The new year is here! Reflecting back on 2010, I see the personal writing accomplishments I have made with regard to editing a novel of my own creation. Rule number one is still: Never edit your own work. So, I have placed the novel in front of the eyes of others, to give me an idea of what I may have missed. When editing my own writing, the potential for blind spots is magnified ten-fold. I want this novel to be right both content-wise, grammar-wise, with technical elements executed properly.
Phillip’s Clown is a labor of love. I can’t count how many times I have poured over the text, line edited, completely deleted entire sections, formatted, retyped, pulled my hair out, banged my head against the wall, dealt with middle-men publishers who charged outrageous fees to accept a further edit of content, only to find I could have done the same thing for my book myself at a much lower cost. I’m not made of money.
I want the book to be perfect. It’s my baby, my masterpiece. I’m getting ready to set my first novel free to the masses, to readers, to critics, to fellow indie authors. I hope the novel moves the reader emotionally, for this novel is written with heart, with strength, with feeling, with deep emotion. I want you to care about the characters, to roll with them in their conflicts, to laugh, to cry, to cheer, and to grieve. This novel deals with fear, with death, with loss.
The novel also deals with renewal, lost hope regained, success, and understanding that our actions have an impact on the people around us. Our actions, and the words we speak, have a percussion like a water drop causing ripples on a pond.
I’m viewing the publishing of Phillip’s Clown as a first attempt. I’m finding this part of the writing and publishing process to be very tedious. My fingernails are bitten to the nubs as I anticipate the release of the novel, hoping the reviews are positive.
The novel examines the life of a young boy named Phillip, living in remission from stomach cancer. According to Cancer.net:
In 2010, an estimated 21,000 adults (12,730 men and 8,270 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with stomach cancer. It is estimated that 10,570 deaths (6,350 men and 4,220 women) from this disease will occur this year.
From what I have taken from other blogs, the affliction of cancer on a main character is tired and cliché. Tell that to the thousands of people suffering from cancer today.
Phillip’s Clown also deals with a man named Paul Ray Jacobs. He is a man with a second chance, released after a long, seven year prison sentence. He is the younger of Phillip’s two uncles. His character represents a renewal of life; proof that a person can change if they want that change bad enough. Tired and cliché? Tell that to the 2,000,000 + men and women in the American prison system, some of which look forward to the day when life begins anew. Not to mention the families who await the return of loved ones.
This novel peers into the dream life of Phillip as he secretly believes that the cancer is returning. His dreams are set in a land of castles and forests, rivers and fields, magic and dragons. Phillip’s fears are mirrored in this world, and played out by characters who mirror people in Phillip’s waking life. One of these characters is Gard, a benevolent shaman who seems to know more than he is letting on.
This novel is about family and friends, and the need for support in trying times.
With these elements combined, I believe Phillip’s Clown to be quite a unique story.
And so it begins. Phillip’s Clown is a prologue to a much longer tale. This tale will be split into two further novels that explore fear, standing up against fear, and the relationships maintained and developed through the support of family and friends.
In this coming year, I plan to prepare the new books in a more organized fashion. I will implement the lessons I have learned along the way, making me a better, more prepared author.
Phillip’s Clown will be available this week on Smashwords and Amazon. I’m so excited!!
If you are an author distributing your work through Smashwords, I’d like your feedback on these questions please:
Is Smashwords a good distributor? Are they trustworthy?
Until next time, do your research, stay focused, and keep writing!
I think your novel sounds wonderful. I decided long ago that execution is all. Take my genre — fantasy. I love the old classic tropes, but publishers don’t necessarily want the same old beloved “cliches.” But the thing is, in a capable author’s hands, those cliches are wonderful and beloved and fresh. It’s the execution that makes the difference, I think.
As for Smashwords, I’ve only heard good things about them. My novella is up there now.
You might consider getting Zoe Winters’ book “Becoming an Indie Author.” She goes into good detail about formatting and the technical side of getting your book online. I followed her instructions pretty much to the letter, and it was not difficult at all. Time consuming, but not difficult.
Best of luck to you in 2011!
Amy
Thank you for the compliment, and the recommendation. Your positive feedback is much appreciated!
Congratulations on the great reviews for Silver Thaw!
Best regards,
Robert
Hello – I found your blog while scouting for books to add to my Online Novels site.
In response to your question about Smashwords, I echo the comments of the previous poster. I have a novel on there (under a pen name) and have nothing but praise for their business model and their responsiveness. The best feature of Smashwords, I think, is that they distribute the books to major vendors such as Apple, Barnes & Noble and Sony and I have picked up sales this way in markets which would have been closed to me otherwise. I recommend Smashwords’ free marketing guide.
Best of luck with your writing!
Sincerely, Susan Crealock
Hi!
I am hearing nothing but praise about Smashwords. I use Smashwords’ free marketing guide. It’s a great resource. Thank you for your feedback!
Best regards,
Robert
Hi, I’m confused, will this be your first novel to be published?
Hi! How are you, Dian? Yes, this is the first novel to be published. Did I give you a different impression?
The book will be published this week. I’m so excited!! Happy New Year to you!!:)
Ya… it’s just the way you write i guess… looks as if you’ve been writing since… oh i don’t know since when. 🙂