tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post2813030600822972409..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Artistic AnguishJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36670236874216907002012-03-10T13:10:04.889-06:002012-03-10T13:10:04.889-06:00The responses I've seen so far to this post ar...The responses I've seen so far to this post are so wishy washy. It seems that these people lack the confidence to outright challenge you. They "think" they agree with you, but they're not sure because they really don't have minds of their own, or they think they're "supposed to" agree with you, even though they don't, but they're afraid to really admit it...<br /><br />I think this post is essentially worthless trash.<br /><br />You wrote: "Many writers say you have to write every day."<br /><br />Your comment: "That's BS", and "Write when you can".<br /><br />This may work for you, but not necessarily for others, and I would say especially not for newbies.<br /><br />"Write when you can" encourages procrastination. There's always something else to do - household chores, a day job, or something mindless like Facebook, or something useless (like reading this particular blog post). Scheduling daily writing time is important.<br /><br />Your original statement should have read not "Many writers say", but "The majority of successful writers say..." You are the first successful writer I've seen that disagrees with the importance of writing every day. Maybe you're just trying to be controversial.<br /><br />"If your job is to be creative, performing on cue is a must" - and how is this done? - By practicing every single day, even if you don't feel like it. That's how Picasso became the artist he was, that's how Eddie Van Halen became the guitarist he is. Being creative requires regularly exercising the brain just as being an athlete requires regularly exercising the body. Sure, some people are naturally gifted right from the start, but they will never reach their true potential without practicing on a regular basis.<br /><br />Your post is full of hypocrisy: "And please don't overplay your own importance" - that's exactly what you're doing in this post.<br /><br />You present your view in this post as if you are THE authority on the subject, as if YOU have all the answers, and YOUR way is the ONLY way. I've found that the most dangerous people in the world are the ones that think they have all of the answers. They can only see things from their own perspective. They are incapable of seeing things from someone else's viewpoint. You obviously have this attitude. I would say it's a safe guess that when it comes to politics, you happen to be a Conservative - as "tunnel-vision" is a typical characteristic they possess.<br /><br />Regarding: "A famous writer once said - There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." And your response: "I'd offer - Being trapped in a burning car seems a bit worse." This is very "cute", but it only shows that on top of all of your arrogance, you are also incapable of understanding poetic thought.<br /><br />I don't have time right now to continue commenting on this post, but I think I've gotten my point across.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40384178584273410262008-11-17T05:00:00.000-06:002008-11-17T05:00:00.000-06:00well coming from being a tradesman myself(whether ...well coming from being a tradesman myself(whether it being laying bricks or a farmer)our jobs are repetitive and therefore we don't get brick layers block because we already know what were doing, kind of like we are programmed for instance. so when laying bricks for each and every different house we build we are not trying to work out a new and different way to do it each time, where as i think a writer must be very creative in each and every different piece they write so as not be repetitive and uncreative. Plus i think it is very ignorant to think that something physically hard is the same as something mentally hard.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14824742841865827348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23037973541479438452008-10-05T08:31:00.000-05:002008-10-05T08:31:00.000-05:00I've occasionally been known to have "programmers ...I've occasionally been known to have "programmers block"...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-331082953833582502008-10-05T08:29:00.000-05:002008-10-05T08:29:00.000-05:00In architecture, which building has more intrinsic...In architecture, which building has more intrinsic value:<BR/><BR/>1)A museum, Rococo style<BR/>2)A home, Colonial style<BR/>3)A stadium, Greek Revival style<BR/><BR/>They have different features, and different choices of ornament. <BR/><BR/>Saying that the museum is somehow better than the other two because (touch back of wrist to forehead) it has agonizingly intricate detail in its facade, and it is designed expressly to hold *A!*R!*T!