... and what is the truth?

[Garry L. McLaughlin]

I may sound naive asking this question, but when does a person know if what they are writing is really content that is good enough to be published?

 

As I state in my bio, I have been writing and selling outdoor articles for over 40 years. When I chose to write one, I have no trouble selling it.

 

I know that novel writing is not only a different ball game, but it is controlled by a few people that make all of the selections. Now this would be okay if these people would tell you what they either like or dislike about what a new writier has written, but most choose to never answer your query. So how in the hell does a new writer know if they are wasting thier time?

 

I know some are wanting to answer that agents don't have time to answer all of the queries they get, but that is an unacceptable answer as far as I am concerned. They are in a service business and they should act like it.

 

How does one get someone to read their novel read to know if they should continue writing or just quit writing and go fishing?

 

Garry-

[Miriam Pia]

Oh, if that's what you want, join a local writer's group and let them have a look. If its junk they'll help make you into a better writer.

[minervaK]

Well, here's my question to you Garry -- what if someone, anyone, read your novel and actually said, "you should quit writing and go fishing"? Would you do it?

In other words, who are you writing for? I know, I know -- we all want to Make A Living, but in that frustratingly zen-like way that most reality has, I think the best work comes from writers who literally do not give a flying damn who likes what they write. They write because they like to write. Or, in the other way I've heard it put: if someone can make you stop, you're not really a writer.

[Garry L. McLaughlin]

Miriam Pia ... I have not been able to find a writers group anywhere close to me.

minervaK ... Aha! Trying to call my bluff ... LOL! ...... You see I have been fairly successful as an outdoor writer for 40 years ... I am trying the conversion to novels. It is like a brain surgeon switching to being a proctologist or the other way around. What one person is good at they may not be good at something similar. A novelist has so many more rules they have to follow even before an agent will consider it and the difference between the two are like night and day.

So would I quit? First it has nothing to do about making a living, although it would be welcome. Second if I am truly not cut out to be a novelist it would be foolish for me to continue waste what talents I do have trying to be something I am not. I am trying to be pragmatic about the whole deal.

Garry-

[Miriam Pia]

Gary,

Surely the local writers groups are probably just hiding from you. It can be tough when you are already a professional but it might make it easier to get a real paying deal.

I am not really like many of the others. I wrote a novel first, to see whether or not I could and to find out whether or not I am any good at it. I didn't have a college degree yet, but had done well in high school as one of "smart kids". I was an undergraduate studying other things in order to have a secure day job later in life. Now, nearly 20 years later, I write for pay as a freelancer but have yet to close my first deal on my 2nd novel...strange indeed.