Eric D. Goodman's Blog, page 18
May 27, 2021
The Story Chooses the Writer
According to novelist John Irving, a writer does not have the luxury of deciding on a story; the story chooses the writer. "I've always felt my subject chooses me. Even if I don't like the subject, don't like what I'm writing about. The subject chooses you."
Irving admits that the writer is not off the hook. Novels don't write themselves. "I choose the tone, the names, the language, the structure—but not the subject or the story. The story chooses the writer; the writer chooses the structure."
But Wikipedia chooses Irving’s story on their site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Irving
Irving admits that the writer is not off the hook. Novels don't write themselves. "I choose the tone, the names, the language, the structure—but not the subject or the story. The story chooses the writer; the writer chooses the structure."
But Wikipedia chooses Irving’s story on their site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Irving
May 7, 2021
A Book is Born
A timely post for Mother's Day:
When I told my agent about my second book, she knew as well as I that it would be a tough sell. On the plus side, I was following up my novel in stories with a straight novel, which was good. On the other, I was toying with something out of the ordinary.
What makes WOMB so unique is the unusual narrator. Set in the city and suburbs of Baltimore, WOMB is narrated from the point of view of a narrator in utero.
He describes his own reality, his connection to the collective consciousness, and the drama of his mother and her circle of family and friends.
But, after reading the manuscript, my agent fell in love with the characters and the concept. She compared it to ROOM by Emma Donoghue and THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold due to the creative perspective. And we were right: it was a long pregnancy.
The reviews show that it was, like a birth, worth the struggle. Jennifer Miller called it “utterly unique ... humorous, thoughtful, unexpected” and Michael Kimball called it “Strange and wonderful.” Yona Zeldis McDonnough said Womb was “Engagingly original” and Jen Grow called it “a tenderhearted story laced with grace.”
Experience life from an unusual perspective. WOMB is available as a paperback or an ebook.
www.EricDGoodman.com/womb.html
Womb: A Novel in Utero
When I told my agent about my second book, she knew as well as I that it would be a tough sell. On the plus side, I was following up my novel in stories with a straight novel, which was good. On the other, I was toying with something out of the ordinary.
What makes WOMB so unique is the unusual narrator. Set in the city and suburbs of Baltimore, WOMB is narrated from the point of view of a narrator in utero.
He describes his own reality, his connection to the collective consciousness, and the drama of his mother and her circle of family and friends.
But, after reading the manuscript, my agent fell in love with the characters and the concept. She compared it to ROOM by Emma Donoghue and THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold due to the creative perspective. And we were right: it was a long pregnancy.
The reviews show that it was, like a birth, worth the struggle. Jennifer Miller called it “utterly unique ... humorous, thoughtful, unexpected” and Michael Kimball called it “Strange and wonderful.” Yona Zeldis McDonnough said Womb was “Engagingly original” and Jen Grow called it “a tenderhearted story laced with grace.”
Experience life from an unusual perspective. WOMB is available as a paperback or an ebook.
www.EricDGoodman.com/womb.html
Womb: A Novel in Utero
April 28, 2021
E.L. Doctorow: Historical Novel? No Such Thing
E.L. Doctorow is another novelist I had the pleasure of meeting at a book festival.
Doctorow is often pegged a historical novelist. His Ragtime visits the intertwining lives of immigrants in the early twentieth century. The Waterworks is set in the dark corners of 1871 New York City. Billy Bathgate takes place in the New York of the 1930s. And The March, follows General Sherman and his army of 60,000 troops as they march through Georgia, destroying homes, demolishing entire towns and displacing former slaves and slave owners alike who attach themselves to the serpentine march of 1864.
But, according to Doctorow, there's no such thing as a historical novel. There are just novels set in history. "I don't consider myself a historical novelist. I write novels that are sometimes set in other times."
Doctorow uses Nathaniel Hawthorne as an example. "His novels were set in times 50 years before he lived, but they are not remembered as historical novels. Just novels."
Doctorow holds his copy of The March in hand. "When the book is written, the history falls away and there's really only the book."
Doctorow, E. L.
Doctorow is often pegged a historical novelist. His Ragtime visits the intertwining lives of immigrants in the early twentieth century. The Waterworks is set in the dark corners of 1871 New York City. Billy Bathgate takes place in the New York of the 1930s. And The March, follows General Sherman and his army of 60,000 troops as they march through Georgia, destroying homes, demolishing entire towns and displacing former slaves and slave owners alike who attach themselves to the serpentine march of 1864.
