The Mysterious Writing Process - Part Two

In last week's episode I talked about how though I’m not a “planner,” I’m not a true “pantser” either, because I rewrite chapters and sections obsessively before moving on to subsequent chapters and sections.

Saturday afternoon I attended Gary Phillip’s annual MWA (Mystery Writers of America) backyard barbecue. I’m shy by nature but try to put on my extrovert hat for times like this. It was a cool occasion; the ribs were tasty, the weather was mild, and the company was great. I met old friends including short story writer Travis Richardson and short story writer and novelist John Shepphird, said hello to MWA-SoCal President Leslie Klinger and crime writer Terry Shames, and made new friends including thriller writer Raymond Paul Johnson and suspense writer Lorraine Evanoff.

Naturally, when a group of writers get together, they discuss writing. One fellow mentioned that he had outlined (“planned”) an entire novel. He had then written a first draft and realized his story did not meet his expectations. In fact, he said he was going to have to rewrite the entire novel. Clearly, in this case, planning did not do a whole lot of good.

Another topic that came up was the eternal question: Do I want or need an agent? Some writers suggested that their agents were doing a fine job; others stated that their agents had been shopping their books for a year or more with no success. And then the question was raised: “Do I need an agent if I’m going to go with a small press anyway?”

My own agent experience is as follows: With the help of the illustrious Peter Hoffman, I got a New York agent for Rogues & Patriots who sent it to 65 publishers over the course of two years, during which time he requested a fairly major rewrite. I complied; I am an obedient soul (most of the time, ha ha). While my agent was shopping Rogues & Patriots, I wrote a sequel to it called 27 Days, which I published (with the help of a recommendation from my friend and New York-based crime writer Charles Salzberg) with my publisher Down & Out Books. My agent eventually threw in the towel and I did another major rewrite of Rogues & Patriots, which was then published by Down & Out Books as a prequel to 27 Days.

And so it goes. This writing game is not easy and it is not for the faint at heart. Most of us, with help from our peers, eventually find our own way. In Part Three of The Mysterious Writing Process, I will talk about Brainstorming and how at times it is necessary whether one is a “planner” or a “pantser” or, like me perhaps, somewhere in between…

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