Why I'm NOT writing the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL

Photo by Vernelle Judy

Okay, I admit, I've always had a hard time telling people "I'm a writer. " It has always seemed pretentious.

Never mind that I've earned most of my living writing since the early '80s. Yeah, I know it's stupid. Yes, stupid.

If you meet someone, say at a party, they always ask "what do you do?" It's a kind of code for whether we will like each other. "Do you do something that fits with my sense of whether I should stand here and talk to you or not."

I'd rather that decision not be based on some sense of what I do, especially if it sounds pretentious.

So yes, often I dodge it.

"Am I writing the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL?"

No. People always ask that. Great American Novels have truths. My novels are filled with lies, falsehoods, made up stuff. Prevarications, as Mark Twain might have said ... did say. 

Yes, I make shit up. I do it deliberately, so you'll laugh or cry ... and turn the page ... ALWAYS turn the page. 

I love it when my readers stay up late because they can't turn out the light and go to sleep without finding out what happens! My cousin called from China to say he couldn't go to sleep without finishing my mystery, Indecent Exposure.

And a teacher told me about reluctant readers in Vermont, kids who would rather bang on the ends of their fingers with ball peen hammers ... than read ... actually sneaked to read ahead in Cheechako instead of going off with classmates to see a movie. 

That's why I write. 

Novels that take you places

 One other reason I write is to take you—and me—places. My first six books take place in Alaska. Not just Alaska, but the amazing Alaska I got to grow up in. The Alaska of an older, wilder time.

When my wife, Billie, told me about living in a logging camp and water-skiing around whales, I knew I had to take my readers along on that adventure, and others like it. Not a video game about it, but as real as I could make it.

I not only do get to go home again, I get to take you along.

Tell your friends, tell your librarians ... write reviews!

I can always use your help. If you like books filled with lies, read mine and tell your friends and especially tell your librarians. Share my blog! And if you've read one of my books , I would love to read your review on Amazon or Goodreads, whether you did or didn't like it.  

Happy reading!