Two years ago, Charles Wachter self-published his first novel, and had a lot to share about our chat on his process, his life as a professional creative and the shift from screen to page. This week we had a good chat on where we are now, which covered topics of his inside thought process on his book to film, psyching myself out about agents, imposter syndrome, "help the next" branding versus "unprofessionalism," and some mutual feedback on our writing. I'm here to dish, and share a glimpse into these conversations if it helps others to glean from the experience.
First, one of the topics of high interest, is that I was surprised when I inquired about the film production moving forward for his first book "Twin Paradox." Since he works for Sony, his book was optioned, without any real expectation of the film being made, so it was news to me that an executive had started the project. However, it is good news for him that he had a first pass at a screenplay, gave a lot of feedback, but honestly felt like they had the wrong writer. It's brilliant exposure for me to hear his inside experience, thinking about how anxious and perfectionist driven I am about my own novel wanting it to be a priority for publisher and big screen to be done right. I hope if and when I reach that stage for that project, he will be able to provide some mentorship and guidance about what options to pursue.
I shared with him something I told my own novel group, that I was psyching myself out. There was an agent who expressed interest early on about my novel project, when my writing was at the right level, and it was finished. I thought I would see what kinds of projects he has been picking up lately, and felt like they might represent the impression he has of me of this polished professional. In contrast, I feel like a struggling train wreck. As I said, I am frequently driven by anxiety and perfectionism, which is a double edged sword where you are afraid to try if you don't feel like you are at the right level to succeed. The agent certainly demonstrates the level of professionalism I would like to find, and contrast to some of the other agents or industry professionals I can't say I always see operating at that level of professionalism. It's a lot of "what if he doesn't want the book in the end?" as well as "what if he's not the right agent if he does want the book?"
Piled on top of all of this are my own insecurities about earning any reputation of being hard to work with. Being in the struggle of uncertainty, I have definitely not had bandwidth to respond to some of the less professional behaviour I've encountered. Wachter said he always fears that after producing 35 shows, he thinks it could all come crashing down someday. However, his motto is to be nice and transparent. He thought that even if I share things that "might help the next writer," it could backfire and make me look like someone who gossips. I have wanted to build a reputation of transparency in sharing experiences other writers might be less experienced and create norms about the balance between creator and agents/ publishing professionals, so that writers can understand how to create healthy boundaries and expectations. And help professionals maintain the understanding that they need us and should not lord their "power over us" in unhealthy norms or expectations. So there's some real social anxiety component behind some of the psyching myself out process...
And finally, mutual feedback. It's interesting to see where CW and I have very different skillsets. I shared with him a recent story that is in a thriller/ horror genre I have no experience or comfort level with, and he's not as experienced on providing feedback, but shared his thoughts on the story as a thriller writer. Then he showed me early chapters for a thriller that's not sci-fi like some of his other books. His descriptions are certainly amazing. I think my process is I start with the story, and the first draft is bare on descriptions. Then I come back and add intentional descriptions that accomplish some techniques that are required for desired impact on the reader and where the story is going. I'll be honest; I never gravitated toward classmates who studied English who seemed to be in love with their ability to write esoteric prose. Recently I went to a local writing group that had earlier stage writers (normally I go to groups that have others who understand the submission and publication process and are sending out completed pieces). This group produced some beautiful character development and description, but didn't know at all what process in terms of thinking about the plot or conflict to finish a story out of it. I can certainly recognise writers with this ability, but I've always said I'm a story teller. The writing for me is a tool for the story, not a means unto itself to make me sound eloquent.
I hope somehow this kind of support will help my path forward. My second draft on the novel is something I feel good about the direction it's taking. Plus, it actually makes me feel like I am getting better at rewriting than I was before. I have tackled some scenes that I have wracked my head over for a few years how to create the solutions that give all the readers who recognised the problems what they needed.
On the other hand, is it a trait more distinctly female to share experiences to seek an understanding of what is or should be normal?
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