Have Yourself an If I Never Christmas!
December 22, 2009
Seasons Greetings from all at Gary William Murning Online (okay, that’ll be me, then)! Have a wonderful, safe holiday and I’ll see you in the New Year.
Thanks for helping make 2009 a great year for me!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
That Was the Year That Was.
December 15, 2009
Okay, I’m doing this a little early, I know — but, given that I’m writing again and that my very atheistic Christmas is just around the corner, I thought it best to do it now, while I’m in the mood and have a few moments to spare.
So, welcome to my look back on the year. Or more especially, my look back on my year.
And what a year! It started off like many others, with me knuckling down to start a new writing project, still unpublished and, the economic climate being what it was/is, not really holding out much hope. In late 2008 I’d been working on a project tentatively entitled Tomorrow Will Come and It Will Be Just like Today. It was yet another attempt at finding something different, something more commercial and less likely to be rejected — and as such, it just didn’t feel right. I’d rushed into it without much in the way of planning, a little desperate to find a project that might stand a chance… and by the New Year I was completely convinced that this was a novel I didn’t want to write.
And, so, I resigned myself to the fact that getting anything published for the next eighteen months or so was even more unlikely than it had previously been, given the global recession, failing banks and so on and so forth. The prospects for a new author weren’t bright and so I decided to work on something just for myself — a long project that revisited an earlier novel I’d written and expanded upon it. Something just for me. Hell, if my work wasn’t going to sell, I could at least write something that I got a kick out of.
The planning of what was to become my current work in progress (As Morning Shows the Day — a huge, nostalgic piece that looks like hitting 200,000 words) went extremely well. I outlined in detail and was soon working on the novel itself, happy to be doing something just for me. I hadn’t exactly given up on being published, but it had definitely ceased to be a priority.
Fairly typically where such things are concerned, I suppose, I was a good few chapters in when I received an email from a certain gentleman called Tom Chalmers — the managing director of Legend Press and a man of unrivalled good taste! Tom had read one of my earlier novels, If I Never, and, sure enough, within a week or so I had the fabled publishing contract.
In retrospect — and with the benefit of a rather cooler head (okay, a slightly cooler head!) — it was quite possibly the most exciting and stressful time of my life. I was certain that something was going to come along at any time and throw a spanner in the works. After writing for so long, finding an agent, sacking an agent, submitting and resubmitting, it seemed impossible that I was finally there. And, yet, I most emphatically was. The editing went without a hitch, my relationship with the Legend team felt extremely promising (I actually liked them — and still do!), I was given a say in cover artwork and, all in all, it was and is an extremely satisfying and rewarding experience. On August twenty ninth, If I Never hit the shops without a single problem. The online launch (something I’d fretted about, as I was sure I’d set myself up for a huge fall) went remarkably well — Amazon.co.uk selling out within an hour — and early reactions (and, on the whole, those that followed) were extremely positive. I started the round of promotional work, doing interviews and generally annoying folk so much that they bought the book just to shut me up, all the while editing Children of the Resolution (my next novel) and continuing work on As Morning Shows the Day.
I don’t think I was overly stressed. Yes, I’d had the busiest few months of my life, but I felt like I was coping fairly well. So, naturally, it was a huge surprise to find myself vomiting blood couple of months later, this little episode resulting in a hospital stay during which I was quite convinced that the end was nigh!… I’m making light of it, but at the time it was pretty scary and, yes, for a good few hours, at least, I did think, with good reason, I’d written my last.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Medicated and discharged, and after a few weeks of taking it easy, I found myself back on track — enjoying working again and looking forward to the publication of Children. Looking back, and based on what I’ve been told, I think the stomach ulcers they found whilst I was in hospital probably had more to do with excessive acid production (something with which I have always suffered ) rather than stress. Nevertheless, I took the whole episode as something of a warning. Yes, I’m working as hard as ever, but… well, I’m remembering to breathe! I’m still a control freak and obsessed with detail, but I do it with a less stressful efficiency these days 
Honest.
And that’s pretty much where I am as we approach Christmas and the end of the year. Children of the Resolution has been delivered to Legend and has a tentative publication date of August/September next year (this may change, so watch this space!) I’m happier and more motivated than ever before, halfway through As Morning Shows the Day and already thinking of the next project (working title, Out Of Season.) I feel pretty blessed, I guess. Not only did I manage to secure a publishing contract in 2009, but I also succeeded in getting out of hospital without MRSA! All in all, a pretty good year, I think.
So, it now just leaves me to wish you a happy holiday period — whichever particular brand you celebrate (or don’t, as the case may be!) — and a simply splendid 2010! Be good and remember: if you need a last-minute present, or if that annoying great-aunt who smells of wee has given you loads of book vouchers for Christmas, again, you could do a lot worse than If I Never!
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
No Urgency — but Bloody Hurry up!
