Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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THE GREAT ARCHIVE
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What's New From Josh?
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http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014......"
Thanks for the link. Some interesting questions (and answers) in this interview, amusing and informative. : )
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http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014......"
I've actually now tried it four times. Once we did actually finish the book (Mexican Heat). Once it worked but life got in the way and the partnership fell apart due to outside pressures. No one had time to write! That's the one I regret the most.
The other times...the first time it was definitely my cowriter. She was looking for a sounding board not a co-writer. But the fourth (and likely final) time I think it was simply we were both too well-established in our different genres and too...strong in our voices and style to be able to meld very well.
Co-writing is difficult. It takes a certain kind of temperament and I really do admire people who can do it.
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http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014......"
Well, in a way a lot of creative projects are collaborations. Certainly the Irregulars was. The Petit Morts. The Partners in Crime. Any themed anthology.
Those are not difficult. Those I actually have fun with.
But trying to co-write a single work? Even switching off chapters is tough because the book as a whole has to flow. And by now I do have a distinct voice and a decided turn of phrase. Like it or not, it stands out a mile. And that means it's hard to blend even when I'm trying my best to make it seamless.
It's kind of like Rudolf with his red nose. :-D It's hard to hide the damn thing.
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Probably not very likely! :-D
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I loved the setting in TGWYS, simply perfect! i'm patiently very curious no..."
Did any of you ever see the crazy old movie Two on a Guillotine? I saw that movie as a kid, and it always stayed with me. Anyway, that's the setting I will be going for.
Josh wrote: "KC wrote: "Josh wrote: "A lot of the charm (writing it) was the setting. But I think I have a good replacement setting for it. ;-)"I loved the setting in TGWYS, simply perfect! i'm patiently very..."
Haven't seen the movie, but will be seeing it now because i'm curious about the setting; and about the movie too, hopefully it's not too scary, but if you saw it as a kid, then it should be okay.
:-)
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I loved the setting in TGWYS, simply perfect! i'm p..."
If you can find that movie, I want to know where. I have been searching for it for YEARS.
Josh wrote: "KC wrote: "Josh wrote: "KC wrote: "Josh wrote: "A lot of the charm (writing it) was the setting. But I think I have a good replacement setting for it. ;-)"I loved the setting in TGWYS, simply per..."
Amazon has it!
http://www.amazon.com/Two-On-Guilloti...
Josh wrote: "Did any of you ever see the crazy old movie Two on a Guillotine? I saw that movie as a kid, and it always stayed with me. Anyway, that's the setting I will be going for. ..."This sounds seriously scary!
Hj wrote: "Josh wrote: "Did any of you ever see the crazy old movie Two on a Guillotine? I saw that movie as a kid, and it always stayed with me. Anyway, that's the setting I will be going for. ..."This sou..."
I agree -- that does sound really scary! No wonder you ended up writing mysteries -- you've clearly always had a high tolerance for spooky stories! :-)
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I loved the setting in TGWY..."
OH. MY. GOD!!!!!
Just ordered.
YAY. So glad you found it!
For years and years we were waiting for Cannery Row, the movie with Deborah Winger and Nick Nolte to be converted to DVD. We finally gave up looking for it.Finally, in 2009 it was converted. I was so THRILLED to be able to order it.
So glad I could help you get a movie you missed. I know what that's like.
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I love scary. But not gory. I like spooky but I don't like to be grossed out.
Hitchcock fan? I loved his movies. I watched them all as an older kid with mom. She wouldn't let me watch Psycho until I was a lot older.
Hj wrote: "Josh's blog post on drafts (and in particular Fair Play):http://joshlanyon.blogspot.co.uk/2014..."
What a great post, as always I enjoy these glimpses into the creative process and again, I am in awe of all the hard work going into something so enjoyable for a reader. Thank you!
And the cover is lovely.
Now we just have to wait :)
Lovely cover Josh, it matches book 1 very well :-)
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Thank you! I am really loving my Carina covers!
Cool Blog post! Josh are you getting more wary about working with publishers? Is part of your separation anxiety to do with giving over control?
