As a writer, I have to grind it out day to day—draft and edit, draft and edit—until I’ve done the best I can (at that specific juncture in my writing journey) with my manuscript.
A manuscript which, ironically, romanticizes (or omits) the day to day, and is an attempt to funnel any “grind” into a concisely worded invitation into the flashiest parts of my imagination.
Yep, that couple of paragraphs that portrayed a knife fight… The reader blasted through it in seconds… It took me two days to get those two paragraphs squared away to the point that I thought they were pretty good. I think if readers acknowledge the effort required by the writer for that entertainment once in a while, there is some deeper appreciation. BUT… That’s now what it’s about, is it? What I think you missed is that in spite of that irony there is something very right about the work/product ratio you describe here. Even if a reader casually blows off your work, the sense of accomplishment that got the reader to just look at those words in the first place is significant. It’s not even an ego thing, either. I’m generally my worst critic and yet the drive to keep going does not diminish.
Are you asking as the caveman who writes of the future? Or as the author who lives like 14 hours in the relative past?
All humour bodes well with me. The more offensive and obscene, the better. However! I am a very small minority of maybe 5.. ever. Who will laugh at anything and probably everything. Whatever the wrong emotional reaction to express, I then express! eeeshkk
You and me both. I usually just keep my mouth shut, though. People seem to have a really small tolerance for non-PC humor in a face-to-face interaction.
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I am quite good at nodding and smiling politely. However I tend to get away with saying shit that just puts people off balance because I’m tiny and adorable. Like if Barbie’s little sister Skipper or Stacey said some shit about snorting cocaine behind the stanky cumdumpster. I mean… eating out an apple turnover, I totes just got some white powder dust around my mouth and nose… I mean… consuming delicious forbidden fruits… I mean…
Hah. Fuck it. I’m just taking a dump. Whaddya want from me?
I am sorely tempted to post a link to a certain video-game chain gang song that’s been making the rounds on YouTube, but politeness dictates restraint. Nonetheless, I know exactly what you’re going through. Of all the artists, I think writers must experience the fruits of success most indirectly.
On another note, I finished Echo Vol. 1 today! Got it years ago, got interrupted, and realized I hadn’t finished it. Oh the cliffhanger! You dog! Now I have to buy the next book just to see how that ill-fated insert goes down.
On yet another note – I hope this doesn’t come across as too self-serving – I’m part of a course called Write to Publish from the Write Practice, and this week’s assignment is to interview an author from outside of the course. It’s supposed to be short, just four basic questions, shouldn’t take any more than 30 minutes of your time, at your convenience. Would you be interested?
Man, about a year and a half ago, I went back and revised Echo 1. If you read the original, super unconcise adverb-heavy version, then I apologize! I’m fine with being interviewed. You can shoot the questions to me at kentwayneauthor@gmail.com. My spam filter game is pretty strong, so lemme know in these comments when you’ve sent the email, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t get lost in the filter. 🙂
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You know, I think I read the original! I’ll have to go back, but it wasn’t the adverbs that turned me off. For a while, I went through a more puritanical period in my entertainment consumption – partly under the influence of my girlfriend, partly genuine. Thing is – the way you use lewdness and profanity in Echo is true to the military experience, and would be disingenuous any other way; even the military sci-fi great, Heinlein, still made oblique reference to the rough language of the armed services.
I guess now I’m at the stage where I don’t mind that others use profanity in their works, so long as it’s purposeful. Game of Thrones style lewdness is still a turn off.
Anyways, the email should be sent! Thanks for saying yes!
Cool! Yeah, I explain to folks that the swearing in Echo really doesn’t touch the actual amount of profanity I experienced during my time in the military. And Echo isn’t nearly as funny, boring, or stupid as the modern day military is either, lol! I just emailed a response to you. Looking forward to hearing back.
Kent Wayne 
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