(no subject)
Extract from David Armstrong's book 'How not to write a novel. Found it on a writers' mailing list, and just found it... half amusing and half too close to the truth for comfort.
"So, if you're thinking of becoming a writer, like the TV ad used to say, don't do it, eh: just say No. Think of it as doing a public service. After all, not everyone feels that they can paint or sculpt or dance, so why should everyone appear to believe that they can write a book?
Every other person I know, is either writing, or has written, a novel. And worse, contrary to everything I have already said about the miseries of doing it, trying to get it published, reviewed, distributed and sold, my overwhelming impression is not only that many of these writers are being published, but they're on the very bookshelves where I, in a just and fair world, so obviously should be.
We all know that there are far too many books in the world. So why not help the cause? Do the right thing. Please, don't write that book.
I'll give it some serious thought, Mr Armstrong :) I'm not sure I do want the misery. Or do I?
"So, if you're thinking of becoming a writer, like the TV ad used to say, don't do it, eh: just say No. Think of it as doing a public service. After all, not everyone feels that they can paint or sculpt or dance, so why should everyone appear to believe that they can write a book?
Every other person I know, is either writing, or has written, a novel. And worse, contrary to everything I have already said about the miseries of doing it, trying to get it published, reviewed, distributed and sold, my overwhelming impression is not only that many of these writers are being published, but they're on the very bookshelves where I, in a just and fair world, so obviously should be.
We all know that there are far too many books in the world. So why not help the cause? Do the right thing. Please, don't write that book.
I'll give it some serious thought, Mr Armstrong :) I'm not sure I do want the misery. Or do I?