Been reading a terrific biography of Emile Zola after having completed a biography of Henry Miller. One connection they have with every author who ever lived – poor reviews. So, Hemingwaywantabes, never let rejection bother you. Certainly learn from criticism, but keep pumping out your words and do your very best to tell the story you want to tell. Revise, revise, revise, and then revise again, but be true to yourself. More tips like this are available free if you download my book, How to Become A Published Author: Idea to Publication, displayed above. Since the new Thomas Merton biography is my twentieth book, I actually know what I am talking about when it comes to the publishing process. Please take a gander and then let me know if there is anything I may do to help you with your book.
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Hemingway, Bugliosi, and Bush
Posted by Mark Shaw on July 11, 2008
Ever wonder what Ernest Hemingway would think of President George W. Bush. Would the macho writer bond with the macho, chest-beating president who goes to war under false pretenses and then boasts about the achievement despite the loss of life of more than four thousand American soldiers/kids and more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians? Or would he be repulsed by this administration, one that continues to be so disconnected from the real world that the pres did not not even know when a gallon of gas hit four dollars?
If you want to read one man’s opinion about this state of affairs, I encourage all hemingwaywantabes to read The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder by former Mansion prosecutor and best selling author Vincent Bugliosi. Despite being ignored by the media, the book hit the NY Times bestseller list this week because Vince, as he always does, actually researches his topics and then tells the truth based on the facts. Amazing, huh, but Vince actually believes in this way of living. Bless this man, I say – what a refreshing change of pace from writers who merely make up the facts to fit their storyline.
I’m about a third of the way through this book and while I don’t agree with everything Vince says (I may call him Vince because we know each other with him having written a jacket cover endorsement for my biography of famed attorney Melvin Belli)), he speaks with straight tongue when it comes to describing Bush and his lack of real love for this country. The insights presented, if one keeps an open mind while reading, certainly help one understand why there is no question Bush is the worst president we have ever had, with the only shining light right now that the ego-driven, holier-than-thou pres will be gone in six months. Thank you Lord.
For my part, I feel very sorry for the pres and pray for him for he has no idea what chaos he has caused. But you don’t need my opinion – read Vince’s and then tell me what you think.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Belli, Bestsellers, Books, Bugliosi, Bush, Courts, Fiction, Hemingway, Law, Literary, Melvin Belli, Murder, Non-Fiction, President, President Bush, Prosecution, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, Vincent Bugliosi | Leave a Comment »
Hemingway and Rejection
Posted by Mark Shaw on June 24, 2008
Ernest Hemingway knew all about rejection from his earliest days as a writer. Many of his first attempts at fiction were scolded, thought unworthy of publication. But he was never one to give up, and through hard work, his writing became so good that when people read his words it took their breath away.
Hemingway’s honed his craft as a newspaper correspondent for the Toronto Star. Soon he had gained a reputation for vivid description and the ability to present characters as if they were standing right next to readers. When he began to write fiction, this trait aided his efforts and the result is many of the great books in history.
We may learn from Hemingway about rejection and never giving up. In Step 8 of “How to Become a Published Author: A to Z” that you may download or print out from this weblog, I talk about these subjects. And I do so from experience. When my first book, Down for the Count, chronicling the Mike Tyson rape trial, was published, the reviews nationwide were terrific. But my hometown newspaper critic hammered the book with the headline, “Shaw’s book on Tyson worthless.” After I yelled and screamed for a few minutes at the disappointment, i finally settled down and said, “I’ll show that critic. I’ll just write another book.” I did, and it did well, and fifteen years later, I have had nearly twenty books published with more on the way.
Hemingwaywantabes, never, ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. And don’t let rejection cause you grief. Learn from what you hear, but then keep going forward, using the rejection as inspiration like Hemingway did. This will help you when you are trying to find a literary agent or a publisher for your book, because as I tell writers at my seminars, it only takes one to say “yes.” Keep the faith, keep trying, and in the end, you will find the success you are looking for.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Books, Fiction, Hemingway, Inspiration, Literary Agent, Newspaperman, Non-Fiction, Publisher, Publishing, Rejection, Tyson, Words, Writers, Writing | 2 Comments »
Hemingway and Lengthy Books
Posted by Mark Shaw on June 22, 2008
Recently, an aspiring author in Indiana asked me whether his new book is too short in length. I first said to him, “Well, one of the great books of all time, Old Man and the Sea, was a very short book and yet one of the great literary classics of all time. In fact, when someone said to Mr. Hemingway, ‘The book could have been longer,’ he is reported to have said, ‘Listen, the book is about a fisherman and a fish. Enough said.’”
The length of a book isn’t even close to as important as the content. A compelling story of any length is publishable and there are many examples of such books. Look at Tuesday’s with Morrie, or Marley and Me in the non-fiction area, or even Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, one of my favorites. All these books are not lengthy, but the stories are gripping, true page-turners because of the pacing, the tempo, and the refreshing voice of the writer shining through.
So, Hemingwaywantabes, when you are assessing the viability of your book, first check the story to see if there is a terrific beginning, middle and end. This must be true with every sentence, every paragraph, and every chapter. Then take a good look at your characters, are they exciting, unpredictable, and unusual? Are they realistic, and have you permitted them to move forward, to grow, with drama and surprise as the text moves along. Remember that no book worth publishing may be labeled with the dreaded “B” word – boring! Make your book pages leap out at readers, excite them as they read every word you have written.
These ideas and more are featured in the good writing section of “How to Become A Published Author: A to Z” book that you may download free of charge on this blogsite. Read it when you have time, and then please send along questions so that I may help you. Meanwhile, blessings for your writings and for inspiration’s sake, keep saying “I will be published.”
Posted in Hemingway and Lengthy Books, Uncategorized | Tagged: Agents, Book Characters, Books, Chapters, Free books, Hemingway, Literary, Literary Agents, Moveable Feast, Old Man and the Sea, Pacing, Published, Publisher, Tempo, Writers, Writing | Leave a Comment »
