TRUMPED! – BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT
TRUMPED! – BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT
By Peter Davidson Publisher Sweet Memories PublishingISBN 978-0-9762718-4-0
ANSI b01f1ERLSS
Published in Humor, Non Fiction,Synopsis
It has been Politically Correct to be Politically Correct for many years now, and it seems that the trend is even intensifying. A slip of the tongue, an off-the-cuff comment, or a heart-felt posting on social media might rain a firestorm of criticism down upon a person and might even get them fired from their job.
TRUMPED! – BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT is about saying what you mean and meaning what you say. The book contains over 100 situations that people face in real life along with the type of response a person might give if trying to be politically correct. Then, what a person would say if they had the guts to go Beyond Politically Correct and say what they really believe, to be Brutally Honest, is shown for the same situation. The book is about relationships, advice, wisdom, and philosophies to live by, sprinkled with a good dose of humor, satire, and irreverence.
What is the Tag Line for your book? (A short description of your book in a sentence or two)
TRUMPED! - BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT is about one of the most controversial topics of today - politically correct vs. politically incorrect language and actions as it pertains to people in their everyday lives. The book is about relationships, advice, wisdom, and philosophies to live by, sprinkled with a good dose of humor, satire, and irreverence. The book is NOT about politics or politicians.
Do you write full time or part time
I am always working on writing or promoting a book and have no other job, but I take time off between book projects, if I can.
How do you structure your day when you write
When I am writing a book, I write every day, but not necessarily a set time during the day. My wife and I often go out for breakfast and dinner and have an active social life, so I fit my writing around those activities. Even if I'm not "writing," I am usually thinking about the book and often write notes about ideas that come to me. I have been writing for decades and am fortunate to have never suffered writer's block. I can write just about any time and any where.
Why do you write? (Example; For fun, to make extra money, a personal experience you want to share with the public)
The first and main reason that I write is because I enjoy it and have a real passion for writing. I have written some manuscripts that probably will never see print, and I knew that when I wrote them, but I wanted to write them because it was enjoyable and I wanted to express some ideas or concepts. Of course, I want to make money from my writing and have been fortunate in that I have had several books that were on the market for as long as 17 and 25 years.
What are you working on right now / or your most recent work
I am working on promoting my newest book, TRUMPED! - BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT and I am also have a concept for a novel that I intend to write next. I am working on scenes to include in that book.
What inspired you to create this book
The concept of politically correct vs. politically incorrect language and actions fascinates me, particularly since it has become such a major topic of conversation during this year's political campaign. I find a lot of humor in the situation, as it pertains to peoples' personal lives.
What genre do you write in and why did you choose it
I have written in several genres including fiction, non-fiction, and educational materials. I prefer to write a book like TRUMPED! - BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT, that has a series of short stories or scenarios. Many readers also prefer a book that can be read a little at a time without losing the flow of the book.
How much research did you do on your book? (If it applies)
I thought of all the scenarios and short stories on my own.
How do you think you have evolved creatively from when you first started writing until now
I started writing when I was in my mid twenties. Since then, like anyone else, I have gained knowledge and experiences through age that have been helpful in writing.
What was the hardest thing about writing this book for you
The book consists of over 100 scenarios describing situations that people face in real life along with the type of response a person might give if trying to be politically correct, and then the response they might give if they were to say what they really believe - being politically incorrect. Coming up with a sufficient number of scenarios that were of even quality and that had humor, satire, or irreverence was a challenge. I actually wrote 40 or 45 additional scenarios that I did not put in the book because I didn't feel the were of the quality I wanted for the book.
What was the most rewarding
Finishing the book and getting it published is always rewarding. Also, reviews of the book are starting to come in and they have been very complimentary.
If you had to start over, is there anything you would do different
I spent quite a bit of time in my earlier days writing songs. A couple of the songs were recorded and got radio air play and one was used in a television series in The Netherlands, but all in all I probably should have realized that I had more potential as a book writer than as a songwriter. I am still glad that I wrote the songs, though, since it was great fun and it helped teach me to tell a story in a minimum number of words. My interest in songwriting did lead to my becoming part owner of a professional recording studio, which was quite a hoot!
How have you evolved from when you first started writing until now
With any activity, profession, or job, a person learns through experience what works and what doesn't and the same was true with my writing. Through the years, I found some techniques that save a lot of time and frustration.
