Hi All,
Quick note. My newest novel, The Eleven, is out in 1-week! To celebrate, I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY on Instagram - (3) signed copies of the book.
TO ENTER:
Like my latest Instagram post below and tag a reading buddy in the comments! I’ll pick (2) winners on launch day (4/11).
Click the post below to enter!
How do artists “find their voice”
It’s the age-old advice.
Every artist and writer needs a voice.
But what is a voice?
A unique way of thinking, a recurring theme, a tone, a signature style?
My first three books were my attempt to find this intangible voice. Two of them are so bad they never saw the light of day. The following two are romantic comedies/dramedies that read more like extended diary entries. Those books didn’t sell many copies.
Still, with each book, I felt I was edging closer to discovering my distinct style and imprint as a writer.
During this time, I began reading The Night Film by Marisha Pessl and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn—two very creepy novels with unlikeable characters. But believe it or not, inside those books, I felt this deep calling. I marveled at how these spooky, entertaining reads offered so much insight into the human condition and all its brokenness.
I knew I had found my genre.
Shortly after, I began my debut thriller, She Died Famous.
But after a few months of working on it, I was second-guessing everything. Why was I writing about murder? Why were the main characters so dark? Was this my voice, my unique contribution to the literary world? Was this crazy stuff really inside me? Honestly, there were times I was scared to keep going and see what I’d find in my own basement.
Thankfully, my mentor (well, he doesn’t know he was a mentor) but the author of my favorite writing book of all time, Steven Pressfield, says, “The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
So, I kept writing.
Year after year, the stories began to unfold in mysterious ways.
The more I trusted the void, the more the patterns, themes, and my authentic voice emerged.
In one week, I’m publishing the fourth book in the series, and it’s crazy to see how this broken but hopeful Died Famous universe is all connected. And not just because they are all “Who Dun it" murder mysteries in Hollywood. But because there’s always a singular underlying theme, which I believe is my unique contribution, MY VOICE sorta speak. The message I’m trying to convey to the world.
In line with this realization, I've crafted a short manifesto at the end of The Eleven. A manifesto that sums up everything I’m trying to say as an artist in these novels. The thing that every protagonist in my books embodies.
The Died Famous Manifesto.
We are Artists & Anti-Heroes––flawed artists and creators. To us, creativity is a spiritual act, our highest expression of self. Therefore, we reject the allure of serving algorithms and fame. Our obligation is to create meaningful work. Often, this requires us to journey into the deepest parts of our souls, to overcome inner resistance, and to confront our deepest fears. We use our brokenness and pain as the raw materials for our creations. By sharing these works, we inspire others to embrace their unique paths. Above all else, make good art.
If this resonates with you, let me know in the comments!
The Creative Ritual of Aaron Sorkin
Here’s another piece of advice writers always get.
You need to write every day.
But you know who doesn’t write every day?
Incredibly successful screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.
In fact, most days, Sorkin doesn’t write. He believes that writing isn’t always the most important thing. If he isn’t writing, he’s reading, thinking, and talking to people who inspire him. He’s driving long stretches of freeway and playing songs that inspire him.
Aaron Sorkin only likes to write when he’s in a good mood.
Because when the conditions are ideal and when he’s inspired, that’s when his best writing comes out. When he’s doing it right, he says the words flow out of him faster than he can type.
Strangest Creative Ritual
Sorkin once told the Hollywood Reporter that he takes six showers a day. He claims that if the writing isn’t going well, he’ll change, shower, and start again. Some of his best thoughts would come in the shower when he isn’t forcing it on the page. That’s why he had a shower installed in his corner office. That’s his “do-over” process for getting original ideas.
Funny quote:
“When I was writing The West Wing, if my then-wife and I had any sort of argument in the morning if there was any friction or tension or something was not right, by the time I would drive to work, I would always call her and say, ‘Listen, I know you are mad at me, but can you do me a favor? Can we make up right now because I have to write next week’s episode?'”
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading the Creative Ritual.
PS - Have you pre-ordered the Eleven? There’s still time, and it helps me tremendously as an author on launch day! Thank you :)
Like the Sorkin style — work only with enthusiasm, otherwise it's worth nothing. 🤔