* misses the point completely. <BR/><BR/>The museum would be way too stinking cold to live in, and there's no good place for a rock stage. If well designed, the three buildings all have intricate detail in service of their functions. Likewise, different genres of writing.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes you just want a "cozy mystery" experience. The intricate detail there is supporting a friendly atmosphere, human relationships, and an interesting story that engages the reader in the mental search for a solution. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes you want a "thriller" experience. The intricate detail there is an interweaving of cause and effect, suspense, and the pattern of pulling the reader through the book in a visceral search for survival.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes you want a "literary" experience. The intricate detail there is on the sound of the words, and a nuanced exploration of human experience. Contrasted with mental or visceral, the experience is largely aesthetic and social.<BR/><BR/>To write an excellent (or even publishable) book in any genre (including literary/mainstream) requires a command of a great number of variables. I have the most respect for writers who have demonstrated command of multiple genres. If a writer is merely literary, or an architect merely designs museums, they cannot (in my mind) be considered a master. <BR/><BR/>Dal JeanisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80822401067251384372008-09-30T07:44:00.000-05:002008-09-30T07:44:00.000-05:00Seriously, I cannot stop laughing!I totally agree ...Seriously, I cannot stop laughing!<BR/><BR/>I totally agree with you on writer's block. I've posted about the absurdity of it and tried shaking people into recognizing it for what it really is - an excuse not to write.<BR/><BR/>I don't write every day. I write on days when the projects are due or the blog post comes to mind. Muse? I'd have to look that one up. Not sure exactly what that is beyond Hollywood babble.<BR/><BR/>It's ridiculous to think what we do is so damned difficult that we have to suffer over punctuation marks or lament over dangling modifiers. The world doesn't end and people don't die if we screw up (well, unless we write them dead, but then they're not real people, are they?). We entertain. We may educate (if we write insurance licensing courses that leave us blind with boredom, but I digress). We don't suffer for our craft - well, unless the bastard doesn't pay and we have to chase them down with expensive attorneys in tow, but is that really suffering?<BR/><BR/>Great post.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18045985667596964511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45136024873842997892008-09-28T12:45:00.000-05:002008-09-28T12:45:00.000-05:00The very very very last thing readers and bookstor...<I>The very very very last thing readers and bookstores need are writers who don't take time - struggle or not - to write the best books they can.</I><BR/><BR/>Subjective. Name ten authors who don't write the best books they can. Also show me a correlation between the time it takes to write a book, the "quality" of the book, and the success of a book.<BR/><BR/>There's none. Zero. Nada. Zilch.<BR/><BR/>So me someone who agonizes over every sentence, and I'll show you a drama queen.<BR/><BR/><I>A really good anything -book, cure for cancer, good parent takes a lot of time, effort, and patience.</I><BR/><BR/>Again, "good" is unprovable. But time does not equal good. You can take two weeks to write a book, and have it be enjoyed by the majority who read it, or six years to right a book, and haveit be despised by the majority of those who read it. <BR/><BR/>I'd say that writing any book requires effort and consideration. <BR/><BR/>If a writer strives to create something meaningful (whatever that means) that's fine, as long was they don't whine about it or ever say, "I really tried to create something meaningful," which reeks of self-importance.<BR/><BR/><I>Here's why I have a problem with this idea that "sales = quality."</I><BR/><BR/>Sales is an objective way to determine a book's popularity. "Quality" is subjective. Books have no intrinsic value.<BR/><BR/><I>They decide what they like based on marketing and hype and social acceptance.</I><BR/><BR/>They decide what to read based on these criteria, among others, but what they like involves many other factors. Again, people often change their opinions, and many things influence opinions.<BR/><BR/><I>There are too many damn writers out there as it is, and whatever you can do to thin the ranks is fine by me.</I><BR/><BR/>The ranks thin themselves, and writing every day has little to do withit.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11463946724562591452008-09-27T17:50:00.000-05:002008-09-27T17:50:00.000-05:00Thanks for effectively killing that myth about all...Thanks for effectively killing that myth about all the mystery and magic that goes into writing. Now how am I supposed to negotiate longer deadlines if I can't pretend writing is hard and takes time to be nuanced just right?