Podioracket.com welcomes Todd Newton, author of The Ninth Avatar, as guest blogger this week:
Websites:  http://initialdraft.blogspot.com &
http://tdnewton.wordpress.com
Email

Listen to his Promo now:

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Todd’s Take

One of the first things a beginning writer learns is: deciding to write a book isn’t the same as deciding to finish a book. Many reach the end of [what becomes] their initial draft, yell “cut!” and pop open the champagne, only to realize many more hours of editing and rewriting (not to mention typesetting, cover design, and the dreaded marketing) are stalking just beyond the hangover. And that’s not even the whole of it.

Completing the work for Podiobooks.com requires the same kind of fortitude. It’s much like starting over with the writing process entirely, as recording has its own learning curve, potential speed bumps, and technical challenges.

It reminds me much of running my first 10k; all of the training required, the nervousness on the day of the race, the struggles between mile 2 and mile 5, and that burst of energy when the Finish Line finally came into sight. Also similar is the feeling of accomplishment, accompanied by the nagging of whether or not you want to put yourself through that again.

When I first decided to record my book for Podiobooks.com, I scrolled through the forums for insight of users and authors alike. Appalled that some began the process only to give up part of the way through, I swore to myself that I would finish—no matter what. Of course, that was before vacations and malaise kept interrupting my schedule, my new laptop decided to be unable to use my microphone, and I truly realized how many copyedits my “final” manuscript still required. Still, despite my numerous misgivings, I powered through. Now comes the time to reflect.

Should one simply be proud that they have achieved a goal, or disappointed that if they opt-out of further trials they become a “one trick pony?” Is it worth the trouble of effort to dive back in, constantly worry whether your audio quality is good enough (not to mention the story itself), and shakily click the “Refresh” button to see what those dreaded Star Ratings will be today?

Of course it’s worth it. Nothing compares to accomplishment, or the knowledge that hundreds of people you’ve never met (or tried to convince) are experiencing your work. Besides, if humans actively spent time worrying whether or not what they produced was perfect we’d never get anything done at all.

Just as with running a marathon or writing a book in the first place: if you’re going to start, finish.

Todd Newton