 | 7 Jan 08 |
Happy New Year! May 2008 be totally awesome for you all!
Was 2007 good for you? It was a mixed bag for me. Some tough decisions and some wonderfully big surprises.
That’s the thing about publishing…it will surprise you.
The best surprise professionally was selling the witch hunter series. I LOVE that series and it’s a joy to write, except of course that I worry constantly. I’m just about in the middle of the first draft so I’m mostly confused these days.
I’m pretty sure this book will rock or it will suck. There is no in between. I wrote one book in my career that I feel to be in-between and I don’t ever want to do that again.
Not telling you which book, it’s so subjective anyway. It’s really a case of backing myself into a corner with a plot choices, characters arcs and deadlines so I did the best I could.
Still bugs me though. Really bugs me. So much so that it’s spilling over into this book in the form of constant worry. (I’m also a worrier by nature.)
And so, here’s what I’m thinking about 2008. Life is a compromise many times, and that’s fine. We make our choices and we live with them. But…BUT…when it comes to writing, when it comes to telling the stories of my characters, I’m not going to play it safe. I’m going to take risks and hope like hell those risks turn into magic on the page.
I did that with the Samantha Shaw Series, and even though the series hasn’t been published in two years, I still get e-mails from all over including Australia and New Zeeland asking me when the next book is coming out and chatting about the characters. After explaining to one fan that the series is probably over, she e-mailed right back and asked me if I thought Sam and Gabe would live happily ever after.
I loved that email! Those characters are vivid enough that people talk about them like they are not make-believe.
Some people slam them too. I’ve read reviews where Sam is called all kinds of names and label me, the author, with all kinds of interesting adjectives. Talk about getting a reaction, LOL! But that’s the whole point of entertainment, right? Getting a reaction, whether it’s laughter, tears, breathless anticipation, etc.
The point is that when the reaction is so strong; when readers disagree about whether the book rocks or sucks; that’s called magic.
And magic doesn’t happen by staying safe.
So I’m going for the magic in 2008. How about you all? And what books did you read this year that really had the “magic” for you?
© 2008 – 2009, Jennifer Lyon. All rights reserved.
Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.
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Since 2007 was the year I found all you great ladies, I could easily say your books had magic for me, but then I’d sound like a brown-noser. ;o)
Other than that, I found magic in the ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ series by Rick Riordan. I love the premise, and the stories, and the characters. They’re YA, but they have a way of sucking me into the stories such that I don’t feel the age gap at all. I also found magic in the last Harry Potter. She wrapped it up nicely, IMO, and although I’m sad the series is done, she gave me the closure I needed. The books of Laura Bradford had that special magic for me, too.
I’m sure there are others, but right now I can’t think of them. May this year’s reading be as magical. =oD
by B.E. Sanderson January 7th, 2008 at 7:30 amB.E., we love brown-nosing! It’s like our favorite thing here
I’ve heard of Rick Riordan somewhere or other, now I’ll have to check out the books. I like the occassional YA. And Laura Bradford–off the top of my head I don’t think I’ve read her.
I totally found magic in the first couple Harry Potters. After that, I still enjoyed them but for me, the first two had the real magic. My youngest son just told me that he heard JK Rowlings would write another HP book in ten years. I haven’t check it out, but maybe there will be more books.
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 8:31 am2007 was a roller coaster ride for me. I lost my mom in January, I’ve had to deal with the 5 houses she left me and my brother, then I went to National and got requests for fulls for the first time. Very topsy-turvy year. My hope for 2008 is more smooth sailing and less rough seas. I need a break!!
by Amanda January 7th, 2008 at 9:27 amI think the sting of an in-between book is with us all. I figure it’s part of being a writer, and part of what pushes us to be a better writer. Delivering a “perfect” story to my readers is one of my biggest driving forces, to the point that I screwed up my family’s Thanksgiving finances in a major way this year (we had potatoes, LOL), just so I could make the ending “perfect.”
But almost all my stories give me the feeling that I wish I could have done them better. Every story makes us just a little bit better, so it’s natural that stories in the past don’t live up to our “little bit better” techniques.
Or at least, that’s what I tell myself.
by spyscribbler January 7th, 2008 at 9:29 amAmanda, I’m so sorry about your mom. That’s hard enough, but dealing with five houses from her estate would be overwhelming. I hope this year is much better and that one of those full-requests pays off!
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 9:30 amSpyscribbler, I like your take on it! I’ve been beating myself up over this particular book, but maybe it was a learning curve.
Here’s hoping that 2008 brings you a feast for thanksgiving and every other day as well!
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 9:32 amI love your books. My mom actually got me hooked on the Samantha Shaw series. She passed away almost 3 years ago. She had the BEST taste in books. Thanks to her I have a whole list of fabulous authors that are my favorites. J.A. Jance, Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, Joan Hess; just to name a few.
