Hi. I’m T.L. Hines. No, you probably don’t know me, but that’s okay–by my estimates, roughly 6.5999 billion people on earth don’t know me. So you’re in a large and inclusive group.
That said, I’m honored to be part of Storytellers Unplugged; I love the interactions and observations I’ve read in this community. And hey, maybe I can start to bring that figure down to 6.5998 billion people.
When I was asked to join this group, my immediate reply was, “It will be a little bit like a Sesame Street episode: One of these things is not like the other, one of these things does not belong.…” After all, this is a blog community consisting of some great dark fantasy/spec fiction folks. My kind of folks, yes (I’ve read many of the people who post on this very blog), but still…different. The response? “We want a diverse group of people.” Well hey, I can be part of a diverse group, so here I am.
Although my work is definitely spec fiction, it’s primarily sold in CBA markets (Christian Booksellers Association) vs. ABA markets (American Booksellers Association). Oh, you’ll still find me in ABA bookstores such as B&N, Borders and even great indies such as the Tattered Cover in Denver or Powell’s in Portland. But most of the time, you’ll find me in the “religious fiction” section.
That revelation frightens some people more than any Cthulhu-inspired monster ever could. I think, in part, this is due to the long coattails of the “Left Behind” series; I’m guessing the only CBA book many folks have cracked open is one of the 9,327 works in said series.
Which has given them certain expectations about CBA novels in general.
Which aren’t entirely unfounded.
But I digress. CBA vs. ABA may be a good topic for one or more future posts, and I’m happy to discuss the differences with anyone who might be interested. Let’s just say, like everything else, it’s a mix of good and bad. The real reason I’m writing this, my first official post at Storytellers Unplugged, is to tell you how I sold my first novel.
I wrote a book that scared me.
I’m not talking about the story itself. I’m talking about writing a book I was convinced would never sell. That book, “Waking Lazarus,” tells the tale of a man who has died and returned to life three times…and who must unravel the mysteries of those deaths to stop a child abductor.
Maybe you see the conundrum. I’d written a book–and followed a story–I felt was too dark for most readers of CBA fiction (trust me: there aren’t many books about child abductors at your local Bible Book Store), and too “religious” (for lack of a better word) for most readers of ABA dark fiction. In short, I’d written a book without a definable market. If I’d listened to the inner voice that always advises me–one of the many–I would have never started. If I’d asked other folks what they thought of the book’s chances, I’m guessing they would have given me solid advice and told me to find a different, more marketable idea.
But I wrote it anyway, because it was a story that haunted me.
It wasn’t a story I crafted to meet the needs of a particular market or imprint or editor. In fact, it was the exact opposite. But it was a story uniquely mine. Not coincidentally, it was also a story that helped me get contracts for five more books.
Would that have happened if I’d tried to be the next Dan Brown, or the next J.K. Rowling, or the next Neil Gaiman? I don’t think so. I think it only happened because I tried to be the first T.L. Hines. And call me crazy, but being the first T.L. Hines specifically required I tackle the subject matter I was most afraid of tackling.
I’m convinced we should be scared of our subject matter, scared of our technique, scared, in some small way, of how our books will be received. Because the moment we produce something that doesn’t make us uncomfortable in any way…is the moment we’ve started phoning it in. Fear is a necessary part of the magic.
So when I admit to you that my second book scares me even more than my first did, maybe I should say it with a smile.
My question, then, is this: what are you afraid of writing? Is it something you’re convinced has no audience? Something that feels too experimental? Too disturbing? Too old school? Too farfetched? If so, it’s precisely the thing you should be writing. I guarantee you: it’s something no one else can write.
Thanks for having me.
12 Comments, Comment or Ping
David Niall Wilson
Welcome! I certainly know the feeling, having sold MY first novel, “This is My Blood,” to the regular horror crowd and knowing it fit as well in a religious bookstore as it did in a regular bookstore, except that religious bookstores don’t sell vampire novels, and would not likely be impressed by the subtle way I approached the faith of the apostles…
But I digress. I think what the fear you are describing is drives deeper for me. It’s fiction that matters to me…it’s the slices cut from the world according to me. When those go onto paper, then it MATTERS what people think. When I wrote the Star Trek novel, it mattered - sure - but not in the same way I watched for reviews of “This is My Blood,” or “Deep Blue,” which were very “ME” novels, and fit poorly into molds starting with the words “The next…”
You’re going to fit in just fine.