November 27, 2009
The past fortnight has found me in a suitably strange little place. Uncharacteristically, I have on the one hand felt very laid-back, comfortable in the knowledge that I’m well on schedule with all my projects (even taking into account the unexpected stay in hospital and its aftermath) and quite content to “potter” with bits and pieces of editorial work. On the other hand, however, I’ve started to feel that old, familiar twitchiness — the restless need to get back to my writing.
Briefly, a few days ago, I managed to convince myself that, you know, Christmas is almost upon us and, frankly, well, returning to As Morning Shows the Day (my half-finished work in progress) this side of New Year would be pretty silly, wouldn’t it?
And maybe it would… I don’t know… but, the way things are going, I’ll probably be writing again during December. Just can’t help myself, guvna.
Getting my final draft of Children of the Resolution off to Legend last week kind of underscored my need to return to my work. Still not completely back to full health but needing something to do, I’d worked through the manuscript steadily and methodically, falling back into that other world I had in part created. The autobiographical aspect of Children resonated even more, given my recent illness (you’ll see what I mean when you read it), and even as I found it cautionary I yearned to get back to shaping my characters and fictional vistas. And so, once this project was delivered, I returned to As Morning Shows the Day — merely reading through it at this stage, listening to the voice, refamiliarising myself with it.
Yes, I still occasionally manage to convince myself that this is merely my way of preparing for starting back on it in January… but I’m fooling no one, least of all myself.
In other news, the electronic version (for Kindle, Sony Reader etc) of If I Never is now available here. Pretty excited about this. I’m not a huge fan of electronic books but I know a growing number of people are — and having seen the finished product, I’m beginning to understand why! Looks great… but don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself! (Free readers are also available for PCs.)
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
To buy your copy of If I Never, please click here.
Children of the Resolution — Update.
October 21, 2008
Yesterday I heard from an agent to whom I’d sent samples of Children of the Resolution. The rest of the manuscript has been requested and I was informed that she had been “utterly absorbed” by what she had read so far.
Naturally, it’s too early to draw any conclusions from this and I’m trying not to get my hopes up. I’ve done this too many times — and I therefore won’t be happy until I’ve heard her final response/decision.
It is, however, satisfying to know that someone within the industry seems to have “got” at least part of what I’m trying to achieve with Children.
Utterly absorbed is good. I can live with that
Creative Freedom.
September 17, 2008
I realised today, whilst out in the country, that I have complete creative freedom. I don’t have to be tied to any particular kind of novel — as long as it’s fairly “literary” (I’m not good at genre fiction, and publishers like Legend wouldn’t be interested, anyway.) I can play with ideas, with form, with character and really let myself go, if I wish. Just the kind of thing that plays to my strengths. I don’t necessarily have to write another Carl Grantham novel (potentially a waste of time if Children doesn’t sell) but I can nevertheless build on what Children has — from my point of view, as the author — achieved.
Such moments of uncertainty, such enforced period of waiting, are an opportunity to explore new avenues and, quite possibly, new ways of working. I don’t know what they are, yet, and I’m determined not to think about it too rigorously. I’ll just let it happen and have fun finding out.
“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things.”
Ray Bradbury.
Back in the Saddle.
September 16, 2008
It occurred to me last night that maybe writing about my rejections here was not such a good idea. After all, every email I send to agents/editors has my website address on it. They can read everything that you can read, and seeing that others have already rejected a certain piece of work could be prejudicial.
Nonetheless, I’ve decided that I’m going to keep posting honest updates regarding the reactions of those I submit Children of the Resolution to. There are a number of reasons for this, but the principal one is that I feel I owe it to the friends and readers who have supported me through the novel’s development, from conception to completion. Those of you who visit this blog regularly, friends and relative strangers alike, are my potential book buyers. It would be a pretty lousy state of affairs if I didn’t keep you up to speed.
I think any editor/agent worth his/her salt will see the sense of this — especially when they take a look at my visitor stats in the sidebar.
Before signing off, I’d also just like to thank all of you for supporting me. Your friendship, advice and encouragement really does make this so much easier. The faith I have in my work and my ability is largely down to the reactions of people like you. Cheers!
Oh, nearly forgot! I’ve just heard back from Tom at Legend Press. He said Children of the Resolution sounds very interesting and he looks forward to reading it. He now has the full manuscript.
Children of the Resolution — Agent Reaction.
September 15, 2008
This probably isn’t the best idea. Blogging shortly after receiving a quite perfunctory rejection makes a rant rather too tempting. So I’ll keep it short; Children of the Resolution “undoubtedly has merit”, but it isn’t for them. Once again, the phrase “This business is so subjective” was tagged on the end — and whilst I understand and appreciate their position… yes, I’m disappointed and disillusioned…
Children is a very personal novel. It’s not a high concept genre novel, but I still feel that it has something very worthwhile to say and deserves a chance. I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that mainstream publishing just doesn’t want to listen. This rejection is only one opinion, of course, but from a leading agency — one that’s been sympathetic to my work in the past — it doesn’t bode well.
