Thursday, August 8, 2013

What Would You Choose?



What if you could write a book that made a lot of money but it could not be revealed that you wrote the book?

What if you could change the world or make a difference in the lives of others with the publishing of your book, but no one could find out that you wrote it?

What if you could write a book that sells well but is often negatively reviewed and criticized by others?

What if you could write a book that is raved about by the media, consumers, and fellow writers but sells only a few thousand copies?

What if you could write a book that sells well, gets great reviews, and creates legions of fans – but you never write another book again?

What If you write the greatest book but it gets published only after you die?

What if your book wins awards, is adapted into a movie, and is critically acclaimed, but you find out it inspired someone to kill another or himself?

Maybe some of these questions don’t really pose choices, for who can control such circumstances or predict such outcomes, but it makes you wonder about the role you play in society and what you hope to accomplish or get out of writing books.

For many, writing is therapeutic, an addiction that is rewarding in its own right.  For others, nothing short of fame and riches will satiate them.  Millions of people are trying to write a book, and to create something that will have impact and a long-lasting following.

Writers enjoy playing with words, revealing experiences, sharing ideas, and arranging sentences in a way that’s never been done in the history of publishing. Writing is soulful and nourishing.  It feeds the ego and the wallet.  It impacts the writer and reader and makes both want to improve upon the words on a piece of paper or screen.

The only choice writers need to make is how committed they shall be to their craft.  Writers need to write often and then some.  Issues regarding fame, media, money or influence will naturally and logically be settled as a result of what the public says or feels after reading your words.

But if I had to choose, I choose writing over living, words over action, ideas and fantasy over reality.  I’d gladly die tomorrow if I know I have completed a masterpiece.  But there’s so much to write about, so much to say, that I’d want to live a thousand lives just to have a chance at stringing together the correctly sequenced chain of 60,000 words to create the best book of all time.

I choose to write because writing’s chosen me.  I can’t see myself doing anything but that.  I live through my words and the impact they have on others.

What do you choose?



Interview With Author Griselda Gifford


What type of books do you write? Mainly children's books for age eleven plus, although I have written adult short stories for magazines.

What is your newest book about? The Cuckoo's Daughter is an historical story set in 1799 - for young teens, based on a true story of an elopement - Louisa has been fostered, always wanted to know her real parents - meets a handsome officer, Godfrey Macdonald - they fall in love but Louisa's foster-father refuses permission to marry - Louisa is sent off to a strict boarding-school - she and Godfrey elope to marry at Gretna - Louisa now knows her parents were the Duke of Gloucester and his mistress - neither of whom had ever been to see her. 

What inspired you to write it? It's a true story - and I am descended from Godfrey and Louisa - I felt she was treated badly in many ways but I have made her a feisty girl who will try to adapt to her new life. (Later, Godfrey inherits a castle in Skye as well as a house in Yorkshire.)  I've obviously embroidered the story to make it interesting and romantic for girls of twelve plus.

What is the writing process like for you? I enjoy writing - once I have a good idea - sometimes it's hard to begin!  We have a lively Springer Spaniel to exercise - I love painting and seeing friends - so I need some discipline!

What did you do before you became an author? I was a secretary in various London offices including a literary agency, a publisher, a grumpy Solicitor and the Foreign Office.

How does it feel to be a published author? It's great to see my stories in print and I love visiting schools.  I went to a lovely Hindu school in N. London before Christmas, for instance - talking about my books and selling quite a lot.

Any advice for struggling writers? Keep  writing and don't get discouraged.  Read plenty of the genre for which you want to  write - join a writing class or group.  I've run many Adult Ed. writing groups and find people benefit from them.

Where do you see book publishing heading? Sorry - no idea. I don't really know where publishing will go - but I do feel that everyone, especially children, needs books to stimulate imagination - and to inform - and just to enjoy! I guess more ebooks and apps etc. but I do think and hope that people will still want to hold a 'real' book, children especially.

For more information, please see: www.Griselda.co.uk


Don’t Miss These Recent Posts

25 Ways For Authors To Break Through & Establish A Legacy

Evolving As A book Marketer & Publicist

Winning The Battle Over Internet Book Piracy

12 Hot Topics For Authors, Bloggers, Journalists

Do  You Market Your Books Doggy Style?

Does Your Book Blog Do These 16 Things?


Writers Read This: You Are Marketers

Why Authors – and Publicists & Publishers Need A Therapist

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2013

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.