What
if you could write a book that made a lot of money but it could not be revealed
that you wrote the book?
What
if you could change the world or make a difference in the lives of others with
the publishing of your book, but no one could find out that you wrote it?
What
if you could write a book that sells well but is often negatively reviewed and
criticized by others?
What
if you could write a book that is raved about by the media, consumers, and
fellow writers but sells only a few thousand copies?
What
if you could write a book that sells well, gets great reviews, and creates
legions of fans – but you never write another book again?
What
If you write the greatest book but it gets published only after you die?
What
if your book wins awards, is adapted into a movie, and is critically acclaimed,
but you find out
it inspired someone to kill another or himself?
Maybe
some of these questions don’t really pose choices, for who can control such
circumstances or predict such outcomes, but it makes you wonder about the role
you play in society and what you hope to accomplish or get out of writing
books.
For
many, writing is therapeutic, an addiction that is rewarding in its own
right. For others, nothing short of fame
and riches will satiate them. Millions
of people are trying to write a book, and to create something that will have
impact and a long-lasting following.
Writers
enjoy playing with words, revealing experiences, sharing ideas, and arranging
sentences in a way that’s never been done in the history of publishing. Writing
is soulful and nourishing. It feeds the
ego and the wallet. It impacts the
writer and reader and makes both want to improve upon the words on a piece of
paper or screen.
The
only choice writers need to make is how committed they shall be to their
craft. Writers need to write often and
then some. Issues regarding fame, media,
money or influence will naturally and logically be settled as a result of what
the public says or feels after reading your words.
But
if I had to choose, I choose writing over living, words over action, ideas and
fantasy over reality. I’d gladly die
tomorrow if I know I have completed a masterpiece. But there’s so much to write about, so much
to say, that I’d want to live a thousand lives just to have a chance at
stringing together the correctly sequenced chain of 60,000 words to create the
best book of all time.
I
choose to write because writing’s chosen me.
I can’t see myself doing anything but that. I live through my words and the impact they
have on others.
What do you choose?
Interview With Author Griselda Gifford
What type of books do
you write? Mainly children's books for age eleven plus, although I have written
adult short stories for magazines.
What is your newest
book about? The Cuckoo's Daughter is an historical story set in 1799 -
for young teens, based on a true story of an elopement - Louisa has been
fostered, always wanted to know her real parents - meets a handsome officer,
Godfrey Macdonald - they fall in love but Louisa's foster-father refuses
permission to marry - Louisa is sent off to a strict boarding-school - she and
Godfrey elope to marry at Gretna - Louisa now knows her parents were
the Duke of Gloucester and his mistress - neither of whom had ever been to see
her.
What inspired you to write it? It's a true story - and I am descended from
Godfrey and Louisa - I felt she was treated badly in many ways but I have made
her a feisty girl who will try to adapt to her new life. (Later, Godfrey
inherits a castle in Skye as well as a house in Yorkshire.) I've
obviously embroidered the story to make it interesting and romantic for girls
of twelve plus.
What is the writing
process like for you? I enjoy writing - once
I have a good idea - sometimes it's hard to begin! We have a lively Springer
Spaniel to exercise - I love painting and seeing friends - so I need some
discipline!
What did you do before
you became an author? I was a secretary in
various London offices including a literary agency, a publisher, a grumpy
Solicitor and the Foreign Office.
How does it feel to be
a published author? It's great to see my
stories in print and I love visiting schools. I went to a lovely Hindu
school in N. London before Christmas, for instance - talking about my books and
selling quite a lot.
Any advice for
struggling writers? Keep writing and
don't get discouraged. Read plenty of the genre for which you want
to write - join a writing class or group. I've run many Adult Ed.
writing groups and find people benefit from them.
Where do you see book
publishing heading? Sorry - no idea. I don't really know where publishing will go -
but I do feel that everyone, especially children, needs books to stimulate
imagination - and to inform - and just to enjoy! I guess more ebooks and apps etc. but I do think and hope that
people will still want to hold a 'real' book, children especially.
For more information,
please see: www.Griselda.co.uk
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Brian Feinblum’s
views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of
his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter
@theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This
is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2013
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