This was a great summary of your serialized writing journey. It's wonderful that we've had discussions about all of these things you mentioned - POV, voice, letting the characters tell the story. It sounds like we've come to similar conclusions. While you have the experience and background to give weight to the story, ultimately the answer to the question of whether or not the technology/approach is bad remains with the characters you're creating. A reader hates being spoon fed the answer.
Something we haven't discussed yet, is how you've felt about the actual process of serialization? It kind of assumes that you will write chapter by chapter sequentially and that you're putting a rough draft of the story out for the world. Did that bother you at all? I'm afraid that if I did that, and then decide the story demands to become something else altogether that I'm stuck.
Thank you, first of all. As to the serialization question, I addressed that briefly in the piece, but it deserves more I think. I think ideally, I wouldn’t serialize as I go: it risks the chance that I hit a dead-end in teh writing and have to subject the reader to either a half-assed treatment or an abrupt stop. I worried about that at one point, but I’m satisfied that it will continue in a way that I’m perfectly comfortable with. But hey, I like how it’s ended and I’m happy to have the serialization continue--though not so happy that I’m not planning a substantive revision and then an attempt at conventional publication.
Such a great post, Tom - your beautifully-written account about the journey of writing your serialised story is really, really fascinating.
I find writing dialogue really difficult! At the moment all of my writing happens on Substack, although that hadn't been my aim when I started writing. Fiction has (had???) never tempted me, but I'm learning so much around here that I might have a bash one day.
I learned a new phrase today - 'the catbird's seat'! Substack is such an education! 🤣
Oh my gosh, catbird’s seat is one of my very favorite expressions. I think it came from an old baseball broadcaster, but I remember hearing it from George Kell, who broadcast Detroit Tigers games when I was a kid. Thanks for the compliment--means a lot coming from someone whose writing I enjoy so much.
I'd never heard it before, but thanks to Wikipedia I now know the following:
'"The catbird seat" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe an enviable position, often in terms of having the upper hand or greater advantage in any type of dealing among parties. It derives from the secluded perch on which the gray catbird makes mocking calls.'
There's nothing called a 'catbird' round here! I'm not sure what our equivalent idiom would be. The other week I had to look up 'in the kitty corner' that I'd read in someone's post - I had visions of that being where the litter tray is - but no, it means that something is diagonally opposite! I LOVE the differences between our two varieties of English.
I’ve been riveted by your stories. Every Sunday I look forward to your blog post! I’ve read all of the parts of your ongoing story and you’ve got me hooked. AND I have to say, I really miss working with you. :’)
Your characters definitely have minds of their own and will not do things you want them to unless they want to as well. It's surreal. When you describe that to people you sound certifiable, but it's absolutely the case.
With the long holiday week I'm hoping to dive into your book.
Will let you know! Also, I consider dialogue writing my biggest strength and also my favorite part about writing. My weakest skill is setting. I think of everything like a movie scene and often forget to depict where the characters are.
You probably won't be surprised, but I don't like being out over my skis. I try to avoid it as much as possible. And yet, when I end up there (which is inevitable) I buckle down and do what I need to correct myself.
True and funny story - you are an inspiration to more than one stranger. I was at the library last week when I met a man in his seventies who is finally writing a fictional account of his work doing deep underwater welding projects all over the world. He was telling me how much he needed structure and I whipped out my phone and showed him your fiction on Substack and how it’s laid out. Now I am a little late to the party (I want to go back and read your story in full) but I love that you serialized it and he was so excited about the idea he had me write it down.
And ... in terms of fictionalizing painful work/life lessons I wrote a novel too after leaving a dysfunctional nonprofit. It was cheaper than therapy and probably better for me long term but I wasn’t brave enough to publish it. Thank you for sharing yours!
Ha ha, love the story Janelle! And the idea of “cheaper than therapy” is about right! It was fun to find that I didn’t really hold any grudges when I look back, even if there were regrets. There’s a darker story somewhere back in there too ... I think I’ve got a file called “Notes from a Clown Show” somewhere that I haven’t looked at in a while. But putting my experiences in other characters and letting them go, that was pretty good.
Ah, yes, I remember once as we walked the North Creek trail that you said something along the lines of: "I could never write fiction. . . it wouldn't be any good. . ." But look how being out over your skis has turned out so far? Kinda exhilarating, isn't it? Fun, too. Stay out there, pal.
Great piece - very inspirational! I guess as it only took me a month to get to it, that's not too bad?! I plan to start reading your novel over the holidays - I've got a few days that I can call my own and thought it'd be a good thing to at least start it as a whole v. piecemeal. Like the 'over my skis' analogy, too - from January, I'll certainly be out over mine - and I'm looking forward to the experience!
There’s no “read by” dates on Substack pieces, right? And perhaps I can cheer you up by telling you if you do read it right through, it’s more a novella than a novel. Love to hear your thoughts if you read it.
No read-by dates, but I have a thing about keeping my inbox a manageable size. It's currently 1 in the morning here and I've just spent the last 2 hours cutting it down from 250+ to ... 21! Which is good, as I know have read/deleted/stored everything - but it does mean I've not got any writing done! Will definitely let you know my thoughts.
Hey thanks, it's fun isn't it ... once you get used to the idea that it's okay to have a lump in your throat and wonder if you can do it.
Oooh I loved this: “I judge the quality of my life by the complexity of the problems I’m trying to solve”
This was a great summary of your serialized writing journey. It's wonderful that we've had discussions about all of these things you mentioned - POV, voice, letting the characters tell the story. It sounds like we've come to similar conclusions. While you have the experience and background to give weight to the story, ultimately the answer to the question of whether or not the technology/approach is bad remains with the characters you're creating. A reader hates being spoon fed the answer.
