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Monsieur
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1688 Posts |
 Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:40:04
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...but I am too scared.
I wrote a couple of short stories while I was a student, most of them unfinished, and some of them were really appreciated by friends who read them.
When I read some today's bestsellers I find my stuff 100 times better - and I am far from being over-self-confident usually.
The problem is that like everything else, writing is about hard work, and I clearly don't have enough time because of my job. Perhaps I could find a job that would leave me more spare time, but I like this one (though I would prefer writing) and the money is pretty good.
Is anyone good at advice here?
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:43:22
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I would say to try to finish some of your unfinished stuff first, that wouldn't be as time consuming to start out with. And see where that takes you.
1. I am a fsh with no i's.
2. You must be wearing Zubaz, 'cause you're daring to be different.
3. I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:43:51
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the first step to becoming a writer is becoming a waiter. at least in LA
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:46:46
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Seriously? If you are serious in your question, I have a serious answer.
Stop fretting about your current job and lack of time, and write in whatever
free time you do have. Also, stop showing your stuff to friends who shower
you with compliments. Find people (editors?) who will give you constructive
criticism, useful feedback, suggestions on how to improve your writing.
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:50:56
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Of course, I forgot to include the most important thing I had to say.
Get your ego out of the way. Being a writer is not for weenies.
Stop indulging your fear (ego) and stop thinking you are
superior to other, successful writers (also your ego). Develop a thick
skin (get into situations where your work is ripped apart by an
experienced editor).
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:14:00
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Post it here. We'll try and be honest.
Aaah, shit, actually. Will it be in French?
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!!
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Monsieur
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1688 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:25:10
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Everyone who knows Nicolas Rey or Florian Zeller, today's bestsellers in France, will agree that a 10 year old kid with an average IQ would make a better writer. Being a successful writer is more about attitude and networks than talent.
About that thick skin stuff, believe me, if I didn't already have one, with my current job, I'd already be dead.
I do agree with the fact that you have to show your stuff to professionnals, though. But these people are often totally unqualified.
Recently, a Belgian journalist took one of the most famous pieces of prose in French litterature (Les Chants du Maldoror, by Lautréamont) and only changed the title and the name of the main character, then sent it to all the major editors here. Guess what : only one of them (Gallimard) recognized it, the others refused to publish the text saying it was not good enough.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:39:55
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Ever read a John Grisham book? It's crap. And it sells and sells and sells.
Don't let the "popular success = crappy writing" truism get in your way. Just write
for the sake of writing.
You ought to post your stuff here, even if only Cheesey will understand it.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1594 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:58:31
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| Who cares about success, the whole point is to become bitter. |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 11:41:30
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the second step to becoming a writer (after becoming a waiter) is to pretend you're a writer.
if anyone asks, you say "i'm a writer"
and if they ask what you write specifically, try to be as vague as possible. or, better yet, don't answer at all
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
Edited by - floop on 03/15/2005 12:00:57 |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 11:53:59
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hammerhands that made me laugh like a loony.
Only way to do it is to keep writing, and put it out there, maybe look for some online outlets like Newo has found - that way you can get complete strangers critiquing your work.
And send it in to some monthly literary journals. Just keep doing it (writing), that's one thing that is certain.
<temporarily out of order> |
Edited by - apl4eris on 03/15/2005 11:54:40 |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 12:12:50
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quote:
Originally posted by floop
the second step to becoming a writer (after becoming a waiter) is to pretend you're a writer.
if anyone asks, you say "i'm a writer"
and if they ask what you write specifically, try to be as vague as possible. or, better yet, don't answer at all
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee!
I'd laugh if this weren't too true and annoying. But one example: Last year at Christmas dinner, this guy told me that he was
a professional writer because sometimes as part of his
job as an insurance adjuster, he filled out paperwork
that he had to submit to the government and such and so he was a professional writer.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 15:30:11
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Go for it mon ami. If you'd told me when I finished university that in a month or two I'd be writing regularly for an established print magazine, I'd have thought you were crazy. But it happens that I am, so just give it a shot, you never know what'll happen.