Next, I will therefore be trying Legend Press — a small, dynamic independent that I’ve dealt with in the past. They were extremely encouraging and expressed an interest in reading more work, work that fit their list a little better (which I think Children of the Resolution does.)
Here we go again…
Through the Stormy Shades — Update.
September 8, 2008
Last week ended up being written off as far as my work on the rough outline for Through the Stormy Shades is concerned. There was simply too much going on in the blogosphere for me to give it my full attention and, to be honest, it didn’t seem all that urgent. The outline is very much a formality — a nailing down of what I already know — and I was far from worried about this brief interruption.
Today, however, has been rather more quiet and I have succeeded in getting a little done. If Children of the Resolution is taken on and I go ahead with this project (as enthusiastic as I am about Through the Stormy Shades, it would be foolish to write the second book in a series of books when the first hasn’t sold), I know it’s going to be exactly the kind of project I most enjoy; challenging, amusing, dark, multi-layered and, hopefully, unique. Like Children of the Resolution, I think it could be an important book… Christ, that makes me sound so up myself! I really don’t mean it in that way (or maybe I do!) — the point I’m trying to make is that it has something highly individual to say. Where literature is concerned, that from me is the mark of a good book… an important book.
I can’t wait to get started. Always a good sign. But, as yet, it’s too early — so I’ll simply take my time with the outline and let it, you know, mature.
Looking Back…
August 23, 2008
It seems I’m pulling in quite a few new readers at the moment. My daily page hit count has been around 184 over the past week or so, jumping up to 233 on one occasion. Not exactly in the same league as some out there, but a definite improvement and rather gratifying nonetheless.
So, I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank you all for helping my blog to grow. Your comments are always welcome (in fact, if you’re a new reader, please feel free to treat this as an opportunity to say hello — pimp your own blog, even, if you wish!)
Because so many new people are dropping by I thought it might be fun to look back at some of my earlier articles. I’ve picked five of my personal favourites. If you’re a regular reader and there’s an older article of mine that you like which I haven’t mentioned, please feel free to shout up!
Five of the Best.
- Drawing the Line. February 25, 2008. I like this piece because it gives an insight into how I write and, in particular, how I wrote Children of the Resolution. It was good for me to read it again. Especially at this “between-projects” time.
- Disability in Fiction. February 16, 2008. Another writing-related piece concerning expectation in writing.
- The Pleasure of Finding Things Out. November 26, 2007. The Richard Feynman Horizon interview — with a short introduction by me.
- You Can’t Say That. June 23, 2008. A rant on our ridiculous fear of causing offence. In part a tribute to the late George Carlin.
- Elvis, Marty Lacker… and Me. August 3, 2008. This is one of my all-time favourites because it provided me, quite unexpectedly, with the opportunity to exchange emails with one of Elvis Presley’s closest friends, Memphis Mafia member Marty Lacker. I may have a further update on this story in the not too distant future.
Well, I think that’s all for now. Take a look when you have time and enjoy. These five post probably epitomise pretty well just what I am about — or what my blog is about, at least!
Biting the Bullet.
August 21, 2008
Today I finally got round to admitting to myself that the outline for The Yesterday Tree isn’t firing me up as much as I would have hoped. I’ve tiptoed up to the edge of this a number of times over the past few weeks, but today — whilst it was developing quite nicely, with many elements that I like — I had to bite the bullet and accept that it just isn’t what I want to write. The truth is, it’s becoming rather too genre for my liking (there’s nothing wrong with genre fiction per se — I actually really enjoy good genre fiction — but I do find it extremely restricting as a writer.) There are certain themes and ideas I want to explore, and the plot was becoming far more dominant than I would have liked. I can’t see a way of fixing this without it becoming a different novel altogether and so it’s now officially on the backburner. I may return to it, but my past record suggests that I probably won’t.
It also didn’t help that I couldn’t quite see it as a follow-up to Children of the Resolution. I’m fairly sure that should Children be accepted I would face opposition to The Yesterday Tree. It’s just too different, and from a marketing perspective it could have quite possibly been a nonstarter.
It isn’t as depressing as it might sound, however. In fact, it’s a very common situation for me and actually quite liberating. I find ideas need to be thoroughly tested and in order to weed out the good ones a few must inevitably fail. I have something else up my sleeve — a couple of possible projects — but that’s where they’re staying for the moment!
Writing Advice for the Day: Always give a project a chance. Do not abandon a novel simply because you’re having a bad day. But do not be afraid of abandoning it if it continually leaves you feeling half-hearted and uninspired. You must feel passionate about the project. Without that it’s very likely to be a complete waste of time.
