Greg
asked
Matthew FitzSimmons:
"Short Drop" is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Thanks for the effort and hard work. I saw that you are planning to release a new book in October 2016. Can't wait. I know publishers want to give you a firm deadline, but since this is apparently only your second book, how do you get comfortable with having to complete a book on someone else's timeline?
Matthew FitzSimmons
First, thank you. Working hard to make sure it is worth the wait.
To answer your question, it has been an adjustment that is for sure, and I'd be lying if I said there isn't a different kind of stress than I've previously experienced. I've learned a lot from writing the second book, and there will be things that I do differently. Like anything else, I'm trying to learn and apply those lessons moving forward.
Cue the stress, steep learning curve and comical flailing of arms.
I've talked to more experienced authors, and from what I'm told there is definitely a "first book hangover." In that, the first book an author writes is on their own timetable; if an author isn't happy with it then they are free to spend all the time they want getting it exactly right. Then, if one is lucky enough to sell it, the publisher says, "great, that's terrific, now do it again, but in eight months. Go!"
It's the transition from amateur writer to professional, and there is a reason Child, Patterson, Baldacci et al get paid the big bucks - they can hit their deadline time and time again and that isn't easy to do. But, I am learning (he says with a magnificent flailing of his arms).
To answer your question, it has been an adjustment that is for sure, and I'd be lying if I said there isn't a different kind of stress than I've previously experienced. I've learned a lot from writing the second book, and there will be things that I do differently. Like anything else, I'm trying to learn and apply those lessons moving forward.
Cue the stress, steep learning curve and comical flailing of arms.
I've talked to more experienced authors, and from what I'm told there is definitely a "first book hangover." In that, the first book an author writes is on their own timetable; if an author isn't happy with it then they are free to spend all the time they want getting it exactly right. Then, if one is lucky enough to sell it, the publisher says, "great, that's terrific, now do it again, but in eight months. Go!"
It's the transition from amateur writer to professional, and there is a reason Child, Patterson, Baldacci et al get paid the big bucks - they can hit their deadline time and time again and that isn't easy to do. But, I am learning (he says with a magnificent flailing of his arms).
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