But, according to Doctorow, there's no such thing as a historical novel. There are just novels set in history. "I don't consider myself a historical novelist. I write novels that are sometimes set in other times."
Doctorow uses Nathaniel Hawthorne as an example. "His novels were set in times 50 years before he lived, but they are not remembered as historical novels. Just novels."
Doctorow holds his copy of The March in hand. "When the book is written, the history falls away and there's really only the book."
Doctorow, E. L.
April 20, 2021
Even Strangers on a Train Can Touch One Another in Meaningful Ways
After years of trying, it was a thrill when my fiction was accepted by a literary agent. I remember the excitement of meeting with her I her Columbus Circle office in New York City.
Just as exciting was when, less than a year later, she told me that she had found a publisher—Atticus Books—for my book.
TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES is set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each chapter is a stand-alone story about a passenger on the train. The stories connect to form a novel. A side character in one chapter becomes a main character in another, and different perspectives cast familiar passengers in new light.
Madison Smartt Bell called TRACKS “a most cunningly crafted tale.” Thomas Steinbeck, son of John Steinbeck and a successful author in his own right, called TRACKS (and me) “a terrific collection ... an exciting talent.”
TRACKS also received good reviews from authors like Mary Beth Keane, Victoria Patterson, Jessica Anya Blau, Bathsheba Monk, and many others. You can find these and other reviews at www.ericdgoodman.com/tracks.html.
The best thing about the book is that it is still available on Amazon and at other booksellers as a original trade paperback or ebook! And right now, the ebook version is on sale for only $4.99!
Just as exciting was when, less than a year later, she told me that she had found a publisher—Atticus Books—for my book.
TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES is set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each chapter is a stand-alone story about a passenger on the train. The stories connect to form a novel. A side character in one chapter becomes a main character in another, and different perspectives cast familiar passengers in new light.
Madison Smartt Bell called TRACKS “a most cunningly crafted tale.” Thomas Steinbeck, son of John Steinbeck and a successful author in his own right, called TRACKS (and me) “a terrific collection ... an exciting talent.”
TRACKS also received good reviews from authors like Mary Beth Keane, Victoria Patterson, Jessica Anya Blau, Bathsheba Monk, and many others. You can find these and other reviews at www.ericdgoodman.com/tracks.html.
The best thing about the book is that it is still available on Amazon and at other booksellers as a original trade paperback or ebook! And right now, the ebook version is on sale for only $4.99!
April 11, 2021
John Irving & Me
John Irving rarely does book signings, or so I'm told. Early in my writing career, I hauled a couple of his hardcovers to the National Book Festival only to find out that he was exclusively signing his newest book. So I went to the Book Fest tent to buy it, then got in line.
Irving says his writing is often painful. "But you don't not write something because it makes you feel uncomfortable. As a writer, you don't get to choose your obsessions."
"I use details from my own life," Irving said at the book fest. "It, like anything of mine, will have more imagination than autobiography to it. But there are always elements from my own life. Childhood is the basis of a character."
In person, Irving did not appear to be in the pain his books suggest. He came across calm, cool, comfortable, in his casual shirt and jeans, with his gum-chewing smile, basking in a long line of dedicated readers. He greeted me with a smile and signed my book.
Having met Wolfe and Irving in the same day, I can see why their books naturally gravitated to opposite ends on my bookshelf. Still, I wish I'd convinced Irving and Wolfe to join me for a drink after the festival.
As a reader, you don't always get to choose your obsessions either.
https://john-irving.com
Irving says his writing is often painful. "But you don't not write something because it makes you feel uncomfortable. As a writer, you don't get to choose your obsessions."
"I use details from my own life," Irving said at the book fest. "It, like anything of mine, will have more imagination than autobiography to it. But there are always elements from my own life. Childhood is the basis of a character."
In person, Irving did not appear to be in the pain his books suggest. He came across calm, cool, comfortable, in his casual shirt and jeans, with his gum-chewing smile, basking in a long line of dedicated readers. He greeted me with a smile and signed my book.
Having met Wolfe and Irving in the same day, I can see why their books naturally gravitated to opposite ends on my bookshelf. Still, I wish I'd convinced Irving and Wolfe to join me for a drink after the festival.
As a reader, you don't always get to choose your obsessions either.
https://john-irving.com
April 5, 2021
Run, Goose, Run!
I’ve been writing fiction since I was in grade school, back when I was reading children’s books myself. I handwrote my first novel in the sixth grade, completed my first typed novel in the ninth grade, and sent out my first submission letters when I was just finishing high school.
The first book I managed to find a publisher for was in large part due to my wife’s lovely illustrations by my wife, Nataliya.
FLIGHTLESS GOOSE is a hardcover storybook for children about a goose who is injured and unable to fly south with the other geese. He is left behind, but perseveres and ends up saving the geese from danger when they return.
It’s been described as a book that effectively tackles subjects like disability, bullying, being different, coping with change, and treating others with dignity and respect. But on the surface, and to children, it’s just a fun story.
What may come as a surprise to some is that it is inspired by a real injured goose in a waterside neighborhood where we once lived.
Gregory B. Gallagher, one of the original writers for Sesame Street, called it a “wonderful story.” Towson Times wrote “Your child can be entertained as they learn lessons about overcoming challenges, accepting different people, and focusing on positive strengths.” The Baltimore Examiner observed, “Grounded Goose walks away a winner.” GottaWrite Girl called it a “warm and wonderful fable.” Abilities Magazine made it a “Kid’s Pick!” and called it “A wise tale about a goose that becomes unable to fly and must learn to cope with the challenges of being different.”
A review in The Potomac said, “Flightless Goose is appropriately simple without being simplistic, and its lessons—that challenges can be overcome, that being different doesn’t’ mean being less of a person, and that everyone has something they are good at—are important ones.”
Would you believe that after twelve years, Flightless Goose is still available as a hardcover and an ebook?
www.EricDGoodman.com/goose.html
The first book I managed to find a publisher for was in large part due to my wife’s lovely illustrations by my wife, Nataliya.
FLIGHTLESS GOOSE is a hardcover storybook for children about a goose who is injured and unable to fly south with the other geese. He is left behind, but perseveres and ends up saving the geese from danger when they return.
It’s been described as a book that effectively tackles subjects like disability, bullying, being different, coping with change, and treating others with dignity and respect. But on the surface, and to children, it’s just a fun story.
What may come as a surprise to some is that it is inspired by a real injured goose in a waterside neighborhood where we once lived.
Gregory B. Gallagher, one of the original writers for Sesame Street, called it a “wonderful story.” Towson Times wrote “Your child can be entertained as they learn lessons about overcoming challenges, accepting different people, and focusing on positive strengths.” The Baltimore Examiner observed, “Grounded Goose walks away a winner.” GottaWrite Girl called it a “warm and wonderful fable.” Abilities Magazine made it a “Kid’s Pick!” and called it “A wise tale about a goose that becomes unable to fly and must learn to cope with the challenges of being different.”
A review in The Potomac said, “Flightless Goose is appropriately simple without being simplistic, and its lessons—that challenges can be overcome, that being different doesn’t’ mean being less of a person, and that everyone has something they are good at—are important ones.”
Would you believe that after twelve years, Flightless Goose is still available as a hardcover and an ebook?
www.EricDGoodman.com/goose.html
March 31, 2021
Go Ahead, Let Them Change Your Ending
Some years ago, I was asked by the San Francisco Book Review to write about an aspect of my experience with my first novel for their “Back Page” feature.
The article I wrote tackled a question newer writers often struggle with: “what do I do if my agent or publisher likes my work, but wants me to make changes. Or, more drastically, wants me to … change my ending?”
It’s not a simple answer, unless you have a good sense of your novel and your characters as well as a good agent and publisher who understands what you’re intent is.
In my case, my agent loved TRACKS, but offered some advice. The advice to make some modifications to the ending didn’t just change the book—it improved it.
The dreaded editorial changes are easy to embrace if you can truthfully examine them and come to the conclusion that the changes being made remain true to your story and your characters.
As I say in the article, “When I cut old stories, wrote new ones, and came up with an entirely new conclusion to the book, I saw that my agent understood the truth of my book even better than I did.”
Besides which, your agent and publisher know the business. They’re trying to help, not create a conflict. As long as their suggestions don’t go against your core intention, let them help you cut your darlings.
Go ahead and let them change your ending.
Here’s what happened when I did.
www.EricDGoodman.com/tracks.html
Tracks: A Novel in Stories
The article I wrote tackled a question newer writers often struggle with: “what do I do if my agent or publisher likes my work, but wants me to make changes. Or, more drastically, wants me to … change my ending?”
It’s not a simple answer, unless you have a good sense of your novel and your characters as well as a good agent and publisher who understands what you’re intent is.
In my case, my agent loved TRACKS, but offered some advice. The advice to make some modifications to the ending didn’t just change the book—it improved it.
The dreaded editorial changes are easy to embrace if you can truthfully examine them and come to the conclusion that the changes being made remain true to your story and your characters.
As I say in the article, “When I cut old stories, wrote new ones, and came up with an entirely new conclusion to the book, I saw that my agent understood the truth of my book even better than I did.”
Besides which, your agent and publisher know the business. They’re trying to help, not create a conflict. As long as their suggestions don’t go against your core intention, let them help you cut your darlings.
Go ahead and let them change your ending.
Here’s what happened when I did.
www.EricDGoodman.com/tracks.html
Tracks: A Novel in Stories
March 25, 2021
Who is this Goodreads Goodman?
One of the first things I did in my first blog, WRITEFUL, fifteen years ago was to introduce myself. Back then, I was an aspiring writer hoping to become an established novelist.
My bio is a little different now, having had five books published by small publishing houses and university presses with a sixth on the way, and with more short fiction, article, and travel story credits to my name.
Here is my short bio, just so you know who you're reading:
Eric D. Goodman lives and writes in Maryland. He is author of THE COLOR OF JADEITE (Loyola University’s Apprentice House Press, 2020), SETTING THE FAMILY FREE (Apprentice House, 2019), WOMB: A NOVEL IN UTERO, (Merge Publishing, 2017) TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES, (Atticus Books, 2011), and FLIGHTLESS GOOSE (Writer’s Lair Books, 2008).
More than a hundred of his short stories, travel stories, and articles about writing have been published in literary journals and periodicals.
Eric is co-founder and curator of Baltimore’s popular Lit & Art Reading Series. When he’s not writing, Eric loves traveling.
Learn more about Eric and his writing at www.EricDGoodman.com.
Eric D. Goodman
My bio is a little different now, having had five books published by small publishing houses and university presses with a sixth on the way, and with more short fiction, article, and travel story credits to my name.
Here is my short bio, just so you know who you're reading:
Eric D. Goodman lives and writes in Maryland. He is author of THE COLOR OF JADEITE (Loyola University’s Apprentice House Press, 2020), SETTING THE FAMILY FREE (Apprentice House, 2019), WOMB: A NOVEL IN UTERO, (Merge Publishing, 2017) TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES, (Atticus Books, 2011), and FLIGHTLESS GOOSE (Writer’s Lair Books, 2008).
More than a hundred of his short stories, travel stories, and articles about writing have been published in literary journals and periodicals.
Eric is co-founder and curator of Baltimore’s popular Lit & Art Reading Series. When he’s not writing, Eric loves traveling.
Learn more about Eric and his writing at www.EricDGoodman.com.
Eric D. Goodman
March 19, 2021
A Writeful Welcome for Readers and Writers Alike
Fifteen years ago, I started a blog called "Writeful: a weblog for readers and writers." Around the same time, I was writing a short literary column for Gather called "Lit Bit."
Lit Bit (and Gather) lasted a few years, but Writeful lives on. Aside from one three-month hiatus early on when I was still figuring out what I was doing, I’ve maintained the blog ever since.
What began as a place to report on literary events and advice from writers I’d met (everyone from Tom Wolfe and John Irving to E.L. Doctorow and Elmore Leonard) soon shifted into a place to report on my own writing.
As I wade deeper into the Goodreads community, I understand it to be, in many ways, a good virtual home away from home for authors and readers.
Welcome to my Goodman Goodreads Blog. I hope some fellow readers and writers will read my attempt at a mighty yawp.
Come in and know me better.
www.EricDGoodman.com
Eric D. Goodman
Lit Bit (and Gather) lasted a few years, but Writeful lives on. Aside from one three-month hiatus early on when I was still figuring out what I was doing, I’ve maintained the blog ever since.
What began as a place to report on literary events and advice from writers I’d met (everyone from Tom Wolfe and John Irving to E.L. Doctorow and Elmore Leonard) soon shifted into a place to report on my own writing.
As I wade deeper into the Goodreads community, I understand it to be, in many ways, a good virtual home away from home for authors and readers.
Welcome to my Goodman Goodreads Blog. I hope some fellow readers and writers will read my attempt at a mighty yawp.
Come in and know me better.
www.EricDGoodman.com
Eric D. Goodman
