As I've mentioned a few times, I decided to write a book. I kind of knew what I wanted to write about but I was not sure how to pick the correct style to write it in. I called it my voice. What would my voice be for this and would it fit what I wanted to say.
I called the one person I knew, pretty well, but do you really know anyone? My brother has had a long, and successful, career as a publicist. He has done work for many but his specialty has revolved around writers. He, like the rest of the family, is a glutton for punishment.
Is there any group of creative people more self destructive, narcissistic, and emotional than writers? I think not. Oh sure all creative people have their faults but writers are just a little bit nuttier than the rest.
Why you would want to spend your career dealing with these folks, I don't get but bless him for doing it. His business really was launched when years ago a young-ish writer found him to be just the person he was looking for to manage his business of getting his books front and center with the media.
Michael Crichton loved working with my brother. Joe kept him in line, focused, and most importantly, wasn't afraid to tell him no you can't do that. Because of Crichton's success Joe travelled the world and got to meet some really important and interesting people.
But what kept him on top, was that he is good at what he does. So it is with great respect and fear that I have turned to him to be the editor for my book. I only hope he can put aside the torture and angst I rained down on him in his early years.
I knew that if I was going to have any chance of writing a book that people would want to read I was going to have to listen to his advice and do what he suggested. As a semi control freak this was going to be difficult.
Our first meeting was to discuss my voice and after we talked about all the different options I felt comfortable with the direction we settled upon. Once I started to actually write, I found a completely different voice and went with that, but I think it was the right choice. We'll see what he thinks.
I sent him an early copy of what I had done, thinking I was almost complete, only to have him send back a simple response. "Nice pamphlet. It needs to be twice as long at least." Ok. More research needed I guess.
I hate to admit it but he was, of course, right. It was too short. I have now sent him another "completed" version that is nearly 50,000 words and I think it is much better than the first copy. My fear is that he will come back and tell me I need to write more.
This whole process has been fun and interesting for me. I have loved going back and reliving some events in my life that I forgot about, along with enjoying the whole process of writing. A I mentioned before I am doing this because I made a promise to myself in high school that I would someday write one. I told plenty of lies to myself in school but this was one I had to keep.
So, we'll see what he thinks and if he believes it has some redeeming value then we will figure out the next steps to getting it published. I will continue to keep you in the loop on our progress.