HOW I DROLL
Welcome to my second collection.
I believe my short story technique is improving.
I used to struggle with them to great frustration.
It was after my first couple of novels I figured out how to address this problem. In a short story, character, setting and conflict have to be defined fast, and resolved quickly. At one level, you have to strip the story down to essentials, but, without losing depth and richness. I do believe practicing this makes one a better writer for longer works.
As with longer works, I try to write the ending first, so I know where I’m going. The story is a journey, but it does have a destination, not a random trample across the landscape. The ending may change, but it has to be there for me to work properly.
Of course, I know writers who free-form it entirely, and others who start at the beginning and right to the end with no gaps. I can’t do that. I write key scenes, vivid scenes, plot scenes, then cut, paste, smooth and dress the set.
At this point, it’s about twenty years since my first paid publication. I’ve gone from literally a few bucks every few months to a novel that was half written in the back of my store, to being a full-time author with a part-time store, and now pretty much a full time author, though I sell at a few SF conventions a year mostly for fun. After thirty years, I don’t know how to quit being a convention vendor.
As with any art, writing requires a thick skin. It’s not the negative reviews that hurt. There are legitimate reasons for a reader to dislike even a well-written piece.
In fact, it can be instructive. If multiple readers didn’t get, or misinterpreted a point, it might mean the author didn’t present it well enough, or isn’t matching message to audience.
The reviews that are frustrating are those where the commenter isn’t criticizing the book the author wrote. Instead, they are criticizing the book they wanted the author to have written, whether as a strawman target, or out of a desire to read a different story. Some of the choicer ones include comments like, “If the characters would stop arguing we could get on with the story,” about a story that is character driven, and complaints about events that don’t actually occur in the story. “If your idea of fun is to toss flashbangs at your buddy while he performs first aid in combat, you will like this book . . .”, which I sincerely hope no one thinks is fun or appropriate. And yes, the reviewer genuinely thought he read that scene in The Weapon, and that it was hilarious.
I recall one comment about Freehold to the approximation of, “Characters change implausibly. In the second half, Rob is revealed to be an ace fighter pilot, when there was no hint of this in the first half.” Other than the fact that “I’m a pilot” are almost the first words out of his mouth, and him taking Kendra aboard for a training flight, and him flying characters around in several scenes. Other than that, no hints at all, no.
We refer to these types of reviewers as being so far off they’re “not even wrong.”
However, one can’t worry about the seeds on rock not bearing fruit. At the other end are the people who do get it, despite flaws in writing.
Several years ago at a convention, a woman walked up to my table, pointed at Freehold, and said, “I despised the politics, and I couldn’t put it down.”
I replied, “Thank you. Then I did my job.”
Some say the sincerest flattery is money, so thank you. Your continued support feeds my family, puts a roof over our head, and lets me continue writing.
Though perhaps that’s inaccurate and there are better forms.
In the introduction to my previous collection, I wrote about my status as an immigrant, and as a veteran of the US military.
Shortly after that, two people sent me similar short fan letters, with the same phrase:
“Welcome to America. Thank you for your service.”
Few authors can receive such a comment, and I was genuinely touched. I can only say, thank you very much, and you’re welcome.
I’ve received numerous emails from war zones, where troops acquired donated copies, or purchased copies of my books in the Exchange. Several have the recurring theme of, “I stayed up too late to finish it, and if I die on patrol today it’s partly your fault.”
No, Soldier (Sailor, Airman, Marine, Contractor), please get your rest, the book will wait. As flattered as I am, I wish you health and further reading.
I make a point to send them a copy of anything recently finished and awaiting publication, to help the remaining deployment time be somewhat less boring between bouts of excitement.
Then there are specific, notable interactions.
Below are only a sampling. There are many others.
Mr. Williamson:
A friend I’ve known for more than two decades was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer last week.
While brainstorming for ways to lift his spirits, the idea surfaced that an email from yourself wishing him well might be quite effecatious (sic); he is quite fond of your work, beginning with Freehold. (He used the same book to hook me.)
His name is [redacted]. He’ll be fifty on the 15th of this month, barring any additional accelerations in the growth of the glioblastoma.
Should you choose to fire off an email to him, I will print it out and read it to him, as the tumor has caused his vision to be rather iffy when he tries to read. (Reading aloud to him is far preferable to watching one of his headaches intensify.)
If this idea does not appeal or your schedule prevents, I thank you for your time in reading this missive, and further wish to express both his and my appreciation for your work.
My response was:
Dear [redacted],
Sorry to hear you’re not well. I always wish my fans the best.
I’m glad you’re a fan of Freehold, though I always have mixed feelings about it. It was my first, and rather angry and vital, but not necessarily my best written. That seems to happen a lot. I liked the middle of my Sniper series best. The fans liked the third one.
I’ve attached my upcoming novel, “Rogue,” and a couple of short stories I hope you’ll be able to enjoy, even if in bed. They’re not fully proofed, and I had five deadlines at once, so they may be a bit stark in spots.
I’ll hope for a good outcome for you. Three years ago, I came back from the Middle East choking to death. Therapy helped, but it seems my body finally got around to dealing with it, and my breathing’s mostly improved. I’ve always hated medications, but sometimes they’re a necessity. I’ve tried to be cheerful about 2000 allergy shots in the arms, but it does get tiresome now and then.
I wish there was more I could offer than good luck, and hope for the best. A positive attitude never hurts, and frequently helps.
All best
Mike
And then there was this one:
Michael,
You may remember me from a few years back when we shared dinner together in Atlanta, GA during Dragon Con. I really enjoyed our meeting and learned that I should NEVER accept a table next to the waitstaff station. No matter the case, this year I was in the hospital hoping to die, and your book “Rogue” gave me what little hope I have. I was well prepared to end my life, but your character not ending his because he felt responsibility to his daughter gave me pause. I will live a few more years because you created a character who would not abandon his child. I thank you for the lesson.
Very respectfully,
[redacted]
I have to say, that is humbling to read, and worth more in personal capital than any number of terrible reviews.
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Then, last year, I reconnected with a close associate I hadn’t seen in some time.
We got along well enough, and discussed our mutual interests.
But as I left, they thought it important to say:
“Look, it’s obvious you can write and have a following, but you got to admit, the subject matter is pretty naive.”
No, I don’t believe I have to admit anything, actually.
I didn’t bother asking for further explanation, because it was obvious, even without years of interaction, that this person really didn’t think the same way I did.
One could criticize the writing style. It’s certainly not as polished as my current style. I hope I’ve improved in a couple of decades since I first penned Freehold. I wouldn’t write the same book now. At the same time, it continues at about 87% sellthrough rate (percentage of shipped copies sold vs shredded or returned), and I sold my first novel on my first submission to my first publisher, which is a strong statement in the industry.
I suspect the criticism was of the politics, or what they perceived were my politics. While I find my creation fascinating, it wasn’t exactly my “dream” society then, and my thoughts in general have changed in a couple of decades. See above about my presentation of same.
It was possibly about the science and technology (this associate is professionally trained in the hard sciences). Here we run into two issues. First, this person isn’t a sci-fi reader, and, like any genre, one must have or learn a grasp of some cultural assumptions to “get” SF. Frequently, unreal science is a necessary workaround to create the environment necessary for the setting we wish to place the characters in.
Then, there are reasons within my universe for the apparently low advancement of tech over the present day, much of which a student of politics or war can deduce. Eventually, some of that will be covered in other works, and some of it has already been alluded to.
This brings us back to my fans. In addition to the above specific examples, my fans include numerous members of the military and civil intelligence communities, including a counterterror investigator with several “hits” and apprehensions of active hostiles. Some are professional security, in IT, police and military investigations, or for diplomatic protective groups or are department chiefs for major banks. I’ve been given challenge coins by members and support crew of SEAL Teams and Special Forces units. I have law professors and political scientists among my readers. I have hard scientists, including researchers who head projects you read about in the news (neural implants and prostheses, for example), as well as stellar scientists among the numbers.
Given that, I don’t believe I have anything to admit, nor to be ashamed of.
Remember what I said about having a thick skin?
Sorry, Associate, this time you’re wrong.
But perhaps there is a naïveté, or merely a lack of background in our discussion, and it’s not mine.
And my intent is to become a better writer with every project.
As for those of you who do enjoy my work, despite any real flaws, perceived flaws, or disagreements, it’s a privilege to wake up every day and know I’m appreciated.
I thank you.