If you could have written any book?

[Alex]

I recently asked this question on my facebook page and got loads of really cool and interesting replies. So if you could have written any novel, novella, play, t.v show or movie what would it be? And why did you pick that one?

Under The Midnight Sky

[Jean]

Maybe "Gone with the Wind" although a major favorite, not my ultimate favorite. Because the love the characters and the setting, the war and the changes in the South. Brilliant work. Would love to aspire to something that fantastic.

[Alex]

I have not actually read that or seen that, which is surprising because some of my family love the movie. Will have to dig it out and see if I take to it. If I could have written anything it would either be Death Note, which is a japense novel a gothic, paranormal suspense/thriller or seven samuria, which again is a japanese novel. The reason for both is that the stories are amazing. The seven samurai is such a long novel, but the characters are some of the best I have ever read and the ending is so sad. Death Note because it is told from the bad guys point of view and in a really weird way you actually end up hoping he wins. The ending of this novel really amazed me. It was a book I put down and thought about for weeks afterwards, which is a great sign of a good book.

[Jean]

I will look into both of those. Although it's hard to read a book with a sad ending these days. Still, some of the best books end that way. I hate the ending to "Gone with the Wind", but it works. You might like the movie, it's less of a time commitment.

[Alex]

I prefer books with a sad or darker ending. In most of my novels I have "life goes on." type of endings. I think a conclusion has to be done and the point of the story brought to a close with the message and meaning for the characters tied up, but I like books that keep me guessing till the final few pages.

[Jean]

Romance books have to have HEA or publishers kick them to the curb. But I enjoy throwing in some surprises along the way. Otherwise, why read it?

[Alex]

I agree. I mean my publisher wouldn't touch my novella, Bitch. They said they couldn't market it because it was erotica without a happy ending or positive upbeat theme. Is a sexual revenge story, but Bitch has gone on to be my biggest selling book. I like my romances to have a darker tone, but with a positive conclusion. Where something is gained and learned and then life goes on.

[Jean]

I agree with you about romance having a darker tone then an HEA. Mine do, too. I put my characters through all manner of unhappiness before I rescued them at the end! LOL. As for "Bitch", it becomes clearer and clearer than agents/publishers/other people in general don't always have a lock on what people will want to read and we writers must follow our hearts. Thank God for self-publishing!


Alex wrote: "I agree. I mean my publisher wouldn't touch my novella, Bitch. They said they couldn't market it because it was erotica without a happy ending or positive upbeat theme. Is a sexual revenge story, b..."

[Alex]

lol, I think self-publishing becomes easier once you are published. If that makes sense. When I use to self-published my books died a slow and lonely death. Once I could wave around the name of a publisher people actually gave me the time of day. I have self-published two books since being published, Bitch and Under The Midnight Sky, both have done very well. So much so that I don't think I would like to be signed by a small publishing house again.

[Jean]

The growth of self-publishing puts pressure on publishers to offer writers more than just their name and a cover. Hopefully we will then have some publishers who will do some real marketing for their writers.

[Alex]

That is the biggest problem I have found. I really like the people at my publisher, but the promotion plan is awful. I think the biggest thing is not having, The Lady and the Lake & The Man with Two Hearts, on kindle or barnes and noble. It makes it hard to market.

My next book out is from my publisher and I already know it is going to flop. One of my best stories and I know it will only sell a handful of copies, which is disappointing. My next self-published release is in about 4 months. An 85,000 word novel and with the marketing plan I have in place it will become my biggest seller in a week and break into romance suspense top 100 on kindle if not higher.

If the publisher book was on kindle. I could have it in top 100 within a week and again. It could go even higher.

[Jean]

Why don't they put it on Kindle and Barnes & Noble? It's so easy. I did Kindle myself.

[Mysti]

They say they can only format and upload to Kindle 7-10 books a week, and they've got lots to do. I wanted to wait for Kindle release before I wrote a local press release for mine, but I may just go ahead and submit one.

[Alex]

Yeah, I read the 7-10 books a week thing, but I don't see many being uploaded, which is the sad thing. I re-signed with them at the start of the year because of this promise, but 3 months in and my next release a month away and none of my books are on there. It is disappointing because Kindle literally takes 10 minutes to do. I am putting my self-published books on barnes and noble next week, but it is similiar thing. Will take about 10 mins. I totally understand their situation, but just disappointed that the make/break point of signing for them hasn't been upheld. The Lady and the Lake is one of my favourite stories and I get frustrated in a way because I could have marketed that book so well, but we live we learn.

[Jean]

You can do Google ebookstore yourself and I believe you can also upload to ipad yourself, which should be very big, no?

Yes it is frustrating to put oneself in the hands of others and watch and wait when you know you would have had it all done yourself by now.

[Alex]

I didn't think of those too places. Will have to look into them. I am disappointed with the situation, but on the flipside they gave me the break no one else would and for that I will forever be grateful.

[Jean]

You're right.That initial foot in the door is so valuable. It's a huge confidence boost and in this business confidence is key. I feel grateful to Astraea Press, too.

[Alex]

That is the thing. I mean I was 100% I was going to quit writing if, The Lady and the Lake, got rejected because I had just had knock back after knock back, but they gave me the chance and six books later I am still here, lol.

[Jean]

Bite your tongue. Don't ever say you will quit writing again! Thank God you stayed with it. You're a writer and will always be. Writing isn't a choice, it's a compulsion. lol.

[Alex]

lol, I have quit writing once before. I quit writing the martial art books and had about two years where I didn't even jot down a single idea, but I don't think I could ever do that again. I love telling stories too much.

[Jean]

Good. We need storytellers. We add the spice and juice to life.