Most Recent Author's Thought

First attempt at Blogging

Well, here goes my first attempt at Blogging.  I first want to thank my webmaster, Tracy Barling, Crazy Cajun Web Designs, for all of his tireless efforts in helping me with his expertise for the past 11 years.  Without his assistance I would be lost.  He even sent me step-by-step directions on how to use this blog so here goes.

Many times I have been asked the same questions regarding my book.  The questions range from: “Did you self-publish your book?”  “Did you have an agent?”, “Why did you decide to write about the funny side of police work?” , and “What led you to wanting to be a cop”?  “What gave  you the inspiration to be a writer?” and so on.  So I thought I would answer these questions one at a time on my “Author’s Thoughts” section to get started.

Q: Did you self-publish your book?

A:  No.  Like many others I had thought about writing a book for many years. I first started writing a  novel (ah, yes…we all think we will write the worlds greatest novel, don’t we?) in 1981.   I have read and collected many books on writing and have read and heard stories, many of them negative, about what it takes to write a book, getting it read by publishers and/or agents, rude rejection letters, etc.  I still have my 1989 copy of Writer’s Digest.  Some books  alluded that the publishers were getting overcome with submissions by first-time writers who would send their manuscripts by mail to several publishers at once.  Some changed their criteria where they would only accept manuscripts that were submitted to them by a literary agent.  But then agents were becoming overrun with un-solicited manuscripts from “unknown authors”.  Now you have the dog chasing it’s tail.  However, with the advances in today’s technology and computer age  makes it possible for people to get their stories out in different methods.  Self-publishing has been around for many years.  I remember seeing ads about it almost 30 years ago when I first contemplated writing.

There are many opportuinuties for self-publishing.  But, one of the main reasons I didn’t want to go that way were the costs.  That presented a large obstacle to me.  However, I do not disagree with that method.  It all depends on the desires of the individual writer.  The internet has much information on writer’s groups, etc. where one can find out just about anything on writing.  Whatever method you choose,  just remember to believe in yourself.

As Bugs Bunny says in the cartoons….”That’s all for now, folks!”