Brief Bio of James R.
Callan
After a successful career in mathematics and computer
science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and
being listed in Who’s Who in Computer
Science and Two Thousand Notable
Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He wrote a monthly column for a national
magazine for two years, and published four non-fiction books. He now concentrates on his favorite genre,
mysteries, with his sixth book releasing in Spring, 2014.
And why DO we write?
I have many friends who wonder why I
spend so much time writing. Or why I spend any time writing.
Why do we write? There are many
reasons. Money. Fame. Fulfillment. Impart knowledge. Fill a void.
Keep a promise. Pass on family history. Therapy. Nothing else to do.
Get the truth in print. The thrill of tracking down a story. The need
to write. To make someone laugh. And probably a hundred others.
Money? Non-fiction does supply many a
writer with a decent salary. One can write as a reporter with a
regular paycheck. One can, particularly if they have some area of
expertise, make money on a non-fiction book.
But when we’re talking about fiction,
only a few make significant money against the time and effort put
into the writing. I’m sure some fiction writers start out with that
in mind. Ninety-nine point nine percent don’t achieve that. While
I make money writing, the hourly wage writing provides would not be
worthwhile. I could make more money selling rubber bands to a
trucking company.
Fame can be as elusive as money. And
even more fleeting. Warhol said we all get fifteen minutes of fame.
Please don’t set your hopes your fifteen minutes will come from
writing.
The idea of passing on family history
is an excellent reason, one why many people should write.
Family stories and history are often appreciated only when the
opportunity to preserve them has passed. The person who knew those
fascinating facts didn’t write them down and now is dead. Those
stories are likely lost forever.
Therapy is another good reason. I know
a famous writer who got into writing for exactly this reason. It
worked – on two fronts. The therapy worked and the world got a
plethora of good literature.
We as writers should understand why we
write and make sure that reason actually gets fulfilled as we write.
If we write for therapy, we cannot let the pressure or frustrations
that sometimes come in writing affect us. We must avoid those by
remembering why we are writing. Frustration is not the reason. If we
begin to feel pressure, we need to readjust our thinking, back off,
change whatever is causing the pressure.
If we write for fame, we need to decide
what constitutes “fame” for us. If it’s to be on national TV
as the next great writer, we might want to include some intermediate
steps along the way. Perhaps start with getting a good review in the
local newspaper, or an invitation to speak at the local Lions Club.
Fame covers a wide range. Don’t let the only measure be the most
difficult to achieve.
Money? Perhaps start on the non-fiction
side. Once you’ve made some money with that phase of your career,
then tackle the more elusive money of fiction.
Whatever the reason, take a good look
at what is required to satisfy that reason, what milestones there are
to measure your success. Think baby steps.
And from time to time, reevaluate your
real reasons for writing or continuing to write. Because, foremost
among the reasons for writing should be—enjoyment.
This is why I write, for the enjoyment.
When I have crafted a good book, I feel immensely satisfied. A good
scene makes me very happy. Even a well crafted sentence can bring a
smile to my face and joy to my heart. I feel good when I have written
a satisfying paragraph. Writing offers many ways to enrich my life.
So, set goals which do not remove that
most important reason for writing – the joy of writing.
Natalie here. Thank you, James. It's always good for us to examine our motives and count the cost--and rewards--of our pursuits. As in every area of our life as Christian writers, I know we hope most of all to bring God glory as we make use of our craft. And what indescribable joy and satisfaction He does give us as we follow His calling on our life out of a heart desiring to please Him! Then when He is pleased, we are pleased, and that is a wonderful combination.
James R. Callan's info:
Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1eeykvG
Twitter: @jamesrcallan
Crystal Moore stands on the brink of losing everything—her only family,
her self esteem and her career. Because of a long-forgotten folktale,
murders, arson, kidnapping, and firebombs besiege Crystal. And while she
struggles to sort out the mystery, the man who nearly destroyed her
emotionally reappears. This time, he can end her career. Crystal will
need all the help she can get from a former bull rider, her street-wise
housemate and Crystal's feisty grandmother.
Character: The Heartbeat of the Novel, (Oak Tree Press, 2013)
On Amazon at:
http://amzn.to/13ADvF3A guide to Character Development. Learn How To... Sculpt your major characters, Create the bio, Develop motivation and conflict, Maximize The Fourth Dimension (The character Arc), Write effective Dialog ...and MORE!
James has graciously offered a copy of his book Character: The Heartbeat of the Novel as a giveaway. Comment for a chance to win! (Remember to leave your email in the following format: email (at) address (dot) com.) Why do you write?
*winner of last week's giveaway, Women of Valley View: Pam, is Courtney Phillips. Congrats! I'll be emailing you soon!
