Imagine if you will, that you are browsing the shelves of your big, brightly lit bookshop and come upon the Crime Section.
Yes, a real life, physical, bricks and mortar, non-virtual bookshop.
There maybe 100s of books arranged alphabetically by Author Name, spines only, all calling for attention. Hardbacks, softbacks, Comic books. It is bewildering.
Except that, there, laid out before you, on the shelf or a display table, are the attractive front covers of perhaps five or ten - at most - latest hardbook books from well known writers whose work you have enjoyed before.
And perhaps one or two you do not know, but the cover design closely resembles another book you enjoyed. The title sounds interesting. The author’s name is not too scary. There is a quote from a writer you have heard of, telling you how good this story is. Perhaps the bookshop recommends it.
Being a generous and brave person you pick up one of these new books. You might read the back blurb. You might even read the info on the inside covers. And if the marketing and design dept has done their work - you may flick to the first page of actual text and read the opening paragraphs.
One page. Maybe 3 or 4 paragraphs. And you make your decision. Right then.
Because what are your options?
Are you truly willing to invest the next ?? hours of your life living in the world of this character and sharing this character’s experience? And this is about 500 pages, and no pictures. And you only read for maybe 30 mins in bed at night [ maybe 40 mins for women, 20 mins for men]. That could take weeks.
Or shall you go home and re-watch ‘Die Hard’ or the complete series of ‘24′ on DVD? You already know what sort of vicarious experience that will give you, and you do not have to pay out your hard earned cash for something you may NOT like or enjoy.
Or wait until the paperback comes out and take it on vacation with you? If you remember then, because of course, there will be 50 other books out between now and then.
Do you take the risk?
THE BAD NEWS?
I believe that the same dilemma faces any writer who is looking for an audience, for their work, irrespective of whether they are -
* the literary or creative artist Agents, Publishers and Producers, Script Readers
* A fiction reader of any genre
* A TV audience with a remote control who is ‘channel hopping’, perhaps at the program changes on the hour or half hour
* A movie goer who is scanning Trailers trying to decide which film to watch for themselves, their date or their family.
THE GOOD NEWS?
I also believe that the professional writer can create the best opportunity possible for their work to stand above the others, to be seen, read, heard. To have an audience. To get past the gatekeepers who they need to love their work.
By working until their fingers bleed and their brain explodes [ at least in my case]
Learning the craft.
It is in our own hands to find the best way we can to bring the audience to our work.
And this is good news. Because it means that it is in our own power.
THIS WEEK. I am trying to re-write the opening pages of my latest WIP in the most compelling way possible.
And on the way I am going to share what I learn from resources on Fiction Hooks, TV Teasers, Movie Trailers and Script First Pages.
Courage ma brave, courage.
