Ask the Author: August Norman
Answered Questions (4)
August Norman
I'm currently at work on the second Caitlin Bergman novel, a thriller set in the Pacific Northwest revolving around Caitlin's search for her birth mother. Will there be a cult? Yep. Does that mean I’ve had to build a religion? You know it. Will anyone want to follow it? I sure hope not.
August Norman
At first glance, the answer to this question seems like a no-brainer: Write every day to the best of your ability. Of course, anyone who aspires to the profession knows there’s much more to it. I have too many thoughts on the process and could spend days in pursuit of a pure answer. Rather than waste that time, here’s a list of things that have helped me:
1. Write as much as possible. Write poorly, write well. Try short stories, poetry, non-fiction essays, journal entries, recipes, and technical descriptions. Jot down every idea you have. Don’t try to perfect it, let it simmer on a backburner. Re-read your list once a week, add notes.
2. Read as much as possible. Read fiction – from classic literary works to the latest pulp thriller, non-fiction, journalism, comics, blog posts. Read about the publishing industry, get a subscription to Written By or Writer’s Digest or Publisher’s Weekly or all of the above. Don’t worry about trends, but don’t write in a void. If you want to be a modern mystery writer, but have only read Chandler and Doyle, get to your local book store, library, or thrift shop, and pick up the latest in the genre. We all want to be Chandler. Chandler was Chandler. You be you.
3. Meet other writers. Writing is a solitary occupation, but you’re not alone. Most people, myself included, can’t afford the time or expense of an MFA – which gives not only training, but access to other like-minded, aspiring writers. However, there are conferences, workshops, and writing groups around the globe. Find your local group and introduce yourself, regardless of your skillset or success. They will welcome you with open arms…assuming you’re not a creep.
4. Don’t be a creep (in writing and in everyday life). Don’t approach people in terms of how they can elevate your career. Express the same interest in others as you would hope they would express in you.
5. Write Reviews when you read something you love. Keep your mouth shut when you don’t. The modern world of algorithmic ratings can make or break careers. If you’re a fan of something, make it known. If you don’t care for something – but don’t find it criminally offensive – move on to the next entertainment source. No need to ruin someone’s sci-fi fantasy career if you don’t normally read sci-fi and didn’t care for their method of space travel.
6. Having done all of the above, write the best possible version of your material you can. If you can afford it, hire a professional editor for an unbiased look – whether that’s for story arc or typos. Don’t give anyone in the industry, from agents to readers, an excuse to reject your book for anything other than your story and style. Don’t expect people to forgive misspellings because they like your subject matter. Don’t expect industry professionals to take you seriously if you don’t adhere to their submission guidelines.
7. Learn from rejection. Since art is subjective, and writing is certainly an art, many people won’t like what you write. That’s cool, the world is a big place. Someone else will love every word that drips from your sweet honey fingers. However, if 7 out of 10 readers react to the same plot point, or dialogue, or cover art, consider their criticism addressable – whether valid or not. They might not know why they hate something, but if that many people do, something has gone awry on your end.
8. While there are many ways to distribute written material these days, from traditional publishers to indie or self-publishing, give your hard work the benefit of the doubt and approach traditional publishers before rushing out to market on your own.
9. Have fun and be open to change – whether in your life or in the industry!
10. If making a list, stop at 10!
1. Write as much as possible. Write poorly, write well. Try short stories, poetry, non-fiction essays, journal entries, recipes, and technical descriptions. Jot down every idea you have. Don’t try to perfect it, let it simmer on a backburner. Re-read your list once a week, add notes.
2. Read as much as possible. Read fiction – from classic literary works to the latest pulp thriller, non-fiction, journalism, comics, blog posts. Read about the publishing industry, get a subscription to Written By or Writer’s Digest or Publisher’s Weekly or all of the above. Don’t worry about trends, but don’t write in a void. If you want to be a modern mystery writer, but have only read Chandler and Doyle, get to your local book store, library, or thrift shop, and pick up the latest in the genre. We all want to be Chandler. Chandler was Chandler. You be you.
3. Meet other writers. Writing is a solitary occupation, but you’re not alone. Most people, myself included, can’t afford the time or expense of an MFA – which gives not only training, but access to other like-minded, aspiring writers. However, there are conferences, workshops, and writing groups around the globe. Find your local group and introduce yourself, regardless of your skillset or success. They will welcome you with open arms…assuming you’re not a creep.
4. Don’t be a creep (in writing and in everyday life). Don’t approach people in terms of how they can elevate your career. Express the same interest in others as you would hope they would express in you.
5. Write Reviews when you read something you love. Keep your mouth shut when you don’t. The modern world of algorithmic ratings can make or break careers. If you’re a fan of something, make it known. If you don’t care for something – but don’t find it criminally offensive – move on to the next entertainment source. No need to ruin someone’s sci-fi fantasy career if you don’t normally read sci-fi and didn’t care for their method of space travel.
6. Having done all of the above, write the best possible version of your material you can. If you can afford it, hire a professional editor for an unbiased look – whether that’s for story arc or typos. Don’t give anyone in the industry, from agents to readers, an excuse to reject your book for anything other than your story and style. Don’t expect people to forgive misspellings because they like your subject matter. Don’t expect industry professionals to take you seriously if you don’t adhere to their submission guidelines.
7. Learn from rejection. Since art is subjective, and writing is certainly an art, many people won’t like what you write. That’s cool, the world is a big place. Someone else will love every word that drips from your sweet honey fingers. However, if 7 out of 10 readers react to the same plot point, or dialogue, or cover art, consider their criticism addressable – whether valid or not. They might not know why they hate something, but if that many people do, something has gone awry on your end.
8. While there are many ways to distribute written material these days, from traditional publishers to indie or self-publishing, give your hard work the benefit of the doubt and approach traditional publishers before rushing out to market on your own.
9. Have fun and be open to change – whether in your life or in the industry!
10. If making a list, stop at 10!
August Norman
Between Books, TV, Films, Web Series, News, Blogs, Podcasts, and Social Media, I'm always absorbing info; some worthwhile, some pointless time-sucks. The ideas I jot down, which may or may not become projects, are stories that make me mad. A strong emotional connection to an experience real people have lived through always puts me in, or at least near, their shoes enough to empathize. Also, I'm always reading several things at a time. Fiction, non-fiction, all genres, lengths, and formats, century-old classics and unfinished manuscripts. It's always a pleasure to see an artist execute an idea.
August Norman
Like any other self-defeating behavior, writer's block can feel treacherous and unstoppable, especially since many writers work non-dream-related full-time jobs and are trying to shoehorn their creative process into less than optimal windows. Letting writer's block slow you down is like driving all the way to the gym - then eating fries in the parking lot. The first step to break the cycle is to give yourself permission to fail. Can't advance your plot? Write something in a character's voice. Can't even look at your project? Write a poem, a review of a movie you saw (even better, a book you read!), journal about your day, something you saw, some tiny moment you shared with the cosmos that no one else witnessed. After all, french fries in the gym parking lot may feel like a reward, but aren't they better right after a good workout? Or during? Maybe get fries, then start writing. I'm no doctor.
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