Friday, March 10, 2017

Epic Fail

I was reading an article the other day about how writing "short" will maximize profits--this was right after I'd watched a webinar on writing to market, which was right after I'd watched another webinar on understanding Amazon's algorithms.

Now I do enjoy writing short stories. They're excellent for exploring theme or a particular character dynamic--and I'm good at them! So I had no objection to that article. I thought it was interesting. And I think in this publishing environment, authors do need to think in practical, i.e., businesslike terms. There's nothing wrong with identifying and analyzing your target audience. Nor is there anything wrong with understanding Amazon's algorithms.

But yet I still felt a little depressed after an afternoon of...authorial self-improvement.

Which is probably illogical because writing is a business, and I'm the first one to get impatient with people who don't conduct themselves like professionals. But writing is also an art, and lately everything seems to be about the business of fiction writing and very little, if anything, about the art.

Even the rare posts that are ostensibly about writing, are usually thinly disguised promotion.

And I get it. This is an insanely competitive market. And by "this" I mean any genre you can think of.  There is no sub-genre of commercial fiction that it isn't swamped with new books and new authors, so it's only natural that we're all looking for an edge. It's like the Olympics. Now days winning is determined by a fraction of a fraction of a second. Your sunscreen can make a difference.

It makes perfect sense that we're all studying formulas and algorithms and trends like we're searching for a cure for cancer. I don't care how good you are, when the market gets this crowded and this competitive, you have to run a lot faster just to stay in one place.

But writing is also still an art.

I don't care how many of these marketing courses tell you it's not about writing, it's about productivity...if you consider yourself to be a real writer, if you take pride in the idea of being a writer, then you need to care about the work. You need to care about the words.

And that means you need to have the courage to experiment. To, yes, fail. Because it's through trial and error that you get better. That you get to the goal--at least, I think it should be a goal--of excellence. Excellence doesn't happen through copying what everyone else is doing. It doesn't happen through homogenization.

I mean, think for a moment about the numbing sameness of what's being published in this genre alone. The same covers, the same blurbs, the same promo tactics--and yes, even the characters and plots all sound the same. For. The. Love. Of. God.

Last year I wanted to experiment. I wanted to try something new. I was eager to push myself to try something new. So I put out two books that had some readers scratching their heads. Murder Between the Pages was a semi-satirical take on classic locked room mysteries. Some readers got it -- but a disconcerting number of readers did not get it. Were actively hostile to the very idea of it. HATED it.

It was one of my least successful titles -- joining the ranks of other not terribly successful experiments like Blood-Red Butterfly.

The other experiment was a monster mash-up. The Curse of the Blue Scarab. An Edwardian murder mystery with supernatural overtones. Some readers got it -- some did not. It too was not as successful as my contemporary crime thrillers. Several one or two star reviews. Genuine grievance at the idea that I would turn out something like that.

IT'S LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON WROTE IT!!!!! 

:-D :-D :-D

(It's okay, by the way. I don't expect everything to be a huge hit with every single reader. Hell, even the most enormously successful of my books have a few people screaming they can't understand why anyone ever reads me.)

The point of writing is not to never get a bad review. The point of writing is not for every story to be a huge financial--or even critical--success.

What is the point of writing?


This is not rhetorical.

Why do you write? If you don't know the answer, ask yourself: why do you read?

What is the point, the purpose of all this literary exercise?

 If the answer is...to make a lot of money fast...well, okay. Whatever. This is not the post for you. But if you actually care about the work, care about what it means to be a writer--versus just another author--you can't be afraid to experiment, to try new things, to push yourself a little further. You must not be afraid to fail. 

Don't sacrifice art for the algorithms.

28 comments:

  1. That is depressing to think about writing being reduced to business and algorithms. All the authors I enjoy talk about writing what appeals to them and the work they do on their craft. Of course, maybe they heard in a workshop that is what they should say. I love your experiments. :) I'm still waiting for your shifter novel, lol.

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    1. PS - Have a marvelous time with your Fanyons. It sounds like such a fun weekend.

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    2. This is the age of hiring ghost writers and author co-ops and writing as a get-rich-quick scheme. It's eye-on-the-prize publishing. Whereas I--and I'm not alone in this--still thinking that writing itself is the prize.

      I'm genuinely interested to see how this all plays out over the next decade.

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  2. I really enjoy your experiments :-) I still remember that "aha!" moment after reading Blood Red Butterfly when something clicked, and it was like seeing the story in a new light, which was really cool.
    And it's also really cool to have something completely different once in a while, like the mash-up, which was such a delight.
    Despite the very many stories out there sharing the same tropes, etc., some of which i totally love, actually finding a really good, satisfying story is not that easy. And finding stories that combine a good mystery, with mature characters, the feels, and a sense of humor, that's even rarer. Anyway, there's a point in there somewhere... :-)

    Have a wonderful time in Catalina!!!

