People sometimes ask me why I write. My usual response is to quiet the voices in my head, but I like this quote from John Dos Passos better.
"A novel is a commodity that fulfills a certain need; people need to buy daydreams like they need to buy ice cream or aspirin or gin. They even need to buy a pinch of intellectual catnip now and then to liven up their thoughts, a few drops of poetry to stimulate their feelings."
The thought of providing daydreams for people appeals to me.
If writing a novel is a daunting challenge, knowing how to market it, how to reach new readers, is a slippery slope and the ground keeps shifting. So, next time you're at the grocery and are reaching for the aspirin or gin, stroll by the paperback book section and pick up a novel by a new-to-you author instead. As for ice cream? Well, everyone needs that in their cart.
My new-to-me author is Callie Hutton. I've known of her for quite some time, since she's another historical author, but have never taken the time to read her work. I'm now into her mail-order bride series and wonder why I waited so long to get acquainted with Ms. Hutton.
Who is your next new-to-me author?
I'm still working on my last new-to-me author. When I find a book that I like, I want to read everything that person has ever written - preferably in chronological order. My cousin turned me on to John R. Maxim and I have read four of his books in the past three weeks. Since this writer is in his 80's, this could take awhile. BTW, I have, of course, read every Becky Lower book and am looking forward to continuing the Flower Girl series.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about new-to-me authors. I'm now dipping into what is about my 12th Harlan Coben book. Love the way the man writes. Thanks for mentioning the Flower Girls. I'm continuing to polish them up.
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