Dustin Hoffman

Yesterday, I watched a really good interview with Dustin Hoffman, and he had something to say, that could pertain to writers in these hard publishing times.

With a huge background of work and new work ahead for Hoffman, he's been around a enough blocks for me to respect his outlooks.

Somewhere within the interview, which was done very well, btw, Hoffman said something like this: If times are bad and work scarce, artists can paint (I'm also an artist, counting on post-holiday time to relax with that), writers can write new material, but actors--actors have to have an audience, a film to work.

"The Writers" part really struck me. We can continue to write and produce, no matter the stituation, contract or no. However, actors must have a stage, a role to play. Think about the difference in these two concepts. So, writers can continue to work, no matter what.

Storing up copy for a possible sale also gives us a real plus this way: When emotional times are rough and there is no leaving the present physical situation for relief, writing presents another whole realm to explore, a habitat and characters we can build to escape real-life problems.

So. We have work, no matter what. And we have psychological vacations.

How much better can it get? :)

Perking Creatively and Otherwise

Okay, let's skip the chit-chat about Black Wednesday and get to work. Black Wednesday is a notable time for writers, because so much news of publisher changes, poor book sales, and layoffs occurred on that day.

Writers must adjust, and refer to the good points and accomplishments in their careers. For myself, I am thoroughly pleased with my psychic triplet trilogy of 2008, a real challenge to keep all the threads running straight through from At the Edge
, through A Stranger's Touch
, and ending in For Her Eyes Only
.

A STRANGER'S TOUCH 4/2008 placed on the NYTs extended, my first hit there, though I've been on other lists.

My new projects are varied and I'm enjoying the end of the year, feeling more creative than ever.

Maybe Black Wednesday came along so that writers could really reach deep and step off the groove to creative other worlds. Anyway, it's an interesting theory I support. I believe there are new opportunities waiting for writers, but we're going to have to reach out and embrace them.

On another note, I am most pleased that Flashback and Silence the Whispers continue to be well received. Patricia Cornell has a video expressing her thoughts on the CSI affect, which is interesting. Another theory is that romantic suspense must either be "hot" or "thriller" to do well.

I wonder. There are a tremendous amount of writers caught/trapped in this very serious economic scenario, some of whom have books in the works, being edited, marketed, etc. The ripple effect isn't like the tiny butterfly one, growing as it sweeps the world. This one begins with a blow from a sledge hammer.

I hope you visit my other blogs to see my "real life". The Second Cup deals with today's life and My Jam Jar reveals more of my "home life" side.

The end of the year brings all this out in me, so be prepared. :)