A few months back I was asked, yet again, if someone could read my writing. Every time this happens, I immediately want to say 'no' because I know how it's going to end. I spend hours upon hours going over my entire body of work to find something that would fit into the person's reading likes. After I do that and select a few short stories and poems (never email my novels to anyone just casually asking), I email this work out.
Then I wait, and wait and wait...a year later, I break down and ask the person what they thought about my work. It's always the same thing "Oh, I got really busy and never got a chance to look it over". To that I want to say something mean and childish with perhaps a few curse words.
I then thought up a great idea. I put all of my work I wasn't considering for publication on a blog. This took me a bit of time as well, but it was all there. Now, if someone asks to read my work, I simply send them the blog link and NEVER ask them anything again. I know they still aren't reading it and I simply don't care. I don't care because I'm not agonizing over picking the perfect story just for them.
Yes, when we published the Ten Dime Novels, soon to be Pocket Novels, I was worried about my audience. It was my very first real publication. People bought my stories to support me, but several didn't read them. Some did and are now concerned about me because they didn't know I wrote things like that. You can't please them all, especially not family members who think I write happy, light stories.
If anyone is interested in reading my highly unedited work, you can find it here. Comments, criticism, hate mail, or corrections are welcome. I update the blog every so often if I write something that is 1) not a novel, 2) not being considered for Pocket Novel Publishing or 3) something I feel can actually be posted (yes, I do have work I'm not sharing for reasons that are none of your business...read *porn*....family members are now even more shocked than before).
Ps. Pocket Novel Publishing does not have the fancy website up yet, but you can find out a bit more by clicking on the links below:
- Facebook1 OR Facebook2
- Twitter: @pocketnovels
- Blog
- Email: pocketnovels@yahoo.com
You know my parents haven't read my stories, mainly because I haven't let them yet. I fear they also think I write happy and light stories. I appreciate you sharing Jeff Goins blog. That's been kind of a kick in the pants to keep writing they way I do. There is only one me (thankfully!) but I see the world the way I see it. I like your unique viewpoint too. I believe looking at the world through the eyes of others helps to make us whole human beings, even when that view is way different than you thought.
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