The Writer's Mailbag: Installment 151

Bill

Interesting, what you say about the research. I wouldn't say you'd been 'lazy' so much as been 'smart' in using what you know!

To me, that's what makes your stories come to life, I can tell it's something the writer has experienced, with that they take us on the journey with them!

I'm loving the new series too, because it feels like we're in the wagon with them!

Great mailbag here, and sorry I'm so late getting here.

I agree with you with regard to ghostwriting, Bill. Why should someone else take credit for your work? In my opinion, that's right up there with plagiarism. Not quite really, but someone else is claiming kin to your blood, sweat and tears, as you put it. Why would any self-respecting writer give up rights to his/work?

I missed this one before. I'm glad I searched for it as I did not know about your colouring books. You are always a surprise. I have learned to focus and discipline myself to a schedule after reading how persistent you are. I am now on the last edits of an education book started 17 years ago. Finally!

Three years already? No way! How will we live without "The Writer's Mailbag" ? It's been the highlight of my hub week. I learn volumes from you.

Thank you for helping us to "spread our wings and fly".

Love,

Audrey

It can't possibly be 3 years, bill! Only goes to show how good you are at answering questions!

As far as the period fiction question, I think anyone does better to write about what they know the most about, apart from personal experience that is. So I don't think you're being lazy, just sensible!

Thought I was going to get more gardening done today but it's a moist and moody Monday here so the plants will have to wait. They do need the rain though.

Congrats on the sales of your colouring books. It's all the rage here too though I don't have any. I see from the titles that even those are based on what you know and have themes - that makes them so much more interesting.

I would never try ghost-writing. I'd rather put my own ideas on paper rather than anyone else's, especially considering the pay.

Question: Do you touch type and if not, are you a speedy typist? I guess you must be, either way. Just curious!

Have a magic Monday!

Ann :)

Closing in on 3 years, that is quite an achievement. In those 3 years, we have learned much from you and your other readers.

It is like the teachers always said, "Ask questions, you won't be the only one who wants to know the answer. "

I can't imagine being a ghostwriter but if it works for others, good luck to them.

Your goal of three years for the mailbag is exciting, Bill! It's a great series.

Have you ever tried selling your novels, especially your mysteries, at your farmer's market? It might be a way to hook some new readers.

As always a great read on the topic of writing.

Asking this because I've received a couple of awful comments that have nothing to do with my writing apparently. I don't want to reveal myself, but I read your mailbag regularly. On a couple of my articles I have received a few hateful generic comments such as "Go kys" (go kill yourself) and even though they are trolls it sticks with me. The topics are not opinion or controversial topics but that would not give them an excuse to act like that.

Do you sometimes get terrible comments like that? How do you handle it? Does it bother you at all? On a related topic, How do you sort out negative comments that have valid criticism of your work from the riff raff?

Besides the reasons you gave for saying no, ghostwriting a novel, or hiring someone to ghost-write a novel, doesn't make sense. If a shoe shop owner is talented at selling shoes and not so talented at telling the world in a personable way in writing why his-her shop delights customers, it makes sense to hire a ghost writer and for the ghost writer to gladly express the POV of the shopkeeper. But why would anyone pretend to be the author of a novel, or why would anyone write a novel and pretend not to be its author. That would be dishonest and sad, like the mediocre composer in Amadeus.

But what about getting hired as a would-be novelist's personal writing coach / collaborator / editor, paid by the hour to encourage, help brainstorm, do research, copy edit, critique, and so on? It's a lot cheaper--free, in fact--to join a critique writing group, but if I had the money, I'd probably have a private writing coach, along with a homecleaner, gardener, errands-runner, etc.

Another great mailbag with interesting questions and intelligent answers. Choosing the names of characters suitable to their roles is a somewhat complicated task. I am always amazed at your selection of those names which perfectly fit their nature.

But, Bill, I am sad to know that you will be wrapping up these mailbags after 5 weeks. We may miss your valuable tips and advice.

I'm so glad you're not ending this series, Bill, my friend. You scared me there for a minute. About characters and subject matter, I only have a history minor, but I'm interested in history and prefer your historical stories to the get down and dirty stuff. I do find your naming of Striker interesting.

I like to use authentic names for the area that I'm writing about. Just some hints I've used for names, newspapers for contemporary and old newspapers and county records for period pieces. Coincidentally, one of the authentic family names I used in a period story was Baker, and I got it from an old county record. Happy Tuesday to you!

I think your advice about ghostwriting is good advice. I think I would put that energy into myself rather than write something where my name will not appear.

Three years is an amazing achievement Bill. Here's a question for you. Do you have any idea how many questions you have answered through the weekly mailbag over the last three years? I'm sure everyone is curious? I can probably figure out a pretty good estimate with some easy math but do you keep track of the question count? I suspect knowing you as I do that you don't and you probably don't care :) If you answer on average 5 questions per week then that would put you somewhere around 780 questions expertly answered. Well done.

