Advice for workshop -- Help! - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T20:50:03Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:21768?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A22276&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDon't forget ralan.com for mo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:227932007-04-11T22:17:04.822ZSteven Torreshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StevenT
Don't forget ralan.com for more market info - it's not as useful a site (unless you're a sci-fi writer) but there are occasional markets (anthos, for instance) that they have a better angle on .
Don't forget ralan.com for more market info - it's not as useful a site (unless you're a sci-fi writer) but there are occasional markets (anthos, for instance) that they have a better angle on . That's the pits.
I see the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:226582007-04-11T18:36:19.106ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
That's the pits. <br />
<br />
I see the same thing from time to time when I'm speaking to women's groups. It's like, "Oh, you write mysteries? I guess I can dismiss you now . . . " <br />
<br />
Ah, well.
That's the pits. <br />
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I see the same thing from time to time when I'm speaking to women's groups. It's like, "Oh, you write mysteries? I guess I can dismiss you now . . . " <br />
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Ah, well. I'm with you, Jon. Pretty muc…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:226552007-04-11T18:35:28.076ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
I'm with you, Jon. Pretty much everything fiction is genre. I don't see the need to feel superior or inferior about what I write -- or what others do.
I'm with you, Jon. Pretty much everything fiction is genre. I don't see the need to feel superior or inferior about what I write -- or what others do. Yeah, genre -- Horrors! Anybo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:225392007-04-11T15:44:01.225ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
Yeah, genre -- Horrors! Anybody look at the best seller list lately?<br></br><br></br>No matter how well written, most of the books fall into one genre or another. THE ROAD, which I think is the best book I have read in the last ten years comes under both SF-apocalyptic fiction, and suspense fiction. And that nasty word to all genre writers (me included) literary fiction.<br></br><br></br>Many aspire to literary, few accomplish it, Cormack McCarthy has. Anybody who reads the book and pays attention knows that…
Yeah, genre -- Horrors! Anybody look at the best seller list lately?<br/><br/>No matter how well written, most of the books fall into one genre or another. THE ROAD, which I think is the best book I have read in the last ten years comes under both SF-apocalyptic fiction, and suspense fiction. And that nasty word to all genre writers (me included) literary fiction.<br/><br/>Many aspire to literary, few accomplish it, Cormack McCarthy has. Anybody who reads the book and pays attention knows that even when nothing is happening, the reader is afraid of what it will be. I've never been so frightened for characters as in the last few pages of this book. Actually, I knew the guy who…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:225222007-04-11T15:26:09.329ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Actually, I knew the guy who invited authors to come talk at the University of Michigan (my alma mater -- BA in Asian Studies, MSW in cross-cultural therapy). He wanted to invite me, but said that it wouldn't happen in a million years because I wrote genre. <br />
<br />
God, forbid. <br />
<br />
I wish snobbery could be divorced from creative writing. Just because you've got your nose in the air doesn't mean you've got a better view. Ya, know?
Actually, I knew the guy who invited authors to come talk at the University of Michigan (my alma mater -- BA in Asian Studies, MSW in cross-cultural therapy). He wanted to invite me, but said that it wouldn't happen in a million years because I wrote genre. <br />
<br />
God, forbid. <br />
<br />
I wish snobbery could be divorced from creative writing. Just because you've got your nose in the air doesn't mean you've got a better view. Ya, know? Jon,
I've got several of the…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:225042007-04-11T14:59:33.307ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Jon,<br />
I've got several of these points earmarked. Thank you for reminding me of their importance.<br />
<br />
As to asking questions of the students. . . heck yes. This workshop is in a large, gorgeous Santa Fe home. It'll have, at max, 10 participants. Since I've got an MSW, I always am interested in the psychology behind a person's desire to "get published." Why is that important in the first place?<br />
<br />
I love #6. Isn't it the truth.<br />
<br />
Every once in a while I think about going to school for writing --…
Jon, <br />
I've got several of these points earmarked. Thank you for reminding me of their importance. <br />
<br />
As to asking questions of the students. . . heck yes. This workshop is in a large, gorgeous Santa Fe home. It'll have, at max, 10 participants. Since I've got an MSW, I always am interested in the psychology behind a person's desire to "get published." Why is that important in the first place? <br />
<br />
I love #6. Isn't it the truth. <br />
<br />
Every once in a while I think about going to school for writing -- then I meet some of the professors and they strike me as so pompous (I hope I'm not offending you?) that I give up the idea and go back into my hovel. Ohhhhhhh, this is a good one.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:225022007-04-11T14:55:26.551ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Ohhhhhhh, this is a good one. I think I'll have a section on discipline. That's a great idea. and it is crucial.
Ohhhhhhh, this is a good one. I think I'll have a section on discipline. That's a great idea. and it is crucial. heh! Funny.
Like you, Andr…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:225002007-04-11T14:54:01.425ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
heh! Funny. <br />
<br />
Like you, Andrea, I did many of these -- newspaper column and magazine features, developed a website before ever getting fiction published, going to conferences and conventions . . . <br />
<br />
I'm published but still very much on the upward part of my career. It's really interesting to get everyone's take on this. <br />
<br />
Yes, there are hundreds of ways to be effective.
heh! Funny. <br />
<br />
Like you, Andrea, I did many of these -- newspaper column and magazine features, developed a website before ever getting fiction published, going to conferences and conventions . . . <br />
<br />
I'm published but still very much on the upward part of my career. It's really interesting to get everyone's take on this. <br />
<br />
Yes, there are hundreds of ways to be effective. Steven,
Great info here. Tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:224992007-04-11T14:51:16.973ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Steven, <br />
Great info here. Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. <br />
<br />
I think there are things you can do to begin networking before you're published. These don't guarantee you'll be published, but they may make it easier to get a look-see/read when your work hits an editor's or agent's desk. <br />
<br />
But, boy, you've given me a lot of good info here. And, no, I didn't know about duotrope.
Steven, <br />
Great info here. Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. <br />
<br />
I think there are things you can do to begin networking before you're published. These don't guarantee you'll be published, but they may make it easier to get a look-see/read when your work hits an editor's or agent's desk. <br />
<br />
But, boy, you've given me a lot of good info here. And, no, I didn't know about duotrope. 7. What am I completely missi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-11:537324:Comment:222762007-04-11T06:24:39.054ZEliza Tuckerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/elizatucker
7. What am I completely missing?<br />
<br />
Well, you're not missing it. But the discipline thing is CRUCIAL. If you're willing to change your lifestyle around to write, and if you're faithful to the art, you're going to get some results. If you get up an extra three hours earlier than necessary and go to bed when you did when you were eight years old, you're going to find that you don't hate it, that you like it, and that you rock your own socks. But you have to make that sacrifice of not sleeping in. A…
7. What am I completely missing?<br />
<br />
Well, you're not missing it. But the discipline thing is CRUCIAL. If you're willing to change your lifestyle around to write, and if you're faithful to the art, you're going to get some results. If you get up an extra three hours earlier than necessary and go to bed when you did when you were eight years old, you're going to find that you don't hate it, that you like it, and that you rock your own socks. But you have to make that sacrifice of not sleeping in. A professional, bill-paying writer absolutely must be willing to do what it takes for his art. You have to involve yourself in crit groups, in the blogosphere, and in the writing community, both online and offline. Doesn't mean you have to shell out big bucks, but if you can't shell out the bucks to get to a agent and editor pitching conference or the like, you're gonna have to work harder from home.