Good day to you all...
I am sitting here enjoying a coffee, surrounded by thousands of books written by a multitude of authors both first timers and ones with extensive experience...I am at a Starbucks inside an Indigo Book Store.
I am waiting on confirmation from the publisher as to when my first book (Darkness on the Edge of Town) will be available, today or Monday and at what price. I have to write a Bio and choose an exerpt for preview. In this mecca of books I am inspired to become the best writer I can. I want to write for a living...I want to be free to do it all day every day. However, the reality is that I must take back some control and take a job again. One befitting my skills and accomplishments so I can participate in the whole thing call LIFE.
The reality is that I am not making a living as a writer, yet. I have to pay bills, eat, pay more bills, shelter, child support, etc, etc, etc...To do this my energy needs to be focused and positively charged...BUT...there is also the creativity that is the next book in this series. Then, there is all the day to day management stuff, walking the dog, painting, cooking, shopping, showering, laundry, etc, etc, etc...So how do I accomplish my goals...How do I remain positive???
In a recent conversation I was reminded that I cannot do it all. I have to be able to prioritize and get done what "has" to be done first. I have always tried to use a "last to first" planning method...where do I have to (or want to) get to and work backward from there using appropriate timelines and milestones. The challenge becomes those items that are out of my control...and with repect to those, I cannot let them deter me from the positive energy in moving forward.
Frustration, emotional upset and worry can be extreme negatives...I have to tackle each issue head on with integrity and openness...I need to be able to ask for help when I need it. And right now I need some. My networking and job hunt are keeping me hopping. Having been out of the game for a year while dealing with the completion of the book and a myriad of issues has caused that dreaded "gap" in my employment history. I want to work, I am very good at what I do and can do it in a variety of settings. The frustrating part is finding the right organization or senior hiring leader to create a role or take the opportunity to grab someone like myself and be comfortable with the "risk".
As the economy turns we still aren't out of the woods. The jobs available are vast, regardless of what the media people say. There are simply thousands, tens of thousands, of individuals doing the same, job hunting. Being a "novelist" doesn't carry much weight with potential employers. The dedication, the creativity, the marketing of a completely unheard of product (my book and myself) are overshadowed by what have you done lately OR you are over-qualified...How unfortunate!!! The ability to do what I or any of you have done over the past year, writing and completing a novel, is filled with comprehensive learnings and transitional abilities that would benefit any employer.
So, I will continue to stand tall, be positive and believe that remaining integral and comitted to moving forward will result in continued actions that will achieve the outcomes I seek. If any of you wish to share your stories of overcoming the job hurdle or how networking with individuals completely foreign to you helped, please feel free to do so.
On the Book front...fingers crossed that today is the day. I want a full month of selling to achieve my goals for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. If you don't want to buy a book, you may know someone that will or you may want to gift a copy to someone...either way, please help me achieve my goal of 5000 books for Cancer in the month of May.
All the best...Tomorrow kicks off the Drive for 5000!!!
Warmest wishes,
Paul Greene
Author, Darkness on the Edge of Town
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Just Doing It...
I hope you are all enjoying a great day!!!
Picking up from where I left off the day before yesterday I wanted to continue along the line of "getting to here". So to recap...I started more than 8 years ago. I had numerous hurdles to overcome in my personal life and did not dedicate myself to completing the novel. I did not set a schedule, I did not make the comittment and I did not provide room and space for the creativity to evolve.
Then, BAM!!! Life took a turn for the worse, which somehow I turned into time and comittment. At the same time I utilized a couple of very valued friends and colleagues to sample some of the chapters. Their feedback and inspirational commentary fueled the fire. I comitted to writing each day. Once I had the main first draft done, I scheduled revisions and edits to specific dates and chapters.
I must tell you I would find myself writing late into the midnights hours. Once I dedicated myself to this plot line and completing the novel it seemed my finger pecking dramatically increased in speed, LOL! I couldn't get enough of the computer and my corner recliner. An inspiration would hit me and I would HAVE to write. A quality would come to mind for a character and I would HAVE to weave it into the story line. I became possessed toward completion. Not the best frame of mind, but the release was amazing.
