Michael Ringering's Blog
November 26, 2014
Trailblazing Mediocrity
I understand that to live is to change. I understand we all change as we mature and the very processes and tools we use to live our lives change second to second. Unfortunately, on many levels, our society dictates that those unwilling to change with the times are often left behind. Just because that's so, it doesn't necessarily mean change is a good thing.
Some changes are useful and downright necessary. I would submit that identifying chips placed in your pets is a good thing; in humans, not so much.
Some changes are senseless. Is it really necessary we force some of our family and friends to work on Thanksgiving Day so we can get a head start on buying crap made in China to give to those same friends and family members on Christmas Day?
Then there are those changes manifested out of pure laziness and weak attempts to make some outlandish statement.
I just completed reading a book (which I will not name) by an author I respect (who I will not mention), whose publisher felt it reasonable to print a book where no quotes are used in dialogue between characters. When I stumbled upon the first sequence of dialogue, I was certain the printers had made a grave error. It did not take long, however, to figure out intent. What an absolute shame and travesty to the literary world.
I would like to mention I am seldom offended by anything. As a matter of fact, I am the least offended person I know. I don't tell another man how to spend his money, his time, or how to live his life. I leave people to their own devices of coping and surviving, and expect the same in return. But I have to tell you, this overall meaningless, truly insignificant discovery in this book angered me.
I don't really know why, other than I found it so utterly ridiculous and unnecessary. Not to mention the difficulties encountered interpreting which character was actually speaking. I viewed it as lazy, disrespectful to the literary process and a pathetic attempt to blaze an unnecessary trail in hopes the rest of the writing world would view it as "avant-garde" and be persuade to become just as lazy and haphazard.
Call me crazy or old fashion, but becoming that careless and non-creative in our writing is a change I believe we should all reject, and with authority. We celebrate and praise mediocrity enough in our society. Literature and the written word should be protected from such pathetic attempts and held to a much higher standard.
Some changes are useful and downright necessary. I would submit that identifying chips placed in your pets is a good thing; in humans, not so much.
Some changes are senseless. Is it really necessary we force some of our family and friends to work on Thanksgiving Day so we can get a head start on buying crap made in China to give to those same friends and family members on Christmas Day?
Then there are those changes manifested out of pure laziness and weak attempts to make some outlandish statement.
I just completed reading a book (which I will not name) by an author I respect (who I will not mention), whose publisher felt it reasonable to print a book where no quotes are used in dialogue between characters. When I stumbled upon the first sequence of dialogue, I was certain the printers had made a grave error. It did not take long, however, to figure out intent. What an absolute shame and travesty to the literary world.
I would like to mention I am seldom offended by anything. As a matter of fact, I am the least offended person I know. I don't tell another man how to spend his money, his time, or how to live his life. I leave people to their own devices of coping and surviving, and expect the same in return. But I have to tell you, this overall meaningless, truly insignificant discovery in this book angered me.
I don't really know why, other than I found it so utterly ridiculous and unnecessary. Not to mention the difficulties encountered interpreting which character was actually speaking. I viewed it as lazy, disrespectful to the literary process and a pathetic attempt to blaze an unnecessary trail in hopes the rest of the writing world would view it as "avant-garde" and be persuade to become just as lazy and haphazard.
Call me crazy or old fashion, but becoming that careless and non-creative in our writing is a change I believe we should all reject, and with authority. We celebrate and praise mediocrity enough in our society. Literature and the written word should be protected from such pathetic attempts and held to a much higher standard.
November 28, 2012
Falling in Love With The Written Word
I’ve not asked the question of other authors as to what point, or what event in their lives drew them to the written word, and a longing to want to express in that manner. For me, it all started with music.
One of the things I’ve always been fascinated with is how the same song can draw such varying reactions from people, and how songs speak to each of us so differently. I appreciate that uniqueness about us, yet for the life of me, I could never personally understand how anyone would not want to hear Sinatra swing to “Fly Me to the Moon,” or Nat King Cole croon to “Unforgetable.”
