Sep 13, 2006 | Uncategorized |
JA Konrath has an interesting post today about Ingram numbers. Now for those of us who don't yet have a book — or multiple books — to worry about, maybe this post is just interesting in an optimistic-for-the-future kind of way. And yet, I liked this piece of advice about careers being cultivated. I think it's relevant to anyone who wants a writing career, and not just to those with contracts and deadlines.
I used to believe that publishing was all about spaghetti theory: publishers would throw books at the wall to see which one sticks. But now I'm thinking it is more like growing a garden. Careers are cultivated. Some may grow like crazy without much help. Some may die no matter how much help they are given. But the longer the garden stays alive, the more attached the gardener becomes. The more attention the gardener pays, the bigger the garden gets. In the end, the prize roses get the best fertilizer—but it can't hurt to do a little fertilizing on your own.
If you're not yet published by NY, as I am not, how does this advice apply? I think it's important to try and view writing books as an organic whole, not as an end. So many unpublished writers just want that book contract, and then they believe magic happens. No more rejections, no more loneliness standing on the outside of the publishing wall.
Um, no, not true. Just go read Roxanne St. Claire's guest blog over at the Writing Playground and you'll see that successful authors still struggle with doubt, depression, and rejection.
But, if you treat your career like a garden NOW, even before the print contract, tend it, feed it, nourish it, and help it grow, you'll be better prepared for what happens after you get the contract and the numbers game becomes relevant. It sure can't hurt to think of publication as one more stop on the journey, and not the end of the journey. Keep moving forward, even if you have to take a few steps backward from time to time.
Sep 8, 2006 | Uncategorized |
Here's what I'll be doing Friday. Hope I catch one. This is a mahi-mahi. I'd like to catch that or a tuna. Heck, both would be nice. 🙂
I've got my Dramamine, sandwiches, chips, water, sunblock, book (just in case), and hat. Wish me luck.
Sep 7, 2006 | Uncategorized
Golden nugget of agent advice for the day (gleaned from the Crapometer):
You've got my attention for ten seconds. Don't waste it bouncing your balls and spitting on your racket. Serve!
Funniest comment, by an anonymous snarkling, on a fantasy novel entry:
I can't wait to see the great Elvish warrior “Broadleaf Weedkiller” make his entrance.
Best catchphrase so far (used to admonish writers who write passive heroines by demonstrating that even Christian fiction heroines don't just sit around and take whatever happens):
They may kick ass for Jesus, but they are kicking ass. (Which got morphed into “Kicking Ass for Jesus” by the Snarklings.)
Sep 6, 2006 | Uncategorized |
There's a new blog in town called Critique Partner Exchange. Michelle over at Magical Musings started the blog after realizing that a lot of people seem to be searching for a partner or group and just can't find what they're looking for.
A few people have posted their desires, moi included. I have been in two live groups, but neither worked for me in the exact way I wished. I think it helps if you write in the same genre, even if it's not the same sub-genre. For instance, if you're all writing romance, then it might not matter if one is writing historicals, another suspense, and another paranormal. But mixing a category romance writer with a lit fic writer or a straight sci/fi writer is bound to create problems. In my experience anyway. 🙂
In my early days of writing, I had a great online group where everyone wrote romance. That group has since scattered to the four corners. Some stopped writing altogether, others switched genres. At least one person, bless her, made the USA Today list and seemed to have a promising career, but has since stopped writing due to health problems. 🙁 I miss her voice.
So, yeah, I'm looking for a new group or partner. Hopefully I'll find something soon. If you have a critique partner or group, how did you get together? I could use some suggestions in case I don't find anyone over at the new blog…….
(Picture from FreeFoto.com)
Sep 5, 2006 | Uncategorized |
No doubt it's the Crapometer, currently chewing through entries over at Miss Snark's blog. Lordy, lordy, what makes some writers not only willing to throw their work out there, but to do so more than once? Some of the entries have the distinct smell of deja vu. Some commenters have mentioned that a few entries have appeared on Evil Editor's blog as well. At least one entry has been through the Crapometer once before.
I understand how you could make a spelling mistake, or dangle some modifiers, or even write a rambling query. These things are hard to do well (queries, I mean), and sometimes when you think you got it, you're disappointed to find out you don't. But why, oh why, have some of these people sent in their entries with “Dear Agent” on them? And then they claim to be faithful readers of Miss Snark? Um, no, I don't think so. I think you're lying your sorry ass off and taking an opportunity away from more deserving readers of Miss Snark (since there was a lottery system this time, and no I did not send anything in and probably would not ever do so).
Another offender is the phrase “fiction novel.” How many times has MS said that's redundant and not to do it? About a million, which you'd know if you really were a faithful reader.
Another thing that amazes me is how downright mean anonymous commenters can be. Some folks seem to take a lot of joy in kicking a fellow writer when he's down (or yanking the rug out when he's flying high on praise). Just when you think people might have evolved a bit, you see this. The pack closing in for the kill. OTOH, some commenters try to give helpful and constructive criticism. Some do it under their own names, others go Anon; I understand why after watching the pack devour some poor sod.
But, hallelujah, one lucky writer was invited to submit a partial to a real live agent (other than MS) who read his/her entry and loved the concept. Lucky indeed. And you know what? It doesn't make me jealous in the least. I think it's cool. I'm happy for this person. Maybe if they wrote military romantic suspense, I might feel different (I'm only human, though I try to do unto others and all that) but I really think it's neat.
I'm not done reading the Crapometer yet. I think I'm in the sixties, so instead of doing something constructive, like work on my own WIP, I will no doubt head back for another dose of educational reading. Some of the writing is terrible, some is good, a few really good. But reading through slush really shows you what goes through an agent or editor's mind. Judging contests does the same. If you want to improve your own work, you'll read a lot of published books (goes without saying, really) and you'll judge contests. Contests are amazing for what they teach, whether you're an entrant or a judge.
If you're reading the Crapometer, what's the most valuable lesson you've learned? (I think sample pages for me, because some queries really suck and then the writing is great.) What's the most valuable thing you've learned from contests? (Opening hooks are no good if you then launch into backstory for 10 pages.)