Now I am not advising any of you to isolate as I did. I am not sure I will ever do it that way again. The combination of writing and my life situation determined that outcome. This time around I am more scheduled. More detailed in my breakdowns of time and chapter development. I find myself creating in my head at every turn...How will I write that, What will this character do in that situation, Will he or won't he, etc, etc, etc.
Bottom line for those looking to write their first book...Commitment!!! Whether life is in balance or heavily weighing against you, be committed!!! Believe in your story!!! Believe, Believe, Believe!!!
Have a great day,
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Picking up from where I left off the day before yesterday I wanted to continue along the line of "getting to here". So to recap...I started more than 8 years ago. I had numerous hurdles to overcome in my personal life and did not dedicate myself to completing the novel. I did not set a schedule, I did not make the comittment and I did not provide room and space for the creativity to evolve.
Then, BAM!!! Life took a turn for the worse, which somehow I turned into time and comittment. At the same time I utilized a couple of very valued friends and colleagues to sample some of the chapters. Their feedback and inspirational commentary fueled the fire. I comitted to writing each day. Once I had the main first draft done, I scheduled revisions and edits to specific dates and chapters.
I must tell you I would find myself writing late into the midnights hours. Once I dedicated myself to this plot line and completing the novel it seemed my finger pecking dramatically increased in speed, LOL! I couldn't get enough of the computer and my corner recliner. An inspiration would hit me and I would HAVE to write. A quality would come to mind for a character and I would HAVE to weave it into the story line. I became possessed toward completion. Not the best frame of mind, but the release was amazing.
Now I am not advising any of you to isolate as I did. I am not sure I will ever do it that way again. The combination of writing and my life situation determined that outcome. This time around I am more scheduled. More detailed in my breakdowns of time and chapter development. I find myself creating in my head at every turn...How will I write that, What will this character do in that situation, Will he or won't he, etc, etc, etc.
Bottom line for those looking to write their first book...Commitment!!! Whether life is in balance or heavily weighing against you, be committed!!! Believe in your story!!! Believe, Believe, Believe!!!
Have a great day,
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!
Yahoo!!! I have just recieved the first copy of the finished work, Darkness on the Edge of Town. It came complete with proofed manuscript, cover art, copyright page and is ready to launch online for sale. What a great feeling!!!
Thanks go out to so many people. First off to Lisa...Her reading, feedback, love, support, understanding and committment has touched my soul deeply, inspired me to be the best person I can be and moved me in so many ways...Thank you!!!
Then there is a couple that during a very difficult time recently supported and cared for me in many ways. A renewed friendship from years long gone by. They will forever be in my heart and to them I promise to get back in the saddle and be true to myself...to my friends Minas and Angele (who did a first wash and proof)...thank you!!!
To all of the team at XOXO Publishing...WOW!!! You have taken my dream and made it a reality. Your professionalism, patience, understanding and guidance have been wonderful...Thank you!!!
The list can go on and on...But personalized notes will follow to many of you!!! Thank you to all for putting up with my "insanity", my "darkness" and my general state of confusion...I extend my heart felt thanks!!!
Okay, a break in the blog today as I have to finish my website and write a few chapters that are burning a whole in my mind for the sequel. As always drop a note with any questions.
Warmest regards,
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Thanks go out to so many people. First off to Lisa...Her reading, feedback, love, support, understanding and committment has touched my soul deeply, inspired me to be the best person I can be and moved me in so many ways...Thank you!!!
Then there is a couple that during a very difficult time recently supported and cared for me in many ways. A renewed friendship from years long gone by. They will forever be in my heart and to them I promise to get back in the saddle and be true to myself...to my friends Minas and Angele (who did a first wash and proof)...thank you!!!
To all of the team at XOXO Publishing...WOW!!! You have taken my dream and made it a reality. Your professionalism, patience, understanding and guidance have been wonderful...Thank you!!!
The list can go on and on...But personalized notes will follow to many of you!!! Thank you to all for putting up with my "insanity", my "darkness" and my general state of confusion...I extend my heart felt thanks!!!