Something we haven't discussed yet, is how you've felt about the actual process of serialization? It kind of assumes that you will write chapter by chapter sequentially and that you're putting a rough draft of the story out for the world. Did that bother you at all? I'm afraid that if I did that, and then decide the story demands to become something else altogether that I'm stuck.
Thank you, first of all. As to the serialization question, I addressed that briefly in the piece, but it deserves more I think. I think ideally, I wouldn’t serialize as I go: it risks the chance that I hit a dead-end in teh writing and have to subject the reader to either a half-assed treatment or an abrupt stop. I worried about that at one point, but I’m satisfied that it will continue in a way that I’m perfectly comfortable with. But hey, I like how it’s ended and I’m happy to have the serialization continue--though not so happy that I’m not planning a substantive revision and then an attempt at conventional publication.
Nice, Tom ... wondering if you have a working title?
To my great shame, I do not! I’m terrible with titles, and I’m really feeling stuck here. I keep hoping it will come to me.
Such a great post, Tom - your beautifully-written account about the journey of writing your serialised story is really, really fascinating.
I find writing dialogue really difficult! At the moment all of my writing happens on Substack, although that hadn't been my aim when I started writing. Fiction has (had???) never tempted me, but I'm learning so much around here that I might have a bash one day.
I learned a new phrase today - 'the catbird's seat'! Substack is such an education! 🤣
Oh my gosh, catbird’s seat is one of my very favorite expressions. I think it came from an old baseball broadcaster, but I remember hearing it from George Kell, who broadcast Detroit Tigers games when I was a kid. Thanks for the compliment--means a lot coming from someone whose writing I enjoy so much.
I'd never heard it before, but thanks to Wikipedia I now know the following:
'"The catbird seat" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe an enviable position, often in terms of having the upper hand or greater advantage in any type of dealing among parties. It derives from the secluded perch on which the gray catbird makes mocking calls.'
There's nothing called a 'catbird' round here! I'm not sure what our equivalent idiom would be. The other week I had to look up 'in the kitty corner' that I'd read in someone's post - I had visions of that being where the litter tray is - but no, it means that something is diagonally opposite! I LOVE the differences between our two varieties of English.
And thank you for those very kind words, Tom. 😊
I’ve been riveted by your stories. Every Sunday I look forward to your blog post! I’ve read all of the parts of your ongoing story and you’ve got me hooked. AND I have to say, I really miss working with you. :’)
Lauren, damn, that’s just the nicest thing! I’m tearing up. I miss working with you too.
"Don't look down, keep your eyes on the horizon," they tell the tightrope walker. I think.
Your characters definitely have minds of their own and will not do things you want them to unless they want to as well. It's surreal. When you describe that to people you sound certifiable, but it's absolutely the case.
With the long holiday week I'm hoping to dive into your book.
I wonder what you’ll find with a semi-continuous read? And you’re right: surreal is the word
Will let you know! Also, I consider dialogue writing my biggest strength and also my favorite part about writing. My weakest skill is setting. I think of everything like a movie scene and often forget to depict where the characters are.
You probably won't be surprised, but I don't like being out over my skis. I try to avoid it as much as possible. And yet, when I end up there (which is inevitable) I buckle down and do what I need to correct myself.
True and funny story - you are an inspiration to more than one stranger. I was at the library last week when I met a man in his seventies who is finally writing a fictional account of his work doing deep underwater welding projects all over the world. He was telling me how much he needed structure and I whipped out my phone and showed him your fiction on Substack and how it’s laid out. Now I am a little late to the party (I want to go back and read your story in full) but I love that you serialized it and he was so excited about the idea he had me write it down.
And ... in terms of fictionalizing painful work/life lessons I wrote a novel too after leaving a dysfunctional nonprofit. It was cheaper than therapy and probably better for me long term but I wasn’t brave enough to publish it. Thank you for sharing yours!
Ha ha, love the story Janelle! And the idea of “cheaper than therapy” is about right! It was fun to find that I didn’t really hold any grudges when I look back, even if there were regrets. There’s a darker story somewhere back in there too ... I think I’ve got a file called “Notes from a Clown Show” somewhere that I haven’t looked at in a while. But putting my experiences in other characters and letting them go, that was pretty good.
Ah, yes, I remember once as we walked the North Creek trail that you said something along the lines of: "I could never write fiction. . . it wouldn't be any good. . ." But look how being out over your skis has turned out so far? Kinda exhilarating, isn't it? Fun, too. Stay out there, pal.
There’s no going back!
Great piece - very inspirational! I guess as it only took me a month to get to it, that's not too bad?! I plan to start reading your novel over the holidays - I've got a few days that I can call my own and thought it'd be a good thing to at least start it as a whole v. piecemeal. Like the 'over my skis' analogy, too - from January, I'll certainly be out over mine - and I'm looking forward to the experience!
There’s no “read by” dates on Substack pieces, right? And perhaps I can cheer you up by telling you if you do read it right through, it’s more a novella than a novel. Love to hear your thoughts if you read it.
No read-by dates, but I have a thing about keeping my inbox a manageable size. It's currently 1 in the morning here and I've just spent the last 2 hours cutting it down from 250+ to ... 21! Which is good, as I know have read/deleted/stored everything - but it does mean I've not got any writing done! Will definitely let you know my thoughts.