Saturday, September 20, 2008

Expanding Horizons

By Keith Fisher

I finished reading a national market book this week. I think I’ll keep the title a secret, since it was a romance and I have an image to uphold. Anyway, I discovered something interesting.
We all have different reasons, but some of us write for the LDS market. The blog you are reading, in fact, indicates that. As for me, I consider it a calling.

I started writing in the LDS market because, as a neophyte, I assumed it would be a good vehicle to get my national market stuff published. I had written a book for the national market, and I thought it would be easier to get publishing credits through the LDS market first. Then get more attention in the national market. So, I wrote another novel.

Neither of those books has been published. About Three years ago, I attended my first LDStorymakers conference. It was great to hear prayers said in that setting, but I had an epiphany. I looked around at my fellow laborers, and felt we were all perched on the edge of a precipice waiting for God to use us. We were ready to influence humanity for good. I wanted to be part of that. I wanted my books to touch hearts and change peoples lives.

So I began to write for the LDS market. Who knew it would be so hard to get published. I continue to hone my skills and I watch LDS writers cross over to the national market. Would that I could write full time and quit my other job.

Then I read the book I mentioned above. It ripped my heart out. I’m still recovering. With IV’s in my arm, and heart monitors making sure I’ll pull through. In a small way, the story touched my life, but it wasn’t an LDS market book. I thought of all the books I’ve read in my life, and remembered how some of them touched my life in one way or other. Most of them were written for the national market, and many of them were not best sellers.

Even with this revelation I still consider it a calling to write in the LDS market. But I’ve decided to dust off my first manuscript and rework it, or toss it. Either way, I’m going to write for both. I think the key for me, will be to keep it clean and work towards touching hearts for good. I don’t want someone reading one of my books and attaching the word Mormon in a negative context to it.

Good luck with your writing—see you next week.

7 comments:

Moriah Jovan said...

I think I’ll keep the title a secret, since it was a romance and I have an image to uphold.

Was it well written? Did it touch you? Oh, I see it did.

Then I find the above statement to be condescending and disingenuous.

In a small way, the story touched my life, but it wasn’t an LDS market book.

And yet...you won't share the title for someone else who might need that story. What bothers you more? That it was a :sneer: romance :sneer: or that it wasn't LDS?

::snort::

Keith N Fisher said...

thanks for reading my blog.

Well, I'll tell you. It didn't bother me at all. in fact I loved the book. If I wanted you to know the title,I would have told you. I like to kid around with my readers about romance. if you had been reading my blog before this, you would have known that.

besides, how can you sit there and talk to me about not sharing the title when you have kept your profile hidden? what have you got to fear?

What was condescending to you? the fact that I find a lot of national market stuff to be full of f words and lewd behavior? or is it that I am trying to keep my fiction above that?

Now if you have nothing better to do than pick at what I say you can send me an email at bloghole57 at yahoo dot com and we can discuss it further.

Have a nice day

Cindy Beck, author said...

I took it that Keith was just pulling our legs and teasing because he is a "guy" reading a romance novel.

Oh Keith, face it ... you're just too in touch with your feminine side! HA HA!! :)

Moriah Jovan said...

Oh, hidden profile. Easily explained. I was too impatient to fill it out before I posted and you've limited your posting options to people with a blogger account. And I don't like blogger. My bad.

My name is Moriah Jovan and my blog is at http://moriahjovan.com. I write romance.

I'll cop to not reading your blog but on and off, but I still don't know why you would want to keep the title of such a moving book to yourself--unless you really don't want your readers to know what you're reading.

No, perhaps I don't know you as a blogger as well as I should and yes, the pervasive condescension about romance novels is an issue for me.

What was condescending to you? the fact that I find a lot of national market stuff to be full of f words and lewd behavior? or is it that I am trying to keep my fiction above that?

Uhm, no, because you want to keep what you were reading a secret, yet talk about how wonderful it was.

I can only conclude, then, that it might have been lewd and you don't want people to know what you're reading.

Moriah Jovan said...

Ahem.

You know what? I apologize. I had no right to come here and attack you because of my issues with how romance is seen.

I respect that you read what you read and write what you write, and that you don't owe me (or anybody else) any information beyond what you wish to convey.

Again, I apologize.

Kimberly Job said...

I personally know Keith and he doesn't look down on romance whatsoever. I think the issue is more about being a man and reading romance, which is typically thought of as women's literature.

I for one am impressed that he's in touch with his feelings enough that a romance affected him the way this book seems to have.

I agree with you mojo that there is a pervasive misunderstanding of romance novels. They are often just as well written, or more so, than other types of fiction. Thankfully, there are all types of books for all types of readers.

I enjoy your blog, Keith. Keep up the great work.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to leave a quick comment about how much I love reading your posts, Keith. I always find your writing to be moving and thoughtful. Whenever I am finished reading it, I always feel uplifted. I think you have a unique voice and it resonates with me. Keep writing. It's wonderful.