“A Year-End 2023 Writing Update”
One of the questions people often ask me is how things are going with writing my books. The answers I give will vary, and generally fall along the lines of:
“Things are good. Thanks for asking.”
“Always a work in progress.”
“Busy as ever, but I chip away at it when I can.”
While all of these responses are accurate, the truth is that there’s more to the story of where I’m at with my book writing than what I typically let on. I’m working as hard as ever these days on my writing projects during the precious, albeit limited spare time I seem to have, though much of what I’ve been doing over the past year hasn’t always been related to my books. I figure now might be a good time to give people an update regarding where I’m at, and what my plans are for the immediate future. My journey as a husband, father, business owner, youth sports coach, and aspiring novelist is both demanding and fulfilling. There are ups, downs, and lots of in-betweens. I have days when I see the path before me with perfect clarity, and others where it all just seems like a nonsensical mess. In other words, a typical, 21st century life that almost anyone can relate to! The journey is where the most meaningful rewards are found, and no matter how hectic life can sometimes feel, I wouldn’t have it any different, as the path I’m on has been everything I could’ve asked for and more.
The blog.
I’ve been writing blog articles on and off ever since I launched my author website two years ago. I enjoy the work I do on my blog because the topics I choose to write about (sports, parenting, writing, reading, and life lessons) are important to me. The blog writing challenges me to be disciplined, innovative, and introspective. I also feel like it makes me a better writer. Working on my blog feels a lot like training in the lab or the gym. I write a good portion of my posts freehand using pen, paper, and clipboard since my ideas will often come to me when I’m not expecting them to. This allows me the flexibility to write quickly, and to expand on my thoughts in a less formalized way that’s free of constraints. My goal as a writer isn’t to be a full-time blogger (though if that’s anyone else’s goal then more power to you!). I do intend to keep working on the blog as I continue pushing forward with my books. Those of you who’ve kept tabs on me for long enough will know that I try to post a new article at least once per month. I’m happy with what the blog has done for me as a writer, along with the purpose it’s serving as I continue to try to strengthen my craft.
The books.
The formula I’ve used for writing my books is simple: outline, write, edit, pause, and repeat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked on portions of the books, put them down for short periods of time thinking they were complete, and then circled back later only to discover that there’s still a lot more work that needs to be done. My objective for the books is not for them to be perfect. I’m proud of the writing I’ve done, but I also realize there are both small and big concept areas that need some attention. I have backstory issues I need to address, or perhaps more appropriately, to eliminate. I’m considering the possibility of taking the six-book series which I’ve always envisioned and reformulating it into a three-book trilogy (same content, bigger books). Most recently, I’ve begun experimenting with the idea of reconstructing the opening chapter and/or chapters of Book #1. One of the principal elements to hooking a reader, agent, or book publisher is to get their attention early. If the opening chapter of a book (or book series) fails to capture a reader’s interest, then there’s a good chance they’ll put it down, meaning all of the pages, chapters, and other books that follow may never see the light of day. For unpublished and relatively unknown authors like myself, that’s the reality of the playing field. I currently have 66 chapters written in my books. If the opening one isn’t strong enough, then it leaves the entire project at a bit of an impasse, at least from a traditional book publication standpoint. What’s encouraging is that I do have options with how I can proceed. I have some choices I’m going to need to make, assuming I follow through with revising the opening storyline of Book #1. I’m not exactly sure what my changes will amount to, but I’ll be working on it soon and I’m confident that when I’ve done it right, I’ll know it. More to come on that later, so stay tuned.
The book publication process.
I’m an optometrist by trade with an academic background that’s heavy in science, specifically biology, microbiology, and chemistry. Yes, I do have some creative writing experience layered in there from other coursework and lifelong hobbies, but the fact remains that much of what I’ve done for my books is rooted in a learn-as-I-go approach. I’m not alone in this regard since many other aspiring and established writers can make the same claim. Some of the most important aspects to writing a book are that an author makes the effort to try to read and write a lot, both of which I’ve done and continue to do on a regular basis. I suppose if I’d been an English or journalism major in college, I may’ve hopped onto a faster track to get to this point. Then again, maybe not. Learning the ins and outs of the book-publication world has been a considerable task, and the fact that the industry is ever-evolving doesn’t make it any easier. The good news is that there are a lot of potential ways to bring a book project like mine to fruition. There are traditional, indie, and self-publishing options, along with the possibility of trying to solicit an agent. Learning and research on these matters requires time, as does the consideration process for deciding which path to pursue. I’m not sure which route I’ll end up going, but I’m doing my due diligence to try to explore and understand all of my options. I hope to eventually find an agent and/or publisher who’ll be just as passionate about helping bring my books to the world as I’ve been about writing them. Time will tell what that amounts to, but I remain optimistic.
Personal life.
Because so much of my writing draws from my experiences as a husband, father, working professional, youth coach, and athlete, it’s only fitting that the everyday situations I find myself in help serve as the ultimate palette for writing inspiration and learning. Jen and I celebrated our 18-year wedding anniversary in August. The kids are 13 and 9 years old, growing up fast, and involved with every activity under the sun. I’m the busiest I’ve ever been at work, with three clinics to help operate, an ever-growing patient population, and a rotating, six-day work week schedule that I alternate on and off from with my business partners. I’m coaching the kids in four to five sports seasons throughout the year, with commitments that can range from one to five days per week. Not surprisingly, my writing pace has slowed a little, but I’m trying my best to keep going despite the struggle to resist falling asleep each night in my writing chair. Life is busy and good. The pace I’m moving at won’t last forever, but I’m determined to get the most out of things while I can. I love the saying about living life while “dancing in the rain,” even if on many days “dancing in the path of a fire hose” feels more accurate. “Easy” was never part of any expectation I’ve ever set forth, and I’m grateful for every bit of this crazy life I’ve been given. Best of all, I’m still right in the thick of my journey both as a person and as a writer, and the road I’m walking leads me in one certain direction: onward.
Thanks for reading everyone. Until next time!
- Todd
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