Okay, a break in the blog today as I have to finish my website and write a few chapters that are burning a whole in my mind for the sequel. As always drop a note with any questions.
Warmest regards,
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Getting to Here...
I am told my novel will be available this Friday or at the latest next Monday. Wow!!! An amazing feeling. I am sure many of you have experienced this same exhileration and for those of you that haven't I am here to tell you DO NOT GIVE UP!!!
A dream is a dream...Put yours into action!!!
I look back over the past decade and am not completely sure how I got to this point. Oh sure I can see all the highs and most of the lows, but the real journey...YIKES!!! I will start by telling you that just over 10 years ago I split from my wife. It was not a pleasant divorce. At first I was very upset and bitter about how it had all ended...I spent the better part of the first year in a fog and then the second year in internal anger and bitterness. For an optimistic guy, a confident person and someone considered to have the patience of Jobe...I failed miserablly!!
My "darkness" as you will hear me refer to it, began then. A slippery slope of trying to make her wrong for everything that didn't work out for me, telling everyone around me I was "OK" when really I was terrible and not being able to bring myself to admitting I needed help. NOOOOO...I needed to be super Dad, super Employee, super Coach and Community Suppoter...you would think I was driving for sainthood or something, LOL! (And I can laugh a little about it now!).
I became pigheaded in many respects. I internalized much of my anger. I supressed most of my emotions. I carried on superficial friendships and business relationships instead of participating full out in all aspects. I retreated and became isolated. This was all self-imposed, I cannot blame in any way shape or form my Ex or anyone else. Was I hurt deeply to the core by her actions...ABSOLUTELY!!! Did it take years to get over...YOU BET!!! BUT...Did I have to act so unintegral, bitter, repressed, isolated, and dishonestly...NO!!!
I began writing the initial plot line and building the character, Steve Hicks, during my early days (first couple of years) after the seperation and divorce. I had always dabbled in plot development and character design and as I went through this huge mid-life change (I also got a tattoo, bought and learned to play the guitar, started working out and started living way beyond my means in "the high life") I tried to commit to completing a novel. This week marks 8 years and 1 month since I originally put pen to paper.
Now...realistically, 2 years ago I formed the solid basis for the plot and pounded out the initial third of the book. Life took a couple of nasty turns and my writing was put on the backburner again. I will at some point detail some of the "nasty turns" as it all becomes relavent, but suffice it to say I look back today and realize I needed to go through everything, as Springsteen relates - I needed that "intangible"...I have been able to put much of my lifes hardships and joys into a place of workability today. I am getting back to being in touch with my emotions and their outcomes and my stories and characters seem to be benefiting.
So...the short of it is...the "getting here" has been many ups and downs....many struggles and distractions...many hardships, hurts and pain...But...I am here and regardless I have found my passion released in my writing. I will not stop and I hope to get deep enough to deliver a truely great read!!! Today, I look at it from a position, as named in the title and lyrics of one of Bon Jovi's songs..."Welcome to Wherever You Are"...
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are
I have a lot of experience to draw upon and with a renewed sense of integrity and brutal honesty I hope to bring my characters to life through these moments and periods from my past and present. I have a wonderful new partner...She is one of the most brutally honest and communicative people I have ever known. She has a fantastic outlook on life and has completely allowed me to bare my soul to her, take action in my life and loved and supported the completion of this book. All in all I hope to share my story with you and provide some encouragement to those still struggling, to network and gain insights and vision from all, and to be the best man I can be!!!
On a completely seperate note and in closing, I want to share that I will be launching my website soon. I have decided, given some of my past and present personal experiences, to donate a portion of each book to the "Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation" and proceeds from the second book to "The Danny Fund" (www.dannyfund.org). XOXO Publishing has graciously offered to match my donations, dollar for dollar out of their share of each book. So...I am going to start a campaign - The Drive to 5000!!! I want to sell 5000 books online in the month of May...If you have read it and liked it, please help us reach our goal. If we hit the 5000 book mark I will further add to the donation total. I would like to remit the first of, I hope ongoing donations, before Fathers Day on June 20th, 2010.
