Reading, Writing, and Rambling

On Blogging


Though I have long had a Web site (www.brettbooks.com), and though my entire professional life has centered around writing—as a magazine and book editor, as a trade-book publisher, and as a published author—I have never considered writing a blog. Until now. It's the first month of the year 2010, and it seems to me that it is time to join the Twenty-First Century. I have even joined Facebook.

I'm in awe of writers who can blog and Twitter and update Facebook daily, some even several times a day when it comes to Twitter and Facebook. I get exhausted just thinking about it, and wonder when they find the time to work, not to mention eat and sleep. I strongly suspect that their days have more hours than mine do. Yet, when I look back, I realize that, with the help of my husband, Hy, I raised two children, did free-lance editorial work, and completed my college education all at once. Then I went on to highly responsible, time-consuming jobs in publishing and managed to write and sell a few novels too. Having my own company left time for nothing else (except remembering to breathe occasionally), but that's over now.

So, as I try to get back to my own writing, maybe I can manage an occasional blog. I'd like to try, for I have many thoughts both as an editor and author (and even just as myself) that I'd like to share. I hope you'll have thoughts you want to share with me too. Some of you may remember me from my days as an editor and as a publisher; others, may have read some of my books. Many more probably have no idea who I am, but that can be remedied by a visit to www.brettbooks.com where you can learn all about me.

Because I am determined (New Year's Resolution #1) to devote as much time as possible to the novel I am working on, I won't be able to blog on a daily or even weekly basis, but I do hope to have something posted at least once or twice a month. I have the unique experience of working on both sides of the desk in the publishing world. I know firsthand the responsibilities, frustrations, and needs of the editor—publishing's gatekeeper. And I know firsthand the responsibilities, frustrations, and needs of the author—publishing's gatecrasher. And, let's face it, these days few of us can just waltz through that gate—we really do have to crash through it! So join me as, sometimes with a smile, and occasionally through gritted teeth, I examine it all from both sides of the desk.

See you next time, when I'll reveal my Walter Mitty dream about editors and authors….