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    1. I'll be the first to admit I love certain tropes. There is nothing wrong with taking a beloved trope and trying to make it your own. That's part of the fun and part of the challenge.

      But it is also really satisfying to just write out of the box for your own satisfaction. I mean, obviously not so far out of the box that it's unpublishable--you always hope more people will like the experiments than don't like them--but sometimes that can't be the main concern.

      Writing is not like being a data entry clerk. The numbers don't always have to line up. But publishing has become such a competitive, crowded field that I think a lot of writers don't feel they can "afford" the experiments. And that's a shame.

      Next time you have to come to Catalina. Just sayin. ;-)

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  3. Well, my Masters is in Art History and Aesthetics and throughout history people have tried to create art based on formulas. Great art stands the test of time because the artist had passion and talent; look how many did it without getting rich... amazing ;)

    To me good writing is introspective and a part of the author comes through in the writing... even when trying something new Josh, I still feel like you're giving us a piece of you - you're sharing something way more than algorithms. That definitely comes out in everything you write. If a reader is just scanning words in a book to pass the time then following a formula is probably fine, but your readers, well we read to get lost in the characters and the plot and I love it when I 'can't put it down'. Believe me, we can totally feel the difference.

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    1. Well, this is very true. All art is personal, and a part of the artist goes into everything. The good stuff and the bad stuff. It's one reason the creative process is so satisfying--almost addictive--in a way that has nothing to do with commercial or critical success. Creativity is its own reward. Or at least that's how it seems to me.

      Thank you for the kind words. :-)

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  4. And that is why I respect you as an author and as a person. You are true to yourself, you are true to your work and you are true to us. ( No, I don't mean you give every single personal detail and I don't want to.) You say money is important, because it is. You say words are important and they are. You say you need to write different characters, plots, covers and OMG you are so true!

    I'm in the middle of a discussion with a fan of another author of whether or not she writes the same characteristics for her MCs. And she does. I feel like I'm reading about the same person in a different setting . And I'm sick of it.

    So yeah, while I didn't like Red Blood Butterfly, I really enjoyed Murder Between the Pages and The curse Of The Blue Scarab.
    No. It wasn't another person who wrote it because it still got your voice but it was atypical of you. And Thank you for this. Thank you for taking a moment to try create something different, Thank you for realizing that going for the sure thing, following the algorithm as you said, isn't always the way. I love you for that.

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    1. That is such a lovely thing to say. Thank you very much.

      One of the benefits of writing "off label" is that when I come back to the more commercial titles, I feel newly energized and enthusiastic about them--in a way I wouldn't if I was just sticking to the program.

      So regardless of how "successful" any individual project might be, in the long run I think these experiments do pay off. Even for the readers who don't enjoy the experiments.

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  5. Murder Between The Pages is just out on audio, can't wait to listen to it this weekend :) I love your audio books, the quality of your writing combined with great performances and polished productions really make them stand out for me. I know money can be a problem but I really appreciate the variety in your stories too. I feel mean saying it when I hear how much you have to do but I do think it would help to advertise them more. I know there was a note on Twitter but you have three audios out/coming soon and they're hardly mentioned in your blog. I love that this post is so upbeat but the last one to mention the audio books made me wonder if they'd only be released through Carina press from now on. I was thinking about the money side though and I think I might have an idea but I'm not sure how practical it is. If at all possible and assuming you can do so within your agreement with the narrator I'd release Cards On The Table for free on Audible with the word FREE in front of the title. I know this is a risk and I don't know if it's even possible but if it doesn't cost you anything, there shouldn't be much to lose here and the potential to gain a whole new audience. This is one of my favourite audio books it has everything going for it from being one of your best stories to a great audio production, great reviews and it's categorised in the popular genre of crime on Audible. People go mad for free books on Audible, I'm part of a listening group on Facebook and on Goodreads and people are always telling each other about bargains, it's free advertising and people will more often try something new if they don't have to pay for it. As a listener I really appreciate when my favourite authors give out free shorts continuing on from my favourite stories and I think this is another reason your fans are so loyal but it does nothing to expand your audience and get you more money. There are only a few free stories on Audible and like the daily deal they tend to shot to the top of the popularity polls too. Even though it's a favourite, I can't see you making much more on the single audio version of this book because there's another great performance of it in your brilliant m/m collection and I think new listeners would go for that first. I've no idea how you would do it or if you can even apply but making it the daily deal would also give you a lot of publicity.

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    1. First of all, thank you for these kind words. I appreciate them very much. I do agree with you. I need to advertise and I need to put more energy and time into promotion. You're absolutely correct about that.

      Unfortunately I can't control pricing on the the books already released through Audible/ACX, but I do think you have a good point there.

      As you mention, I do give away a short and exclusive audio book for joining my mailing list, but producing a longer work and marketing it as you suggest might be very effective too.

      It's certainly something to consider given my now extensive audio backlist.

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  6. Buying it. Every penny I spent in the cause of furthering exposure of your work is a penny well spent. I salute you ma'am.