Oh and I love the cover, too! It will go well with the first one. I really like continuity in covers with related books.
I also love the cover! Nice post. :)
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/07/2...I just came across this post. I found it very interesting,especially since I just finished reading a post by an author questioning whether he should keep writing or not.
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I...don't think so. I wonder.
But the thing is, I like Carina Press. They are good to me. I think they value and respect me and what I bring to the table (and that does matter). I trust their editing and I trust they will push the book.
I think it is just the weirdness of the process. And in some ways, the longer you're at it, the weirder it is. I'm not kidding when I say I can already hear the praise and the criticism. I could make a list right now of what some people will adore and what some people will bitch about. That's how long I've been at this. There are no surprises in this process for me.
The only surprises are in the work itself.
I think it really is the creative process. You are so deeply immersed. For a month or two months, everything is about this book. These characters, their world, their problems. You even dream about the writing. I don't say the characters become "real" -- I've never mistaken my imagination for reality, but it is an all consuming process.
And then it's done. And it's time to move on to the next world, next set of characters, next story...
Maybe part of it is you've finally gotten comfortable and understand everything going on, and it's time to pack your bags?
I don't know. But the let down is almost as great as the joy of finishing.
And maybe that's the aftermath of any big effort? You give it your all, and then it's over. And you do feel sort of... Oh. Right. Armistice Day.
:-D
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I just came across this post. I found it very interesting,especially since I just finished reading a post by an aut..."
I think the problem is a lot of people launch themselves into a "writing career" without having much more than an idea for a story they would like to read. And despite what Amazon would have you think, a successful writing career is actually more complicated than that.
Most writers -- yes, even today in the heyday of self-publishing -- don't sell a lot of books. Most writers don't make a living at writing.
AND it doesn't always have to do with skill or talent. That's the really painful part.
I am endlessly bewildered at the number of writers who struggle with two diametrically opposed concepts: they want to write exactly what they write without compromise (sometimes known as editing) -- and they are bitter and frustrated that they do not get the readership or success they feel they deserve.
And I think a lot of that pain comes from not being honest with yourself. Not admitting up front what you really want. A lot of aspiring writers insist what they really want is artistic freedom and to work without compromise.
But it's clear from their bitter posts on...well, everywhere, that they are upset not to be read, not to be purchased. That they cannot get over the fact that other less talented and qualified people are successful where they -- the true artist -- has failed.
But an element of good writing is accurate observation, and how can you live in the world and not notice that life is not fair? And writing is no different. ALL success is based on a series of compromises. Whether you are Alexander the Great or Louis L'amour. :-D And the fact that so many writers struggle with the idea of writing what anyone else would want -- or be able -- to read often indicates an inability to connect with other humans.
And this is a very bad sign for a writer.
Because writing works best when something about it moves us, resonates, hits home.
Anyway, I feel bad for people entering publishing now. They are being fed a load of hogwash about how it's all going to play out.
You write for yourself alone. You publish for others. If the effort of publishing is not worth it, you stop publishing. You won't stop writing, because you can't. But nothing says you have to expend your blood, sweat, and tears on publishing.
Josh wrote: "Loretta wrote: "http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/07/2...I just came across this post. I found it very interesting,especially since I just finished reading ..."
Yes. And this is why I am not writer despite wanting it so much. I've writing since I learned how to read and I have all those stories circling in my head but I am not a good writer. Plus I totally lack self discipline. Which I think is a quality all writers must have.
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I just came across this post. I found it very interesting,especially since I just fini..."
Yes. Self-discipline is key. It takes discipline to learn your craft. And all the "rules" that go with submission and publication. It takes discipline to put up with being edited and reviewed and generally interrupted, bothered, annoyed when you would rather be losing yourself in stories.
Because when writing is going well, it is something like a trance state. And being yanked out of that is physically painful.
It takes discipline to make yourself do all the other stuff that goes with a writing career.
It takes discipline to keep trying, to keep working, to keep going with or without success. Because success can be its own obstacle.
Talent is only a small percentage of what it takes to be a successful writer. Discipline is a much, much larger factor.
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Me too! And I do think this one matches nicely.
