The Official Website for the author who wrote The Magic and the Mayhem
For an author reviewing a post published work it can be nerve racking rethinking certain parts of the story for which I could have elaborated more. For instance, the Elizabeth Oliver (Betts) character in The Magic and the Mayhem is a single parent by choice. I wonder what her motivations were to have a child out of wedlock when she obviously had so much going for herself.
She has an important and prosperous job, excellent friends, a condo worth half a million dollars and yet she has a daughter on her own, with ostensibly no immediate plans to include the child’s father in its life.
To me, it seems that she is a selfish participant… a greedy mother who wants a mini me… if you will. So many women now-a-days do. They may not have as much going on for themselves as Betts does but still they choose to have a baby on their own whether or not the father is on board or not. The question I ask is whether or not it’s worth it in the end?
This blog is dedicated to my writing and will hopefully give other first time novelists an opportunity to learn from my journey. I try to write every day. My first (writer's) draft is written without any thoughts as to where the story is going. After the initial twenty pages or so I put together an outline because the characters really do take on a life of their own, and it takes a certain measure of discipline to remind these "made up characters" that you're the boss. Following an outline allows your story to have a fluid beginning, middle, and end. Without an outline and a dedicated resolve to follow it the story will be scattered and may never find its end. I usually read through a chapter ten or more times before I'm satisfied enough to move on to the next one. I never let anyone read my novel until its ready to go to the editor. I chose to self publish The Magic and the Mayhem using www.lulu.com. Self publishing gives authors a tangible product so they can introduce their work to the world, get feedback, and strengthen their skills. Some people think its cheating and that it somehow invalidates an author's work but the more traditional publishing houses are virtually impossible to gain admittance to. It's obviously not impossible but getting into the game is like hitting the lottery. I recommend self publishing along with routinely submitting your work to reputable publishers but while you're waiting, keep writing!
Jacqueline
January 13th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
A lot of women have babies because they think they’re ready. It doesn’t matter to them that they’re not married. Sometimes the men eventually fall in line but nowadays women don’t need the man to make the home. I agree with the idea that both parents are essential in raising a child though.