Yin and . . . more yin
When A Short History of a Small Place was being submitted to publishers thirty-odd years ago, one editor turned it down with the comment "Too many words." Just last week, an editor passed on the latest (and probably last) Ray Tatum book with "Too much dialogue."
So I've gone from too many words to too many spoken words. Doesn't really feel like progress.
Thanks to all of you who've bought copies of my latest, Eaglesworth. The novel is selling well, and I'm grateful for your support. But please do take the time and trouble to review the book on Amazon (and thanks to the dozen or so of you who already have). One line is fine, and say whatever you think. I'm not fishing for praise, just participation.
Editors take these reviews as a sign of interest, and right now my sales are decent, but interest looks low (very low).
I clearly write too many words. I'd be grateful if you'd write a few.
So I've gone from too many words to too many spoken words. Doesn't really feel like progress.
Thanks to all of you who've bought copies of my latest, Eaglesworth. The novel is selling well, and I'm grateful for your support. But please do take the time and trouble to review the book on Amazon (and thanks to the dozen or so of you who already have). One line is fine, and say whatever you think. I'm not fishing for praise, just participation.
Editors take these reviews as a sign of interest, and right now my sales are decent, but interest looks low (very low).
I clearly write too many words. I'd be grateful if you'd write a few.
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George
(last edited Jul 23, 2018 07:12PM)
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Jul 23, 2018 07:08PM
Mr. Pearson, I wanted you to know that I have picked up, once again, A Short History.... it stands up to multiple readings. I have disturbed several of my fellow passengers' naps today laughing out loud as snow falls in Neely. In the end I will again think there are too few words in this book when I reach the last page and will regret taking leave of young Louis Benfield.
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Hi George. I'm pleased to hear Short History is holding up for you -- where young Louis Benfield stays young. Thanks for the kind words.
Mr. Pearson,I am a longtime fan of your work and just finished reading Eaglesworth. I posted a review in Amazon today, but they say it may take a while for them to "process" it.
I really enjoyed the book as always. I think the chorus of narrators is a brilliant touch!
I did notice a few typographical errors sprinkled through the book. I can send you a list if you would find that useful.
Thanks for continuing to write!
Hi Thomas. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write a review, and please do send along a list of typos. Just post it here with page numbers. I keep submitting cleaner and cleaner versions as I tidy them up.I'll certainly keep writing. Don't quite know what else to do.
Got my copy a week or so ago. Hopefully I'll crack the spine on it soon!
Curious - any more Rick Gavin stuff in the pipeline?
Curious - any more Rick Gavin stuff in the pipeline?
Hi Col,Rick Gavin, unfortunately, didn't find an audience, so he's a goner as far as his editor is concerned. However, I wrote maybe half of Rick #4 and may just finish it some day.
I hope you enjoy Eaglesworth.
Your writing inspires me. As a newbie Southern writer, I sometimes find myself adding "way yonders" too many words in a sentence. We can't help it, it's in our DNA and the reading public love it.My experience with today's editors and publishers has me thinking the malady of ADHD is epidemic. Hence, the call for less words.
Please keep writing. The South needs you to tell the world who we are.
Hi Melissa,Thanks for the encouragement. I am currently in the process of getting 'feedback' from editors. It is awfully colorless stuff. Maxwell Perkins is well and truly dead.
Best of luck to you in your writing. Follow your nose.
I've had a note in my planner to review Eaglesworth since I finished it, and will do it TODAY. Absolutely loved it - I'm ready to read it again! Sorry about the colorless editor. I think Melissa is right, everything is made for Short Attention Span Theatre, and anything longer than a soundbite is too long for most people to process.
I hate to think you and Melissa are right, but you may well be. That would explain those 30-page kindle books.Glad to hear you enjoyed Eaglesworth.
Just picked up a copy of "Eaglesworth" and promise to drop a review on Amazon once I've finished it. Thanks for continuing to whip out fantastic novels and inspiring more writers than you could ever imagine.
Thanks, Adam. I hope you enjoy the novel. Whip out . . . Ha!
I have all my beloved T.R. Pearson books lined up on the bookshelf -- eye height -- to admire as I walk by, full of satisfaction that I've read some of the best books on this planet. Many have been re-read and then some -- A Short History of a Small Place takes my breath away as I begin the story once again -- all those glorious people and stories of Neely, and Gospel Hour puts a smile on my face when I go back to it for one more read through, pure enjoyment from start to finish. Just went over to Amazon and purchased Eaglesworth -- so happy I have the weekend to sit back and enjoy. Anticipation of another great book by T.R. Pearson is one of life's greatest pleasures. I've been reading your books since 1985 -- looking forward to many, many more years! Congratulations and gratitude to a truly great writer. Deb McKenna
Hi Deb. I'm pleased to know you've enjoyed (and dusted) my books through the years. Thanks for your many years of support.
Mr. Pearson,Here is the list of typos that I spotted in Eaglesworth.
Page 174:
“They’d have her, and then she’d pull away and take pains remind them the stuff they’d been getting up to wasn’t ever supposed to last.”
I think this should read: “ ….. take pains to remind “or perhaps “… take pains; remind...”
Page 189
“Of course we’d all been doing some private wondering, but it would take a Brady or a Roland to it into actual words”
I think there is a “put” missing between ‘to’ and ‘it’
Page 207
“He’d grown up around Mobjack where his peopled crabbed and fished”
I think ‘peopled’ should be ‘people’d’ crabbed and fished ’ or ‘people had crabbed and fished ’
Page 250
“Your case ---- sovitur? …. He was using the Latin for ‘solved.’
The Latin verb ‘to solve’ is exolvere . The ‘tur’ ending indicates you are going for the present passive indicative conjugation. For exolvere that would be ‘exolvitur’ which can be translated “it is being solved’ or “it is solved.” Another option is the perfect passive participle form ‘exolutus est,’ which carries the same meaning.
I realize that one is a little geeky, but it did jump out at me when I read it. It strikes me that Dr Pike would have been startled by it too.
Thanks, Thomas. I'll make the changes. As to the last one -- the guy's a tool. All in all, pretty clean for a 50,000-word novel run through Grammarly three or four times.
Mr. Pearson, allow me to chime in with the chorus of voices thanking you for the many years of extraordinary pleasure that your work has given me.A Short History of a Small Place was recommended to me when I was a student in Chapel Hill 20+ years ago and I haven’t looked back. Your work is remarkable and hilarious and insightful and sad and sweet and sly and empathetic and did I mention hilarious? I’m a voracious reader, but every new book from you is a special treat.
Eaglesworth has been a joy - as always. It genuinely puzzles and pains me that someone with your talent isn’t disgustingly wealthy and living a life of Grisham-y literary privilege.
p.s. Please add me to the list of devoted Rick Gavin fans. I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed that one day we’ll see new additions to the canon.
Hi Oliver. Thanks for your kind words and your many years of support. It has been my pleasure to supply the hilarity. I've got the disgusting part down, just waiting on wealthy. Please post an Eaglesworth review if you can swing it. Many thanks for checking in.
Re. Eaglesworth Review: Done. And, I'm also done lurking.
I'm a Pearson fan in a mixed-marriage. I gave four years of heartbeats to Duke, and my wife went to Chapel Hill. Our marriage survived, credit my wife. We're now dug in on the banks of South Boulder Creek in Colorado, but still scrapping off the North Carolina summer mildew. My pathway to discovering your books ran through the recommendation a Pulitzer jurist (alas, non-fiction). Here's hoping we both live to see the recognition you deserve. Truth. Us against the barbarians. Here's to quirky characters and various forms of fried food.
Hi Charles,Glad you're lurking no more, and thanks for the encouragement and support.
Non-fiction Pulitzer jurist -- naturally.
