nephelehas an informative post up that I'd like to point out to writers trying to land an agent or first sale. Do read all the way to the end--the best advice of all is there, but it's all good stuff.
Yeah, no one ever succeeded by not trying. That's so true.
On the other hand... I lived in a house where rejection was a fact of life for 20 years of my childhood, and it made me vow never to get into the business... and here I am trying, and that childhood part of me is sometimes screaming, "WTH are you DOing? Did you learn nothing growing up?" *sigh* ... but then too, the parent I watched going through all that rejection has had some validation recently, so, well--life keeps up its twists and turns.
I think the thing is, if you have to do it, don't expect it to be easy. As in "I hate my job. I think I'll write a best seller next week. No, I'll contact Stephen King, give him my great idea, he can do the typing, and we'll split fifty fifty."
That person doesn't "have" to write, just thinks it'll be an easy way to millions. For those who just have to do it, well, all this guidance helps to better shape it so it's right.
That's it exactly. And there's the best way of expressing that condition in Japanese, the one that we express by "can't help but XX" (soul can't help but sing, etc.)
Translated, it comes to "cannot be/exist without XX-ing"
Or many drafts too early...my feeling is, sometimes writers mistake the intensity of the writing of the first draft for how it must read. And it goes out in very raw state indeed, because alas, one's passion cannot be sent along with the ms.
Exactly. I am living proof: if a dork like me, who has made every single mistake possible, can sort of fumble along kind of making it in a modest way, someone with talent, brains, and better luck can soar.
So what you're saying is you learned a lot along the way? :) If it weren't for the internet and people pointing me in the right direction, I'd be lost about the whole process. The thing that drives me crazy is that you are talented. You've worked hard. You have wonderful stories to tell. *sigh* We just need to talk to the PR departments (or whichever) into making one of those cardboard thingies for your books so more people can see your work.
Comments 28
On the other hand... I lived in a house where rejection was a fact of life for 20 years of my childhood, and it made me vow never to get into the business... and here I am trying, and that childhood part of me is sometimes screaming, "WTH are you DOing? Did you learn nothing growing up?" *sigh* ... but then too, the parent I watched going through all that rejection has had some validation recently, so, well--life keeps up its twists and turns.
Reply
That person doesn't "have" to write, just thinks it'll be an easy way to millions. For those who just have to do it, well, all this guidance helps to better shape it so it's right.
Reply
Translated, it comes to "cannot be/exist without XX-ing"
Reply
Reply
Reply
That just *sounds* wrong, somehow.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
Reply
The thing that drives me crazy is that you are talented. You've worked hard. You have wonderful stories to tell. *sigh* We just need to talk to the PR departments (or whichever) into making one of those cardboard thingies for your books so more people can see your work.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment