Nicole Givens Kurtz :: Blog

Serial novels aren’t new. However it seems that just as Hollywood has fallen into a sequels rut, making very little original, creative, fresh new movies, so is the case with novels.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge of fan of The Dark Tower, Anita Blake, and Harry Potter—all of which are long, volumes of serial books.

I’m even guilty of writing serial books. It seems that every novel I write, both under my current pen name, and my romance pen name, I want to serialize.

I can’t speak for other writers, producers, etc., but for me, it’s not so much the characters, but the world that makes me want to write several volumes.

World building is hard, difficult, intensive work. I hate building a world, leaving it and never again going to play there. The characters themselves can come and go, their stories told, enjoyed, and done. Yet the world itself is difficult to just leave without wanting short vacations back there.

Yet I have heard that serial novels are laziness on the part of the author, producer, {insert here any other titles of creative personnel}. I’m not quite sure I buy into this statement.

Yes I did just discuss how hard, time intensive and front-heavy world building is, and that I hated leaving all that work to spoil. But who wouldn’t?

It’s the same as football player who continues to play well past the point of retirement. Why? Because they’ve spent years, chunks of their lives working on that skill, to reach that goal. It’s difficult to just walk away from that.

And that’s the point with writing serials.

I don’t write them because they’re easy. Creating characters to fit into those worlds are always hard. Not to mention, readers sometimes like to see the same characters in the same world, without too much overwhelming changes—while still bringing a fresh twist to the tale.

And I thought world building was hard.

Come to think of it, none of this shit is easy.

Leprecon has come to an end, and I'm back home in Gallup. As I reflect over the convention itself, I must say that I met some truly fun people. I also had a chance to spend time alone with my husband, without children as my father-in-law babysat the three boys (thanks Dad!).

I did manage a sell--to a fantastic poet! Thanks, Scott!

I also managed to meeet lovely people, purchase truly wonderful art, and overall enjoy myself immensely. I even made some beautiful art--necklace and bracelet from beading. I even participated on a panel that discussed crossing genres.

There's nothing else I can say, except the competition between LepreCON and the Nebulas rendered the hotel empty to some degree as all the fans were seeking out the big name stars at the Nebulas in Tempe.

I liked Leprecon, overall and would attend again.

Greetingss from LepreCON 32 here in Phoenix, Arizona!

Yes, I'm new to LepreCON and spent my first panel fingerpainting with Gilead, an extrordinarily gifted artist. I also managed to purchase a print of Alan M. Clark's Dark Tower painting with Roland standing at the foot of the enormous tower. Check out the print here. If you don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to Roland and the Dark Tower, it would take too long to explain. Anyway, I'm terribly excited about my purchase and my time fingerpainting. My kids loved it too!

I spent tonight talking to David Lee Summers, Evo Terra and Michael about science fiction and audio books. I also swapped CON stories and experiences as well as classroom stuff with Shelia Unwin. Overall a very good time.

But as it was, I am quite tired. I didn't sell any books today, but there's still tomorrow. :=)

Well, if one thing can be said of writing, it's this... your skin grows incredibly thick and calloused before you die.


Then the critics scrap it off, and celebrate your literary genius!


Two things happened this week that have added an additional layer of skin to my already ripped hide. A publisher and I parted ways and a potential agent rejected my latest stab at commerical writing.

"Wait," you might be saying. "Don't all writers get rejected?"

We do. And let me tell you, it doesn't get any easier. I don't care how long you've been writing...when someone tells you that your work isn't "right" then something inside you eeks out a small whimper.

If you're new to the game, you might release a bellowing "What?" instead of the soft eeking.

True enough, many of my friends have agents, publishing contracts, and are on the golden road to the "dream"--being a full time, well paid writer.

I am not on the road yet, but am driving in circles in the parking lot.

I've been at this for some time, as many of you well know. Unfortunately, there's no time table for when you make it, or IF you even make it. I'm in the boat, paddling against the tide of wanna-be writers in a genre that is not common for African Americans that are also women.

You've heard my soapbox speech about that, read "Race Card: Is it Electric?" So I won't repeat it here.

So, why am I once again blogging about an ordinary occurance for millions of writers?

Because misery loves company :-).

I'm kidding about the company part.

I'm blogging about it for many reasons, some very private, but I will post the public reasons.

The Top Five Public Reasons I am blogging about REJECTION:

1. So that beginning writers realize that just because you have books published, you're still a nobody until you reach #30 or above on the New York Times bestseller list.
2. To save my husband's ears-By writing it here, he won't have to listen to me rant about it for hours and hours tonight.
3. To gather pity for myself-If everyone who reads this thinks I deserve a pity party, they'll throw me one.
4. To prove that I am human- there is a common belief on the Internet that I am not human, but a robot that spells everything phonetically and loses my students' homework papers--as a means of torture.
5. So that I don't waste Bethany's time- because she's got so many other things to do besides listen to me bellyache about rejection...again!

There you have it folks. What do you think?

BTW- Check me out at LepreCON in Phoenix this weekend!

Later~

Nicole