Wow! What a bio. Thanks for the great post. It's so important to keep the why in front of you, and we all need the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI write to spread the Truth and to give Christian people something to read that supports good morals and a Christ driven life.
I will have to get his book. Characters are what I am working on improving right now.
Hi, Amber! Good to see you here! I personally love your characters. :)
DeleteI'll put your name in the drawing!
Thanks, Amber. Good reason to write. Gives you a nice goal to aim for. Remember, good characters, memorable characters, are what spawn a series. jim
DeleteI write because God won't leave me alone til I do.
DeleteI have to write for the same reason I have to breathe, couldn't live without it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Linda! I love to see writers with a passion for their craft! Makes for a very good read. :)
DeleteOh! Putting you in the drawing!
DeleteFor heavens sake, keep writing, Linda. We need you. jim
DeleteGreat interview Natalie and thank you, James, for using your talent for the right reasons. I write because the stories come to me and I have to get them down. Yes, it brings me great joy.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you, Elaine. Thanks!
DeleteI love the "have to get them down" part. I'm always frantically searching for scrap paper in the car or the grocery store to get a piece of a story down. When I have ample supply of paper, the ideas hide. Lol!
Good luck in the book drawing!
DeleteFantastic, Elaine. I love it when stories force their way into the mind. Please share them with us. jim
DeleteWhy do I write? I write to give life to characters with stories to tell. I write to fulfill my childhood dream of being a published author. I write to entertain with stories of love and suspense that teach about faith and good moral values. I write to teach my middle school students you're never to old to pursue your dreams - life comes with ups and downs, road blocks (rejection letters) just mean you're supposed to take a different route not give up the journey. I write because it's part of who I am.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Rhonda! This sounds like a wonderful mission statement!
DeleteGreat reasons to write. And I love the "never give up" approach! Putting you in the drawing!
Hard to argue with any of those reasons. And teaching students of the joy of reading is a very special thing to do - for our very future. Thanks. jim
DeleteCalled by God to write. . .when I don't, I suffer...when I do, I'm so blessed seeing His hand in it. I so want to read this book of Jim's. My books are character driven more than anything else - LOVE making up my characters. . .
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, Natalie. Glad I checked this link out.
Welcome, Joy!
DeleteCreating characters is one of my favorite parts of writing, too!
I'll put your name in the drawing. :)
I'd say, if God calls, you need to answer. And thanks for your kind words. I hope you love the Character development book. jim
DeleteI'm writing to get rich quick. This is my 5th year. Still not published. It's not workin' out quite like I envisioned it. ;)
ReplyDeletetwinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
Welcome, Pegg! Nothing about writing is how I first invisioned it. :) But wordsmithing definitely has its own unique rewards. I've put you in the drawing!
DeleteQuick is such an indefinite term. It may still happen - depending on how you define quick. Good luck.
DeleteI might make 25 cents an hour writing, so I guess that lets money out. One reason I write is because it cured my ADHD. :-)
ReplyDeleteBut the real reason I write, is that I hope readers will connect with my characters. I had a reader to email me that she had the same problem as my heroine and the way my heroine handled the problem helped her, and it made a difference in her life. I cried when I read the email. And I'm not a crier. I write because I can't not write. pat at ptbradley dot com
Great post!
Good to see you, Patricia. What a beautiful validation of your writing! I dream of that day. That also reminds me that when I'm blessed by a book, I should tell the author. And other readers! :) Putting you in the drawing.
DeleteWhat a great reason. And what a great reward to get a message like that. Congratulations.
DeleteWould love to have this book. Put me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Sharon! You're in!
DeleteGood luck, Sharon.
DeleteWhy do I write? Several reasons. Using God's gift of abundant words, creativity, wanting to write a genre I enjoy reading (regency) and to infuse words of faith into fiction. There are more reasons, but this gets the list started :}
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Susan! I enjoy regencies as well. Hope to read yours someday! Putting you in the drawing.
DeleteSounds like a good reason to me.
DeleteI would love to read your book to enhance my characters! Enter me!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Peggy! Putting your name in the drawing!
DeleteGood luck, Peggy. Characters are what people remember - not the plot.
DeleteWhy do I write? Good question. For me it's to get the voices out of my head. Hahahaha. No, seriously.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the blog and will look for Mr. Callan's book.
Welcome, Terri!
DeleteThat's as good a reason as any! Ha! Ha! Putting you in the drawing.
That's when I know it's time to start the book - I hear snatches of conversation between the characters of the book.
DeleteRandom winner has been selected via Random.org. Winner is Amber Schamel! Congrats, Amber! I'll be in touch with you soon.
ReplyDelete