<BR/><BR/>I've thought the mystery to be a pretty piece of bull pucky for some time. It's refreshing to hear someone else fess up. :)Lisa Abeytahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12737286452019702002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-57651242598840908212008-09-27T11:56:00.000-05:002008-09-27T11:56:00.000-05:00I would just like to say that I get farmer's b...I would just like to say that I get farmer's block. Sometimes I just do not know if it is the right time to plant--and where to put the green onions this year? I need to till that area, but tilling is hard and I really don't want to start until the tomatoes are completely done.<BR/><BR/>Is it still too hot cilantro to germinate? What about fall snap peas? I love those, but they don't like the heat.<BR/><BR/>So then, ultimately, I sit and stare ath the garden. Maybe I pull a weed or two. Maybe I go check the forecast. Or maybe I just sit and think about all of it and am blocked by indecision for days.<BR/><BR/>:>)Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234907275906877802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37761159294759249942008-09-27T10:37:00.000-05:002008-09-27T10:37:00.000-05:00I think it's great that you're telling newbie writ...I think it's great that you're telling newbie writers that it's okay to not write every day. There are too many damn writers out there as it is, and whatever you can do to thin the ranks is fine by me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12814538832501875392008-09-27T09:24:00.000-05:002008-09-27T09:24:00.000-05:00I've had to give myself permission to NOT write ev...I've had to give myself permission to NOT write every day. Even when I've met my weekly word count goal, I have to talk myself into taking a day off. It's great if some people can write every day, but it's certainly doesn't distinguish the writer or his/her success. Don't put the pressure on yourself. It's not okay to miss a deadline though. Find the balance.<BR/><BR/>And I LOVE the comment about writers block. So may people ask me about that. I tell them that I don't have TIME for writers block. I basically have 2 free hours a day to write, unless I want to get up at 4 a.m. Mulling over a plot is left for carpool-driving.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post.Heather Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11634399663804195312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-934366226525128112008-09-27T01:36:00.000-05:002008-09-27T01:36:00.000-05:00Hi Joe, Joe said: Ultimately, people decide what t...Hi Joe, <BR/><BR/>Joe said: <I>Ultimately, people decide what they like on a one-on-one book-by-book basis.</I><BR/><BR/>I think books are like any other product, and most people don't actually decide what they like on a one-on-one basis. They decide what they like based on marketing and hype and social acceptance. End displays and Oprah and "Ohmigod you haven't read DaVinci Code?"<BR/><BR/>I'm not disparaging that selection criteria, or the people that read a book because Oprah or the New York Times tells them they should. I just think it underscores the importance of promotion, self or otherwise, for the writer. Most people like what other people tell them is good, and what other people tell us is good is part of what develops our own concept of "good." Art may be subjective, but taste is a matter of social acceptance and marketing manipulation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84079534974126204902008-09-26T18:43:00.000-05:002008-09-26T18:43:00.000-05:00Here's why I have a problem with this idea that "s...Here's why I have a problem with this idea that "sales = quality." Take a writer like Mr. Konrath. He sells somewhere around 10k copies of each hardcover. That's not very many books. Q.E.D., by his own logic, he's not a very good writer. But I don't accept that. Maybe he just hasn't caught on with the audience yet. Maybe his publisher hasn't adequately promoted his books. (As we've all known to happen.) Maybe he's producing quality books that just don't appeal to a mass audience. There could be many reasons. But this hypothesis only allows for one: he's not a very good writer. And that's too simplistic a method for making that determination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8958813377569951202008-09-26T13:36:00.000-05:002008-09-26T13:36:00.000-05:00IMHO, not a great post Joe. Sorry.The very very v...IMHO, not a great post Joe. Sorry.<BR/><BR/>The very very very last thing readers and bookstores need are writers who don't take time - struggle or not - to write the best books they can. Fast, down and dirty is not the way to a long career unless you are a freaky genius. <BR/><BR/>A really good anything - book, cure for cancer, good parent takes a lot of time, effort, and patience. <BR/><BR/>I agree - as a gig- we shouldn't whine about how hard this is. But I don't think we should whine or put down writers who want to spend hours, days, years trying to create something meaningful that might offer people who want one and yes even need one an escape and quality entertainment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70012741526584968582008-09-26T10:08:00.000-05:002008-09-26T10:08:00.000-05:00Sorry, Joe. I promise not to be cerebral anymore....Sorry, Joe. <BR/>I promise not to be cerebral anymore. Luckily Jude came through with post 100.