I remember the very first time words to a song actually connected with me; actually forced me into thought. Up until that point, music was just sound, not words.
My father joined my wife and I for Thanksgiving this year and I mentioned a memory that he’d forgotten. I was born and raised in a town near Alton, Ill., and while with my father one Saturday afternoon in the fall of 1972, we were riding along in his truck down old Milton Hill Rd. when I heard for the very first time, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Now, to this day, I’ve no idea why John Denver’s music spoke such volumes to me. I was not born in the country or raised on a farm, and had no other influences leading me in that direction. No matter, his music spoke to me then and has so into my adulthood. I guess that connection will always be somewhat of a mystery to me. However, “Country Roads,” is not the song that drew me to the written word.
The following December, for my birthday, my father bought me my first John Denver album – “John Denver’s Greatest Hits.” I remember hardly being able to wait to play the record on the small turntable I shared with my sister, and was excited to learn “Country Roads” was the first song on the “A” side. I was immediately drawn to the sound of the music and even discovered another now favorite, “Starwood in Aspen.”
When I flipped the record over to the “B” side, my view of life changed forever. The first song on that side was – at that point – a virtually unknown ballad titled “The Eagle and the Hawk.” Its running time lasted just 2:10. In that two minutes and ten seconds, for the first time, I heard and connected with the words of a song, not just its melody and arrangement.
Specifically, the last two verses prompted my fascination and eventual love affair with the written word – “…And reach for the heavens and hope for the future …And all that we can be, not what we are.”
I remember playing that song over and over again, listening and absorbing. The words were perfect, connecting with me like a punch to the face. It was as if some internal switch had flipped and my mind was awakened. As I said, John Denver’s music spoke volumes to me then, and to this day, I continue to strive for higher goals and to be better than I was yesterday.
I’d enjoy hearing your story as to how/why you fell in love with the written word.
One of the things I’ve always been fascinated with is how the same song can draw such varying reactions from people, and how songs speak to each of us so differently. I appreciate that uniqueness about us, yet for the life of me, I could never personally understand how anyone would not want to hear Sinatra swing to “Fly Me to the Moon,” or Nat King Cole croon to “Unforgetable.”
I remember the very first time words to a song actually connected with me; actually forced me into thought. Up until that point, music was just sound, not words.
My father joined my wife and I for Thanksgiving this year and I mentioned a memory that he’d forgotten. I was born and raised in a town near Alton, Ill., and while with my father one Saturday afternoon in the fall of 1972, we were riding along in his truck down old Milton Hill Rd. when I heard for the very first time, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Now, to this day, I’ve no idea why John Denver’s music spoke such volumes to me. I was not born in the country or raised on a farm, and had no other influences leading me in that direction. No matter, his music spoke to me then and has so into my adulthood. I guess that connection will always be somewhat of a mystery to me. However, “Country Roads,” is not the song that drew me to the written word.
The following December, for my birthday, my father bought me my first John Denver album – “John Denver’s Greatest Hits.” I remember hardly being able to wait to play the record on the small turntable I shared with my sister, and was excited to learn “Country Roads” was the first song on the “A” side. I was immediately drawn to the sound of the music and even discovered another now favorite, “Starwood in Aspen.”
When I flipped the record over to the “B” side, my view of life changed forever. The first song on that side was – at that point – a virtually unknown ballad titled “The Eagle and the Hawk.” Its running time lasted just 2:10. In that two minutes and ten seconds, for the first time, I heard and connected with the words of a song, not just its melody and arrangement.
Specifically, the last two verses prompted my fascination and eventual love affair with the written word – “…And reach for the heavens and hope for the future …And all that we can be, not what we are.”
I remember playing that song over and over again, listening and absorbing. The words were perfect, connecting with me like a punch to the face. It was as if some internal switch had flipped and my mind was awakened. As I said, John Denver’s music spoke volumes to me then, and to this day, I continue to strive for higher goals and to be better than I was yesterday.
