Yesterday I was at another book event. This one was filled
with more than 60 authors, with every genre under the sun represented. Before
the doors opened, I took a stroll, looking at many of the displays. Some
authors had more promotional items than books overflowing their tables. Some
had banners set up like floor mounted window shades, towering behind their
chairs. Others were more basic, while some aimed for a middle ground, striving
for that balance of ‘just right’.
As I was headed back to my table, I bumped into Andrew Allen
Smith. We’ve attended some similar events before and his friendly demeanor is
always well received.
“Think we’ll do well?” he asked.
“It’s a crap shoot,” I responded. “You never can tell at
these things.”
We chatted for a minute more before taking up our stations
behind our tables. While waiting for the potential customers to arrive, I
realized how accurate that statement was.
Events like these and writing in general, can be like shooting craps. Or
flipping a coin. Whichever image works best for you.
When writing a story, I don’t have a specific audience in
mind. First and foremost, I write for me. It’s a challenge for my creativity,
my imagination, to mix fiction with facts, to weave an interesting story. At
times I’ll be working on a piece and life gets in the way, so a few days will
pass before I can get back to the keyboard. Reviewing what was last written may
lead to some shaping or editing.
Sometimes it can make me smile and share a
knowing wink with my character. Occasionally I might mutter, ‘damn, that was
good’.
But when it comes down to a sale at a book event, it really
is shooting craps. Earlier this summer a mother and two teenage daughters
approached my table. Turns out the youngest girl, who was about sixteen, is an
avid reader. She is the one who will find a new book, read it and then pass it
along to her sister. When the sister is done, mom gets her turn. So ultimately, it was the youngest daughter
who was my customer.
“I don’t tell her what she can read,” the mom said. “But she
always picks a good one.”
I watched while she checked the back covers on all four
books. She hesitated in front of the Jamie Richmond series, but kept drifting
back to Why 319. When she made her
choice, that was the one she wanted. She wasn’t interested in the
romance/mystery stories. It was the story about the serial killer that caught
her attention. The mom read the back cover and agreed.
With the sale completed, they moved on.
I thought about this yesterday after talking with
Andrew. It’s true. It really is a crap
shoot.
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Since this caught so much attention yesterday, I thought featuring the back cover of "Why 319?" would be appropriate.
A serial killer is on the loose in metro Detroit. Three female victims have been discovered in motel rooms in different suburban cities surrounding Motown. The only connection is that each body is found in Room 319 and the killer leaves the taunting message 'Why 319?' on the bathroom mirror, written with the victim's lipstick.
Detective Jefferson Chene heads up an elite squad of detectives assigned to the case. With no home life, he devotes every waking moment to catching killers. But this one is more elusive than most. With no clues and no apparent link between the victims, Chene is at a dead end. But a startling revelation busts the case wide open. He's closing in on the murderer, but will it be before another young woman loses her life?
Today's musical feature is from Otis Redding. Enjoy!
And you can check out Andrew's books right here.
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