to self publish or not...that is the question

Our first two books (The Artifact, and Keys) were self published, and though not huge commercial successes, it was very satisfying to have total control over the whole process; editing, artwork, page design.

Now, we are days away from completing our third, and most aggressive, work: The Vanishing Moon.

While total control is nice, we also believe this novel has great commercial potential. And for a bunch of starving artists, commercial = paycheck. So, it may be time to hit up agents/publishers for this piece of work.

BTW...has everyone heard of the statistics of unpublished authors getting a piece of fiction published? As Spock would say, "Captain, I believe the odds of publication are approximately 3,237,810.07 to one."

But, who would of thought that ten virtual strangers would hook up via the 'net to write a single book anyway? I don't know...I think the odds may be with us on this one.

SPOILER ALERT: Be on the lookout for a super cool, super aggressive marketing plan for Vanishing Moon!

too many cooks...

Being in a collaborative group is a really cool gig.

It frees each writer up to conentrate and do their best writing on their own, individual piece of the work. It allows not only the accolades, but the blame, to be spread around evenly, thus taking most of the pressure off of the individual. And it allows for amazing ideas to flow not from one, but from many, brilliantly creative minds.

But there is a part of the puzzle where more than one or two minds will ruin the recipe: when it comes time to make a decision on procedure. In other words, the decision on how the process will proceed with multiple writers is BEST LEFT UP TO ONE PERSON.

You're at the point where you've gathered the group of writers, you've voiced and voted on your theme to write about, and everyone's chompin' at the bit to "git 'er done." This is the crucial point where you do not want to stall out, because you'll find that everyone could have an opinion, and those opinions could leave behind a trail of bruised and bloodied egos.

This is when your group needs a leader, a hero. One person who is the designated "in-charge" guy who can make these decisions. And guess what...these decisions aren't all that hard, but they are important.

And here's the real secret: most in your group would rather be led than try to lead. Most writers want to be told their parameters instead of make them up. You are doing them a favor by creating the guidelines by which they will birth genious!

So, do not fear being the leader, and if someone else is the leader, respect their decisions. Perhaps your group can switch leaders on each project, which is exactly what we (The G10Writers) have done on our current project.

From whichever vantage point you sit, I ask this one thing of you...write well.

don't edit thyself...at first.

I have learned, from first hand experience, that the single biggest obstacle to finishing any writing project is the writer themselves. The following is a tip I read recently at http://www.writershelper.com/ , and I could not have put it any better myself...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Put off editing.

Each of us works at writing on two levels:a creative, unconscious leveland a critical, conscious level.

The unconscious produces creative and powerful words and images. It makes surprising and original connections. It shuts down if the critical "editor" part of your mind goes to work too soon.If your High School English teacher's voice runs through your mind as you write, if you worry about spelling, grammar, or how to sell your book while you write, you are writing with a dull pencil.

There are many books written on how to unlock your unconscious and let the writing flow. Here are just a few ideas:

-Brainstorm words or images about your topic. Don't stop to evaluate their worth. Keep writing down ideas. When you can't think of another word, wait a while. Often the most powerful idea will surface after you have cleared all the less valuable ideas out of the way.

-Write a page or two with your eyes shut. It doesn't matter if you can't read what you've written. You are giving your mind permission to make "mistakes" and just get on with it.

-Write with music in the background. Experiment to find the style that you like. I prefer baroque or classical music. One of my writing teachers needed country and western.

-Give yourself permission to be emotional. If your writing begins to move you, experience the full emotion. Before your writing changes others it will change you.

Edit your work only when you have drawn deeply from the well of your unconscious.

Spelling counts. So does good grammar. They support vibrant writing. They do not create vibrant writing. There are a great many correctly written lifeless sentences.

The best writing comes to life, and then is refined just enough to make it crystal clear.

First, give it life.