THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

I’ve been doing the internet interview thing again and recently I was asked something that I hadn’t been asked before. The questioned posed was; “What do you hope to achieve with your writing?”

I had to think about that one for a moment before I could offer a reasonable response. I’m actually not looking to achieve anything with my writing except to provide people with entertainment (an imaginary retreat from the real world). I’m not looking to win any big awards (though I’m not opposed). I don’t think I’m going to get rich from this (though that would be nice). And I’m not looking at my writing as a way to meet women (I’m married). So why exactly am I constantly in front of my keyboard tapping until carpel tunnel kicks in?

Simple, I’m addicted to storytelling.

I describe my books as quick, exciting, thought-provoking, powerful reads, devoid of mind-numbingly boring character details, but characters that will forever haunt your memory. My plots are both uniquely insightful and yet jarring at the same time.

I don’t think my books will ever hit the mainstream market but I could get a viral following of readers who want to experience the kinds of stories that stay with you long after finishing the final page. As one of my fans put it in an email to me; “I love your novels because I can read them in a few hours, which is good, because I can never put them down once I start one.”

Such high praise pinks my cheeks. The freedom of an author to write any type of novel they want without worrying if a certain publisher will accept the material is amazing. I will NEVER have a publisher or agent tell me to rewrite a novel again.

In my early, exciting days as a New York-agent-represented author I had several publishers tell me to take out what I thought were some of the best parts of my novels because they felt the scenes wouldn’t sell to the mainstream public. Well, guess what? I don’t want to sell to the mainstream public. I want to sell to people who are interested in reading something they’ve never read before, something that may touch them deeply or maybe scare the h*ll out of them. No boring, conventional, formulaic, mainstream stories here. Just a crazy, obsessed, introverted author airing out the over-cluttered attic of his mind.

To read more about me and my books please check out my blog: ALWAYS WRITING

Click here to read my blog!
http://www.neilostroff.blogspot.com

Why even write? Because I am unable to NOT write. I think that's the way with most writers.

I once took part in a Meyers-Briggs marriage counseling seminar, and we were divided up by our personality groups. My group, I was told, are ALWAYS writers. This is not to say that others cannot be writers, and successful writers at that, but that those with my particular personality traits were always writers, whether published or not.

Interesting, huh?

I write in hopes that by doing so I'll further establish (if to no one else but myself) that I exist, that I am real - that the story of 'me' as writer will be bolstered somehow by the writing of stories - that the illusion that is 'me' will not be seen by that which on occasion really does see. If by some chance a story I write fails to obfuscate, I might (if alert) consider it a form of grace; a kindness proffered not by words but by what is beyond them. I should say then that I write for a chance at grace too. I'm speaking for myself, of course, which at this point is somewhat fishy. Take it with a grain of salt therefore when I say that writing is bondage to dream, deadly or lovely - to self image, to brand (however eccentric) and to platform. It entertains. It awes. It seduces. It lies. It tells the truth. Sometimes it even surprises. I suppose that's what I cherish more than anything else really - to be surprised.

In one of the stories (A Working Man) from my collection, Strange Worlds, I have a character who chooses not to write. The people in the cafe think it's a pose, to make him appear different, a rebel. Personally, I love to write and tell stories. I want to entertain, yes, but also open eyes and minds. But I don't preach. That's a whole different art. Write on!

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've asked myself this very question, and a bit more often as of late, even though I have two new full length novels just out. Looking back over 45 years of writing, yes, I do remember writing at a young age. I can remember begging my parents to teach me to print (my father's penmanship was beautiful) and at the time thought it was the tactile feel and art of forming the letters that drew me and for many years kept this notation. I use to do calligraphy. But, even in second grade was recognized for writing and art that went with the story. For long years I wrote in secret, stories kept for my personal enjoyment. I did art work and my parents encourage the thinking I was meant to be an artist. Never realizing it was the writing that I was really interested in - HATED English class and completely rebelled at spelling. Childish response to pressure from parents. After become an adult and finding my stories becoming more complex and realizing I had to tell the stories on paper, I did, but it wasn't until the computer that I sought to publish. It just made those old negative feelings about grammar and spelling much easier to deal with and the pressure less. Now, like all authors, I have my writer's block days, and those days I can't seem to stop. I still paint and do other things, but know, I will always tell stories. One way or the other.