The Good, the Bad, and the Utterly Shite - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T07:30:01Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:23168?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A23679&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt depends entirely on the da…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:238972007-04-13T17:29:35.776ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
It depends entirely on the day and what's been happening. Left to myself after finishing a book, I may have moments when I picture it going to auction. When the first rejection arrives, I consider myself a total failure as a writer. <br />
On the other hand, for the books that have sold and gone through revision, copy-editing, and galleys: for those I know exactly what parts are good and what other parts just passable.
It depends entirely on the day and what's been happening. Left to myself after finishing a book, I may have moments when I picture it going to auction. When the first rejection arrives, I consider myself a total failure as a writer. <br />
On the other hand, for the books that have sold and gone through revision, copy-editing, and galleys: for those I know exactly what parts are good and what other parts just passable. I think if I was every truly…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:238782007-04-13T16:55:22.835ZStuart MacBridehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Macbride
I think if I was every truly happy about something I'd written then what would drive me to make it better? If it doesn't suck it doesn't need the extra effort. And if it doesn't get the extra effort, it's a lot more likely to suck.<br />
<br />
Glad you liked the book though Pat.<br />
<br />
I'll try not to self-flagellate too much: don't want to go blind, after all...
I think if I was every truly happy about something I'd written then what would drive me to make it better? If it doesn't suck it doesn't need the extra effort. And if it doesn't get the extra effort, it's a lot more likely to suck.<br />
<br />
Glad you liked the book though Pat.<br />
<br />
I'll try not to self-flagellate too much: don't want to go blind, after all... Stuart,
Stravinsky called…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:236882007-04-13T12:15:18.730ZDavid Terrenoirehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Terrenoire
Stuart, <br />
<br />
Stravinsky called the artist's dissatisfaction with his or her work "divine discontent" and suggested no artist is ever truly happy with what they produce. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, hacks like me are never happy either, allowing us to remain deluded that by sheer luck and persistence we might actually produce a line or two that's worthwhile. <br />
<br />
That not true, of course, but it is some comfort.
Stuart, <br />
<br />
Stravinsky called the artist's dissatisfaction with his or her work "divine discontent" and suggested no artist is ever truly happy with what they produce. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, hacks like me are never happy either, allowing us to remain deluded that by sheer luck and persistence we might actually produce a line or two that's worthwhile. <br />
<br />
That not true, of course, but it is some comfort. Stuart,
Now look at what y…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:236792007-04-13T11:46:11.683ZPat Mullanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/patmullan
Stuart,<br />
<br />
Now look at what you've done! Sure you know the answer to your question before you posed it. There are good days and bad days - just as my man Van says ' you know there'll be days like this' - and the stuff you think is shite turns out to be great later - and the stuff you think is inspired turns out to be the real shite later ... so you keep on keeping on and one day a book appears (that is if you can find a title that you can agree on - right now I've setled for the one my agent…
Stuart, <br />
<br />
Now look at what you've done! Sure you know the answer to your question before you posed it. There are good days and bad days - just as my man Van says ' you know there'll be days like this' - and the stuff you think is shite turns out to be great later - and the stuff you think is inspired turns out to be the real shite later ... so you keep on keeping on and one day a book appears (that is if you can find a title that you can agree on - right now I've setled for the one my agent gave my latest: 'The Root of All Evil' and I know it's got to go, I just bloody hate it now - but I digress) ....as I said, you keep on keeping on and one day a book appears - and it's got a title (whether you liked it or not) ... ... and it's called COLD GRANITE ... and my brother-in-law sends it to me from Aberdeen (my wife's from Aberdeen) and I didn't think it was shite, I <br />
LOVED it - a bloody good read ... <br />
<br />
...so quit all this self-flagellation, it doesn't befit a Celt anyway! <br />
<br />
Slan, Pat. "No fathers or mothers think…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:235922007-04-13T06:13:52.715ZEric Christophersonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/datahog
"No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind." — Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
"No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind." — Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra I may be pretty much alone on…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:235802007-04-13T04:47:29.511ZSteven Torreshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StevenT
I may be pretty much alone on this, but I generally get a very good feeling for the quality of the writing as I write. If I get a bad feeling - usually because I haven't got the right voice to tell the story - then I'll cut and run and write something else. Lots of half written stories on my hard drive.<br />
<br />
For me, it pretty much all comes down to voice. Once I've got that, I feel extremely confident that the story will be good.<br />
<br />
I try to maintain a very level-headed estimate of my abilities…
I may be pretty much alone on this, but I generally get a very good feeling for the quality of the writing as I write. If I get a bad feeling - usually because I haven't got the right voice to tell the story - then I'll cut and run and write something else. Lots of half written stories on my hard drive. <br />
<br />
For me, it pretty much all comes down to voice. Once I've got that, I feel extremely confident that the story will be good. <br />
<br />
I try to maintain a very level-headed estimate of my abilities and of the products of those abilities. I happily rank the stories and novels I've published - best novel I've written comes out later this year. Second best is one I can't seem to sell for love nor money... c'est la vie. Well I know I'm (b) mad, and…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:235252007-04-13T00:43:48.067ZFran Readhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/tassiefran
Well I know I'm (b) mad, and I really appreciate madness in others. If it is utter shite, it's hilarious shite and nobody does it better than you, Donna! Oh dear... I somehow don't think that came out right.
Well I know I'm (b) mad, and I really appreciate madness in others. If it is utter shite, it's hilarious shite and nobody does it better than you, Donna! Oh dear... I somehow don't think that came out right. I actually have the perfect c…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-13:537324:Comment:235212007-04-13T00:24:14.729ZSandra Ruttanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
I actually have the perfect cure for insecurity: reading The Bridges of Madison County*.<br />
<br />
Anything has to be better, but that got published.<br />
<br />
(*Insert book of your personal loathing - the title will be different for everyone.)
I actually have the perfect cure for insecurity: reading The Bridges of Madison County*.<br />
<br />
Anything has to be better, but that got published.<br />
<br />
(*Insert book of your personal loathing - the title will be different for everyone.) That's true, I look back at w…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-12:537324:Comment:235012007-04-12T23:30:19.654ZJohn McFetridgehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
That's true, I look back at what I wrote and I think every single word could be so much better. Or, often I think, man, I could have used a lot fewer words to say that.<br />
<br />
But also, I think, we do change as we get older, our tastes change and that even applies to our own work. Sometimes I try reading a book that was favourite when I was younger and I just don't se it the same anymore. Doesn't mean it isn't a good book.<br />
<br />
Although I've recently come to realize that I have terrible taste in music.…
That's true, I look back at what I wrote and I think every single word could be so much better. Or, often I think, man, I could have used a lot fewer words to say that.<br />
<br />
But also, I think, we do change as we get older, our tastes change and that even applies to our own work. Sometimes I try reading a book that was favourite when I was younger and I just don't se it the same anymore. Doesn't mean it isn't a good book.<br />
<br />
Although I've recently come to realize that I have terrible taste in music. Apparently I'm the only guy in the world nostalgic for Supertramp and that Frampton Comes Alive album. Maybe I have bad taste in books, too (which would be a real shame, because I loved Cold Granite...) oh pooh Donna....I don't thin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-12:537324:Comment:234712007-04-12T22:54:24.567ZPatriciahttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RamHurricane
oh pooh Donna....I don't think I am mad....but your stuff makes me laugh so I am glad you write what makes you happy.
oh pooh Donna....I don't think I am mad....but your stuff makes me laugh so I am glad you write what makes you happy.