The Hazy Path Forward
Steps on the Hazy Path
Years ago, around the time that I began to believe in my writing, I started to study other writers.
I mean, I'd studied writing and read about authors I'd admired, but I hadn't yet examined publishing as an industry or writers from a career perspective. So I started reading popular blogs (this was back when blogs were popular) and found one I enjoyed. The writer was honest and frank and funny, and it led to me to read their books.
And what a letdown that was.
The first book I read, early in this writer's career, objectively wasn't very good. I was stunned at the distance between what this writer was capable of, and what they'd produced. But I kept reading their blog, partly because it was so well-written, partly because I found this separation of talent so baffling. And I kept reading their books, and I noticed something - something obvious, in retrospect, but surprising at the time.
The writing caught up. The books improved.
That writer is now a celebrated, bestselling, award-winning writer, and deservedly so. But I'll never forget their early work, and the chasm between talent. It took me a while to figure out why that chasm existed.
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The NFL is a wretched organization for a lot of reasons, but I've been a football fan for years (of the Miami Dolphins no less, ugh) and it's hard to stop watching. One thing I find interesting is how young quarterbacks, typically during their second or third year, discuss the way that their vision of the field changes. They often describe it as the lifting of a curtain, or the slowing down of the game. It's no longer a blurred rush, but something they can control.
There's a point athletes and artists reach where they can exert control over their work. Not completely, mind you, and there are a multitude of other factors that determine success, but an earned confidence emerges. You know what you're capable of and you see what you've produced more honestly than before. Even as you see how much better you can be.
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The Unrepentant didn't win the Anthony Award, which was awarded last month. Gigi Pandian's novel, The Alchemist's Illusion, did. Gigi is both a fantastic person and writer, and I was honestly happy for her - which is, in retrospect, a wonderful feeling, to be happy for someone despite your disappointment. And whatever disappointment I had didn't last long; moments, if anything. It was so fun to be recognized with so many outstanding writers, to have something I'd worked for receive love and support. I know that awards (and success, in general) are a mixed bag, and that plenty of good books are ignored and bad books recognized. I'm not naive. But publishing can be such a grind, and so isolating, that the little successes here and there matter. We shouldn't need affirmation from others to fill us...but we do.
As you publish more and more, one thing becomes painfully clear. There's very little you can control. You can't always determine how a reader will react to something you've written, or what "best of" lists (if any) your work will appear on, or if bookstores will carry you. All you can control is your writing. If you do it honestly, if you work harder than anyone else, harder than you thought possible for yourself, the work will improve. You will become the writer you're capable of being. And you'll have a hazy sense - hazy, because the path will change, but there will be a path - of what you can become.
They're Gone was published today, and it's the best book I've written. It's available in hardcover, ebook, and audio at the links below. I hope you'll check it out.
One of the things I'm most proud of is my membership in Crime Writers of Color, a writing organization created by Kellye Garrett, Gigi Pandian (told you she was great), and Walter Mosley. Some members of the organization thought it would be fun to put out an anthology, and I was happy to participate - you never know how these projects are going to go, given the workload, multiple writers, and (to be honest) the low sales for anthologies. Happily, this one was picked up by Crooked Lane Publishing, the same publishers putting out They're Gone, and it's coming out in fall 2021. My contribution is a take from Choose Your Own Adventure stories, and it's very cool to be included in this project.
They're Gone - Official Launch Event
It's the official launch event for They're Gone! So don't be fooled by all those, um, unofficial launch events? Whatever, this will be so much fun. I'll be in conversation with my friend (and recent Anthony and Macavity-award winner!) Tara Laskowski, and there will be a performance from Sara Jones. And, as always, door prizes for the kids. I hope you can make it! Click HERE to register and watch.
First Chapter Fun
Hannah Mary McKinnon (who was in my last newsletter) had this fun idea a while back - she would read the first chapter of a novel she wanted to promote (Hannah has a BEAUTIFUL voice, BTW). She was soon joined by Hank Phillippi Ryan, and the two of them have turned the concept, called "First Chapter Fun," into a must-see event. I'm so honored that they're including They're Gone in the series, and you can check it out this Thursday at 12:30 PM ET. To watch it, join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/firstchapterfun and/or follow FCF on Instagram at www.instagram.com/firstchapterfun.
