Just Who Do You Think You Are?

The following is from a newsletter from author M. Scott Carter, reprinted with permission. Please do this exercise and post on this blog or email Mr. Carter at his email address below.

Be Yourself

“Don’t try to be like me. Try to be like yourself.
Try to be very good at being yourself.” —Josh Groban, singer


June 28, 2012

 Dear Reader,

As you may recall, when I’m not writing young adult novels, I am a newspaper reporter. That means besides the books you read or see in the store or library, I have a regular stream of work that appears in an Oklahoma City newspaper.

Most of that work is news. Some of that works includes features. And every now and again, I’ve been known to write a column . . . often one that gets under somebody’s skin. (Yep, I like tackling issues in my day job almost as much as I like writing books about them for teens.)

Anyway, not long ago, one of my critics asked me “Just who do you think you are?”

I thought about how to answer him for a long time.
This is my reply—I share it with you, because I hope our relationship will continue for many years and books books to come and because I think it will give you a sense of who I am, what I stand for, and what you can expect from my books now and in the future.

“Just Who Do You Think You Are?”
•I am old school.
•I don’t text well, I prefer face-to-face over the Internet any day, and I don’t do chat . . . at least not very well or very often. I believe the best network is people and not cyber-world. That said, the posts of my friends and readers on Facebook have buoyed me on days when my boat felt like it was sinking. And the Internet has not only let me talk with readers I might otherwise not have a chance to engage with, but it sure makes research easy.
 •I am a father.
•I have four kids. Three boys and a girl. I love them. I want them to succeed, but they don’t get everything they want. They are the future and I want them to know that it’s still cool — and necessary — to work for what you get.
 •I am a husband.
•I love my wife. I respect her as a person and I respect her as a professional. I look at her as my partner. I don't believe she was put on this earth to be at my beck and call. (I suspect it might have been to help keep me sane.) I'd walk a mile on my knees to make her happy. I love her, simply and honestly.
 •I am a journalist. Every day I help write the first draft history for these times. I believe reporters should comfort the afflicted and afflicted the comfortable. I believe that one, trained professional journalist can bring about more change than all the lobbyists in the world. I believe in the pen over the sword and I love the printed word. For me, the best technology needs no batteries or extension cords or random access memory. Those are all well and good, but the best technology remains ink on paper.
 •I believe in people.
•I have friends in all walks of life. One of my closest friends is a priest with a wife who is a Buddhist. Another is a gay, several are Native American, some are Black and Hispanic, and a few are Irish — at least one is Irish Catholic. I like that. I have learned from all of them.
 •I believe in family.
•My mom is an artist. My dad worked in the oilfield. Together they raised a son who could speak to both sides. I’m proud of my Oklahoma roots and I hang on to them. They are what grounds me.
 •I believe in public education.
•There shouldn’t be much more to say about that.
•I am an Okie.
•I have never been anything but proud of that. Steinbeck was right, Okies are honorable. We’ve seen death and destruction and bombs and tornadoes and dustbowls. And we’re still here. It frustrates me that most people, even some Oklahomans, seem to have forgotten that.
 •My name is M. Scott Carter.
•I write novels and short stories and in my life I’ve penned millions of words. I hope, before it’s over I’ve written a million more.
 •I am all these things. I’m not proud of everything I’ve done, but I can live with it. I like shining the spotlight on the accomplishments of others in my job. But off the clock, I don’t hide my accomplishments, either. I am simply, me.

Which brings me to the present.
As I wrote this newsletter, the final version for the cover of my new novel, The Immortal Von B. (The RoadRunner Press, October 2012) was finished. It’s my new young adult love story about a trio of teens who don't necessarily follow the crowd. It's also a love story about second chances. I had a great time writing it, and I hope you'll look for it October 16 when it is due in bookstores.

Until then, take a moment and think about what you would say if someone asked you, “Just who do you think you are?”

The answer just might surprise you. And I’d love to see what you come up with—please e-mail your conclusions to scott@mscottcarter.com.

Until next time,
M. Scott Carter


P.S. And I also hope you’ll take a moment to visit my website, www.MScottCarter.com, and enter my monthly contest for readers. We’re doing an upgrade of the website later this summer, so come back often — we’re planning lots of fun to celebrate the release of The Immortal Von B. in hardcover and Stealing Kevin’s Heart in trade paperback later this fall.

Pre-Order Now

The Immortal Von B.
 The RoadRunner Press
 October 2012
 Hardcover / $18.00 U.S.