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46678909537126732032008-09-26T08:01:00.000-05:002008-09-26T08:01:00.000-05:00Ok, this is the first time I have been on your blo...Ok, this is the first time I have been on your blog and I just want to say that I wanted to be the cook who refused to cook fish! HA!!!! Sorry, I get the post and all, but the first thing that comes to mind is "HEY, I wanted to be a chef and I HATE fish, so I just won't make any, AT ALL!!!" Yes, being a belligerent pain IS one of my strong points! What can I say, I have 7 kids! It helps to be belligerent!!!Momma Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05246082038651547593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85571617156669919392008-09-25T21:03:00.000-05:002008-09-25T21:03:00.000-05:00I'm the 100th comment! Woohoo! Where's my prize? I...I'm the 100th comment! Woohoo! Where's my prize? I know there's a prize! Where is it?<BR/><BR/>There is a prize, isn't there?Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32559016290406416972008-09-25T17:35:00.000-05:002008-09-25T17:35:00.000-05:00Ann, you were too cerebral and you killed the thre...Ann, you were too cerebral and you killed the thread.<BR/><BR/>I was hoping for 100 too...JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39690662508197430282008-09-25T11:06:00.000-05:002008-09-25T11:06:00.000-05:00I used to write literary short stories, and now I ...I used to write literary short stories, and now I write romantic suspense novels. This is how I define the difference between literary and genre fiction:<BR/><BR/>Literary fiction seeks to portray an aspect or aspects of the world as it is. It is an observation of character and human relationships. It is thought of as "art" in much the same way as a painting or sculpture (a representation of the world/"truth" through the artist's eye).<BR/><BR/>Genre fiction seeks to give readers a framework to understand the world as it is, whether that framework be justice or love or judgement (good vs. evil) or whatever. It is the descendant of epic poetry, morality tales, mythology and the like. It is part of the human race's quest to understand the world and pass down that understanding through storytelling. <BR/><BR/>To argue that one has more value than the other begs the question, what specific -values- are you talking about?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35929823458532490212008-09-25T10:48:00.000-05:002008-09-25T10:48:00.000-05:00btw...I've had lots of different jobs, and I know ...btw...<BR/><BR/>I've had lots of different jobs, and I know one thing to be true: people whine. Writers certainly don't have a monopoly on that annoying habit. It's human nature to be dissatisfied, to get weary and cranky with the status quo after a while, to think the grass <I>must</I> be greener on the other side. <BR/><BR/>If I only could...<I>meet the right person</I>...<I>get that promotion</I>...<I>win the lottery</I>...<I>get an agent</I>...<I>land a book contract</I>...<I>make it to the NYT best seller list</I>...<I>get a movie deal</I>...<BR/><BR/>And writing isn't really harder or easier than any other job. It's certainly not as physically demanding as some, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges and stressors. I'd sure like to give it a shot fulltime, though.<BR/><BR/>If only I could land a book deal...Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11863600622571518842008-09-25T06:49:00.000-05:002008-09-25T06:49:00.000-05:00I blogged about the same thing on the SF Novelists...I blogged about the same thing on the SF Novelists site last month: http://www.sfnovelists.com/2008/07/17/write-in-spurts/<BR/><BR/>I've never been a 'write every day' proponent. I write when I have to, and then I give it my all.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6626209294862374292008-09-24T16:28:00.000-05:002008-09-24T16:28:00.000-05:00Well-said, Joe.You know, The Gatekeepers would pro...Well-said, Joe.<BR/><BR/>You know, The Gatekeepers would probably say that a guy like me just isn't cultured or educated enough to appreciate what they consider to be Art with a capital A. <BR/><BR/>My response?<BR/><BR/><I>Pffffftttt!</I><BR/><BR/>And word around the campfire is they are developing a William Shakespeare breakfast cereal. It's called RomeOs, and it snaps, crackles, and pops in iambic pentameter.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53593665677457217512008-09-24T15:47:00.000-05:002008-09-24T15:47:00.000-05:00Shakespeare's way better than The Flintstones...Bu...<I>Shakespeare's way better than The Flintstones...