F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction Author

Monty Python

The Way Forward

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Graham Chapman: I think all righthtinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired.

All: Yes, yes…

Graham Chapman: I’m certainly not! And I’m sick and tired of being told that I am.

Not Sure?: Mrs. Havoc-Jones.

Mrs. Havoc-Jones: Well, I meet a lot of people and I’m convinced that the vast majority of wrongthinking people are right.

From Monty Python, “Right-Thinking People,” at  Monty Python.net

Apologies for the lack of posts, but, wow, 2013 had been a rough year!

For one thing I had several physical issues rear their wonderful heads, some corrected, some “the new normal,” and a couple “heady” issues also joined the party, not the least of which was parting ways with my agent of five years.

But, I’ve also had some really cool stuff happen!

Like going Indie with my work and releasing two novels, The Uninvited and ERO. I also had a couple radio spots, one Internet, one traditional/local, and was interviewed on a podcast. There was and is lots of work involved in not only bringing these two works out into the public, but also over the cumulative 12 years of working, reworking, reworking, and agenting them. There are so many opinions and points of view and you-name-it out there on what one should or shouldn’t do, it makes your head spin, your stomach turn. I realized going into this that all I can do is all I can do. There is no longer (if there ever really was) one way to publish anymore. But, even now with all the Indie options, there are still all the pundits and “right-thinking people” ranting and raving about the right way to this and that. Sure, there’s some really good information out there, but what it comes down to (IMHO) is you could staple your working manuscript pages together and pass it around (replete with whatever typos and grammar issues remain unchecked), and if it strikes a chord in everyone’s soul, hits the Big News of the Day, it will become an unimaginable hit. There just is no one, right way, anymore. But, the Internet and social media gives everyone’s voice an outlet (yeah, even mine). Many will never strike the gold vein, so the rest of us must do certain things to bring our work to the people. Make it the best possible read. And most appear to imply you must do ALL of them. NOW.

Exhausting.

Me? I feel you just need to do what you can with the resources you have. Yes, it costs money and time, and there are even those out there who chide that if you can’t afford going Indie, then don’t. Defining “afford” can be time or resources, so there is some element of truth there, but even a small circle of influence on your part might be all you’re looking for, so, if so, do it. Not everyone wants to be BIG.

I’m still working on my next release, Psychic, but it’s been like slogging through a swamp. It’s like I’m a totally different person each time I go through the thing: How the hell didn’t I see that before?! Yes, I’ve had a freelancer go through it before, but, still…I’m changing turns of phrase, word choices, you name it. I’ve also had to change the structure some, since it involves an alternate history with JFK (yes, the JFK) still walking the Earth, and he’d now be late into his 90s, so I had to back up the story a few years into the 1990s. It looks more like a second draft than a 12-years-later draft #356.7, but, it’s getting there.  It was tough creating the first draft, back in 2000, and it’s been a hard fight ever since. Some books are just like that, but it’s all about putting out the best product. Psychic is book two in a proposed three-book series that started with Sleepwalkers. I’m hoping to bring Psychic out sometime this year….

And…I still am looking into creating a newsletter, so, if interested, sign up at the “Newsletter” to the upper right on this page. Thanks!

So, here it is, 2014. Wishing everyone out there the very best in the coming year! Let’s all make the world a little better!

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2013! Welcome To It and Barreling Forward!

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2013. Barreling forward. (Photo: By M@rcello;-) )
2013. Barreling forward. (Photo: By M@rcello;-) )

Well.  We made it.

No Mayan Apocalypse.

No fiscal cliffs.

No um…a third thing, I need a third thing….

Okay, no third thing.

New years are cool.  So are Julys. And Decembers. But, New Years are cool. Whether or not we admit to it, I believe we all kindasortado look forward to a “starting over” of sorts. I think it’s part of being Human (so I fall a trifle short, here [I’m told], by some of my friends). I mean, at the least, the Gregorian calendar is a limited time, 365/366 days. It comes to an end every, uh, year. So, it’s only natural to look back over the course of it and relive all the good and the bad, the exhausting…and just plain be…tired. Want to take a break—start over. No harm. No foul. Just Human Nature.

My 2012 was actually a blast. Had a good share of trips, road and air. And got a great start to a new novel—a series, actually. It’s kinda turning into a Romancing The Stone-meets-The X-Files (only because I’m in Peru—in the story, not physically, as I write this post—which is soon to change; started in New York, jetted to France, ended up in Peru—again, all on paper—wish I could say I actually went to these places, but, hey—New Year!). It’s coming along actually quite well, and is taking up lots of my time (finally!). Earlier in the year it was taking a while to get things going, but now, it finally has a life of its own, and I’ve passed the 300-page/50K words mark with still plenty to write, including a bit of back filling with a cool, evil, conspiratorial sub-plot I came up with <evil, rubbing-of-hands gesture>.

Christmas and New Year’s went well, though I got sick in between. I’m not dead yet, as Monty Python is want of saying, so am near 100%.

So, leaving 2012 and barreling into 2013, I want to thank all my followers and readers! And, yes, I’m doing my best in trying to keep up with all your blog posts! The weird thing is when you select “Follow,” you actually have to, you know, read the blogs (well, you don’t really have to do anything, but that brings up moral and ethical issues, for me…). It’s like the Seinfeld episode regarding “taking” and “holding” rental car reservations. “Anyone (fingers flicking through the air) can “Follow” a blog…but the trick is in actually reading the blog…. ”

Anyway, I’m in there, so thanks for your time and your words!

Thanks to my family and friends, both virtual and in-my-face! You all make life fun and worth living! Keep things real!

Thanks to my agent. I know, it’s been a slog, but you’ve stuck with me and believe in me. I know, it’s a weird market out there, and I’ll keep the rest of my thoughts on it clean and family oriented by just stopping there.  Thanks, again, Cherry!

I’d also like to thank what I hope will be my editor-to-be (you know who you are)! Thanks for you cornering me, in April, at that conference, and talking with me about the series idea. Thanks for giving me the tracks on which to place my train (oh, no, you di’n’t! add “that” word!)-of-a-story to barrel forward (noting a trend, here?). It’s given me a new direction. Hope we can do business in the coming year. Maybe even make you a tad paranoid once you read it (the Truth is Out There).  :-]

Thanks to the Metaphysical! Thanks to All That Is (some call This “God”) and to all those nonphysical mechanics (others might term these things angels, Fate, or whatnot; I don’t believe in them [okay, maybe the “whatnot”], hence my term) hard at work behind the curtain of my life! I am appreciative to all my “other selves,” my oversoul, any “Silver Beings,” and what/whomever else is at work at creating and guiding my life, including in-this-moment, little-old-me. Thanks, self, for being you!

Thanks to anyone else I might have missed. Or did miss.

So. Think that covers things. Thanks for stopping by, hope you continue to, and hope you all have had a similarly great Holiday Season, minus the sickness (unless you were listening to Disturbed), and have a similarly outstanding new year!

2013.

Bring it.