"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."
-W. H. Murray in The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951 (commonly attributed to Goethe--and actually based on a very lose translation by John Anster in 1835, but now maybe we're getting a tad bit esoteric. [I did go back to the German to see just how loose, and let me say very very.)
This quote has been an essential part of my life (always attributed to Goethe because he's easier to remember than all that nonsense above), and not just my writing life. With the power of this quote, I've designed and built houses, flown planes, bicycled around the world, completed massive corporate projects... Oh, and become a professional novelist.
Who knew so much power could lie in such simple words.
So there I was in late 2017, my writing in a massive snarl that I have trouble explaining to people. Across 56 novels and 59 short stories, I have published in 5 genres and 9 major series. If I count all my series, (for example, the Firehawks Lookout Tower romance short stories as distinct from the Firehawks Hotshot romance short stories) I've written in 24 separate series.
Worse, characters cross wildly back and forth through my universe. Emily Beale (one of my main heroines) has a particularly lettered career. She appeared:
- First in 4 Night Stalkers novels (and a couple short stories)
- Then moved on to launch the 5-novels in the Firehawks series
- While still making guest appearances in:
- 3 more Night Stalkers novels
- 4 our of six of the Night Stalkers White House Holiday novels
- And has now moved on to Henderson's Ranch for her retirement
Even where she doesn't appear herself, her reputation often does. And she's not the only character to do this.
It took me a long time to notice that my writing, and far more importantly, my joy of writing was fading away. Each title I tackled belonged in an ever more complex universe that was so heavily peopled with heroines, heroes, couples, and kids that I could barely explain it to myself, much less a reader.
Don't get me wrong, I'm immensely proud of all of those titles. That's one of our household policies: If we don't think that it is better than the prior book, we don't release it. PERIOD! We (my wife is my conscience) have discarded story lines, characters, and twice whole manuscripts--all in the pursuit of bettering my stories and my skills.
But I needed something to revitalize my writing after this great mass of storytelling I've done since I became a full-time author.
That's when I remembered the Murray quote:
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." (He said this on Everest, two years before it was ultimately climbed.)
I had been considering simply paring down. Focus on a few series that were already running. But I didn't find the excitement there.
"What do you want to write?" My embodied conscience asked me.
"Well, I loved writing about the White House, but I think I've written all I can about the politicians."
"What about everyone else? Remember that quote you're always using." See why I fell in love with this lady? How could I not?
So I washed the slate clean. I kept the White House from my holiday series (it has been a HUGE fan favorite), but I've moved behind the scenes.
What it power and security wasn't maintained by those who think they're running the show? I spent decades in corporate America and I certainly learned who keeps everything running. It's not the bosses, no matter what they think.
So, I came up with the White House Protection Force. I doubt if I've had this much fun writing in the last year! (Well, maybe Wild Justice, because that book was seriously cool. And the Love Abroad B&B. And... Okay, I love my own books, what can I say.)
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| Coming soon! |
THAT is the power of something new. I had done a ton of research about the White House dog team and Military War Dogs, but I'd never really used them. Boy did I ever. Sometimes it take 4 feet to save the White House.
I would suggest that you ask yourself about the power of NEW. About the power of BEGINNING.
If you're stuck, don't wait!
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now!
M.L. Buchman started the first of over 50 novels and as many short stories while flying from South Korea to ride across the Australian Outback. All part of a solo around-the-world bicycle trip (a mid-life crisis on wheels) that ultimately launched his writing career.
Booklist has selected his military
and firefighter series(es) as 3-time “Top 10 Romance of the Year.” NPR and
Barnes & Noble have named other titles “Top 5 Romance of the Year.” In 2016
he was a finalist for RWA's RITA award. He has flown and jumped out of
airplanes, can single-hand a fifty-foot sailboat, and has designed and built
two houses. In between writing, he also quilts. M.L. is constantly amazed at
what can be done with a degree in geophysics. He also writes: contemporary
romance, thrillers, and SF. More info at: www.mlbuchman.com.
8 comments:
Even Arthur Conan Doyle got tired of writing about Sherlock Holmes and attempted to kill him off. The fans rebelled! Writing something new makes a lot more sense!
And this new series has it all: Interesting characters, amazing dogs, thrills and romance! Plus a happy, excited author!
Whee!
We'll see if rebellion kicks in later. :)
The Law of Attraction says "If you can conceive it and believe it you can achieve it." I also think if you can conceive it, believe it, love it and are excited about it, you will have a fun time achieving it!" Very cool series concept!
I've always admired you and your prolific writing. Great blog post and interesting how you are taking your writing in a new and interesting direction. Animals always lend another dimension to books.
Hey Judith, Yes, I've always liked that one too.
Thanks Diana. I have to admit that choosing to not write (for now) in any of my proven money makers was a very hard decision. How far did I dare to stray from my roots without alienating my audience? Screw my audience and jump into a new genre like thrillers? That had it's own attraction. It took me a long time to come to a place where I'm happy with a choice that I think my existing audience will find entertaining and engaging as well.
Time will tell.
I've always liked that quote. But thought it belonged to Goethe. Good luck with your new direction. Yes, we do have to write what excites us. I've loved watching your career grow. You are as dedicated to the business as to the writing itself. And have made a big success of what you set out to do.
Love the quote, and Judith's "law of attraction." What an interesting new series idea, Matt. I'm excited to see how it plays out for you. I'm a firm believer that once you find your audience (or they find you) they continue to buy because of your core story, rather than because of repeating the same series again and again.
There will likely be some people who will move on from you because they have a more narrow idea of story and a need to feel comfortable in one world. But I think most avid readers are not that way.
Do keep us posted when it is release time.
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