I’d enjoy hearing your story as to how/why you fell in love with the written word.
August 18, 2012
A First Time for Everything
Well, it finally happened. I knew it was out there, somewhere, lurking in the weeds, but just didn’t know at which moment it would strike. After eight months of my first novel, Six Bits, being on the open market, I finally received my first bad review. And to say the review was merely bad is being kind. It was one of those punches to the psychy that lingers until you can somehow overcome and reconcile that it’s just one person’s opinion. It’s amazing, though, how that one bad opinion can seem to carry so much more weight in your mind than the fifty great reviews you might have received previous for the same work.
We all remember growing up hearing someone say to us, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” That may be true on most fronts, but I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion. It’s one of the many ideals that separate life in this country from so many others, and a basic, fundamental freedom I whole-heartedly agree with and support.
But I do find the review process in the literary world absolutely fascinating; how the very same piece of work can draw such diametrically opposed opinions. If you happen on Amazon.com in the near future, take a look at the reviews for the blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey. Four-thousand people love it and 3,500 people hate it. That just doesn’t seem logical to me, and I wonder how E.L. James reconciles in her own mind that wide gap of diversity. However, at the end of the day, they are just opinions.
I guess it’s a bit tougher for writers because of the amount of time and effort it takes to produce such work. People tell me all the time how they cannot fathom how it’s possible to sit down and string that many words together, or come up with such creative ideas to spin into a story. But they are the very same people who will blister that work and not think twice about it. Ah, you gotta love human nature.
I’ve also heard writers comment that people so willing to write such bad reviews have not the skill or creative flair to write anything of their own, nor the courage to venture into the realm of the literary world and the review carnage that awaits. To that, I say, get over it. If you can’t take the criticism, then find something else to do.
After absorbing this first bad review, and making it through the five stages of grief, I came to the following conclusions. First, I sincerely feel bad that the person spent their hard-earned money on my product and did not like it. I would not want that for anyone. Second, I respect this person’s right to voice their opinion, and will use their criticism to improve as a writer. Third, opinions – both favorable and unfavorable – don’t necessarily provide an accurate account of any work. And, finally, I will continue to write no matter what. There is not an unfavorable opinion on this planet that can squash the passion I have inside to tell stories, and I thank those who have the courage to criticize for adding fuel to my fire.
We all remember growing up hearing someone say to us, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” That may be true on most fronts, but I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion. It’s one of the many ideals that separate life in this country from so many others, and a basic, fundamental freedom I whole-heartedly agree with and support.
But I do find the review process in the literary world absolutely fascinating; how the very same piece of work can draw such diametrically opposed opinions. If you happen on Amazon.com in the near future, take a look at the reviews for the blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey. Four-thousand people love it and 3,500 people hate it. That just doesn’t seem logical to me, and I wonder how E.L. James reconciles in her own mind that wide gap of diversity. However, at the end of the day, they are just opinions.
I guess it’s a bit tougher for writers because of the amount of time and effort it takes to produce such work. People tell me all the time how they cannot fathom how it’s possible to sit down and string that many words together, or come up with such creative ideas to spin into a story. But they are the very same people who will blister that work and not think twice about it. Ah, you gotta love human nature.
I’ve also heard writers comment that people so willing to write such bad reviews have not the skill or creative flair to write anything of their own, nor the courage to venture into the realm of the literary world and the review carnage that awaits. To that, I say, get over it. If you can’t take the criticism, then find something else to do.
After absorbing this first bad review, and making it through the five stages of grief, I came to the following conclusions. First, I sincerely feel bad that the person spent their hard-earned money on my product and did not like it. I would not want that for anyone. Second, I respect this person’s right to voice their opinion, and will use their criticism to improve as a writer. Third, opinions – both favorable and unfavorable – don’t necessarily provide an accurate account of any work. And, finally, I will continue to write no matter what. There is not an unfavorable opinion on this planet that can squash the passion I have inside to tell stories, and I thank those who have the courage to criticize for adding fuel to my fire.
