What would it take to make you walk away? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T19:46:45Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/what-would-it-take-to-make-you?id=537324%3ATopic%3A185411&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think everyone dreams of ma…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-06:537324:Comment:1866052009-03-06T02:48:15.456ZJessicahttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Jessica
I think everyone dreams of making a real career out of writing. Everyone hopes that one day they'll be getting a seven figure advance for all the hard work they put in. But only a handful of people are actually that lucky.<br />
<br />
That's why we have day jobs!<br />
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Right now, I'm studying to be an english teacher because there aren't any jobs in journalism anymore. I have to wait until someone either dies or goes on maternity leave! But I still write 2000 words every night before I go to sleep. It's like…
I think everyone dreams of making a real career out of writing. Everyone hopes that one day they'll be getting a seven figure advance for all the hard work they put in. But only a handful of people are actually that lucky.<br />
<br />
That's why we have day jobs!<br />
<br />
Right now, I'm studying to be an english teacher because there aren't any jobs in journalism anymore. I have to wait until someone either dies or goes on maternity leave! But I still write 2000 words every night before I go to sleep. It's like therapy. I do it for fun.<br />
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If I could have fun all day and get paid for it, that would be wonderful! And I'm sure that if I ever started to earn a living from writing, there will be times when the fun will be sucked out of it and it will start to feel like work - I think <i>that's</i> the time when you should think about giving up. Because if writing ever started to feel like work - then what would I do for fun? Hey, taking it from a guy who…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-03:537324:Comment:1861412009-03-03T16:52:53.216ZB.R.Statehamhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
Hey, taking it from a guy who's been writing for over 40 years and has had damn little--if any--success. You get angry at your lack of success and you throw your hands up in disgust and walk away from the keyboard mumbling you'll never touch the sonofabitch'n keys again! Ever!<br />
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And then three months later, literately like a bolt from Zeus' throne, a plot explodes in your head that gets you as excited as the first night you had sex. And guess what? You're back on that sonofabitch'n keyboard…
Hey, taking it from a guy who's been writing for over 40 years and has had damn little--if any--success. You get angry at your lack of success and you throw your hands up in disgust and walk away from the keyboard mumbling you'll never touch the sonofabitch'n keys again! Ever!<br />
<br />
And then three months later, literately like a bolt from Zeus' throne, a plot explodes in your head that gets you as excited as the first night you had sex. And guess what? You're back on that sonofabitch'n keyboard again pounding away like some madman with an axe.<br />
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Writing is in your blood, buddy. It's like breathing. You can't fight it. Why try? John,
I don't watch a whole l…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-03:537324:Comment:1861262009-03-03T16:45:37.373ZChristopher Valenhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ChristopherValen
John,<br />
I don't watch a whole lot of TV but I'll definitely check out "The Bridge" this summer. Congratulations:)
John,<br />
I don't watch a whole lot of TV but I'll definitely check out "The Bridge" this summer. Congratulations:) I write because I love writin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-01:537324:Comment:1857062009-03-01T12:38:31.052ZDonna Moorehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaMoore
I write because I love writing. And I write what I like because I enjoy it, not with any thought to how commercial it may be. The book I've just finished may never get published, may only ever have a few people read the manuscript, but of those who do, if even one says "I really enjoyed that, it cheered me up on a shite day", then that's great. Of course, in an ideal world, I would love to be able to spend all day doing something I really love - whether that's writing or sitting on my fat bum…
I write because I love writing. And I write what I like because I enjoy it, not with any thought to how commercial it may be. The book I've just finished may never get published, may only ever have a few people read the manuscript, but of those who do, if even one says "I really enjoyed that, it cheered me up on a shite day", then that's great. Of course, in an ideal world, I would love to be able to spend all day doing something I really love - whether that's writing or sitting on my fat bum eating bonbons, but that's not going to happen. Currently I work full time, I'm studying for a degree in psychology, I've just signed up to be a volunteer advocate for people who need a voice, and I write. Only one of those things gives me an income. The others I do because I'm interested and/or they're fun. They're part of being me. If I had to write to make a living would some of the fun go out of it? I would hate that.<br />
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I am under no illusions that I'm a good writer, in fact, I think my writing is pretty crap. But I love doing it. And I hope that shows when someone's reading what I've written. Even if that's just my mum (who thinks I'm warped, by the way). I have a similar problem, but…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1855662009-02-28T16:39:16.995ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I have a similar problem, but I see from a recent e-mail that my agent is still peddling the book. The situation you describe can be heart-wrenching and worrisome. Good luck!
I have a similar problem, but I see from a recent e-mail that my agent is still peddling the book. The situation you describe can be heart-wrenching and worrisome. Good luck! Yeah. I try not to post to th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1855422009-02-28T16:11:20.143ZJon Loomishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonLoomis
Yeah. I try not to post to the blog while drinking martinis anymore.
Yeah. I try not to post to the blog while drinking martinis anymore. ouch!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1855232009-02-28T15:49:56.082ZAnne Frasierhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/annefrasier
ouch!
ouch! No worries. I learned (sort o…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1855192009-02-28T15:32:19.052ZJon Loomishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JonLoomis
No worries. I learned (sort of) my lesson about online circumspection last year (long story--blog post making fun of people who would become colleagues--ack!). One does want to be careful how one frames things. My initial post in this thread went through several drafts before I hit the button.
No worries. I learned (sort of) my lesson about online circumspection last year (long story--blog post making fun of people who would become colleagues--ack!). One does want to be careful how one frames things. My initial post in this thread went through several drafts before I hit the button. sorry for the deletions! I so…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1855162009-02-28T15:24:56.116ZAnne Frasierhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/annefrasier
sorry for the deletions! I sometimes forget that crimespace comments show up in google searches. this was a good reminder: <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/02/personal-branding-in-the-age-of-google.html">personal branding in the age of google</a>
sorry for the deletions! I sometimes forget that crimespace comments show up in google searches. this was a good reminder: <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/02/personal-branding-in-the-age-of-google.html">personal branding in the age of google</a> Congratulations!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-28:537324:Comment:1854922009-02-28T04:37:49.083ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
Congratulations!
Congratulations!