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    1. Well! That is very kind of you. Thank you so much. :-)

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  7. I agree, it's what makes your books an autobuy for me even when you are experimenting. It makes sense even from the marketing perspective. Good writing is about selling a quality product, and a quality product will have repeat customers and will benefit from word of mouth. Personally I am less likely to by a short work at all from an unknown author. Very few people do short well and I am generally left unsatisfied by the character development.

    Furthermore, I just finished Curse of the Blue Scarab on audio and while I wanted to smack the good doctor for sheer stupidity, I loved it overall, and plan on revisiting in the future. I only smack characters I care about :-). Also, it really meant a lot to see some demisexual representation. So yes, just carry on as you are.

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    1. Thank you very much for that!

      Oh my gosh I LOVE the audio of that book. Alexander Masters really brings it to life.

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  8. I am surprised. I loved Murder Between the Pages.

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    1. When I was listening to the audio it was very clear to me that the story is too meta, too satirical to be marketed as M/M romance or M/M Mystery. So there's also that aspect.

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  9. You do realize that readers may not like a particular novel not because they 'don't get it' but because they don't like it or don't think it is well written or well plotted? You seem to assume that if they don't like it that the reader has the problem, not the writer.

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    1. I get what you are saying but she seems like she is talking about specific reviews where readers didn't "get her". She understands not everyone is going to like everything she writes- a fact that is stated above!

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    2. WHAT??? READERS MAY GENUINELY NOT LIKE EVERYTHING I DO?!

      So actually the larger your readership--and the more prolific and experimental you are--the greater the odds that not everyone is going to "get" what you do every single time.

      As in genuinely NOT LIKE IT.

      So what? Who cares?

      (Now maybe I would not take such a carefree attitude if everything I did didn't at least earn out -- no one can afford too many unsuccessful experiments--not if you're writing for a living.)

      Having the courage to experiment is how artists grow. You don't experiment for accolades or money. Giving yourself permission to experiment--and even fail--is a gift you give yourself.

      You either get that or you don't.

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    3. Exactly, Artemicia. One thing I do "get" is that some people are invested in their own opinions--and want to believe others are too.

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  10. I don't think so. Josh has a point, and I've noticed this as well.

    An unfortunately huge faction of the current readers of genre fiction have grown to expect a re-hash of the established for a specific genre tropes, and worse, of what they see as specific for a certain author. They will not tolerate any change or difference, and they behave like stroppy toddlers denied their favourite brand of candy.

    When I grew up, and I probably am 1 or 2 decades younger than Josh, it was still normal to follow an author through. I read all of my favourite authors' books, including whenever they wrote non-fiction or outside of the genres I first noticed them in.

    This isn't being done anymore. In fact, many authors these days cater to that change in reader behaviour by establishing pen names for the slightest deviation of the usual tropes they serviced initially when they had success. That is, to me, the least acceptable use of pen names ever. There are still authors I am hunting for whose first works I loved and now can't find anymore because they changed names.

    However, I wasn't in love with a particular story, trope and genre, I was and am in love with an ability of storytelling and writing, a twist and turn of prose, and insights of that author. If I like them, I would like to follow them into any other genre they explore.

    This isn't so anymore, and I have come across a lot of bad reviews of readers disliking books of authors simply because they weren't in the same rut as the earlier ones. It's as if these readers felt cheated out of something they had a right to. Which they don't.

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    1. Yeah, I do think the tenor of the dialog between author and reader is changing. That reader expectation has become more aggressive--just in the last four or five years.

      And maybe to some extent authors have brought this on themselves by trying to cater so much to reader expectation. I'm surprised at how often I see authors asking readers what they should write next or what the book should be about.

      As a writer of commercial fiction, I do absolutely want (and need) to sell books. But at the same time, I'm not a jukebox. I can just spit out stories on request. Sometimes I feel driven to write something not scheduled or I discover I'm not ready to write something previously promised.

      In each case, I think the work is better if I follow my heart versus my pocketbook.

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    2. Rather, I *can't* just spit stories out on request.

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  11. I admit I am not a big fan of Blood-Red Butterfly and The Curse of the Blue Scarab. For the latter, the attitude public had towards the homosexual was worse than nowadays and that affects how the characters behave, which was too uptight for my like. However, even if I do not love all your works, I never regretted buying any of them.

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    1. It does make for a difficult read, yes. But it should, really. I think it's probably a good thing not to comfortably sweep historical attitudes about homosexuality under that Aubusson carpet. ;-)

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  12. Huh. I loved Blood-Red Butterfly and didn't like The Curse of the Blue Scarab. Although, in my defense, every Egyption/London story has to contend with the bar set by Amelia Peabody books written by Elizabeth Peters, and, unfortunately for other authors, this is a very high bar.

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    1. Sure! I too adore Elizabeth Peters, but that's really comparing apples and oranges. A mash-up is 75% original text from a historical source, so of course the average contemporary reader is not going to respond to it as they would a contemporary author.

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