It's the writing, no wait it's the story....

Is it the writing or the story that sells? It should be both.

The other day I was having a discussion with a friend, and client, who is a well-known and long-time published author. We were discussing Fifty Shades of Grey.  She had heard, like so many, that the writing wasn’t that good. I am not one to judge if the writing is bad or not, my own writing always needs help. My answer was - it wasn’t the writing that captures you it was the story, the characters, how it draws you in and how it makes you feel. The same thing happened with Twilight by Stephanie Meyers. The writing experts judged her on her writing, but it was the story, her ability to tell it and how she drew you into it that sold it.

Both of these are examples of how important the story is. I personally don’t like a lot of the classic literature stories. The writing might be perfect but the stories just don’t grab me. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the writing is not important. I am saying that if you are not that good of a writer but have a story to tell - don’t let that stop you.

I am avid reader and I have always wanted to write, but I am not a good writer technically. With the encouragement of my author friend, a teacher and my writing group, I have started my first story. The best advice I was given was just write, get the story out, we can always fix the writing later. This allowed me the freedom to just let the story unfold, to not get hung up on the writing.

Today’s Indie publishing opens up doors for people like me, doors that would have otherwise been closed. It also opens up doors for poor writing and even poorer stories, but who are we to judge someone might like them.  Many of us would love to be the next big author, but most of us would just love to tell our stories and have someone read them.


A snipped from my upcoming story - LOST SOULS  (this is a rough draft, so remember don't judge the writing).

When she reaches the bottom step, she stops to catch her breath. “Damn, I must be gettin’ out of shape if I can’t keep up with a pesky child anymore.”

Giving herself a moment to calm herself she closes her eyes, waiting for her senses to detect Hanna’s emotions. There is a slight feeling of anger and pouting annoyance emanating from the back of the house. Carefully, Louisiana works her way in that direction. Rounding a corner, she bumps into a solid wall of muscles; a manly fragrance wafts by, causing a temporary memory of longing.  Just as suddenly she’s encased in a bear hug, wrapped in strong Thor-like arms.

Craning her neck, she looses herself into the most beautiful golden eyes she has ever seen. Entranced, she almost didn’t hear him drawl, “Well, hello darlin’. You were the last thing I was expecting to catch today.”

Stiffening, with a hint of annoyance, she yanks herself out of the lulling security of his arms and backs away. “Who the hell are you? And just what are you doin’ here on private property?” she demands.  As an afterthought, she adds, “And I am not yours to catch.” Crossing her arms she glares at him with a piercing scowl.

Tilting his head slightly, he gives her a smile that would charm the devil. “I could ask you the same thing?”

“You could, but I asked first.”



A snippet from the upcoming children's books, THE CASE OF THE LOST CHEDDAR.

Mr. Cheeze squealed in fright. "Oh dear, it's missing,"  he said.

"What's missing?" Simon asked.

"The Golden Cheddar," Mr. Cheeze answered.