To celebrate the release of my novel this week, several bloggers have asked me to post my blog entries on writing as guest posts on their blogs.
Last week I wrote about the writing advice “write what you know” on the Beth Fish Reads blog.
The post begins like this:
The idea that you should write what you know has always made me nervous. It’s embarrassing how little I know. Whenever I’m invited to play Trivial Pursuit, I fake a groin injury. If someone asks me a question that requires any kind of practical experience in the answer, I begin to cough, or if that doesn’t work, I’ll cry. I’ve gone into labor to avoid admitting I don’t know how to get to Main Street.
To compound this problem, I don’t enjoy research. The word archival gives me a rash, and if someone even points at an encyclopedia, I need to swallow half a bottle of Tums.
I have very little to offer in the way of useful knowledge or advice, and even if I did have anything helpful to say, I’d probably spill something hot on myself before I had a chance to say it.
So you can see why writing a novel was hard for me.
If the topic interests you, you can read the full post, where I discuss how I tried to deal with these shortcomings, on the Beth Fish blog: http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/2010/07/spotlight-on-justin-kramon.html
First, I wanted you to know that I came here from Jane’s blog…There Are No Rules. Thank you for your great advice about keeping your writing career going, even though you feel like pulling all your hair out at once.
Second, I love the way you write so I’m getting Finny today. Can’t wait to read it.
Third, this is a great post because I also don’t like the idea of writing what I know. I don’t know Jack…or Jill or crap, for that matter. And I am also allergic to research.
Thanks! And Congrats on the book!!
Dana,
Thank you so much for this note. I really appreciate it. I’m so happy to be in this club with you, and I’m really glad if some of the bumbling I’ve done is useful for other writers. That means a lot to me.
Also, thanks so much for picking up Finny. That’s really nice of you, and I’ll look forward to hearing what you think.
All very best,
Justin
Congratulations on the release of Finny! Are you having any sort of book party?
Thanks, Katie! That’s really nice of you. We had a little celebration last night, but the main celebration is this: http://justinkramon.com/Events.html
Where are you this summer? I hope maybe I’ll catch you while I’m traveling around.
I really appreciate the good wishes.
All best,
Justin
Hi Justin,
How fun! It must have been a dream of yours to read at Prairie Lights. That’s when you know you’ve made it!
I’m interning with Andrea Hurst and Associates out on Whidbey Island in Washington State this summer. It doesn’t look like you’re coming out here this summer, but there’s a great writer’s community and it’s really gorgeous so maybe at some point you can! (I’m helping organize next year’s conference for April 1-3…maybe I should drop your name as a possible presenter?) And let me know if you’re going to be in Chicago again during the school year!
Good luck with the book tour! I bet it will be exhilarating and exhausting. I look forward to reading about it!
Thanks so much, Katie. So sorry I’ll miss you this summer, but yes, I’d love to see you this year if we can cross paths. And that writers’ conference sounds like a lot of fun. I’m so glad you’re doing that.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
-Justin
I was so pleased to host you on Beth Fish Reads. And this week I’m reading glowing reviews. Congratulations.
Candace,
It was such a treat. So happy that people are enjoying the post and the book. Look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia.
-Justin