Meanwhile though, until then:
Je vais prendre l'assiette de crudité, s'il vous plaît. Apres, comme plat principal je voudrais les moules et frites. Aussi, un biére. Maintenant, garçon!
 I'm like a lost snail in the night. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 19:21:03
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Cheesey, you are kiling me.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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The King Of Karaoke
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3759 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 22:48:34
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it's okay, they may start you off as bus boy or something first, then you can work your way into a waiters position. I know lots of people that do it.
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:26:26
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Nice sigatar, KOK.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:28:15
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quote:
Originally posted by kathryn
Nice sigatar, KOK.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics
Oh now you gots to credit me wit dat shit, before I get all up ons. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:39:29
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speedy, just out of curiosity, when you speak Ebonics
do you have a Canadian accent?
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:49:51
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| Whenever I adopt an affectation, I speak with a perfect "local" accent. And none of the above qualifies as "credit", m'lady. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:55:25
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m'lady?
I think that's the first time anybody's called me that.
M'sir?
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 20:55:21
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Kathryn makes many a good point.
It sounds like you're a writer all ready .....set ..... GO!
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2005 : 06:52:32
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Three pages a day, even if they´re shit.
--
"Here love," brakes on a high squeak, "it´s not backstage at the old Windmill or something, you know." |
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KimStanleyRobinson
* Dog in the Sand *
1972 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2005 : 15:40:07
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Yes, be bitter and write shit.
You'll make it.
The Davinci Code is very bad literature - it breaks the cardinal rule of creative writing that advises not to view scenes in your head as if you were watching television.
I read the book in two sittings.
It was like watching a mainstream movie.
I took absolutely nothing away from it except that it was fun and I didn't have to think about anything real for a while.
Its fucking depressing, but this is what sells.
If you can make people feel like they are sitting in front of their televisions when they're not, then they'll buy your book. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2005 : 16:56:19
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Exactly, KSR.
Monsieur, the question to ask yourself is, "Do I want to
write or do I want to be successful?" Sometimes
you can make money off your writing; often, not.
You are still a legitimate writer even when
it's a case of the latter.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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Monsieur
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1688 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 02:08:54
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Kathryn, I think every writer wants to be successful. What they want is recognition, be it a litterary prize, or a huge amount of money. A proof that people like you.
In France many people think that Julien Gracq is the best French living author. He refused the highest litterary prize, lives in isolation and insulted the president François Mitterrand when he wanted to introduce him to the Queen of England. He never made much money out of his books. Yet I am sure that he achieved the kind of recognition he was looking for.
Everyone wants to be successful. Making money is only the economic aspect of this. Personally, I know I will earn much more money through my current job than through writing, even if I become a successful author (whis is not very likely). But the point is : how much money is enough?
I hate it when people say they don't care about money (this is more true in France than in the USA). That is why I deeply appreciated Frank's honesty during the reunion.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
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shineoftheever
> Teenager of the Year <
Canada
4307 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 02:22:45
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D.I.Y. but get help from people you know cannot benefit by helping you, this will encourage honest criticism. i am trying to write a book of a different sort and this book is coming in very handy, i am learning tonnes. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0898796466/103-8524169-9124652
i have talked to printers and typesetters and others about this and it is really not that expensive. they all say the more you do yourself, the cheaper it will be, here, they say the standard publishing program is quark xpress.
 You can go eat a decroded piece of crap! |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 09:51:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Monsieur
But the point is : how much money is enough?
50 billion dollars?
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 13:19:22
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Money's good; attention from people wanting to talk to you
because you're author is bad.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 21:35:07
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Ok......
so you're writing and telling,..... and in each word spelling,
but not looking at besides.
and with stick speak selling,
out of sorts and stareing,
we are brittle by design. |
Edited by - danjersey on 03/23/2005 21:46:44 |
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Topic |
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I want to become a writer...
