I tell people that a lot. Writing may be solitary (though a trusted and thoughtful critique partner or group are valuable), but publishing is a collaborative effort.
This is so true. Personally, I wish more nonwriters understood this statement.
Whenever I tell someone I'm working on a novel, the first question out of their mouth is, "Oh, when will it be published?"
And then if it comes up a month later, the tone in their voice changes, like, "What do you mean it's not published yet?" As if it takes me a week to write a novel and then it goes straight to bookstores!
I guess that's why I keep most of the details of my writing to myself. People don't realize that it's often a very long process to get from writing to publication. And sometimes (God forbid) people just want to write...for the sake of writing.
"Publishing sometimes requires a hairbrush and a big bucket in which to hide The Crazy while you front like Mental Health is your long time lover instead of a guy you saw on the bus one day and he looked kinda scared of you."
Oh, that made me laugh. I've actually shaken hands with Mental Health and he seemed like a nice guy. Maybe he'll call me one of these days.
And write another one? I couldn't make myself, so I've been working on my YA novel for 9 years. I've learned to write working on it.
I had to address some odd quirks, that were left in emails to me in my own blog. I swear you get the feeling sometimes stupid should hurt. In an entry I addressed the question, "Are you a writer?"
I write, anyone can write. Not everyone can be an author, a historian, a word-smith. That garnered an interesting response. I think everyone at one time or another has had that urge. The question is always are you talented enough to get published.
9 comments:
I tell people that a lot. Writing may be solitary (though a trusted and thoughtful critique partner or group are valuable), but publishing is a collaborative effort.
I never considered it to be the same thing. Interesting that some would actually not know the difference.
Conferences help you practice the Fine Art of Not Looking Squirrelly
Bwa-ha-ha... it's funny, because it's true...
And now I have to bookmark her. Thanks for the link.
This is so true. Personally, I wish more nonwriters understood this statement.
Whenever I tell someone I'm working on a novel, the first question out of their mouth is, "Oh, when will it be published?"
And then if it comes up a month later, the tone in their voice changes, like, "What do you mean it's not published yet?" As if it takes me a week to write a novel and then it goes straight to bookstores!
I guess that's why I keep most of the details of my writing to myself. People don't realize that it's often a very long process to get from writing to publication. And sometimes (God forbid) people just want to write...for the sake of writing.
"Publishing sometimes requires a hairbrush and a big bucket in which to hide The Crazy while you front like Mental Health is your long time lover instead of a guy you saw on the bus one day and he looked kinda scared of you."
Oh, that made me laugh. I've actually shaken hands with Mental Health and he seemed like a nice guy. Maybe he'll call me one of these days.
And write another one? I couldn't make myself, so I've been working on my YA novel for 9 years. I've learned to write working on it.
Thanks Janet. This was a great link.
I love her blog. May your Mental Health Number always be high!
Hey, thanks for the link. Now I know that I'm a WRITER with three novels under my bed - er - belt, and that maybe I need to find a new critique group.
I had to address some odd quirks, that were left in emails to me in my own blog. I swear you get the feeling sometimes stupid should hurt. In an entry I addressed the question, "Are you a writer?"
I write, anyone can write. Not everyone can be an author, a historian, a word-smith. That garnered an interesting response.
I think everyone at one time or another has had that urge. The question is always are you talented enough to get published.
(Hugs)Indigo
Surely the process of writing isn't necessarily just to get published, it can be a solitary private, unshared thing. MH
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