Regarding the popularity of the coloring books my first was thought was along the lines of your comment about the level of intellectualism in the US. We are becoming a very visual society. Anyway, have a great week.

Hello Bill - I like John's comment. The milestone calls for some kind of celebration. The idea of writing a novel for someone else is mind boggling, my guess is six months is a very modest attempt at guessing the length of time to accomplish.

More good advice. Finally I have caught up with your mailbag and other stuff on my PC. Hope you're having a good start to this new week. I wrote another piece about my dad on NIMUE. I am writing about his three books of poems. Unfortunately life didn't give him time to write more. Here is the link on my latest and in this one I get more into translating his poetry. Hope I am on the right track.

https://niume.com/post/324357

Great read!

Yep, I echo your just say no advice regarding ghostwriting.

On the unexpectedness of series, I hear you there. I never expected to be in the business of generating music playlists about every topic I could think of. However, this week I'll publish my 70th. So far, I'm still having fun, and I have many more in the cue. My goal is 100.

Happy Monday Bill! Wow, closing in on three years...that's incredible! And still learning from all the questions asked--even more amazing!

Have a wonderful productive week!

Encouraged by the fact that your coloring cooks are doing well. Don't know that I'll do anything about it, but success even for someone else is such a good feeling!

Congratulations! Three years is a long time! 156 Installments!

Choosing names for characters is part of the fun.

And here I were under the impression that ghost writing could be profitable.

Thanks for the advice, Bill!

I know a girl in my meditation group. She's an American and a Ghostwriter. She makes a lot of money from it. Guru.com asks for Ghostwriters from time to time.

I'm on your side here, but some seem to have a different mindset. My friend is an excellent writer, but she does not mind giving up her rights. I think she does this full time and all.

I really enjoy milestones and more ... Guruji taught us the spirit of self-transcendence .... going beyond, beyond ... into the ever-transcending beyond. The only aim is progress, not success or failure; not victory or defeat. Carry on, Bro. carry on ...

Bill, that was an interesting mailbag as always. Three years went by like a flash! Good advice about ghostwriting. What would six months of my life cost? Wish you a great week!

Awesome milestone, Bill. I'm happy for you and your coloring books. It's an inspiration. You are dipping into my territory now, don't you know. I went and had a look at your latest coloring book and I must say I was very much impressed. You have hidden art skills my friend! Keep up the good work.

Blessings,

Denise

151 and counting - great job, Bill! I just got done reading the latest "Into the Unknown" and have to agree with Frank. You've made it all so lifelike. Thanks for sharing your secret. I'm working on a story now set in my local area, and it all seems so "corny." I know the area well, but maybe too much familiarity is also a bad thing. Any thoughts?

Hello Bill, I love this series and would be happy if it ran indefinitely, but you have to do what you have to do. I will miss this series.

Blessings and hugs in any case.

Congratulations are in order! Frankly, I can't believe that three years have gone by.

Another great mailbag Bill, and a lovely Monday morning as well. Perhaps that's an omen. As for naming characters, the popularity of names ebbs and flows. I can't think of any names that are absolutely timeless.

For example, my given name clearly dates me as being a baby boomer. I bet in a classroom of 1st graders you wouldn't fine one Linda, Debra, Kathy, or Sally (or William, Will, Bill, or Billy).

And if you look at food/cooking/crafts blogs, it seems that 20+ years ago every little girl was christened with a name that begins with the letter "J" (go ahead and check it out, I'll wait here).

My father was born at the turn of the century. A look at our genealogy in that time period is peppered with numerous entries for George, James, John, Sarah, and Jane.

Ghost writing? I would never consider it in a million years (not that anyone would ask), although if a million dollars were offered I might soften a bit.

Hope you have a great week. Turnout at the markets should be fantastic!

Bill this is awesome. I remember when you inspired us through H.O.W. and how kind you were to let me interview you as I started out. This is another great mailbag.

It is funny for me with ghostwriting as that is how I most often make a living. Not what we normally call creative but rather legal briefs and papers of such.

Thank you for the years of friendship.

Happy Mailbag Monday!

Re: Coloring Books. So glad to hear it's selling, even if that's online! You've obviously resonated with a population.

Re: Ghostwriting. Though at some point in the future I might consider it, I steer clear of ghostwriting books. They can be time robbing projects with little ROI (have seen that story play out for other writers). Writers should always, ALWAYS, get an attorney to help iron out the details of the contract so that they don't get taken, rights are clear, etc.

Hope your week is sunny and successful!

It's amazing that three years is coming up so soon. This must be the most popular series in the history of HubPages! It will call for some kind of celebration. Great questions this week. I totally commend and agree with your answer to Jamie about ghostwriting a novel. Don't Do It! I ghostwrite children's picture books and poetry and they are much shorter than a novel, but you rarely get paid what your time is worth. I would never consider ghostwriting a novel.