Glenn A. Bruce's Blog: RITR (sic), page 6

The love of editing

Everyone knows "writing is re-writing," but only writers who have edited their works over and over and over to get them to a point of (their own) satisfaction know how much work that can be. Fortunately for me, I love both writing and re-writing (as well as "having written"). I find that the longer I write, as the decades fly by (!) I enjoy the process of "getting it right" more and more - finding the little things I missed the first 30 times through and adding or correcting them. So goes the process again. As much as I would love to have my new thriller out and available, it just isn't ready yet. So I edit on and look forward to the publish date and reader reactions. In the meantime, I will be editing the next one (or two or five). As Mr. Vonnegut said, "And so it goes."

No block - no time

Having written nearly every day for the last 33 years, when life gets in the way on rare occasion, it just feels strange! Admittedly, those times when I wrote 12-16 hours/day 7-days/week night have been a lit excessive (!), these times when chores become a full-day's work 7-days/week: feel odd. I keep wanting to go back to the page one and start editing my novel from the firs thought, so that it will all make sense. Since I have always forgotten what I write fairly quickly, a few days without attacking a manuscript and I feel lost! This has only happened on rare occasion, and as soon as remodeling work is completed, I know I will be back on schedule. But life does intrude on occasion! At least my pinched nerve is improving! Mousing left-handed has also helped some. Fortunately, I've had to do it once before for an extended period (tennis elbow) so it's not entirely unfamiliar; but still awkward. Hardest part is having five novels written and ready, but editing time limited. I feel like one of those writers who has to squeeze time in for the work (not something I have had to do often). Some comfort in knowing the others are written and close.

Exciting day!

Very exciting day as I was accepted to membership as an author in the International Thriller Writers Association. Their membership is limited and this is a terrific honor for me. I am stoked! As I have always been someone who writes for an audience - i.e., to be read by as many people as possible - this is one more step up the ladder of meeting that goal. Now I have to get busy and finish editing my next two novels!

Turn off the tv

Lou is reading the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy again - and loving it. I am reading bits of "Infinite Jest" and the rest of four more as I can. (Writing and remodeling tend to kill your appetite.) eBooks or ink, our imaginations are sparked and expanded by the written word. When we are not pandered to with the obvious, we can enter a new world with each read - whether it's exactly what the author intended or not. Doesn't matter. Words on paper (or a pad screen) allow a safe distance for us to explore the work individually, as only we can; to find a meaning personalized to us and only us. No two of us will ever get exactly the same internal response to any story - or walk away feeling the same emotions, thinking he same thoughts. We are unique readers and bring our selves into each story.

Next novel

Editing - and enjoying switching tense and time. Adds to the tension. Bends my brain a bit, but worth it.

First actual book I ever read

I was about 8 or 9 and picked up a book my parents had called (as I recall) "The King of Kings." I have looked for it on here (and around the house) but can't find it. My guess is that the book was published in the late '50s/early '60s. I remember it had an orange-ish color. It was a Jesusy book, maybe some version of his story, but (again as I recall) was a novel - maybe an inch or so thick with small type: my first actual adult book! I remember starting it with determination and hanging in there until I finished, however long that took -- and my parents saying, "Wow." That was big. And complimenting me as encouragement. It worked. Finishing that book without the expected pain and suffering led me to tackle any other book I came across which seemed interesting. My mother was reading books like "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and Tolstoy's "War and Peace." I can still remember seeing them on the bookshelf - and thinking: Too long! Maybe that's where I learned to like shorter books and to this day enjoy a good short read to a long tedious one! (Pejorative prejudice noted.) Variety, time on earth, etc., factoring in there. In trying to list all that I have read over the years, memory fails (especially in the area of non-fiction). But I know this: I have always enjoyed strong, complex characters and a sense of humor (from the author). What has shifted and grown dramatically is my appreciation for a good story - intricate or simple, but clearly told and satisfying. I love twists and turns - both reading them and writing them - which lead to a surprising conclusion. It doesn't have to be earth-shattering, but should at least make me go, "Ahhh." At least a little. So, it follows that that is what I try to do with my novels: interesting complex characters who have a sense of humor about (or around) them, usually caught up in dark or complicated situations that are part of a solid story with a satisfying ending. I don't do fantasy or horror, romance or fluff. (Probably couldn't if I had to!) i do enjoy a plethora of genres/styles however, and try to make every novel... well... novel; i.e., different in some specific, tangible way than any of the others. In the end, I write for people to read and enjoy - and hope that works! It all started with reading my first book, cover to cover, having that feeling of accomplishment, mixed with entertainment - losing track of time - and feeling richer for the experience. Do you remember your first real "adult" book and how it made you feel?

History

As I have said, I've been writing professionally for 33 years, but really: I've been writing all my life. I started in 3rd grade and never stopped. Sadly, I moved to Hollywood and found my muse there where it's hard to be a team player on your own terms. The two clash. Unless you're Jim Jarmusch or John Sayles, the money calls. Kind of like serial novels. I prefer "standalones," as they have come to be called. Back in the day, they were called "novels." Did Hemingway and Steinbeck worry about standalones? Did they even write them? Sallinger? I can't wait to read the sequel to "To Have and Have Not," "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Catcher." How about the page-turner, "The Great Gatsby II" - wow! Mind you, I have thought about sequels, writing them (even said I was going to), but I don't know if I ever will. I have too many originals ("standalones") to write, first. Two more "finished" (ready for editing), many more to go!

Finshed the next

Yesterday, I finished the first draft of a new novel (based on one of my screenplays) which plays with time and tense. It's hard to keep up with, but worth it in the end. I think the read will be (maybe) a bit challenging, but worth it in the end! It's fun and challenging to write and hopefully that translates to readers!

Latest work

I have been writing so much that I have apparently developed a pinched nerve in my back. And who says writers don't suffer, writers have it easy? I'll tell you who: people who haven't seen the opening to "My Dinner with Andre," that's who!

I have four (more) novels written that are in the editing stage. LOTS of editing. Par for the course. Also have one more that is about 85% complete. And my version of a "Left Handed Dictionary" just for the fun of it. Hey, it will be a buck-ninety nine. Why not.

I am grateful to have found Kindle and Createspace. They suit me. One of my favorite quotes about writing (as best I remember it) is from Shelby Foote. He was featured in a documentary about writers and their editors. Most writers said how they loved their editors and couldn't have made it without them. (Being PC?) Foote said, as I recall, "No editah has evah put a pencil to mah wuhk." Gotta love that guy!

We write, we make mistakes, but the words are out own, these days. Cool.