Where Do I Go from Here? by Marja McGraw



Marilyn asked me what my plans for the future are and why I keep writing. These are questions I’ve asked myself from time to time, and without fail, my answers have never wavered.

I can’t predict the future, but I can say I hope it continues to hold writing. I believe that creating stories keeps us young and sharp, but the most important thing is that writing is something I enjoy. I love entertaining readers, and hopefully they’ll put my books down with a smile on their faces.

I’ve often said writing is the most fun I’ve ever had while doing a job. It’s true that it really is a job, and it’s difficult at times, especially when you consider marketing and promoting as part of the equation, but it’s worth it.

I think two of the hardest businesses to break into are starting your own restaurant and writing. I once owned an antique store/tea room, and I had no idea what I was getting into. It’s the same story with writing. Many of us are like Babes in the Woods when we set out to write and market a book, but with little encouragement, we learn in a hurry. We have to or we’ll be lost in the crowd, and believe me, it’s a huge crowd.

My hopes for the future and why I keep writing both have the same answer. It’s a need I have and it’s fulfilling. Even if this sounds a bit melodramatic, it’s a destiny.



My latest book, “How Now Purple Cow – A Bogey Man Mystery” came about because of some vintage ceramic purple cows that sit in my office and a dream about some friends being spies. If things as off the wall as those can inspire a story, then maybe there’s hope for my writing career.

What could purple cows and elderly spies possibly have to do with each other? When young Mikey Cross discovers ceramic purple cows, a ring, and investigative notes left by a mystery writer popular in the 1950s, his parents’ and grandparents’ lives are turned upside down.

Pamela and Chris Cross become involved in vintage intrigue with trepidation and more than a little angst when they find out there’s an elderly assassin on the prowl and the situation isn’t quite as vintage as they thought.

The dead just may come back as the living when it’s least expected.

Marilyn, Thank you for inviting me to your site today. I hope I can follow in your talented and prolific footsteps.

Please visit my website at http://www.marjamcgraw.com/

My blog can be found at http://www.marjamcgraw.blogspot.com/



 (I'm delighted to have Marja visiting me today. She's one of my Internet friends who I've really met. I've had the pleasure of visiting the area where she lives and giving a presentation in the library. I've also had the opportunity to visit with her at least two mystery and writing conventions--and possibly more.)
 

Comments

Marja said…
Marilyn, Again, thank you for having me as a guest today.
Palmaltas said…
I couldn't agree more with your comments, Marja. Writing is just something many of us feel compelled to do and it's possibly the most enjoyable job ever.
Elaine Faber said…
Glad you will continue to write. Many of us have the same dedication and feelings that we need to keep writing, whatever comes or goes. Promoting and selling can be challenging, but the actual writing is the fun part.
Marja said…
Lorna, Thank you! It's a fun book.
Marja said…
You're right, Pat. Compelling and fun equal a dream job.
Marja said…
Elaine, The promoting and selling are the hardest part of being a writer. Thank goodness there's the bright side.
Evelyn Cullet said…
I find that writing is almost like therapy. Sometimes I feel compelled to write down things I can't or won't say out loud. At least it's off my mind. I just hope nobody ever finds this stuff 'cause I could regret having written it down. :) What am I saying? Half of it was in my last novel. Sorry, I got a little carried away. Now, what was your blog post about, again???
I completely agree with Evelyn. Writing is almost like therapy.
For example, most of us feel murderous rage at one time or another but we know we can't act on those impulses. Well, we can but then we'd go to jail and Hell. So we don't. But, in our writing, we can kill off anyone we want to at any time - and suffer no consequences and, with any luck, we'll even get paid for it. It doesn't get much better than that.
Can you tell I have someone in particular in mind as I type this? LOL
Marja said…
LOL Good one, Evelyn! However, I strongly suggest you get rid of any incriminating evidence. : )
Marja said…
Funny stuff, Pat, and I know just how you feel. The odd thing is that most people wouldn't recognize themselves as characters in a book. Now take a deep breath.
Jean Henry Mead said…
Marja, writing was the best therapy when I lost my daughter. Focusing on my work helped to ease the pain. And, Pat, a couple of people have made me so mad that they wound up fictional murder victims, their genders and descriptions disguised, of course. : )
Morgan Mandel said…
I have a love/hate relationship with writing. At times, I ignore it, but then I find myself drawn back in, and I can't resist!
Marja said…
Jean, I hope to get back to my writing soon -- and I hope I can remember where I was going with the story. I once heard an author asked if she'd ever run out of victims. She said, No, not as long as there were people she didn't like.
Marja said…
Morgan, I have more of a love/hate relationship with marketing and promoting. If I had a choice, all I'd do is sit and write.
James R. CAllan said…
Glad you are going to keep writing, Marja. We need you.
Marja said…
Jim, You just made my day. Thank you!
Lesley Diehl said…
I thought I'd be rich by now and own several houses throughout the world, so I'm just shocked it didn't turn out that way. Yet I keep writing, and for the same reasons you do. The best job I ever had and it's entertainingfor me and, I hope, for others who read my work. The writing communiy needs writers like us because I think our enjoyment of what we do shines through our work.
Marja said…
You made me laugh, Lesley. I think we all thought we'd be rich and famous by now, but it doesn't hurt to keep on dreaming and striving. And I think you're right about our enjoyment shining through our work.
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M.M. Gornell said…
Late getting to your post, Marja, but glad I finally did! Glad you're going to keep writing, because I certainly enjoy your tales. If I haven't already said, loved How Now Purple Cow, and I want to continue reading your books for a long time into the future.

And you're so right--writing is hard! Hope to see you again down the road.

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