John W. Mefford, Author
  • Home
  • Ball & Chain Thrillers
  • Other Thriller Series
    • Alex Troutt Thrillers
    • Ivy Nash Thrillers
    • Ozzie Novak Thrillers
    • Booker Thrillers
    • Greed Thrillers
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About John
  • Contact John

Anticipation

10/27/2011

11 Comments

 
For almost everyone who’s interacted with me through the various communication channels (Facebook author page, Twitter, this blog, email, over a phone, at a party, at lunch), it’s probably a given that you realize my first book – ahem, debut novel – COMMITTED, releases Tuesday, November 1. I’ve marketed the release date as 11.1.11. Crafty, I know. I’m a numbers guy.

Just a few months ago I made the “novel” decision to self-publish. I had little knowledge but plenty of enthusiasm to seek and understand my path to sharing my first narrative tale with the reading world. Early on, the trail was fraught with oil slicks, avalanches, and a maze of bat-infested caves that went nowhere. I researched and documented my detailed findings like an archaeologist searching for remnants of a lost society. I sifted through every fistful of dry dirt hoping to find a nugget that would provide insight and lead me to the next clue or piece of information. I was building a mountain of data, mining it with relentless vigor and laser focus.

The hard work has paid off on in two very important ways. At a grass-roots level, I get the whole “indie author” movement, the seismic shifts in the publishing industry, and what has spawned a new wave of writers to take the reins of their creation and usher it through each stage of the writing/editing/publishing/promotion process.  I’ve developed a part of my brain that thinks like a literary marketer. It wasn’t my goal when I wrote the first chapter of Book One, but I’ve always been open to learning new things, especially if they connect to my objective – sharing my story with readers.

Yes, sharing my story with readers. I say and write it again to try to simulate a normal reaction, like breathing. The aforementioned “hard work” has allowed me to focus on marketing strategy, target audience, creating and tracking a detailed project plan, perusing mounds of research to develop said plans, and countless other tasks I never dreamed of.  In other words, I’ve kept myself so busy I’ve been able to mostly avoid thinking about coming out of the closet – taking off every stitch of clothing and baring it all to the reading world. Actually, as the release date has drawn closer, a plethora of “what-if” scenarios have darted through my skull, especially when I attempt to sleep. Some run-away thoughts have morphed into bizarre dreams (think paranormal experience in a real world kind of way).

Now, the release date is here. Almost. I’m still feverishly pounding the keyboard writing guest blog posts, completing questions for interviews, and building a contingent of loyal friends and followers. But, the silent stage awaits. I stand off to the side, staring at a two-story curtain gently swaying. I take steps towards the center of the stage, the heels of my shoes echoing off the hollow wood floor. My mind wonders what might be on the other side. Should I have made this change to the book, or edited out this part? It’s done. I did my best. I put my heart and soul into it. I’ve prepared for the worst, now I hope for and envision the best.  People reading my book, experiencing  a range of emotions, then writing a review. Hopefully a good one. No, a great one.

I clear out my lungs with a final deep, calming breath and look forward. Not down. Ahead. Upward. And I recall what it was like to create my first novel. Writing is like oxygen for my soul.

Or something like that.
11 Comments
Susan
10/27/2011 01:46:15 pm

John --

This blog entry is so well written it has whetted my appetite for more. Can't wait to read the book. I'll be downloading it onto my Kindle next week!

Good luck,
Susan

Reply
John link
10/27/2011 10:18:14 pm

Hey Susan, thanks for the flattering comment. Enjoy Committed! And feel free to write a review:)

Take care,
John

Reply
Dad
10/28/2011 02:38:24 am

John,
You are a brave soul and I can feel the tension as THE DATE arrives. Congratulations on following your dream!
I only hope I can get that far someday.
Dad

Reply
Meredith link
10/30/2011 09:52:43 am

Congratulations in advance. I will look for your book! Best of luck and see you in #pubwrite :)

Reply
John link
10/30/2011 10:20:58 am

Thank you for the kind words. A wise person once said he'd rather be lucky than good. I'm hopeful for both:)

Reply
William, Senior
11/9/2011 05:10:09 am

This debut novel is a cleverly crafted tale of corporate greed, mystery, and raw emotion that keeps you on edge until the very end. Unexpected twists and turns serve to enhance the speed of the action which is almost non-stop. Mefford excels at character development and his descriptions of place and emotions will make the reader feel as if he/she is part of the story. BRAVO!

Reply
Dee Krull link
1/16/2012 04:46:35 pm

It was as if I were reading my own thoughts as I read your blog John. I can truly understand where you were coming from with every stroke of the key. Writing is a truly amazing passion. One that I will never let go of. Thank you for putting it in writing. I am definitely reading your book.

Reply
John W. Mefford link
1/16/2012 10:08:34 pm

Hey Dee, I'm glad the post resonated with you. As you know, this profession is most fulfilling when someone connects with your transparent thoughts through the words on the screen. Thank you for the kind thoughts. Enjoy COMMITTED!

Reply
William J. Atkins link
2/11/2012 03:09:49 am

You rarely connect with someone purely through their words. After all, an author wishes to be anonymous, but blogging has allowed him/her to step, briefly, out of the shadows and demonstrate to a potential reader why they should click "BUY". Mission accomplished. Bravo, John!

Reply
John W. Mefford link
2/11/2012 05:44:04 am

Wow, William thank you so much. I hope you enjoy it!

Reply
CFNM Blog link
7/18/2012 07:27:36 am

Great site, i've been thinking about getting a free blog from weebly, do you recommend it?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Coming Soon ---
    Three New Books...
    One New Series!



    RSS Feed


    Favorite Websites

    A Newbie's Guide to Publishing
    Ania Ahlborn
    Brad Parks
    Jeff Abbott
    Jeff Shelby
    Terribleminds

    Archives

    June 2013
    July 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011

    Categories

    All
    Anticipation
    Athlete
    Authors
    Beauty
    Committed
    Debut Novel
    Deception
    Fiction
    First Book
    Indie Author
    John Grisham
    John Kleese
    Just Only John
    Love
    Mystery
    Name
    Readers
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Self-publish
    Something Like That
    Suspense
    The Other Man
    Thriller
    Trust
    Writing

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.