The Ad Man Answers #68

Thursday + Gregory Huffstutter = The Ad Man Answers

This week, we continue our Ex-Ad Guy/Gal series by chatting with Ray Rhamey, author of the writing guide: "Flogging the Quill, Crafting a Novel that Sells.”  Rhamey is a prolific blogger, writer, editor, and has started his own micro-press publishing service.

 

Before going out on his own, Rhamey was a Creative Director at multiple agencies – including Leo Burnett, D’Arcy, and J.W. Messner – and worked on a bevy of clients like AT&T, United Airlines, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Mattel, Allstate Insurance, and Anheuser Bush.

 

Here’s one of his proudest moments in advertising:

So, Ray, what motivated you to start your "Flogging the Quill" blog?

 

I started FtQ as a sort of “guerilla” marketing effort for my editing service. The theory was that if what I had to say about the craft of writing made sense I could attract writers who were interested in improving their craft. Then I hoped they would want my editorial services. The targeting was absolutely right: according to a poll I have on my blog, 82% of visitors are unpublished and working on a novel. In addition, there are, as of this date, 36 published novelists and 95 published writers who visit the blog. I have gained editing jobs through the site, at least enough to pay for the costs, but not enough to make a living on. Now, I mostly enjoy the community of writers and helping them.

 

Also, the blog and the book that grew out of it are instrumental in getting gigs at writers’ conferences. I did a workshop at the Mendocino Coast Writer’s Conference at the end of July, and have another at Write on the Sound in October. It’s all a part of a steady growth of service that I hope will eventually create a flow of editorial projects.

 

Instead of a traditional homepage, your website is geared towards selling this particular book and your editing/printing services.  Do you have designs on a future website that features you, the author?

 

If you mean the home page of ftqpress.com, you bet it’s geared toward selling my book, and future books, either by me or another writer. It’s self-publishing that aims to grow. At this point, I have no particular desire for a website about me. I don’t think I’m particularly interesting, and can’t imagine why anyone would want to know more.

 

Do you find it easier to edit other people's writing, or create your own stories?  Which do you enjoy more?

 

I think I find it easier to edit others’ writing than create my own stories. When I read a manuscript, shortcomings and strengths seem perfectly clear to me. When writing, perhaps because I’m a “pantser,” there’s more work involved. However, I like creating my own stories more than editing. I’d be very happy if I could support myself doing both.

 

What part of crafting a :30-second TV commercial translates to crafting a novel?

 

Creating something that is fresh enough and bold enough to break through the clutter—in the case of novels, the clutter that agents and acquisition editors wade through. The fundamental part of craft that drives success in both is an ability to somehow put together words and pictures that break through and then touch the viewer/reader in a way that provokes a response.

 

Why do you think there's so much cross-over between the advertising and literary worlds?

 

Good question. Perhaps for some, and this is true for me, there grows a desire for “more.” While making ads and commercials is fun, after a while you begin to wonder how much more your talent can do, and if you can begin to contribute in a meaningful way. It was never difficult for me to create ads and commercials, but writing a novel is a challenge. My first long-form endeavor was screenwriting, and I evolved to novels from there. I think the first impulse away from advertising is the need for challenge, and the urge to contribute comes later.

 

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Stay tuned next time... when we talk to Ray about his own advertising efforts, social networking, and forays into vampire-kitty fandom.

 

Gregory Huffstutter has been punching Ad Agency timecards for the past dozen years, working on accounts like McDonald's, KIA Motors, Suzuki Automotive, and the San Diego Padres. His first mystery, KATZ CRADLE is on submission while he's working on the sequel. The first 100 pages of his novel are linked here. For general advertising questions, leave a comment or send e-mail to katz @ gregoryhuffstutter dot com with 'Ask The Ad Man' in the subject line.

Comments

[kathy]

Thank you for the information. It was quite enjoyable!