June 11, 2012
BEA-utiful
My wife and I attended the Book Expo of America (BEA) in New York last week, and aside from being first-time attendees, we came away with several perspectives from the event, and a few more regarding the grand old city itself.
The last time I visited New York was in 1996 as director of media relations for the Cincinnati Reds. Despite the fact the club’s hotel was very near Grand Central Station, I had little time to explore the city while being there in a working capacity. Nevertheless, I could not get over how much the city had changed since that time. I will get into that in my next post. First, the BEA.
Not having a real good clue as to the goings on of the BEA prior to showing up that first day, I can say without a doubt, the convention was not what I anticipated. Though I registered as an author – which I am, which now I’m not so certain was the best of ideas – I quickly figured out, within the first 15 minutes of walking about, this was not a real author-friendly environment, unless of course you were somebody, and there to promote and autograph books for one of the big publishers.
I found it very interesting while perusing through the Javits Center and past all the big publishers, how many of the big time publishing reps almost refused to engage in conversation after that first initial scan of the big plastic I.D. badge hanging from the lanyard around my neck. I know the badge was color coded for “author,” and actually had in big, black, block letters the title “author” under my name. I even doubled checked it at one point to make sure it was not color-coded for “leper.”
As I mentioned, I quickly figured out what the program was all about, and the simple fact was, this was not an event for asking questions, soliciting, or probing. Unless you were there to place an order for books, or were James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, or Ted Dekker, it was a convention where keeping your eyes open and your mouth shut paid much bigger dividends.
And I get it. I can only imagine how many times those publishing reps are confronted with an unknown author who has just written a book that will do much better in the marketplace than Grisham’s best effort. I don’t blame them. The fact is I found it absolutely fascinating watching the interaction between buyers and sellers, and listening in on as many conversations as I could absorb. It was a tremendous learning experience.
I think the BEA also did a great job in providing really interesting educational seminars – albeit almost all geared toward publishers, publicists and the like. But my wife and I attended several anyway and came away much more savvy about the industry, and with a bucket-full of ideas I can apply as I continue forward in my writing career.
Two things happened at this convention that made our trip well worth the effort. First, we learned a great deal about how influential and instrumental libraries and independent book stores can be in catapulting new authors into the marketplace. We learned many great strategies, and ways we can take advantage of those in our own community. We also spent nearly two hours meeting with a New York publicist (arranged prior to our visit), who has been in the business for several years. All I will say about that meeting is that my wife and I walked away much smarter than when we first sat down.
The trip to the BEA was well worth it and something I think every author should attend at least once; even for us unknowns who dream of one day wearing a name badge that doesn’t send publishing reps running in the opposite direction.
Six Bits
The last time I visited New York was in 1996 as director of media relations for the Cincinnati Reds. Despite the fact the club’s hotel was very near Grand Central Station, I had little time to explore the city while being there in a working capacity. Nevertheless, I could not get over how much the city had changed since that time. I will get into that in my next post. First, the BEA.
Not having a real good clue as to the goings on of the BEA prior to showing up that first day, I can say without a doubt, the convention was not what I anticipated. Though I registered as an author – which I am, which now I’m not so certain was the best of ideas – I quickly figured out, within the first 15 minutes of walking about, this was not a real author-friendly environment, unless of course you were somebody, and there to promote and autograph books for one of the big publishers.
I found it very interesting while perusing through the Javits Center and past all the big publishers, how many of the big time publishing reps almost refused to engage in conversation after that first initial scan of the big plastic I.D. badge hanging from the lanyard around my neck. I know the badge was color coded for “author,” and actually had in big, black, block letters the title “author” under my name. I even doubled checked it at one point to make sure it was not color-coded for “leper.”