Josh wrote: "Anyway, I feel bad for people entering publishing now. They are being fed a load of hogwash about how it's all going to play out...."I think also that no one truly knows how it will all play out. Plus what is true today won't be in 1, 2, 5 years from now.
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I think also that no one truly knows how it will ..."
True. However everyone cannot be equally successful. :-) And I think there is a lot of rah-rah mentality in publishing right now that tries to foster the idea that everyone who tries really hard and Just Doesn't Give Up can be the next Amanda Hocking or Hugh Howie.
Publishing has been democratized in amazing ways, but even so...
And I think that false expectation leads to enormous unhappiness and frustration. It's much better to be pleasantly surprised by your success than devastated because you were sure writing would be how you paid for your retirement years.
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Of course, now that I'm taking a course in creating culture and language for my worlds... I've got a second story... Lol.
But still, just one published book. I want to be able to tell the family I really "can" write.
But you're right. No writer can stop writing. I can't.
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Be happy in your work.
I think no truer words were ever written.
It doesn't matter what the work is, so long as when the alarm goes off on Monday morning you don't want to kill yourself. And if you can greet the day with pleasure, even joy. You are definitely on the right track.
Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I always thought I'd have this great writing career. Not happening. But I've had one specific story idea in my head for about seven years. My goal is to get that written, no matter h..."That is so simple, but the truth and should be carved out of stone!
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And when you find that writing isn't working out, I found that switching to writing something completely different helps you get back what you think you've lost. So, going from attempting novels to writing 500 word flash fiction, helped me get back into writing novels.
Of course, I'm also taking Holy Lisle's writing courses, which has been the biggest help for my writing I've ever had. Right now I'm learning how to create culture for my different worlds. Just what my stories needed. And it makes me feel better about my writing too. :-D
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http://jamielakenovels.com/2014/07/26..."
Thank you for posting the link, KC!
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Yeah, and the question "What was it like writing Adrien English in Fatal Shadows? Has writing the character since become easier?". :-)
Johanna wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Great interview... I'm just wondering about the older edition cover for Fatal Shadows and why the new cover wasn't shown."Yeah, and the question "What was it like writing Adrien En..."
My thought too, but Josh has gave a charming answer!
Wow, he's been a busy bee lately. I love Josh's answer to the women reading m/m question.It doesn't have to be explained or excused. :)
Johanna wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Great interview... I'm just wondering about the older edition cover for Fatal Shadows and why the new cover wasn't shown."Yeah, and the question "What was it like writing Adrien En..."
Awesome answer though :p
Johanna wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Great interview... I'm just wondering about the older edition cover for Fatal Shadows and why the new cover wasn't shown."Yeah, and the question "What was it like writing Adrien En..."
I liked the answer to this one too ;-)
Susinok wrote: "Wow, he's been a busy bee lately. I love Josh's answer to the women reading m/m question.It doesn't have to be explained or excused. :)"
Yes, i loved that.
Johanna wrote: "BE SURE TO READ JOSH'S BLOG POST!!! ;-)joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/08/the-wa..."
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIT :-)
And J.X :-)
Johanna wrote: "BE SURE TO READ JOSH'S BLOG POST!!! ;-)joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/08/the-wa..."
O.M.G. *tries to recover from minor heart attack*
Yes. Go and read the blogpost!
Thanks, Johanna, for pointing it out! I had sneaked over there this morning and forgot to look again later in the day... :-)
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joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/08/the-wa..."
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIT :-)
And J.X :-)"
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please note that I posted the link here before I even read the snippet myself — that's how much I love you guys! ;-)
Johanna wrote: "Idamus wrote: "Johanna wrote: "BE SURE TO READ JOSH'S BLOG POST!!! ;-)joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/08/the-wa..."
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIT :-)
And J.X :-)"
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please..."
Thank you :D
Johanna wrote: "Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please note that I posted the link here before I even read the snippet myself — that's how much I love you guys! ;-)"
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And please..."
Wow! I admire your self-control! I surely wouldn't have been able to restrain myself. ;-)
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014......"
Fantastic interview! So much fun to read. Thanks for the link!