Thursday, September 27, 2012

When One + One + One Does Not Equal Three

Gwen and I are partners - Partners in ParanormYA.  Our one + one equals two easily.  So imagine our surprise when we were casually approached as we sat sipping tea and eating scones - this is all happening in our imaginations, of course.

This strange character, more like a stick figure - literally, not a lick of clothing on the poor thing's lines-for-limbs and body parts, even the head was a wobbly sort of two-dimension shape of confusion - promptly announced, in an uproarious voice, "I'm in a book!"

Tea cups clanged against saucers, drips slurped from the corners of our lips and Cleo the Ghost Cat hissed and ran off to a corner.  (You'll understand Cleo once you've gotten a copy of and had a chance to chuckle at Cleo in GIVIN' UP THE GHOST).  Gwen and I exchanged glances and pasted on nervous grins.

"Good for you, uh, whoever you are," we said in unison as we dabbed napkins at our faces and the table to clear some of our mess.

"I'm in a book!" The character could do little more than repeat itself.  It had no ability to move.  Then I realized why it shouted.  It had a round "O" for a mouth.

"Who - what are you?" I leaned forward, curious.  Gwen eyed the character briefly then returned to her tea, shifting a wary glance mid-sip, fearful of another shout.

"Imina Book.  That's me.  Self-published.  Come to join PIP."

Gwen spat out her tea.  She put her smile on again and through clenched teeth said, "I don't remember putting out a call for additional partners.  Did you, Angela?"

I shook my head.  Curioser and curioser this had become.

Finally, I stood up and helped Imina to a chair, asking a million questions like, "How many revisions did your author do?  Did he do any rewrites?  How many betas had a chance to read you?  Do you not have a cover?  Any marketing at all?"  None and no were its answers, though Imina had a book cover that it didn't like so it hoped joining forces with us would give it some help.

Gwen and I were sad to decline the poor dear.  It was clearly overwhelmed and underdone.  We looked at each other, considering our own decision to self-publish NEVERLOVE and GIVIN' UP THE GHOST.

(Have we done all we can do to give our characters full life, breath and meaning; to make them three-dimensional characters readers can empathize with or connect with on some level?)

The days are counting down, publication date coming closer.  But as we helped Imina up and sent him back on his way, we realized how it was possible that one + one + one does not always equal three.****

For readers and bloggers, is there something you do or are involved in where you ponder if you're giving it your all?  Your answer may be too personal to put in comments, and that's understandable.  But Gwen and I want YOU to know that we value your time, your efforts and your willingness to give our novels a chance.  And we thank you because you are the difference makers in rallying toward success :-)

11 comments:

  1. Girl, you are too sharp. Love this post. :)

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  2. Cleverly done! I'm just so darned proud of y'all. And to be truthfully honest, I always wonder if I'm giving it my all. I think it's normal to question one's self and say, "Did I do everything possible?"

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    1. Thanks, Candilynn. And true, that doubt is there but we're both hoping we're doing - have done - our best to share enjoyable stories.

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  3. What a lovely post. I often wonder if I'm giving it my all. I think I've reached a point where I'm comfortable enough with my novel though. :)

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    1. Hold tight to that comfort, Tracey. It is a helpful thing with thoughts of doubt get to wriggling about trying to shake things up :-)

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  4. Great post! I was just talking about this subject yesterday- about how I want to make sure my characters have good emotion and how I want to provide compassion even if you are supposed to hate them, how they need to feel real. I want to make sure my stories are true to my original vision, that the emotion is authentic, that the characters are whole. (it can be such a daunting task, can't it???)

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    1. It can be, especially when you know you want your character resonate with readers. It takes care and passion.

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  5. Poor Imina. He could really use a partner like you. Alas, I'm happy to say you're taken:)

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    1. Well, I'm glad to have you as a partner. Imina and I would never work out. lol!

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  6. Great post! And so cleverly expressed!

    I have no beef with self-publishing. I've done it myself. But I grind my teeth with frustration when I see people uploading books that are barely more than first drafts.

    I have even seen books with fabulous covers and a marketing campaign that splashes them all over the blogosphere -- then downloaded the first chapter from Amazon and discovered that they were NOT ready for publication.

    Yes, you need a great cover. Yes, you need a marketing plan.

    But first you have to put the time in ON THE WRITING!

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Comments from ghouls, demons and angelic beings are nice. But we love hearing from the living most of all :-)