Author Connie Suttle

Author Connie Suttle:
Urban Fantasy/ Young Adult

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Truth Is (Stranger Than) Fiction



 At this writing, I have twenty self-published books. In a few weeks, I'll have twenty-one. Yeah, I write (and read) fast. I'm not writing a book a month, plus editing, revising, et cetera, though (although I've come close). You do not want to guess at my mental state or the level of eye strain after that happens!

The truth is—I've been writing for six years, now. Some of you (who've read my blog since the beginning) know that I began writing seriously in my husband's ICU room while he was unconscious and breathing on a vent. I wrote to save my sanity. To get away from the crushing reality that threatened to destroy me at the time. I wrote Adam and Kiarra's story with the sound of air being forced into my husband's lungs and the quiet beep of the monitor close by.

The first twelve books I wrote were about the Saa Thalarr. All twelve of them need to be rewritten, as I was in a learning process then (I've made progress on rewriting Hope and Vengeance, the first one). But that's not really what this blog is about. What it's really about is my characters.

HERE'S THE THING: I've gotten requests from readers, asking for permission to use my characters. Some of those requests aren't very clear as to what they plan to do with my characters should I give permission. Frankly, the whole thing is a little frightening. Therefore, I thought I'd spell all this out as well as I could:

1.       If you have plans to publish any of my characters/races/worlds for personal gain, I will hire an attorney. My characters are certainly products of my imagination (Larentii, Lion Snake shapeshifters, Ra'Ak, etc.) and I don't want to see any of them in anyone else's published book, short story, novella and so on. I will not approve any of those requests.

2.       I (probably) have no control over fan fiction, although I'd prefer that you didn't take my characters out of context or make them do things that their characters would never do (See Stephenie Myers' Twilight series, which turned into a fan fic piece now titled Fifty Shades of Grey). The names are changed, obviously, for the FSOG books, but I've read an excerpt from the original piece, so there you are.

SUMMARY: If you plan to write a fan fic piece for your own personal satisfaction, I really don't have a big problem with that. I've actually written one myself that will never, ever see the light of day, so don't ask. Granted the other author's characters are only in the background, but that's neither here nor there. I sure don't want to upset or step on another author's toes, I just wanted to get the story out of my head. Therefore, if that's what you plan to do, and never intend to publish the story for your own personal gain or twist my races or characters or worlds into something they would never be or make them do things they'd never do (sigh), then go ahead and work it out of your system. I understand writing as therapy all too well.

AND ANOTHER THING:
Please don't send me story ideas or any other ideas (for characters/races/worlds, etc.) I CAN'T USE THEM!!!!! Not only are there legal reasons for this, those are YOUR ideas, not mine, therefore you should write your own story. After all, they are a product of YOUR imagination, not mine, and consequently, nobody will ever know them as well as you do. Writing can be tough at first, but trust me, if you're serious about it, it gets a lot easier as you go along. For me, writing is as natural as breathing, now. So—if there are people holding conversations in your head, and they're a product of your imagination (not mine) then sit down and write it out!

Having said all that, here's an update:
Demon's Dream is coming along, and should hit the projected March 15th date, if not before (barring unforeseen difficulties). I've also gotten more work done on at least three of the four (so far) God Wars books.

And, if you'd like to meet other fans, speculate, commiserate or verbally trash any characters, story lines, etc., then visit leathveronis.net. There are lots of things going on over there!

Connie

P.S. If you'd like to sign up for the newsletter (where you may get snippets you won't get anywhere else) send an email to joe.scholes68@gmail.com.

19 comments:

  1. Wow, I didn't realize you were up to twenty books. Makes me four (with only one published, so far) seem paltry by comparison! ;)

    Joe DeRouen
    http://joederouen.com/

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    1. Hi, Joe.
      This is my only job/hobby/obsession, and my husband never complains that I spend all my waking moments in front of a computer. I think my level of output would be dramatically reduced if that were different. I read somewhere just recently to never compare yourself to anybody else. Obviously, the sanity demons chase me continuously, so I write/edit/publish all the time. That doesn't keep me from waking on many days in the middle of a panic attack.
      Hope you and yours are well and happy--
      Connie

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  2. Well done, Connie! I don't know of any other writer so prolific. I understand what you say about other people using your characters, and how annoying that can be. Other writers have made similar comments on their web pages. I hope folks read this and take it on board. Looking forward to your next novel, especially as I'm reading heavy, sad stuff for my Literature degree (Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Bronte, James Joyce). Your books brighten up my day!

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! your note makes me feel better :)
      cs

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  3. That clarifies a number of issues for folks, I am sure. :)

    If I suggest that a story revolving around the foundation of the Reth Alliance might be interesting that really isn't anything more than pointing out that the period is one of conflict and growth that might be interesting to play with, yes?

    I am not a writer. I am an avid reader, and find your universe to be a fun place to read about. :)

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    1. I know--you don't have a thing to be concerned about. I've had people make detailed suggestions about how they think the story should go, or even give me new characters (with descriptions) that I should incorporate. Obviously, I can't do any of that. If anything I write even remotely resembles what they suggest, we're talking potential legal entanglements. I'd prefer not to get those kinds of suggestions.

      Take a deep breath--we're all good :)

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  4. Wow, so many books and they are all so good. It's a shame an author has to say what you just said but I see all over author's blogs everywhere. That and the pirating of their books. It's just sad some people use others to make money without working for it.

    If I didn't know you're books were self-published, I wouldn't know. Make sense? lol You and Joe do a fantastic job with the editing and the covers just get better and better.

    Thanks for the endless hours of sleepless nights. ;)


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    1. Thanks, Dolly. You are more than amazing, and I really appreciate your support and the faith you have in me.
      cs

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  5. At LeAthVeronis.net I do NOT accept Fan Fiction, you are welcome to talk about the stories and characters (yes even trash them) BUT if you trash the Author I promise a lifetime ban and post deletion ... I happen to like her work (some of the characters no so much ... but ... lol) and like to think of her as a friend.

    So, long rant short ... please no Fan Fiction on my site either.

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    1. I didn't know about your site Larry, can't wait to check it out!
      Connie I didn't know that people ask you to make a story take another route or as such storyline and I'm glad you Can't use it because I want to read about your creation and stories not theirs so well said and Ditto Larry! !

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  6. I am sorry you have to take the time out of your schedule to repeat this info that many other authors have had to address also.
    Trying to tell an author what to write is just narcissistic.
    Your imagination and world building is a joy to read. It is your world. It is fun and emotional, and I hope you continue to write for many years to come.

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  7. Wow. Sorry you had to reiterate what should be common sense. I love your books and look forward to many more. It is so nice to get caught up in another person's imagination. Thank you for many all night reading sessions.

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  8. I never really thought about all the issues authors of amazing books have to deal with. I can imagine your characters are like your kids, and we all know much we like unsolicited parenting advice. And that's without legal issues! Love your books, and hope you keep writing for a long time!!

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    1. Wonder why my name is all messed up?? Sorry carry on!

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  9. If reah have a relationship with any more of Lissa kids, I am going to call the police....LOL

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  10. I can't image what it would be like to have people tell you how to advance/ end your story. I can't even change my story-lines conciously. I like to think of it like an archeological dig, I'm just uncovering what's already there in my head. No, I'm not crazy, although this does rather make me sound like it.
    I'm glad you stick to your own ideas and keep your characters to yourself (nobody can know characters better than the author), I love reading your books.

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