As I mentioned, I quickly figured out what the program was all about, and the simple fact was, this was not an event for asking questions, soliciting, or probing. Unless you were there to place an order for books, or were James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, or Ted Dekker, it was a convention where keeping your eyes open and your mouth shut paid much bigger dividends.
And I get it. I can only imagine how many times those publishing reps are confronted with an unknown author who has just written a book that will do much better in the marketplace than Grisham’s best effort. I don’t blame them. The fact is I found it absolutely fascinating watching the interaction between buyers and sellers, and listening in on as many conversations as I could absorb. It was a tremendous learning experience.
I think the BEA also did a great job in providing really interesting educational seminars – albeit almost all geared toward publishers, publicists and the like. But my wife and I attended several anyway and came away much more savvy about the industry, and with a bucket-full of ideas I can apply as I continue forward in my writing career.
Two things happened at this convention that made our trip well worth the effort. First, we learned a great deal about how influential and instrumental libraries and independent book stores can be in catapulting new authors into the marketplace. We learned many great strategies, and ways we can take advantage of those in our own community. We also spent nearly two hours meeting with a New York publicist (arranged prior to our visit), who has been in the business for several years. All I will say about that meeting is that my wife and I walked away much smarter than when we first sat down.
The trip to the BEA was well worth it and something I think every author should attend at least once; even for us unknowns who dream of one day wearing a name badge that doesn’t send publishing reps running in the opposite direction.
Six Bits
May 18, 2012
Strange Habits
I find it more than interesting hearing of other author's writing habits, and what keeps them motivated throughout the writing process.
Since publishing my first novel this past December, and now having some time to look back over the process I went through to complete the project, I was able to recognize many of the habits I developed in that time, and am now finding how valuable some of them have become as I start work on my next book.
For instance, I found out I write better and am more motivated to write in the early morning, rather than evening. I've also discovered I write much better in the fall and winter, rather than the spring and summer. I have a hard time writing when background noise is present, but have no real issue writing if there is non-lyrical music playing.
I'm grateful for the voice memos app on my iPhone, because many of my most creative thoughts hit while I'm driving home from work, or in the middle of the night. Lord help me if I have to get up and use the bathroom after midnight, because ideas start flooding into my head from all directions, making it very difficult to get back to sleep.
Please share some of the strange habits you've developed to help get you through your writing projects.
Since publishing my first novel this past December, and now having some time to look back over the process I went through to complete the project, I was able to recognize many of the habits I developed in that time, and am now finding how valuable some of them have become as I start work on my next book.
For instance, I found out I write better and am more motivated to write in the early morning, rather than evening. I've also discovered I write much better in the fall and winter, rather than the spring and summer. I have a hard time writing when background noise is present, but have no real issue writing if there is non-lyrical music playing.
I'm grateful for the voice memos app on my iPhone, because many of my most creative thoughts hit while I'm driving home from work, or in the middle of the night. Lord help me if I have to get up and use the bathroom after midnight, because ideas start flooding into my head from all directions, making it very difficult to get back to sleep.
Please share some of the strange habits you've developed to help get you through your writing projects.
March 13, 2012
Fun Project
A couple of months ago I was approached by Dr. Christie Kleinmann, associate professor of communications at Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.), with an interesting request. Over the past several years I have often lectured to students at Lee regarding topics relating to sports marketing and public relations, communications, and healthcare marketing. I really enjoy the opportunity to speak with students, as I am pro-learning and pro sharing what I've learned in my career.
Dr. Kleinmann asked if I'd be interested in allowing her communications and public relations class, and an event management class, to work through the process of hosting a book signing for me on campus. Knowing this would be a first for the communications department, I jumped at the chance to allow them to use the event as a "learning laboratory."
Although Dr. Kleinmann was a bit hesitant - worried the students would not take the event seriously - they have surprised the both of us. It's been an incredible experience to this point, as the students have worked hard to make sure the signing - scheduled for March 27- is a huge success. I've enjoyed a few trips to the campus to meet with them face-to-face, acting as both client and instructor.
I will report on our progress in an upcoming post. What a fun project!