Are you a planner type person, or do you prefer to dive right in when you write
I believe in getting organized before plunging in and starting to write. I presented over 600 writer's seminars and was often approached by people such as the guy who said, "I'm writing a mystery and am on chapter two but am stuck because I don't know who did it." If he had outlined the story line before starting to write he would have known who did it before he wrote the book's first sentence, which would have allowed him to put some tantalizing misdirection and red herrings in the story.
How much dialogue do you have with your readers
I am always pleased to hear from readers and I always respond. I can be reached at [email protected]
Do they influence your writing
I come up with my own ideas for books and my own approach, so mainly I get reaction to what I have written rather than to something I am going to write.
Do you recommend being a part of a support groups to help you with your writing
In the beginning, belonging to a support group can be very helpful to keep yourself motivated, as members of the group encourage each other. The value of critiques of one's writing from members of the group might vary with the background, skill, and knowledge of the group's members, so that may or may not be as helpful as the encouragement to keep writing.
Do you work with an editor If so, how much input do they have
Normally, a publisher will assign an editor to help shape the final version of the book. I have been fortunate that, most of the time, editors have suggested relatively few changes to my initial manuscript.
Was there anyone in your past that you think influenced your writing
When I was in college, several of my professors made positive comments about my writing. At that age and stage of life, that was very encouraging. Also, when I wrote to college friends during the summertime, some of them commented that they liked my letters and enjoyed reading them. This encouragement from my peers was also very influential.
Do you have any tips or useful resources on marketing
If a writer is writing for potential publication, I think they should first seek a literary agent to represent their work. If that fails, there are quite a number of very good independent publishers who will consider submissions directly from writers. If that fails, the next option would be to consider self-publishing the book. If someone pursues true self-publishing (not using a "vanity," "subsidy," or co-op" publisher), it is a lot of work and the most difficult aspect will be the marketing. If someone were to consider self-publishing a book for sale to the general public, I'd suggest they start by developing a marketing plan and if they can find a way to sell an adequate number of books, go ahead. Have fun.
How are you publishing this book? (Indie / self-published, traditional)
The book is published by Sweet Memories Publishing, which is a division of Sweet Memories, Inc., which is a company that I own. Sweet Memories has successfully published a number of books.
What are your thoughts on book series
A series is great if the first book sells well enough to merit additional books and, in my opinion, if any book in the series can be read in any order without needing to have read the preceding books.
How long do you think a book should be? (Pages or words)
A book should be long enough to accomplish its goal and no longer. Bestsellers "The One Minute Manager (111 pages) and "The Prayer of Jabez" (96 pages) are examples of short books that excelled. "War and Peace" was a little longer (1,225 pages) and also did well. I have written a textbook of more than 600 pages, and have written TRUMPED! - BEYOND POLITICALLY CORRECT of 116 pages. I prefer the latter.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers
Yes, I am reaching out to my connections in social media including LinkedIn and Twitter to find people who do book reviews.
What advice would you give to your younger self today
You did the right thing, Peter, by not quitting when you got that first hundred rejection letters or so.
What is your favorite book or film
I enjoy reading John Grisham legal thrillers. My favorite film is probably not widely known but it is "Hopscotch" starring Walter Matheau. In the movie, he was a former CIA agent who was writing a tell-all book about the deep secrets of the organization and they were out to get him. He was very clever and resourceful and was always one step ahead of the agents who were after him. And, in the end, his book got published and was a best seller. What a great ending.
If you don’t already have one, do you have plans to have a book trailer and what are your thoughts on them overall
I do not intend to have a book trailer at this time, but I think a trailer can be a good marketing tool.
What are you working on next
I am working on the plot for a novel that I think will be a lot of fun to write.
When you get frustrated, how do you deal with it
I am normally even tempered and do not often get frustrated when writing. However, if I am struggling with coming up with the right wording, it is helpful to step away for a little break.
What advice would you give a writer that is just starting out
Write because you enjoy writing and have a passion for it rather than because you think it will make you rich and famous. Select a genre that interests you and that you have the ability to write. Even if you receive rejections, keep writing and keep submitting your proposals as you follow your dream. Good luck. Have fun.
About the Author