DNW
Feb 10th, 2007
Janet
Welcome into the SU Mosaic. Janet
Feb 10th, 2007
Frank Wydra
Okay, I’m still looking for the one that doesn’t fit. It’s not you, but, depending on where you’re standing, it could be any of us.
I like the fear thing. Take it to the edge; move out of the comfort zone. Fearing not that the thing won’t sell–that’s an everyday fear–but that we may not be up to the story.
Great start. Waiting for more.
Frank
And by the way, when we want to get cozy, what do we call you? T?TL? Hines? Hey there?
Feb 10th, 2007
Rick Steinberg
You are a most welcome voice amongst us fear-eating pagans!
Welcome!
Rick
Feb 10th, 2007
Teresa
Hello, T.L. what a wonderful first impression you’ve made on me. Over a year ago I stopped working on a project because I was afraid I wasn’t ready, wasn’t skilled enough as a writer, to do it properly. I could sense the edges of the idea expanding and I was truly excited by what my gut was telling me could be there if only I was ready to seek it out. I’ve never sold a word of my work to anyone and the notion that I was in any way ‘ready’ to undertake what I could sense tugging at me semed ludicrous. I wonder now if trying to stay where it feels safe is simply a way of avoiding the fear of following the difficult unknown path I need to take, for good or ill.
Thanks for your thoughts. I have much to consider.
Feb 10th, 2007
Eric Wilson
Tony, thanks for the great angle on writing. I’m about to start a new series and I’m feeling afraid, very afraid. I guess that’s a good thing. We’re on one wild ride, aren’t we?
Feb 10th, 2007
wilsonwriter
Tony, thanks for the great angle on writing. I’m about to start a new series and I’m feeling afraid, very afraid. I guess that’s a good thing. We’re on one wild ride, aren’t we?
Feb 10th, 2007
Joseph
TL,
First - it’s great to have you with us. Welcome aboard.
Second - I couldn’t agree with you more. We have to write the stories that are begging us to be told, not those that we think are going to have the best chance at publication. if you write the one that’s gripped your soul, its far more likely that it will grip someone else’s soul too.
Best,
Joe
Feb 10th, 2007
TL Hines
Thanks for the kind comments, all. Frank (and everyone else) - Just call me Tony.
Rick - I’m going to have nightmares about fear-eating pagans tonight, I’m sure.
Eric and David - You guys should talk. Isn’t your new series, Eric, about vampires in Jerusalem? Maybe those CBA outlets will be coming around. Things are changing, anyway. When my editor bought WL, he said, “A year ago, we never would have bought this. Three years ago, I doubt any CBA house would have bought it.” And I think he was right. Probably still a far cry from Mary Magdalene as a vampire, David, but I imagine you’re the kind of guy who enjoys always being on the fringe, anyway.
Teresa - I think you’ve hit exactly what I was trying to say. Fear of so many things can keep us away from doing our best work. So get thee to that keyboard.
Feb 10th, 2007
Sully
Bravo, Tony! Your endorsement of going after your own voice really needs to be said in this forum.
“Would that have happened if I’d tried to be the next Dan Brown, or the next J.K. Rowling, or the next Neil Gaiman? I don’t think so. I think it only happened because I tried to be the first T.L. Hines.”
Words to frame and hang on the wall. Thanks for joining us.
– Sully (Thomas Sullivan)
Feb 11th, 2007
David Niall Wilson
Hah! My trilogy, “The Grails Covenant,” had vampires as the force behind the Crusades, and the Knights Templar - and included a character named Kli Kodesh (Holy vessel) who (if you read between the lines) turns out to be Judas.
Judas is the hero of “This is My Blood,” along with Mary Magdalene, who is a fallen angel cursed with a form of vampirism.
My upcoming novel “Ancient Eyes,” involves a young man’s faith (his father was a minister who left a great battle unfinished)…and the screenplay I’m working on now is based on my published story, “On the Third Day,” involving a young priest who experiences the Stigmata — and tries to get help from “The Church”…
I guess what I’m saying is, there’s already plenty of thematically similar material floating around the “room” here. Ask Prof. Rosenman about “No Dominion,” and “Praise Him With Timbral and Dance”…
Or “The Last Snowman”
D
Feb 11th, 2007
Mark Rainey
Welcome, TL. Nice essay…and we love to be scared, yes.
–M
Feb 12th, 2007
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