Jen, you and the other ladies at MSW have incredible talent. As a faithful reader I can say don’t worry, but I know you will. Just know that we’re all looking forward to the next one. Also, in my mind Sam finds her father, sticks with Gabe, and her Grandpa keeps on being one of the coolest Grandpa’s ever.
by HollyD January 7th, 2008 at 10:27 amI am a HUGE fan of Sam, and am very angry that she is not still OUT there. Stupid publishers. I want to know about Sam and Gabe, too! Tell us Jen. Tell us what happens next.
by Natalie January 7th, 2008 at 10:45 amHollyD, wow thank you! By the way, Grandpa is the grandfather I always wanted! I just adore him.
I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. My mom died before the series was published, but she had read the first book, and she was so excited about it being published. Sick as she was, she’d tell all the nurses, doctors and various medical personal about her “author daughter.”
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 10:46 amLOL, Natalie! You have made your feelings known, trust me! But hey, I can’t tell you because we just never know with publishing. Sam could come back…I really doubt it, but publishing has surprised me before
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 10:49 amIn 2007, I discovered Barbara Freethy and Jill Shalvis. I’ve been trying to read all of these authors’ backlists, but some of Barbara’s older books are hard to find so I’ll be trying harder this year to get copies of these books.
by Jane January 7th, 2008 at 11:32 amI love Janet Evanovich. Very rarely do I laugh out loud while reading a book, but Grandma Mazur always gets me laughing. I also like the series by Sue Grafton. I am always reading something. I’m reading Bobby Faye’s Very (very, very, very) Bad Day right now and it’s hilarious! I bought What You Can’t See this weekend, so that will be my next read.
by Erin Hunter January 7th, 2008 at 11:46 amI did’t read as much this past year as I wanted to. My goal this year is to read more. Much much more!
by Karin January 7th, 2008 at 1:38 pmJane, I haven’t read Barbara Freethy in years, but I loved her older stuff, I hope you can find it. Jill’s a fave of mine!
Erin, Janet E is always dependable! I need to read Bobby Faye’s Very Very Very Very Bad Day–don’t know why I haven’t yet as I’ve heard GREAT things about it!
Karin, read, girl, READ!!! My problem is the number of books I just stop reading now. If the book doesn’t catch me in the first 50 or 100 pages, well, life’s too short.
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 3:03 pmI’m late, I’m late. Jake got me hooked on Robert Crais this year. I am totally in love with Joe Pike, we’re going to get married and I will have his babies. Except I’m menopausal, he’s fictional, and I’m just not THAT delusional – but I’m working on it. Crais’ books haven’t been formatic so far, he weaves a wicked web and is slightly twisted.
Lee Child’s is good too (another Jake turn on) but my local grocery has only had one of him so far. And I’m trying to stay away from Amazon and my credit card.
Speaking of series (someone was) and Jake (I was) Laura Cardinal is a rocking character I am looking for more. I have sincerely contemplated a petition drive to NAL with this goal in mind. I would be no problem to petition Kensinnton on behalf of Samatha. And sheesh while I’m at it I have a bone to pick with St. Martin’s press too.
by Cele January 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pmLOL, Cele, you are fired up! I like Crais and Child, although I haven’t read a lot of their stuff yet, just a couple books each. But I need to get crackin on them.
And hey, I think Crais is damned lucky to have you as a fan AND anything else you might suggest to him!
by Jen January 7th, 2008 at 7:22 pmI love Joe Pike, Cele. You’ll have to fight me for him.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying BOBBIE FAYE, Erin!!! I am so looking forward to the second book coming out in May.
Jen you are so right about playing it safe. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that, too. Especially with the series I want to write.
The JD Robb books always have magic for me. I finish them and go, wow, that was good. I get lost in them, I’m right there in the book.
by Allison January 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pmI love the JD Robb books too. I feel about Roarke like Cele does about Joe Pike!
by Erin Hunter January 8th, 2008 at 8:47 amAllison, I love JD Robb too! I’m reading one right now. Alhtough it’s not as compelling as the others, I’m still totally drawn into Eve and Roarke’s world.
Erin, Roarke is MINE! MINE!!!!
by Jen January 8th, 2008 at 10:22 amI read Bobby Faye’s Very Very Very Very Bad Day and really enjoyed it.
LOL Everyone wants Roarke! I’m almost caught up in that series.
I loved Rox River by Emilie Richards and Case Histories by Kate Atkinson was also very good!
by Carol M January 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pmMy mom loves Evanovich too…for two years I’ve been telling her sure I chuckle with a Plum book, but I’ve never loved a series more than Samantha Shaw! The characters are so much more developed. I read the above but don’t get “the publishing thing”. I’m protesting! Just tell me where to protest to! (0: I’ve reread the series several times…whereas I usually read a book once. I want more and I REALLY want to see how Shaw continues with Gabe while handling Vance. Give me more please!!
by Melissa T January 11th, 2008 at 10:05 amCarolM, a couple more names to add to my HUGE list of books to read!
MelissaT, AWWW thank you! I’d be happy to write more Sam books. Sam changed my life, and I love her. But it’s the publisher’s decision, and I have to assume the sales just weren’t there to support the series. But hey, we never know!
by Jen January 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm