Nick Shamhart's Blog, page 12
January 9, 2012
Whose story is it?
The answer is complicated, isn't it? The author gives the reader the framework for them to build the story in their mind. Once the author has done so it is out of their hands. The reader then takes those words, that framework, and makes it their own.
As readers we all make changes and assumptions to the story based on our experiences and perspectives. The slightest connotation of word can change the whole story for a reader.
No one is immune. I am as guilty as anybody. I have made it no secret that I am not a fan of authors inventing their own languages. But, to go a step further I believe in delving into my muddy psyche, because I refuse to play the stubborn toddler "I do not like Green Eggs and Ham" game. I know that my years of work and exposure to mental illness make it difficult for me to be so flippant about a writer inventing their own language. That is just me remember, that does not mean that made up languages are poor writing. No, it is just hard for me to see the inventiveness when I have had to look into so many small frustrated eyes as they agonize over the pronunciation of just one word in English. Do you see how my personal experiences color what I read?
Or, how it has taken me five times of reading "The Old Man and the Sea" not to change the ending to what I see as more poignant. I love the book, but I always read it as a story of pride and how far a person will go to know what they are capable of; to know who they are. With that in mind I always change the ending to that the old man loses all of the fish. He brings nothing home with him, but the experience and the story. He proved to himself what he could do. That loses something for me when all of his village sees the fish's skeleton. So I always changed the ending in my mind after I had read it. This is not some random bored-at-the-airport purchased book. This is the 1953 Pulitzer Prize winner and my psyche changes the ending!!!
The story is written by the author, but it belongs to all those who read it.
December 31, 2011
To another year!
To me, no other holiday holds the level of spiritual gravitas that New Years does. We don't ascribe it any religious significance, nor do we dress it up with ribbons and bows. My psyche feels the year's passing with a scalpel's keenness, deep and biting. There were opportunities, friendships, loved ones and moments lost. But, then again, those same were also gained.
We lose when the old year passes, there is no doubt of that, but we also gain a whole new batch of experiences when the new year arrives. Mourn the lose, yet celebrate the gain. Happy New Year to all!
December 26, 2011
Season's Greetings
The season of the spirit, a celebration of life, is it not? No matter what your intentions behind it are: rejoicing over the birth of your savior, embracing cultural practices that were stolen and oppressed, or simply staving off another winter with one last hurrah of light, sound, and warmth.
Celebrate life these last days of the year. It costs you nothing, but a thought.
May you all find grace, love and good fortune, not just on one day, but everyday throughout the year.
December 17, 2011
Future of Publishing
People ask me, "Where do you see the publishing world going? What are the changes going to be and how will they affect the readers and libraries?"
There are changes coming and changes happening right now. They are not the grand scale sweeping revolutions one might think though. First, paper and hard-backed books will slowly stop being printed over the next few decades. I know many people out there say, "But I like paper better! I won't read those eBooks!" I empathize, I do, but sadly we must remember that books are a business before an art, and the overhead that goes into publishing a hardback is entirely too high compared to an eBook.
Second, people just do not read. That is not meant as a cultural criticism. It is quantifiable fact. But, those who do read, once they give it the Sam-I-Am try find that the eReaders are quite nifty devices. Plus, cloud storage means we no longer have to re-buy a worn out book.
Lastly, the real change will be on the authors' shoulders. What is available to the public as novels can be easily compared to the food service industry. There are a few big fast food chains out there, serving the same food over and over, that food can be satisfying, but you do not want to eat it all day everyday. Everyone knows these names: King, Grisham, Patterson, ect.
Then when you want a bit of individuality you go to a local chain. The type of restaurant that serves many people, but they are still contained, they have their specialty dishes and people enjoy them: Bryson, Hamilton, Buthcher, ect.
Next come the family owned restaurants. You bring friends from out of town to come try this ravioli! It's fantastic! Nobody outside of a few thousand people know about this place, but it is fantastic: The successful independent writers
Sadly, our last choice in cerebral nourishment are those places you can get something edible, I will not call it food, it will keep you alive, but there is just as good of a chance that it will make you sick, street corner vendors and sandwiches from gas stations: The unsuccessful independent writers.
December 10, 2011
Jolly Old Sinner Nick! Book Giveaway!
Just call me "Jolly Old Sa-….well let's be honest here, Jolly Old Sinner Nick"! Through the holidays to stir up word-of-mouth further, and just because I'm such a giving fellow and all-around awesome guy, every time my Facebook author page goes over another 50 "likes" (the first to be at 200) I will have a random drawing of all the fans and the winner will receive a free gift copy of "Grey" for their choice of Kindle or Nook. If you already have a copy of "Grey" let me know and you can give it to a friend instead or and here's the kicker…..*Drum Roll*……you can redeem your copy next year for "Raven" when it releases!
Since only those of you who are currently fans will see this I suggest you share it on Facebook and Twitter, or chat it up at the: Office, Gym, Sauna, Coffee Shop, Airport, or anyplace else you can think of.
This same contest holds true for my website Nickshamhart.com! Every 50th "Follower" and I will do the same from that list, so Happy Holidays! And spread the word!
December 8, 2011
The Arts and Small Business
It is now upon the shoulders of the artists to take responsibility for their work, once again. Recent years have made this possible once more, for the first time since the invention of the radio and – to quote a holiday classic, "A crummy commercial? Son-of-a-bitch!"
Artists, be they: musicians, writers, painters, photographers, graphic designers, ect. ect. With the internet available to all, not only do we truly have freedom of speech (though some may lack the capacity to use that wisely) but also we have freedom of enterprise.
Sure, there will always be a "mainstream" in the arts. People that the business world scoops out of the masses, polishes and airbrushes them up, and says, "Here, this is whats good in _____!"
But we, as the world, now have choices that can be made with ease, as we never had before. Tired of crappy movies? Check out Youtube. Tired of spoon fed fiction? Look for independent authors. Tired of Clear channel musicians without depth? Check out your local musicians, they can now easily record and distribute their music. The same goes for visual arts as well! You no longer need to go to local art festivals, you can shop online, and make up your own mind as to what you like! No more "middle men". Your money goes directly to the artist, with perhaps a small percent going to a distributor. That is how you help save an economy people. To use my own work as an example, when you buy my book online at $1.99, you save money and I see 70% of that. I have friends with contracts through publishers, you buy their book at $10.99, you loose money and they see only %5 of that. Nobody wins, but the large businesses, so if you want to do your part, but do not want to go out of your way? Just buy local online! It's quick, easy, and if you do your research, you may find a superior product as well.
December 5, 2011
Raven
Raven
The Balance: Book Two
Is currently out of my hands and in the possession of the editors and test audience. I am stabbing in the dark here, but I will say the release date looks to be March of 2012. I am working on the outline for Zeus: Book Three at the moment and may take a break over the holidays – but then again you all like to read and I like to write, so why stop a good thing? Even for the holidays…pumpkin pie, eggnog, and other seasonal delights….mmmm, well maybe there is time for both!
November 21, 2011
November 15, 2011
Author's Casting
I hesitate to do this, but people always ask, "Who would play who in the movie version of your book?" To me that is the beauty of a book over a movie, that no matter how fastidious an author may describe a character the reader will always view the character differently. I do not want you to think that these are the people I picture when I write. They are not, but these are the actors who I believe, with a good director, would portray my characters well.
Grey: Josh Holloway
Pete: Will Smith
Raven: Kate Beckinsale
Zeus: Adam Baldwin