Again, thank you for reading this blog and if you grab a copy of Darkness on the Edge of Town...Thank you for supporting me and each of the above wonderful organizations in their fight to find a cure!!!
Have a great day!!!!
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
A dream is a dream...Put yours into action!!!
I look back over the past decade and am not completely sure how I got to this point. Oh sure I can see all the highs and most of the lows, but the real journey...YIKES!!! I will start by telling you that just over 10 years ago I split from my wife. It was not a pleasant divorce. At first I was very upset and bitter about how it had all ended...I spent the better part of the first year in a fog and then the second year in internal anger and bitterness. For an optimistic guy, a confident person and someone considered to have the patience of Jobe...I failed miserablly!!
My "darkness" as you will hear me refer to it, began then. A slippery slope of trying to make her wrong for everything that didn't work out for me, telling everyone around me I was "OK" when really I was terrible and not being able to bring myself to admitting I needed help. NOOOOO...I needed to be super Dad, super Employee, super Coach and Community Suppoter...you would think I was driving for sainthood or something, LOL! (And I can laugh a little about it now!).
I became pigheaded in many respects. I internalized much of my anger. I supressed most of my emotions. I carried on superficial friendships and business relationships instead of participating full out in all aspects. I retreated and became isolated. This was all self-imposed, I cannot blame in any way shape or form my Ex or anyone else. Was I hurt deeply to the core by her actions...ABSOLUTELY!!! Did it take years to get over...YOU BET!!! BUT...Did I have to act so unintegral, bitter, repressed, isolated, and dishonestly...NO!!!
I began writing the initial plot line and building the character, Steve Hicks, during my early days (first couple of years) after the seperation and divorce. I had always dabbled in plot development and character design and as I went through this huge mid-life change (I also got a tattoo, bought and learned to play the guitar, started working out and started living way beyond my means in "the high life") I tried to commit to completing a novel. This week marks 8 years and 1 month since I originally put pen to paper.
Now...realistically, 2 years ago I formed the solid basis for the plot and pounded out the initial third of the book. Life took a couple of nasty turns and my writing was put on the backburner again. I will at some point detail some of the "nasty turns" as it all becomes relavent, but suffice it to say I look back today and realize I needed to go through everything, as Springsteen relates - I needed that "intangible"...I have been able to put much of my lifes hardships and joys into a place of workability today. I am getting back to being in touch with my emotions and their outcomes and my stories and characters seem to be benefiting.
So...the short of it is...the "getting here" has been many ups and downs....many struggles and distractions...many hardships, hurts and pain...But...I am here and regardless I have found my passion released in my writing. I will not stop and I hope to get deep enough to deliver a truely great read!!! Today, I look at it from a position, as named in the title and lyrics of one of Bon Jovi's songs..."Welcome to Wherever You Are"...
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are
I have a lot of experience to draw upon and with a renewed sense of integrity and brutal honesty I hope to bring my characters to life through these moments and periods from my past and present. I have a wonderful new partner...She is one of the most brutally honest and communicative people I have ever known. She has a fantastic outlook on life and has completely allowed me to bare my soul to her, take action in my life and loved and supported the completion of this book. All in all I hope to share my story with you and provide some encouragement to those still struggling, to network and gain insights and vision from all, and to be the best man I can be!!!
On a completely seperate note and in closing, I want to share that I will be launching my website soon. I have decided, given some of my past and present personal experiences, to donate a portion of each book to the "Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation" and proceeds from the second book to "The Danny Fund" (www.dannyfund.org). XOXO Publishing has graciously offered to match my donations, dollar for dollar out of their share of each book. So...I am going to start a campaign - The Drive to 5000!!! I want to sell 5000 books online in the month of May...If you have read it and liked it, please help us reach our goal. If we hit the 5000 book mark I will further add to the donation total. I would like to remit the first of, I hope ongoing donations, before Fathers Day on June 20th, 2010.
Again, thank you for reading this blog and if you grab a copy of Darkness on the Edge of Town...Thank you for supporting me and each of the above wonderful organizations in their fight to find a cure!!!
Have a great day!!!!
