{"id":200172,"date":"2019-05-20T10:51:49","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T08:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=200172"},"modified":"2019-05-20T13:54:47","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T11:54:47","slug":"franschhoek-literary-festival-2019-brings-writers-to-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/franschhoek-literary-festival-2019-brings-writers-to-book\/","title":{"rendered":"Franschhoek Literary Festival 2019 brings writers to book!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I have spent the last three days in Franschhoek, attending its very successful Literary Festival, for the first time as a book writer myself. I found it insightful, and loved meeting some authors in person, their personalities shaping what they write, and the characters in their books.<\/p>\n

I attended every Franschhoek Literary Festival when I had my guest house in Franschhoek, but had not been in the last three years. I could not transpose myself into the role of the authors we listened to in those days, in being a blog writer, but this year I was able to identify with the angst and agony of book writing, but also the joy and satisfaction that it brings one with a sense of achievement in \"\"<\/a>completing a book and holding it in one\u2019s hands. <\/p>\n

Book writing is not for the faint hearted, and I learnt the importance of discipline in writing, and in having a routine. When I wrote my two SwitchBitch books in Apricale in the past two years, I wrote straight after breakfast, a chapter a day, and then I could spend the rest of the day going on walks, and swimming. Some authors \"\"<\/a>shared that they have a word goal per day, and like going to the office, they write until they reach that goal, whether they are tired, not feeling well, etc. <\/p>\n

Discipline is important too in editing, and I had often read that one should not edit one\u2019s work while writing it, as it breaks the flow of writing. I started following this advice, but am so used to correcting typing errors as I write my Blogposts, so this needed discipline. Spell check is an easy start, but often other errors are evident too. I lacked the discipline when I returned from my writing, to sit down and edit, the more boring part of the writing process, literally using a ruler, checking line by line. Procrastination was a mirror I had to face, being one of my weaknesses. <\/p>\n

Writing non-fiction, as my SwitchBitch books are, in telling the story of my transformation, both physical in losing 45 kgs in weight, and spiritual, in becoming gentler and learning self love, appears easier, as one is documenting a sequence of events. Much harder appears to be writing fiction,\"\"<\/a> as one has to create characters for the book. I was fascinated that authors talked about the characters as if they are real persons, and that they talk to their characters, and ask them questions, as to what they want to be in the book. In fiction it appears that the role of an editor is vital, in ensuring the flow of the book, and the role of the characters, some upfront and dominant, and some sideline. And to not give to much of the end away too early.<\/p>\n

I have self-published my books, perhaps because I do not (yet) have the confidence to submit my books for publishing, and facing being rejected. I do have a thick skin from my years of writing restaurant reviews, and facing the wrath of arrogant chefs with ego, but a book is like giving birth to a new baby, and is very personal. Authors shared that the rejection by publishers is painful and depressing, but a reality, often forcing them to relook their work and make it more presentable. It can take up to two years from presenting a draft of a book to a publisher, to having it printed and published, we were told. Publishers are linked to editors, and have experience in guiding and enhancing book sales. I was \"\"<\/a>impressed that Eva Mazza, writer of \u2018Sex, Lies and Stellenbosch\u2019, visits key Exclusive Books in her area, and has built up a relationship with the staff in these stores, and signs her books while she is there, knowing that signed books sell better.  Publishers also guide the book title, and often choose or create something vastly different to what the author had created as a working title. We were advised that the title should come from a phrase in the book. The cover design is coordinated by the publisher too, and should be \u2018beautiful\u2019, and obviously attract attention on the bookshop shelf. <\/p>\n

Book Review: \u2018Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch\u2019 tells a saucy saga of transformation; fact or fiction?!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n