Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Writers Seem To Be of a Different Clock (So to Speak)...

For example, the rest of the world seems to be governed by the passing of what we'll call "normal" time; you know, the tedious ticking away of seconds, minutes, hours.  But, not so for a writer.  A writer's time seems to tick away letter by letter, line by line, page by page, with the speed of his or her clock governed by mood, inspiration, passion, or--in some cases--the lack of it. I'm always amazed by the writer who can tap out a book in 4 to 6 months while some of us struggle over the process to bring just a few pages to life! It's certainly not that we lack fresh ideas for new material...not at all, if anything it's like...some of us are the "microwave" type of writers--quick, fast, and in a hurry, and some of us are the "slow-cooker" type--marinate, saute, and roasting ever so slowly. But, then again, it's not a race, right? Or is it?

This is why I ask: With everyone racing to be the next millionaire author--especially in ebooks--some authors are listing in their blogs that they are working on 10 to 15 books at one time. Now, I'm not one to disclaim what a person states or does, but is that realistic for anyone?  And, with the gold-rush urgency to push out the next bestselling ebook before the next author does, and having to sell so many so cheap to make the millions, do we run the risk of skimping on quality to put out the quantity? Granted, I'm as much a multitask-er as anyone and am known to work on several things at one time: Some poetry here, my book there, while gather material for another book in the meantime.  But, not 10 to 15 books at one time. Is that even possible? Really?  Ideas for that many books, yes!  But, to literally work on that many books simultaneously, I'm just not sure. Though, I don't have to be. If one can do it, more power to that person, but just let's not lose our perspective as writers...in an attempt to race the clock. 

We're not on anyone's schedule save the one we make for ourselves. Slow down and enjoy the pace. Isn't that one of the perks of being a writer...our own time schedule...no race...no rush!  Except for those who have agents and editors with time clocks ticking away...that's different.  I'm talking about us indies!  Look, we're going to get there...one at a time.  I'm so proud of Amanda Hocking...one day I'm bumping into her in an online writing group, and a few weeks later, I'm reading she's a millionaire: I'm like...Wow!  But, then I'll read about you, and then you'll read about me and we'll all rejoice together.  It's all in the timing:  It was simply her time. And, next it will be yours!

Friday, October 21, 2011

No, I'm not MIA (Missing In Action)...

It seems I caught some type of virus--and, of all places--at the doctor's office. I didn't seem to have neither a cold nor the flu, just some icky virus that wore me out and wouldn't go away. But, I'm back now and ready to get things moving! So, where do I begin? Well, first of all, I'm beginning THIS again! I updated this two days ago. Spent a whole two hours on it and as soon as I pressed the "SAVE NOW" button, I lost my internet connection: How lucky is that?! I'd like to tell you a little about myself that will actually help you to understand the subject matter I choose in writing as well as my particular style. Needless to say, like a great majority of writers, I've been writing since I was knee high starting with a Poem I wrote at the age of nine (9) titled, "Spring, Spring, Spring." I can't believe I still remember that Poem, but I do...every single world of it. Of course it sounds juvenile and corny today, but I was the talk of the school for a while. My teacher made such a big deal about it. She copied it on big yellow poster boards and taped it all over the school for everyone to see, after showing it to all the teachers first. Yep, that was a good year. And, needless to say, a Poet was born!  Because of my professional background in Corrections, Social Work, Mental Health and Ministry (Pastor), I'm drawn to issues of child and domestic abuse, child molestation, etc. as well as all things spiritual and some things paranormal. Some of my favorite writers and early influences have been by V.C. Andrews with Flowers in The Attic, Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey with Joanna's Husband/David's Wife, Alice Walker's "The Color Purple," Beatrice Sparks' "Go Ask Alice," Judith Guest's "Ordinary People" and all things Kay Hooper. I love reading diaries, having kept one since the age of 11; therefore, I love reading books written in the style of letters and diaries and I love writing books that way. I know I left out a few authors, but I'm getting tired now: Still a bit weak from this virus thingy. Anyway, I don't want to forget Anne Rice because, though I'm a devout Christian, I fell in love with Vampire Lestat. And, it was because of her awesome style of writing. I don't watch horror programs and I don't read horror books, but I read all of her vampire books because her style of writing made it so real, like someone was simply telling you a story. I actually read an excerpt of "Interview With a Vampire" in Writer's Digest years ago and that's how I even knew she existed: I'd never even heard of her before then. Anyway, the books listed are indicative of the kind of books I write and I believe I'm a cut between V.C.Andrews and Anne Rice in my style...only I write in diary and letter form. At least, so far. Of course, the future holds other possibilities. Well, that's that for now. I promise I won't take so long to write again. Until then...Live...Laugh...Love!

Friday, September 23, 2011

New Beginnings...

Needless to say I'm new to the world of blogging and tweeting and everything writing-techno oriented. I'm good with the computer and have been since 97 or so, but that's about it. So, now that that's out of the way, you probably want to know who V. V. Taylor is and why she's up here...and who gives a hoot! Well, I want to tell you that I recently wrote a book (titled, Letters From Heaven...and, yes, it's A Great Read!), but the "recently wrote it" part is not entirely true since I've been working on it for almost 10 years. Not because it really took that long to write, but because I got interrupted with life along the way, then busy, then bored, then decided I needed to get on with it since I started it in the first place; so, here I am. I will soon be putting the Preface of Letters From Heaven up here to entice you to want to read the whole book, while I work on a cover for it and proceed to get it published. In the mean time, I will be talking to you and letting you know how I'm coming along with it, and what I'm doing in regards to other writing projects as well as things that ticks me off or tickles my fancy to make me want to write a book about. So, this should do as an introduction for starters. Anything you want to know about me or my writing or my writing projects, simply ask: I'm honest to a fault! So, that should do for a beginning.