A major "character" in Mark Salzman's first autobiography is his father. Sometimes his father paints. But his father hates painting. He likes it when his painting is done. He likes having painted. But act of painting itself is, in his opinion, a big pain in backside.

Nobody reading this approaches writing like that, do they? I know I don't. Of all my experiences as an author, whacking those words down onto paper is best of best. Always has been, always will be. Even though I cut most of them. I like creating.

I've quoted Hemingway before. Long periods of thinking, short periods of writing. These days, my thinking's taking longer and my periods of writing are getting less frequent, but both still happen, and I still love creating something from nothing.

If it weren't for me, you would never read words you're reading right now. Nobody else would ever write them. And they contain my thoughts. Through time and space, better than telepathy, you hear what I'm saying.

So, there's one reason to write, isn't it? The biggie, if you ask me. I write what I do because I can't NOT write it. I may be clarifying my thoughts in my own head. But, most certainly, I'm just so moved by those thoughts that I must put them on paper. They're in me and they have to get out, kinda like those critters in ALIEN movies.

(If we want to extend this sick analogy even farther beyond pale, self-editing is process of cleaning blood and guts from sucking chest wound. Then we work with editors because we miss a few spots and perhaps have trouble stitching up our very own guts and... I should shut up!)

Is this only reason to write? Because I want to zap my thoughts into your heads? I don't know. But let me change question. Is this a reason to publish? Why not write your books and stick them in a filing cabinet like Sean Connery did in film FINDING FORRESTER? Every fraggin guru on circuit talks about self-expression. Write it, express it, file it away. Why publish it?

(It's okay if you haven't seen this obscure little gem. I will explain all.)

In fact, there are writers who do exactly that. Some fear rejection or criticism. We hear about them whenever we pop into a writing workshop. But, I don't think there are very many of them. I have trouble picturing someone who can spend months (years?) doing something as essentially egotistical as writing a novel, but who is fundamentally lacking in any sort of self-confidence. Naw, they're thinking posterity but lack stones to admit it.

At times I've got an inferiority complex I wouldn't dream of whacking onto your shoulders, but it was absent when I wrote my books. During act of writing itself, you think, "My words are better than your words." You do. You feel that you must record your thoughts because they're that much better than most. That's what writing is. So, I would say that by definition author isn't ALWAYS plagued by self-doubt.

In FINDING FORRESTER, Sean Connery character won Pulitzer with his first book, saw that every reviewer misunderstood him, and decided they could all get stuffed. This is a movie, a work of fiction, but I understand attitude. I once wrote a true story, where main character was Michael LaRocca, only to have a critic slam main character as "unbelievable." Apparently I don't act like real people.

I could never shove all my writing in a filing cabinet, unpub- lished, and tell establishment to get stuffed. But yep, there are stupid people in world, and some of them review books.

So, we've identified two groups who won't be seeking publication. Hopelessly insecure and hopelessly arrogant. But, like Aristotle, I prefer moderation. You still may be wondering why I seek publi- cation. So do I. Let my exploration of this question continue.

I've hit best-seller status for two different e-publishers with three different books. Minor thrills at time, but there's no way I could call them enough of a reward for what I put into writing.

You're an author. You know what I'm talking about. We all but kill ourselves to make our books. So, let's be blunt here. Unless you're going to throw Rowling/King/Clancy/Grisham money at me -- and you are NOT -- money isn't sufficient reason to publish. Nobody reading this article has quit his/her "real job" to be a full-time writer.

Publishing isn't just a case of sending it to a publisher, signing a contract, and being done.

Next up is editing, which is a blast. Not at time, perhaps. Any editor worth a damn will beat you over head with every bad word choice you ever made. And you made hundreds! But at end of that gauntlet, you know you are da bomb.

The survey was conducted by Catherine in-person with people who attended book signings at area bookstores in Northern Virginia metro area between January 2004 and September 2004. A total of 325 people completed survey.

Here is their response to one of questions: Why do you go to book signings?

If you are wondering how this can help you in marketing your book. These 10 items are extremely important. They tell what authors need to give to their audience in order to increase their books sales and to connect with audience. When you know what you audience wants, what they expect, guessing fades and transforms into a great book signing event.

Here are top ten responses in answer to first question:

1. People desire to be acknowledged for taking their time to come -- by you, store, and others that came. Participants who have either already read book, come to meet other like-minded people. They have a social intention and you need to give it to them. Most book signings don't have any social aspect to them so create one. When you include ways, you will definitely increase sales. People want connection, they don't want to be ignored. Get them to talk to people around them. Introduce one person you just met to next person to them. There are many techniques or create some of your own. A seasoned author learned to do this over time. Learn to do it sooner.

2. Curiosity. People are normally curious about authors and how they write, or how they got their book published. Tell them about your journey with all this. For wanta- be or gonna-be writers there because their vision includes what you are doing, give them that feedback. It creates immediate connection. Even if they didn't come not to buy your book, usually they will change their mind, just because you settled their curiosity.

3. Entertainment. Yes, you need to be entertaining. People do want that and they stick around (meaning they don't get up and walk out) if they get it. Show energy, use hand gestures, and please stop reading from page (number one pet peeve). Over and over again, I saw people leave when author continued to read his presentation from page. People don't expect perfection. They had a heavy week, or day, and they want some way to lighten it up. Even if your book is a heavy topic, lighten it up. Comical anecdotes about yourself are great!

4. Oh, old, "what’s in it for me" discussion. What are benefits for them to read book? Is there some information that will help shift their thinking on anything? Use testimonials, ones that have some meat on their bones. Yes, you may need to make some assumptions on where audience is at. Go ahead and do that. Create a few that cover a wider perspective and it will deliver to a wider audience.