Tag: books

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Writing and Publishing

Why Do You Write?

In his book Unleash the Writer Within Cecil Murphey opens by asking the question, “Why do you write?”

What he’s not looking for is the safe answer, the politically correct response, a blast of bravado, or an eloquent, but meaningless marketing statement. He desires the real answer, the truth—and as writers, we owe it to ourselves, to be honest.

I could say I write to make a difference in the world. Although not untrue, it’s not my primary driving force. If my goal in writing was solely to make a difference, that would put a lot of pressure on me and quickly sap me of all joy for the craft.

To be completely open, I have two reasons why I write:

  1. I believe I have something worth sharing, and
  2. If I didn’t write, I think I would die — first figuratively and then literally.

[Read my review of Unleash the Writer Within.]

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.

Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.

Categories
Writing and Publishing

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812. This month marks his 200th birthday.

One of his most popular books—and my favorite—is A Christmas Carol. It has been loved by generations and made into many a movie.

I recently heard a radio segment about Dickens. NPR reported that in 1843 he wrote A Christmas Carol in a mere six weeks. (He was working to meet a deadline). Even more notable is that his first draft was also his final draft.

Although there were edits and deleted sections in this first and final version, what he wrote on his first pass was essentially what was published. In just six weeks, Dickens wrote a book that lived on longer than he, becoming a classic and delighting reader for 169 years—and most assuredly for many more.

While not every one of his efforts came into being so quickly or flowed with such relative ease, this one did. Such is what can happen when an experienced writer is inspired—and under a deadline.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.

Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.

Categories
Writing and Publishing

Tips on Writing Book Reviews

Last week I shared my foray into writing movie reviews. It wasn’t long before I began penning book reviews as well. However, unlike my short-lived tenure writing movie reviews, book reviewing is a practice that has continued. So far I’ve written 53 (it takes longer to read a book, so the numbers accumulate slower.)

The best time to write a review is within a day of finishing the book or watching the movie, allowing for some time to process it, but not enough to forget important details.

For example, after watching “The Life Before Her Eyes” it was several hours before I actually “got” the ending—and some reviewers hadn’t—so had I written immediately, I would have been one of them.

However, waiting too long is never good. I have six books sitting in my “to be reviewed” pile that were read in the midst of working on a big project (my dissertation) and set aside for a later review. I hope to get to them, but fear that I have already waited too long.

I just finished reading “The Reluctant Prophet” by Nancy Rue, which I hope to review today.

Like my movie reviews, about half of my book reviews have also been posted on my A Bible A Day website; the other half are patiently sitting in my computer, awaiting their eventual liberation. I plan to also add them to my soon-to-be-relaunched PeterDeHaan.name website.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.

Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.

Categories
Writing and Publishing

The Birthday of Peter Pan

Written by J. M. Barrie in 1911, the novel Peter Pan (aka: Peter and Wendy or Peter Pan and Wendy) is 100 years old. Whether or not you have read the book, you are no doubt familiar with the story, having likely seen an adaptation or two on video or stage. While much can be said about Peter Pan, the one undeniable fact is that it has endured through time.

Will any books written today have the staying power to last for a hundred years? Or will technology and the rapidity of change thwart any legacy they may have?

Although many works, by the nature of their topic, will have a short shelf life, some have the potential to maintain the interest and attention of future generations. While writing a timeless classic is more the result of circumstance and less of intention or plan, we can write so as to connect with present-day readers, as well as their children—and grandchildren.

Though I doubt if anything I have written yet will persevere, I do hope that some of my future work will stand the test of time and touch future generations.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.

Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.