Hub City
I'll be speaking with Hub City (a great South Carolina bookstore) about They're Gone this Friday night at 7 PM ET. I haven't been to South Carolina in years, and I'm counting this as another trip. I've done so much traveling in 2020! Anyway, Hub City is a great store and this is a terrific series. Check it out HERE.
The Joy of Writing During a _ Pandemic!
Chances are, you've heard of both Hank Phillippi Ryan and Jenny Milchman and, if so, you know what a fun event this is going to be. The three of us will be b*tching about 2020 in all its glory, and discussing how simple and easy it was to write this year. I'm really excited about this and, as always, excited to do an event with One More Page Books, my local bookstore. Find out more info HERE.
D.C. Virtual Noir at the Bar
Back at it like a bad habit! It's the second-to-last Noir at the Bar of 2020, and the last one before I completely upend the series (more on that in the next newsletter). We're going out with a bang, and this one is no exception. Check out the list of writers and come watch us! Register for and view the event HERE.
An Evening of Mystery
Okay, yes, I know I look like a tool in this picture, but that's how I always look. Shut up. Anyway, the IMPORTANT THING is that I'll be talking with LynDee Walker and Kathleen Barber about mystery writing on behalf of Richmond's famous Fountain Bookstore! LynDee and Kathleen are wonderful friends and writers, and this will be a fun, lighthearted conversation. I think we need that? Find out more info HERE.
Lost City Books
Another one I'm looking forward to! I'll be chatting with two of my oldest friends in crime fiction - J.J. Hensley and Elizabeth Heiter - about the portrayal of law enforcement in crime fiction. Liz's books tend to involve a heavy amount of research of law enforcement, and J.J. is a former police office and secret service agent who has been open in his views on this year's controversies. This is going to be so fascinating, and I hope you tune in! You can do so HERE.
Last year, in promotion of The Unrepentant, I went back to Arizona to do some events in my old home state. One of the events I did was with a joint interview with Isabella Maldonado, a writer I'd come across in various social circles and who, like me, had called both Arizona and the DC/MD/VA region home. It was such a good event, and Isabella is a fascinating person - I was already a fan of her writing, and knew she was working on a new project. That new project was published last week in the form of The Cipher, and the book has received nothing but praise and fantastic reviews, and promises the launch of an exciting new series. I'm happy to recommend it, and her, to you.
And a writer Isabella thinks you should read?
I'm recommending The Golfer's Carol, an amazing book written by a highly successful legal thriller author. This newly released book, however, is NOT a legal thriller!
Robert Bailey, author of the bestselling McMurtie & Drake series (The Professor, Between Black and White, The Last Trial, and The Final Reckoning) and this summer’s bestselling Legacy of Lies, has penned a story that is both poignant and heartfelt. The Golfer's Carol is the story of a man who felt he had missed his shot. An aspiring golfer who pushed his pro tour dreams aside to do what was expected of him reflects on his life to date as he arrives at middle age. He feels he has come up short of his expectations. It is at this critical juncture that fate steps in.
The Golfer's Carol is a beautifully written, lovingly crafted journey of the soul. I recommend it to anyone who has ever wondered about their own journey--which, I believe--is all of us.
It's contest time! The monthly contest winner wins copies of the books listed in my "Two Writers You Should Read" segment. So, for this month, the winner of The Cipher and The Golfer's Tale is:
becky___@hotmail.com
Congrats! Check your e-mail for a separate note from me, and happy reading!
I did a couple of podcasts recently, which are always fun, even though I hate my voice with the white hot passion of a thousand exploding suns. Which sucks when you like talking as much as I do. ANYWAY, I was on Torie Clark's wonderful Chatter on Books (with David Aldridge!) to discuss Erica Wright's FANTASTIC newest book, Snakes. And my friend Meredith Cole had me on her popular podcast, The Writer's Story, where we talked about pen names and publishing and writing.
Until next time, much love to all of you. Happy Reading!