I recently received a message from a reader who wondered why I frequently write about writing techniques and the writing process in this blog post. “After all,” this person said, “we are readers, not aspiring authors.”
That’s a valid comment, and it goes to the core of why I write this blog in the first place.
The answer is simple. My mission is to provide book readers, such as yourself, with insight into what it takes to write and produce a novel so that you can better appreciate the books you read.
By providing a small glimpse into an author’s craft and what it takes to publish a novel, I hope to convey the richness of a good book and give readers a deeper understanding of the storytelling process.
Before I became an author, I was an avid reader. I still am. But before I published my first novel, Elthea’s Realm, I never thought much about what made a novel spellbinding, fast-paced, heartwarming—or any other quality—beyond a simple gut feeling about the book.
But now, I have gained a better appreciation of an author’s skill as they weave a story through the twists and turns of a good tale. Writing novels has increased my appreciation for reading novels. Now, I understand what it takes to construct a story into something magical, one that causes the reader to become immersed in the book.
I love reading, and I assume you do, too. So, my choice of topics for each issue is directed toward readers rather than writers. I subscribe to several newsletters and podcasts for writers, and they delve much deeper into the minutiae of the writing craft and the publishing business.
Besides, I enjoy this occupation so much that I love talking about it. I hope you relish reading about it as much as I relish writing about it.
Until next time,
John
Photo by Vlada Karpovich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-a-cup-of-tea-9969147/