Dr. Kleinmann asked if I'd be interested in allowing her communications and public relations class, and an event management class, to work through the process of hosting a book signing for me on campus. Knowing this would be a first for the communications department, I jumped at the chance to allow them to use the event as a "learning laboratory."
Although Dr. Kleinmann was a bit hesitant - worried the students would not take the event seriously - they have surprised the both of us. It's been an incredible experience to this point, as the students have worked hard to make sure the signing - scheduled for March 27- is a huge success. I've enjoyed a few trips to the campus to meet with them face-to-face, acting as both client and instructor.
I will report on our progress in an upcoming post. What a fun project!
February 19, 2012
The Sweetest Reward
Six Bits
I started my novel, Six Bits, on Oct. 24, 2004, and completed it in early April 2011. Because I also have a demanding full-time job, having to write part-time was a more difficult task than I had anticipated. There were plenty of moments my anxiety levels shot through the roof because I was eager to write but unalbe to get in front of the computer. Another source of anxiety during this project was keeping the story and the characters a secret from my wife, Teresa, of 10 years.
She knew I was writing, of course, but had no idea of the concept or characters involved. That was by design. Teresa, who is a family practice physician, has read more books than anyone I've ever known. She's read for pleasure, instruction and education. With all she has read, I was certain she, above all others, would know the difference between a good book and a poorly written one.
When the time finally arrived to allow her to see the manuscript - what I considered at that point to be my best effort - I passed the book into her hands and waited. There is nothing more nerve racking than hoping to get approval from the one you love most.
I was in my office working on a few edits one afternoon, and noticed Teresa enter through the corner of my eye. She was holding my manuscript against her chest and crying. The first thought that raced through my mind was that 1980s movie "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase. In that movie, Chevy and his wife move to the country so he can write the next great American novel. For their anniversary, Chevy gives a copy of the first chapter to his wife. Long story short, she reads it, beging to cry because she hates it, then tells him to burn it. When I saw my wife crying, I thought I was in trouble.
Lucky for me, her reaction was quite the opposite. When she was able to speak through her tears, she told me how she never imagined me writing a story with such depth and complexity, then went on to describe how the story pulled out her every emotion and kept her wanting to turn the page. Seeing the expression on her face as she described the book, its characters, and what it meant to her personally, was the sweetest reward yet.
I started my novel, Six Bits, on Oct. 24, 2004, and completed it in early April 2011. Because I also have a demanding full-time job, having to write part-time was a more difficult task than I had anticipated. There were plenty of moments my anxiety levels shot through the roof because I was eager to write but unalbe to get in front of the computer. Another source of anxiety during this project was keeping the story and the characters a secret from my wife, Teresa, of 10 years.
She knew I was writing, of course, but had no idea of the concept or characters involved. That was by design. Teresa, who is a family practice physician, has read more books than anyone I've ever known. She's read for pleasure, instruction and education. With all she has read, I was certain she, above all others, would know the difference between a good book and a poorly written one.
When the time finally arrived to allow her to see the manuscript - what I considered at that point to be my best effort - I passed the book into her hands and waited. There is nothing more nerve racking than hoping to get approval from the one you love most.
I was in my office working on a few edits one afternoon, and noticed Teresa enter through the corner of my eye. She was holding my manuscript against her chest and crying. The first thought that raced through my mind was that 1980s movie "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase. In that movie, Chevy and his wife move to the country so he can write the next great American novel. For their anniversary, Chevy gives a copy of the first chapter to his wife. Long story short, she reads it, beging to cry because she hates it, then tells him to burn it. When I saw my wife crying, I thought I was in trouble.
Lucky for me, her reaction was quite the opposite. When she was able to speak through her tears, she told me how she never imagined me writing a story with such depth and complexity, then went on to describe how the story pulled out her every emotion and kept her wanting to turn the page. Seeing the expression on her face as she described the book, its characters, and what it meant to her personally, was the sweetest reward yet.
