| |
| |
|
Writing Information |
|
|
|
Should I Keep Writing?
Writers are an insecure lot. It's easy to understand why. You screw up at work and your boss jumps on your case, quick to tell you exactly what you need to do if you want to keep your job stuffing dough into that pizza press. You screw up your writing ? well, ten weeks later you receive a polite, generic rejection letter in the mail that basically says: Thanks, but no thanks. There is no boss to tell you how you screwed up or how to make it better. You're on your own, Mr. Wannabee A. Writer. Go lock yourself in your bathroom/office until you figure it out. Unfortunately, this lack of feedback goes against our very nature as homo sapiens. If there's no stop sign at the intersection, we have to give serious consideration to whether we're willing to stop or not. That can be a real chore for those of us who are busy trying to dig a dime out between the seat cushions for that double-mocha cappuccino on the way to work. Put in a stop sign and it's a no-brainer. You stop. Then you start digging for the dime. But for a writer, feedback comes in only one form ? if you sell the story, you did something right. If you didn't sell it, you did something wrong. There are those who will try to tell you this isn't true. That you can get good feedback from your spouse or your girlfriend or your buddies. But these are the same people who said you were feeding dough into the pizza press just fine. You can't trust the opinions, good intentions or not, of people who are only casual observers. So ? did your story sell or didn't it? Well ? no. But why can't the editor take an extra minute and just tell me what was wrong? you wonder. Yours is not the only manuscript the editor has to read. There are stacks of manuscripts all over the office, some higher than the desktop, with more arriving in the mail everyday. Editors don't have an extra minute. Not if they plan to scarf down a sandwich between noon and twelve-fifteen and still have time for a bathroom break. Your story has a page, two at the most, to capture the editor's interest. After that, well, there's always another story on the stack. Another reason why the editor doesn't tell you what's wrong: your story's a nightmare. It would take more time to explain the problems than it took you to write the thing. And the biggest reason of all: hell hath no fury like a writer scorned. Offer some helpful advice and the editor has undoubtedly learned that too often what he gets in return is an indignant letter full of obscenities. Finally, writers need to understand that editors don't have all the answers. Yes, it's true, editors are people, too. They have their likes and their dislikes, their stern beliefs, their misconceptions. While one editor may abhor your story, another may find it brilliant. I mention all this in case you weren't already insecure enough. And I mention it because there's another dead end request editors get thrown at them quite frequently. It goes like this: Dear Mr. Editor: Enclosed please find my short story, titled "A Story By Any Other Name." I hope you like it. I think it's the best thing I've written. If you decide not to buy it, could you please tell me why. And could you also tell me if I should keep writing. I'd like to know if I have a future doing this. If you have to ask, the answer is no, you don't have a future and you shouldn't keep writing. Writing is not a pursuit for those who are weak of heart. Nor those who are thin-skinned. It is a pursuit for those who love doing it. William F. Nolan used to say that if you want to be a writer then you sit your behind in the chair and write. Charles Grant said that he writes because he has to; he can't imagine not writing. You want to be a writer? Don't ask editors or anyone else if you have what it takes. They don't know. They can't tell you if you'll make it or not. They might be able to tell you if you need to develop your skills more, but you already knew that. Writing is a profession you never stop perfecting. There's always more to learn. You want to be a writer? Persevere. Go write ? and persevere. David Silva
MORE RESOURCES:
Writing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 2 of 6 BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the reference is to someone who is hardly daring to breathe, the correct word is always bated:"She watched with bated breath. Ten Tips to Help You Finish Writing Your Novel 1. Set aside a time to write and keep it sacred. How to Have an Effective Writing Group The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories to even the novel, hidden in a storage bin (under the bed) collecting dust. But there comes a time when you must wipe away that dust, regain your pride, and prepare your babies for publication! But, how do you get such a critical, unbiased eye to analyze your works, offering both praise and criticism?It's simple-start a writing group!Creating a writing group is the easy part, but creating a functioning and beneficial writing group can be quite a task. How to Build Your Site with Other Peoples Content -- Part 1 Building a new website can be extremely exciting. Seeing your words in "print"--maybe for the first time. A Single Technique Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one tries to avoid it if possible. Yet writers feel the urge to write, the need to write, and the inspiration to write, but these are not what produces. Voice in Narrative and Dialogue - A Contrast of Writing Styles One of the nice things about being an author is that we can break any rule we want. (I just did. Write Possibilities We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. Mexican Living: Pasatiempo It occurred to me one day that I needed something to do with my time when I wasn't writing. You know--something to divert myself so more writing ideas could come to mind. Web Writing: Create Writing Flow With Four Uncommon Connectors Connectors -- conjunctions, punctuation, and transitional phrases -- allow readers to process information promptly by creating balance and relationships between sentence parts. The connectors are performing the same work as verbs, objects, modifiers and multiple subjects. Conflict - How To Keep Your Readers Turning Pages Some writers are just too kind.They hate to put their characters under any kind of pressure. Top 5 Rules of English Grammar Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules make the written words understood. Write Strategy: Think, Believe, Attack Think of writing like karate.. Plotting By Personality - Work With Your Natural Instincts What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way to plot is whatever works best for you. After all, we're all different. Why I Write Horror These are some of the snapshots I carry with me: My father coming up to visit me after first being diagnosed with leukemia. The visit was a surprise, and he brought a new computer with him. Groundbreaking Work Every writer knows that the urge to write is not always present. As a result, the dedicated writer writes anyway. Is The Theme Running Throughout The Story? Creative Writing Tips -It's no use coming up with a theme and not using it. Short stories are about a character or characters and about one situation or happening in those characters' lives. Writing Short Info Reports People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short form, and straight to the point. Its no wonder that they go straight for a computer connected to the internet to find anything from how to grow tomatoes to choosing a web host. How To Publish Your Own Newsletter With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even hobbyists into more and more specialized areas of endeavor, there is an increasing need for information. And newsletters are the high profit way to cash in on the market for specialized information. Top 7 Writers Sites for 2005 If you dream of turning your book into a best seller, or you're looking to become a best selling author in your field, then these sites promise to help you do just that.Whether you are a reader or a writer, you'll find something here that will help you build your writing career, or lead you to a great book. How to Write Articles, Reports, and Books Quickly Do you have trouble getting your thoughts and ideas down into an article? Do you find it difficult to put 'pen to paper' to get your book started? Do you sit facing a blank screen struggling to find the words to write? If so, here are some tips and strategies you can use to get your material written quickly.1.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
