Writing fiction is a task that would keep anyone busy. Trying to do that and online marketing is almost a full-time job.
I’m currently working on a novel (or possibly a novella, depending on how many words I can manage to write without making it too wordy—is there anything worse than a story that uses too many words to say too little?) about a former Marine (female) who comes back from Iraq with PTSD and develops an opioid addiction. I was inspired to write about this protagonist by this photo from The Washington Post.
From The Washington Post
Now, here’s an interesting thing. I recently read a book called The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq. And I realized something very profound. That I had no idea what the hell I was talking about. Or maybe I did and just didn’t know it.
So here I am, in the middle of writing a book while still getting to know my protagonist. It’s a very odd feeling, because when I started writing about Sam McRae, I felt I already knew her in her entirety. But Sam McRae is based on the person I used to be, in a sense. Ever since I developed dystonia, I’ve come to realize that I’m more like that lonely soldier.
But I’m not letting dystonia keep me from leaving the house. In two weeks, I’ll be attending the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Conference. I’m one of the featured speakers, along with some really amazing authors. Check out the program here!
Among other things, I’ll be doing a breakfast interview (after a healthy dose of cappuccino!) and doing a 45-minute talk on Social Media and Online Marketing. I’m sure whatever I say, it will be worth it! I just have to remember two words.
Hey, I’ve done this before. Right? 🙂