Paul Greene
Author - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Monday, April 26, 2010
My first BLOG...
Hello to all,
I am starting this blog to chronicle the experience of having my first full length novel published. The "getting here" has been a rollercoaster and a constant internal struggle (more on that later)...but now that the time is actually at hand and the first novel will be made available online in the next few days, the excitement and sense of completion is wonderful.
Even if the novel isn't recieved well it has been a long time coming. The next two books in this series are coming along nicely (more on these in later blogs). I have the concepts underway for two completely different genre books and the creative juices are flowing in overdrive.
I will do my best to chronicle the getting to this point in tomorrow's blog. It has been a great overcoming obstacles kind of story. Mostly self imposed, LOL! Then there was LIFE and all it had to offer and throw at me. Then there was the "selection" of the publisher...it is the moving forward, the getting it done and getting it out there. This has been a great time. Cover art, proofing and editing by professionals - all done at their cost. Contracts and all the particulars involved...it has been exhilerating and inspiring!!! I am committed to continuing my writing and working on penning that "GREAT" story I know is inside.
I was recently watching Elvis Costello interviewing Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen was trying to describe what was needed for him to be such a great writer and story teller. He said it wasn't just 1 + 1 equals 2...It needed to be 1 + 1 equals 3...there was, he said, the pen/paper and the words, but if you (or him) as a writer didn't have that intangible something else...life experience, angst, great joy, etc, etc, etc...then the words you (or he) put down on paper would not captivate, inspire, touch, or move the reader or listener...and there it is...
I don't feel as though I have pulled the emotions out far enough in the central character of my first book, aptly named "Darkness on the Edge of Town". I know there is much more to say and be told with a deeper sense of emotion...getting there will be (I believe) even more fun and exhilerating than getting to this point with book one going online for sale this week.
I look forward to comments, feedback and sharing of all kinds. If you happen to pick up a copy of my book and read it I would, of course, good or bad, love to hear your review and answer any questions...Thanks and here is to all the happiness, success and great health we can enjoy this year!!!
Warm regards,
Paul Greene
Author, Darkness on the Edge of Town
I am starting this blog to chronicle the experience of having my first full length novel published. The "getting here" has been a rollercoaster and a constant internal struggle (more on that later)...but now that the time is actually at hand and the first novel will be made available online in the next few days, the excitement and sense of completion is wonderful.
Even if the novel isn't recieved well it has been a long time coming. The next two books in this series are coming along nicely (more on these in later blogs). I have the concepts underway for two completely different genre books and the creative juices are flowing in overdrive.
I will do my best to chronicle the getting to this point in tomorrow's blog. It has been a great overcoming obstacles kind of story. Mostly self imposed, LOL! Then there was LIFE and all it had to offer and throw at me. Then there was the "selection" of the publisher...it is the moving forward, the getting it done and getting it out there. This has been a great time. Cover art, proofing and editing by professionals - all done at their cost. Contracts and all the particulars involved...it has been exhilerating and inspiring!!! I am committed to continuing my writing and working on penning that "GREAT" story I know is inside.
I was recently watching Elvis Costello interviewing Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen was trying to describe what was needed for him to be such a great writer and story teller. He said it wasn't just 1 + 1 equals 2...It needed to be 1 + 1 equals 3...there was, he said, the pen/paper and the words, but if you (or him) as a writer didn't have that intangible something else...life experience, angst, great joy, etc, etc, etc...then the words you (or he) put down on paper would not captivate, inspire, touch, or move the reader or listener...and there it is...
I don't feel as though I have pulled the emotions out far enough in the central character of my first book, aptly named "Darkness on the Edge of Town". I know there is much more to say and be told with a deeper sense of emotion...getting there will be (I believe) even more fun and exhilerating than getting to this point with book one going online for sale this week.
I look forward to comments, feedback and sharing of all kinds. If you happen to pick up a copy of my book and read it I would, of course, good or bad, love to hear your review and answer any questions...Thanks and here is to all the happiness, success and great health we can enjoy this year!!!
Warm regards,
Paul Greene
Author, Darkness on the Edge of Town
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