</I><BR/><BR/>But does Shakespeare have both a fruity and a cocoa cereal?<BR/><BR/>Seriously, though, a key word here is "intrinsic."<BR/><BR/>While the artist may intend to provoke a reaction, the art viewer either has that reaction or doesn't. There's nothing inherent or intrinsic in a work of art that will automatically make all people react to it.<BR/><BR/>The best an artist can do is try to get as many people to react as possible.<BR/><BR/>Which brings us to the gatekeepers.<BR/><BR/>Throughout history, mankind has been exposed to the art that the church, government, big business, and wealthy benefactors deem relevant.<BR/><BR/>We watch what they put on TV and in the theaters. We read what they print. We visit museums and galleries featuring works already chosen for us.<BR/><BR/>Which brings up a point I often belabor--creating the art is only part of what the artist must do. The artist must also make people aware the art exists, lest the art fad einto obscurity.<BR/><BR/>Much art fades into obscurity. And factors or time, society, and environment, along with personal subjective opinions, show that art only has value because we attribute value to it, and not all of us attribute the same value to the same things.<BR/><BR/>If we wanted to be more objective, we could count the number of people impacted by a work of art, and try to rate the effect it had on them. <BR/><BR/>Certain gatekeepers, such as critics and academics, decide what is worthy enough to praise and teach. <BR/><BR/>But, again, their assessment is subjective, not based on any value pre-existing within the art. They certainly can defend the reasons why certain books should be taught, but their defense ultimately comes down to belief rather than actual proof.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31036124332864457572008-09-24T15:11:00.000-05:002008-09-24T15:11:00.000-05:00Also, the author is a jerk.Nah. I think he's a pre...<I>Also, the author is a jerk.</I><BR/><BR/>Nah. I think he's a pretty cool dude. :)<BR/><BR/>I was just trying to show, tongue-in-cheek really, how easy it is to assign social relevance (or allusions, themes, symbolism, etc.) where (I'm going out on a limb and guessing here) none was originally intended. I think it happens more often than The Literati would like to admit.<BR/><BR/>As for the philosophy of art...<BR/><BR/>According to your theory, Joe, everything is subjective, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare has no more intrinsic value than The Flintstones Complete DVD set. Sorry, but that's just crazy talk.<BR/><BR/>The Simpsons, maybe, but not The Flintstones. Shakespeare's <I>way</I> better than The Flintstones...Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-58257564143068019522008-09-24T12:38:00.000-05:002008-09-24T12:38:00.000-05:00If someone said that eight hours of bubble-blowing...<I>If someone said that eight hours of bubble-blowing had the same value as eight hours of hard science, I'd argue with them the same way I've argued with Joe.</I><BR/><BR/>Again, the determination of "value" is subjective.<BR/><BR/>I've learned a lot of useless things in life, through school and through pursuing my own interests.<BR/><BR/>If you're a scientist, hard science is your job.<BR/><BR/>If you're a layperson with an interest in science, how is pursuing knowledge--which is a form of happiness--any different than the happiness brought on by blowing bubbles?<BR/><BR/>Simple pleasures are just as important as deep-seated understanding of unnessesary trivia, and any trivia not essential to life is unnessesary.<BR/><BR/>Unless, of course, you can tell me how Napoleon's reign in France directly effects you, or how often you use differntial calculus in everyday life, or why it's important to know whether you're a realist or an empiricist. (I'm an empiricist, and Kant is Hume's bitch.)<BR/><BR/>I posit that writing effective humor, or action, or sex, is no more difficult than writing "value." I also posit that no type of writing is harder than working in a coal mine.<BR/><BR/>I'm all for self-discovery and the pursuit of knowledge. But I don't see how that's anything other than entertainment value, unless your calling in life directly relates to the knowledge you're pursuing.<BR/><BR/>In other words, some things make me think, some things make me laugh, and neither has more value than the other.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13654014510689210552008-09-24T10:53:00.000-05:002008-09-24T10:53:00.000-05:00I totally agree with you. There are alot harder j...I totally agree with you. There are alot harder jobs out there than being a writer and I will be so happy when that is the only job I have. Self-promotion is very important because no one can sell your work better than the author. It's time consuming, but I'd much rather be doing the best I can do to get my name out there than to just leave up to someone else to do.Susie McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11672732605360996946noreply@blogger.com