It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.
This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.
* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was likeIt’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.
This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.
* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was like writing the novel. I started off with an idea, not really sure how I was going to get there, but little by little, piece by piece, it started to take shape. Ron and I experimented. We made changes. We scrapped certain elements all together. But we kept at it, with a particular goal in mind. And now the site looks better, is more functional and has more options, than I initially intended.
Our energies and persistence allowed for innovation. And [i]that [/i]energizes me. It helps me see that this approach works. And it can be repeated indefinitely on any number of projects, not the least of which is getting this book published, and starting the next one.
* Even now I find all sorts of little things on the site that I’m tweaking or playing with. Some fonts aren’t right on page; the layout isn’t quite right on another. And I admit, it’s fun to futz around with the site. I guess it’s like when guys park their cars out in the garage and dust off the spark plugs or tighten the engine … brackets? … The point is, it’s my creation, and the experience is visceral. My fingers clack the keys. My influence sculpts an entity that otherwise would not exist.
I think it’s pretty cool.
* And having this Web site up and functional is a calling card. It helps my experience seem more real to [i]other [/i]people. Writers have it tougher than most other creative folks, because of the method of involvement. If you’re a musician, other people can see you play live or listen to your CD. They’re involved. If you dance or act, they can come see you on stage. If you paint, they can look at what you’ve created.
But if you write, and it takes three years to finish your book, people can … take your word for it. But they don’t know how to participate. And they want to. But if they can’t participate, it’s difficult for them to synthesize your efforts. They don’t know how to join in. So they often nod their head and smile and try to be supportive when you tell them that you’re writing a book, but it’s too abstract for them. It isn’t real yet.
The Web site changes all that. Now I’ve got something to show people. And it’s a destination where they can participate, interact … become part of the process. [i]My [/i]writing will become more real for [i]other[/i] people. And that interaction will likely breed more interaction, and so on.
So look for an email blast this weekend announcing the launch of the Web site. It’ll be my personal invitation to you. FINDERS KEEPERS is my first novel, but it certainly won’t be me last.
See you on the message boards …
Russ
