Tuesday, June 7, 2011

WIP Wednesday: Doing the Right Thing

June has been icky so far. A bonafide pain in my ass (and other parts I've injured while home remodeling). I haven't been able to write enough to satisfy my inner demons. I have cuts and bruises on every limb of my body, including a pretty severe sprain of my left wrist. Along with my tanking output, I haven't had a good month in sales for my indie/self-pubbed work or traditional schtuff.

Boo-hoo.

Then I woke to an email from a reader. This particular reader took part in a LibraryThing giveaway for We are the Monsters. Among other things, dear reader said:

"I thought the language of the novel was amazing...Beautiful prose, dark river water imagery..."

Wow. That really fills one's tank.

I started a new novel, trying to write it "thriller style". The voice isn't coming--it's too much of a departure from what I am. I'm starting over. The reader's email reminded me of how I write best, even if it doesn't garner an obscene amount of sales. I have to do what's right.

I have to do what's right.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Though I'll play with the conventions, I don't like that horror thriller has become the default horror vehicle.

I certainly wouldn't ever tell a writer not to try it out, but I will tell you that one of the things that struck me most about your writing is that quality you got fan mail about.

Spot said...

I think its the moon or something. I know several writers who are having a bad week this week, myself included.

But that email should really pick you up. I just bought some of your books on kindle. Can't wait to read them!

Stacey

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, Alan. I think we have to follow our "muse", even though mine is dead and buried in the back yard (right next to the tropical fish).

Thanks, Stacey. It did--wham--out of the blue. I hope you enjoy the books, and thanks for reading.

Daniel Powell said...

Morning Brother,

Just wrote on the same topic myself. Lots to do, too little time to write.

But that's part of all of it--the ups and downs. Through it all, it makes it easier to enjoy the sweet when we slog through the bitter.

That muse will come back--as a zombie, probably--and you'll have one of those periods of blinding prolificity. It's just how it goes...

Tony said...

It's amazing, isn't it? I'm one of the first people to tell other writers, hey, the hell with what other people think. We write for ourselves, and because we need to.

But I'll be damned if a reader telling you they like your work isn't the best thing in the world. I have to step back sometimes and remind myself that it isn't that we're writing *only* for ourselves, just that we *start out* writing for ourselves, meaning we have to be true to our voice, as you've found.

But at the end of the day, we're hoping our voice resonates with someone else, and when it does, hot damn. The best thing ever.

Stay true, brother.

Tyhitia Green said...

I have always been told to write what I love. :-D And if you stick with that, you'll always win. Keep the voice you have--it's awesome. ;-)

And the muse will come back. You may just be frustrated over changing your voice for a story, and now the muse is just being stubborn.

Did you make it to World Horror this year?

James Everington said...

"Beautiful prose, dark river water imagery..."

Wow, even your fans write well!

And yes, you have to do what's right. Write every story as though it's your last and the one everyone will remember you for...

Simon Kewin said...

Good for you, Aaron. You're right, you have to stay true to yourself.

Barry Napier said...

I hear you on that. I particularly find myself trying to change my style/voice in poetry. And yes..."dark river water imagery" is a great description of your style.

Fox Lee said...

We have to do what is right, or rather write what is right : )

S. Williams said...

I thought We are the Monsters was great, by the way.
I know what you mean about writing what you write. If you try to force it, it goes poorly, kinda like anything in life when you think about it.

Danielle Birch said...

It's a good feeling to write what you know best.

Cate Gardner said...

Awesome email--the world is starting to take notice, but remember I'm fan club president.

Yes, stay true to who you are and what you write. We love you and your writing stands out. Keep at it, you will get to the top.

Aaron Polson said...

Thanks, everyone!

Cate - No coups allowed, bloodless or otherwise. You are president for life. ;)

Cate Gardner said...

Dude :D