At the Cross Roads

I’ve decided there are two types of people in the world; those that know and those that don’t know. 

I am, unfortunately, a don’t know person.  

My brother, from a very young age, wanted to be an engineer. He never wavered; he walked straight down that path and formed a successful career as an engineer. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I said I don’t know. I still don’t.  And I’ve grown up. Physically at least. 

As school was finishing, my parents asked what I would do. I don’t know, I replied. Go to University they said. Okay. What do you want to study? I don’t know.  

Writers fall into the same categories; those that know and those that don’t know.  Some writers know exactly what genre they wish to write in, others dabble at several until they publish in one. Again, I am a don’t know person. Sigh. 

Write what you like to read is a phrase I hear. I read anything about Lithuania, I read fantasy, crime, romance, paranormal romance and chick lit. I have story ideas for them all. Which one do I choose? I don’t know. 

 

I’m studying writing at the Adelaide College of the Arts.  I thought that may help. During one subject we had to write a synopsis about our novel. I had to choose. Mass panic, which one do I choose? 

I chose to start on the fantasy.  My ideas for that would last at least three books. Do you know how hard it is for a don’t know person to create a whole world?  How does the magic work? How far is it to the next town? What do they use for money? What religious beliefs and Gods? What political system? What are the houses made of? Do they live in houses? Arrrgh.  

I bumbled through that subject and at the end, decided I would start something a little easier. I’d start on my mother’s story, about her experiences during World War 2. Nothing to make up. Except I’m not a war buff, and many people are. I needed to get my facts straight.  Was season was it when she ran? What path did she take? What sort of guns/ planes/ tanks were used?  I don’t know. She doesn’t either. I think she’s a don’t know person too.  

So my crossroads are slowly becoming a fork in the road. Writing about the paranormal has too many fingers in the fantasy pie. Too many don’t knows.  So that leaves romance, crime and chick lit. Chick lit can have romance and crime elements. I’m covering my options. I’m taking the chick lit path, with some Lithuanian elements of course. 

To Facebook or not to Facebook, that is the question

Last month I received an email from a supermarket chain; they told me the store I normally shop at had groceries I normally buy on sale. By using my loyalty card, I allowed the store to collect information about me and my shopping habits. I was horrified, I never thought of my personal data being so avidly collected.

Ha! I’ll shop at a different store next week. I thought.

After my shopping trip I subsequently received an email, telling me what specials were on at that store.

Mr Samane keeps telling me that personal information is the currency of the 21^st Century.  I didn’t want anonymous people collecting information about me. It reinforced my desire not to sign up to social media network sites such as Facebook. I don’t have a Facebook page.

My friends keep telling me to sign up to Facebook. You can keep track of what your friends are doing, they say.  If I want to touch base with my friends I’ll ring, or email.  But the photos, you can see photos.  Okay, true, I can’t see photos over the home phone. 

But I’m a writer. Or at least I want to be. Ooops. Positive thinking. I am a writer. Most writers have websites, blogs, Facebook pages and even Twitter accounts. It’s all about marketing. Being a successful writer is about selling books.

Having a Facebook page also allows fans Hi Mum and Dad to see what you are up to, review books and keep posted about when the next one is due out.  That’s what my research tells me.

So I’ve leapt. I’ve given in. I’ve signed up to Facebook. I have a blog. 

Welcome to my blog.

Now I just have to get published!