and bring them into the world of fantasy, whimsy and happy and surprising endings while in the company of loving family. My folks, particularly my dad had a story to tell when I wasn't quite settled for bed or needed a slight nudge toward the spirit of the season on a cold night. I will never forget that loving time spent listening and dreaming.


I wrote "Joe's Story" because I felt I received that memory back for a reason. There is a lot of good in the book and the people in it. We need to hear good things about everyday people don't we? When it comes to our kids, I believe to the bottom of my heart that there are few gifts as great as sitting down and telling a story to our kids. Be it from a book or from our own imaginations. In light of that I have recorded several of the stories I told my own kids, grandkids, nephews and nieces. Along with some silly stuff too. Kids need silly stuff to help them laugh when they don't feel quite so good. I can think of no greater way to honor my caring and loving parents and the hundreds and thousands just like them.


I do have a few problems along the way to the publisher though and that's what I'm working on at the moment and for the foreseeable to future maybe.


One: I'm not the best writer. I need help there......Two: I am not an artist. No way. Need help there and so far have not found the right one to accept an agreement.....Three: Knowing it takes real talent to "get" published, I doubt that will ever happen by a legitimate publisher so my alternative is self publishing. That takes more money than I have at this time so I am looking into somehow doing it on a computer.


All of that seems to be almost insurmountable if taken in one pill. However, having more time now I hope to, one step at a time, find the answers and get something into book form as quickly as possible. that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.


That's what's going on in my life right now. As you can see, never a dull moment.....I wish you well!
Joe

How to write a story

If I want to be a writer I must have a thick skin! At least that's what was in a message I received over the weekend. Take criticism as a compliment, she says. Anyone taking enough time to comment, positive or negative must have found value in what he read. Use the criticism as a guide to improving your writing skills. Good advice! I'll do my best.

Another message offered this: If you write a story and expect people to read it all the way through you have to answer these questions; Who, what, why, where, how and when. Then you have to include several moments that bring the reader to moments of, "Oh really? No kidding? Oh my gosh! Wow! And a sense of mystery that ends with the reader saying, Holy Cow! I never saw that coming!

Truthfully, I believed I already had a thick skin, accepted criticism well, did my best to answer those questions and maintained an element of surprise in my stories. I have to examine myself closer. Evidently not everyone thinks I do. Paying close attention to this advice is critical because it's not me that needs to be satisfied here, it's the reader. I can write all day long but if nobody wants to read it, all I have at the end of the day is a pile of meaningless notes.

Pointing out once again that writing is only one of the steps towards being a writer. I don't exactly accept criticism as well as I thought either. But, I'm working on it. Thanks...........Joe

Writer or author

I believe that almost anyone that has written a book to be published knows how I feel:

Why aren't hundreds of publishers beating a path to my door with million dollar checks for the rights to represent my literary masterpiece? After all, I've spent years writing it. Doesn't anyone realize just how important this is to me?

The answer is: Nobody cares! It's up to me to provide an outstanding indication of profitability. Publishing companies operate by making a profit, not by being nice to would be writers or authors.

The phone isn't going to ring today with an offer. Not this week, not this month. Not this year. The responsibility lies on my shoulders. I have to do the calling and the querying. I am continuing to do that until I achieve success. Meanwhile, a person whom I respect a great deal visited with me and posed a question I hadn't thought of in a while. I am a published author of a wonderful book: "Joe's Story: The Book of a Lifetime" Does being a published author make me a writer? And, if so does that make me a good writer? My first thought was, "How dare he question my writing ability? I write all the time." After I pushed my pride out of the way I asked what he meant by that. He is going to schedule some time to talk to me about it. Meantime he suggested I write down the reasons why the children's story I intend to get published is a sell able commodity. Jeez! I thought the story spoke for itself. Now I gotta figure out if I'm a writer and whether or not my writing is worth publishing too? Will it never end? I just wanted someone to call, falling all over themselves as to how they can convince me to let them publish my story. That's all I wanted. I really didn't expect it. Not really. Almost not really. Well, maybe a little bit more than I care to admit.

Just another day in the life of an author/and/or/writer. It's kind of fun really.................Joe

The road to getting published

Well, I may have been remiss in putting all my eggs in one basket by submitting my children's story to only one publisher, I am finding out that is not the case with so many other writers. The amount of publishing suggestions is phenomenal. Thank you to everyone!

First of all, I had no idea that self publishing was so popular. I was aware it existed because I self published a booklet concerning salesmanship about 35 years ago. There were a couple of reasons. One: I didn't want some editor to look it over and mess with my self esteem by critiquing my writing ability. It was my first book and I felt vulnerable. Two: after the writing was complete I just couldn't wait to see it in print. I think that's called vanity. Three: Self publishing was easy. I had little time to go through all the necessary hoops required by standard publishers. The booklet did ok by my standards. Thanks to a friend in the printing business we got a few thousand printed up and on the stands for sale through a national distributor. Sales were excellent but I made a mistake by pricing it too low and failed to make a profit. I still have a few dozen copies as a memento. It was a real earning experience. Self publishing has its place. However, at this point it is my opinion that an established publisher has the resources and know how to put together a program for a book with real potential. Their guidelines and requirements are there for a reason: Sales! Not vanity, not speed, and not to salve a vulnerable writers ego. A publisher knows how to sell books. That's why they are so important to good writers.

I'm still looking for that publisher. Stay tuned. I am on a mission..................Joe