RESEARCH, HUH?
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 7:00AM in Stephen Jay Schwartz
Yes, I'm still writing blogs about research. But this one serves a greater purpose.
I've got essays in two books out currently.
The first book is the new edition of the NOW WRITE! series, called Now Write! Mysteries. The book features essays from loads of outstanding mystery authors and each author includes a set of exercises designed to give the reader the opportunity to learn the skills discussed in the author's essay.
I've attached a link to my contribution, so you can get a sense of how the book works. I haven't really given anything away that cannot be found by clicking on the "Look Inside!" button on the book's Amazon page.
Some of the many talented authors in the collection include Aileen G. Baron, James Scott Bell, Rhys Bowen, Rachel Brady, Robert Browne, Rebecca Cantrell, Reed Farrel Coleman, Deborah Coonts, Bill Crider, Meg Gardiner, Gar Anthony Haywood, Harley Jane Kozak, William Kent Krueger, Robert S. Levinson, Sophie Littlefield, Tim Maleeny, Christopher Moore, Kelli Stanley, John Lutz, Louise Penny, Lorenzo Carcaterra and many, many more. I apologize for not including every contributor; the names themselves would fill a book.
The NOW WRITE! series includes other notable publications, such as Now Write! Fiction, Now Write! Nonfiction, and Now Write! Screenwriting.
The books are edited by Sherry Ellis and her niece Laurie Lamson. Laurie took over finishing the new book after Sherry passed away unexpectedly last year. It was a terrible loss to our community. And I'm honored to have been part of her last creative effort on this planet.
The other book I'm in is called WRITERS ON THE EDGE: 22 Writers Speak About Addiction and Dependency.
My essay here finally answers the big question I get when I'm on panels at conferences. The question: "How the hell did you do your research for Boulevard and Beat?"
When I don't want to get into the specifics, I go with the answer I have in the Now Write! series. I discuss the passion I have for boots-on-the-ground research, how I love to meet and interview people and learn the details of their lives.
When I get down-and-dirty, I talk about the struggles I had with my own sex-addiction, how I went to twelve-step meetings and marriage counseling and therapy and took a potentially life-threatening problem and turned it into something life-affirming and creative. My essay in this book is open and honest and, ultimately, uplifting. I discuss the things I did, how the addiction began, how it affected my psychology, my relationships, my marriage. It's the most personal discussion I've had on the subject. I was actually reluctant to write the piece, but the editors, Diana M. Raab and James Brown, convinced me that my experiences should be shared with others who might be struggling with their own addictive behavior. After all, it's Twelfth Step stuff - helping others along the path to their own sobriety.
All the essays in the book are fabulous. The authors speak from their hearts and I admire them for the vulnerability they exhibit.
The book also features a forward by Jerry Stahl, author of PERMANENT MIDNIGHT.
For those of you in the Los Angeles area, we will be launching the book from Book Soup on Saturday, February 25, at 4:00 pm.
That's it for now, folks.
Reader Comments (20)
I hope both the books do as well as they undoubtedly deserve!
Of course I would already have a mini-conference on the 25th in Long Beach, but I'll try to make it back up in time for the signing, I love Book Soup.
Alex - some of the essays definitely touch on co-dependency. Many also focus on parents who were alcoholics or clinically depressed. One of the essays is written by Linda Gray Sexton, daughter of Anne Sexton.
Brave of you to put it out there, but I agree it's good. Get it outside of you and let it help others.
Can I just say that I love how the Muderati not only write wonderful novels but also give back to bring others into the fold as writers? I love that. Reminds me of what the New Orleans musician families do, as soon as you get on stage, you bring someone else up with you...a good way to live.
As coincidence would have it, a couple of weeks ago I bought the NOW WRITE! book as an inspirational tool to start the New Year. I was psyched to see your essay first!
I love the New Orleans jazz reference - and that's just what musicians do, they share. It's about communicating, beyond racial, economic, sexual, spiritual boundaries. It's about making a connection. I love it.
True story: Years ago up on the cul-de-sac where our Silverlake home sits above the reservoir, we used to have a neighbor we almost never saw, except when he was driving his Cadillac in or out of his front gate. This cat's ride was black, his clothes were black, he even wore black shades---at night! I used to wonder, who the hell IS this guy? He was so damn mysterious. One day I see him down at the coffee shop Alex and I used to write in (separately, of course) and I gather the nerve to introduce myself.
It's Jerry Stahl. And he is the coolest mo-fo I've ever met in the writing biz. We ended up trading books, he gave mine a great review in Time Out magazine, and we've been distant buds ever since.
Thanks for sharing, Stephen.
By the way, did you meet him pre or post Alf? If it was during Alf, I can guess where he was going all those nights, with his shades on....
For me, it's always feeling like I'm accountable for not disclosing (as though the other person had the right to know), or if I don't know something I'm given this look that says, 'Well, you're close to them didn't you ever think to ask?' Sometimes I'd like to say, MYOFB, and I'd like to not feel guilty because I didn't disclose something that was none of their business, or am left feeling apologetic or better yet—am forced to apologize for anothers actions, when I only know of the situation. because of the relationship of the person to me.
Seriously, what a commendable thing you have done, writing about your addiction. I believe you when you say it feels good to be honest, but everything leading up to and resulting from that disclosure, at least in the short term, must have been torturous. I'm very glad that you and your marriage came through it stronger.
I'm intrigued by the Now Write book. This is the first I've heard of the series, but wow, what an impressive list of contributors. Hope both books do very well.
Admiration. Yes, that's a good word for what I'm feeling.