March 12, 2006
For a moment I want you to ask yourself a question. There is no correct answer. This is aimed primarily at aspiring writers, although pros might do well to ask themselves this as well. For today, at least, the answer to these questions shall be known as The Terry Imperative, and we'll assume, even if it is not remotely true, that the answers are important to your success as a writer. So here they are.
1. Do you like to write novels? Or do you want to be a novelist?

2. Do you want to write novels? Or do you want to be an author?

3. Are you a writer? Or are you a novelist? Or are you an author?

4. What matters more to you? Actually writing? Or being a writer?

My editor, Judy Geary, at High Country Publishers, Ltd made a comment to me once about how one of her writers really "enjoyed doing that author thing." She meant the promotion thing, where she went out among people and played "author."

I'll tell you a secret. For me, that's the least favorite aspect of the whole gig, one I'm sort of uncomfortable with. Partly because I get a sense that the audience wants something from me--and I'm not sure what it is--that I'm unable to give. The books aren't enough, apparently. They want something else.

I think a tremendous number of aspiring novelists actually want to be novelists or authors more than they want to write.

For me ... writing is what I want to do. The process of writing gives me great pleasure and satisfaction. Getting paid for the privilege does, as well. The trappings of author success, the promotion, interviews, book signings, conferences, well, they're just bizarre. But sometimes I think a lot of aspiring novelists focus entirely on that, the idea that they will be, quote, unquote, an "author," and do book signings and go to conferences and give talks and do interviews.

Sometimes I wish I could hire somebody to impersonate me to do the promotional stuff, somebody who likes it and brings unceasing energy to the process of being upbeat and positive and charming. I'll stay home and write, thanks.

That's not to say that process is all a chore. The more I do it the more I enjoy some of it, although I'm fairly stunned that there are people like Joe Konrath who can go to a conference and be "out there," from the minute it opens until way past the bar closes. I have to go hide in my room or in a corner from time to time. Kind of reminds me of the old "The Incredible Hulk" bit when Bill Bixby says, "Don't make me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry."

"Let me go back to my room and lay down for an hour or you won't like me. Trust me on this. When I get back, I'll be pleasant and charming, but until then, get the fuck out of my way!"

I love writing. I love being a writer. Being an "author," and a "novelist," though not without its charms, brings me pleasure in a way that is directly tied into the actual process of writing, not in everything that happens after publication. Except, of course, cashing the checks. I'm pretty fond of that.

Best,
Mark Terry