tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6931668547817211910..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Uses for failed writersJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57382360314923110432009-05-17T21:33:00.000-04:002009-05-17T21:33:00.000-04:00But Ms. BuffySquirrel, may I buy you a Haagendaas ...But Ms. BuffySquirrel, may I buy you a Haagendaas milkshake?<br /><br />(everyone has a price)BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40060084526593275262009-05-17T16:25:00.000-04:002009-05-17T16:25:00.000-04:00Eh, no point in buying me a drink; the doctor's fo...Eh, no point in buying me a drink; the doctor's forbidden it. Sigh.<br /><br />the enforcedly-teetotal (three years and counting) sqrlnonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77024324434869871882009-05-17T09:19:00.000-04:002009-05-17T09:19:00.000-04:00A writer is not a success because he has never fai...A writer is not a success because he has never failed, but because failure has never stopped him...Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28711340955497065462009-05-17T08:19:00.000-04:002009-05-17T08:19:00.000-04:00Quoting Jeremiah: Next time you’re at a convention...Quoting Jeremiah: <I>Next time you’re at a convention, go to the bar, and buy a drink for your favorite editor. Make sure you do it early on, because seven or eight drinks in, we’ll never remember your name. We’ll be lucky to wake up in the right hotel room, or even the right state. Who bought the drinks on a night like that will be the least of our concerns when we wake up naked atop a desert mesa covered from head to toe in blue paint.</I>Why Mizz Janet, that's not true, is it? ;~)<br /><br />...Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11772310179223546476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73105654962182930352009-05-16T10:57:00.000-04:002009-05-16T10:57:00.000-04:00You make a good point. I may fail to write a publi...You make a good point. I may fail to write a publishable novel, but along the way I have gained an appreciation of how incredibly hard it is to write a good novel. That's worth something.Josiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11745370676930629418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9521189125107637442009-05-16T08:15:00.000-04:002009-05-16T08:15:00.000-04:00It's good to know I have something to fall back on...It's good to know I have something to fall back on.Marie Devershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410825838254396691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4773211479892881822009-05-15T20:10:00.000-04:002009-05-15T20:10:00.000-04:00I got into editing (in my small unpaid way) throug...I got into editing (in my small unpaid way) through my love of writing. For me it's all part of the same process--editing is creative, just in a different way.<br /><br />Of course it hurts to be told you're a failure; especially if you suspect it's true. But if I can't (yet) hold my own book I can at least hold the magazines I help create :D.nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75508422741521572052009-05-15T19:56:00.000-04:002009-05-15T19:56:00.000-04:00this is why you are at the top of my query list.
m...this is why you are at the top of my query list.<br />muchas gracias.ginginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151090061171045686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47594537837063788812009-05-15T18:05:00.000-04:002009-05-15T18:05:00.000-04:00I've had similar thoughts about expertise lately a...I've had similar thoughts about expertise lately and, in fact, plan to write a post about it soon. I believe you are correct that, as someone who has tried to write, you probably have excellent instincts about writers and writing, and what it takes to be successful. You have to eat, sleep and breathe your passion to turn it from talent into success. Perhaps what agents bring to the mix is the talent of spotting the person who is willing to work, write and hone to perfection.Susan Bearmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34119250502922719862009-05-15T18:03:00.000-04:002009-05-15T18:03:00.000-04:00I never understood this argument. Empathy would be...I never understood this argument. Empathy would be a #1 advantage when selling your hard-won work.<br /><br />But I will admit to being leery of agents who are also trying to be writers AT THE SAME TIME. It may be a bias, but I find myself asking where is their focus, really?dawnmetcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089595351679441381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47018641713808565122009-05-15T17:44:00.000-04:002009-05-15T17:44:00.000-04:00Mean people suckMean people suckPeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855474802975483162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24017358856780862422009-05-15T16:02:00.000-04:002009-05-15T16:02:00.000-04:00I think the comment reflects a reaction to the sna...I think the comment reflects a reaction to the snark. Your post is a kind reminder that perhaps beneath the bluster beats the heart of an agent that actually knows how we feel...or not.suzanneelizabeths.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14304462740451230118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-92214442935290111162009-05-15T15:33:00.000-04:002009-05-15T15:33:00.000-04:00That was great... though I was kind of figuring on...That was great... though I was kind of figuring on buying the editor drinks after they were half in the bag... then I could sneak in a contract when they're totally cockeyed and save a little money on the bar bill :-)<br /><br />(what, like none of you thought about it)<br /><br />As far as the whole, 'they're only failed writers...' line of thinking, I'm guessing those statements are usually made from failed writers. When they stop blaming other people for their perceived failures and start learning from them, maybe their success and mindset will both improve.Merry Monteleonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09435956005780500310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51563224892919679292009-05-15T15:11:00.000-04:002009-05-15T15:11:00.000-04:00That was an excellent post. People shouldn't be na...That was an excellent post. People shouldn't be nasty, regardless. You don't combat criticism with bitterness - it's a vicious cycle. If you don't want criticism, put your novel in a drawer, don't publish it, people!Robin Lemkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12254896327174187893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80752491355738353972009-05-15T11:36:00.000-04:002009-05-15T11:36:00.000-04:00Looks like I'm not the only one tired of all the b...Looks like I'm not the only one tired of all the bitterness floating around in the blogsphere.<br /><br />Can't we all just get along?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47999539570149086192009-05-15T11:30:00.000-04:002009-05-15T11:30:00.000-04:00Great post, Janet! I think you literary agents are...Great post, Janet! I think you literary agents are amazing; how you can disect a piece of work and bring up things most of us would never see. I WANT TO DO THAT TOO ONE DAY! <br /><br />I have learned alot from your Query Crits. (And I am only a four month old writer!) I am in awe of people that have the skills you agents have.<br /><br />We all try new things, some are a fit and some are not. And it doesn't make one a failure just because it did not work out. Who (with a life) gives a crap!<br /><br />People that make comments like that are probably young and/or inmature. I would discard comments that are aimed to hurt you.Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10716566904002981951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77552669149142708472009-05-15T11:08:00.000-04:002009-05-15T11:08:00.000-04:00So right. It's important to appreciate each other'...So right. It's important to appreciate each other's talents. I could never be an agent. All those contracts and numbers and cocktails with editors. I'd be insane after the first week. Bless you for what you do.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70043607159958570772009-05-15T11:02:00.000-04:002009-05-15T11:02:00.000-04:00Great article, thanks. I enjoyed Tolbert's humor a...Great article, thanks. I enjoyed Tolbert's humor and his honesty. He should write he has a great voice.<br /><br />These are hard times for many of us beginners but my motto is when in doubt look within, that's why I'm taking a break from submitting, will let everything stew for a while and see what bubbles to the surface.Robena Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389730409379890816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71815006994725836462009-05-15T10:35:00.000-04:002009-05-15T10:35:00.000-04:00If experience is good for anything, it teaches you...If experience is good for anything, it teaches you. Failure (at anything) should teach you to be better. So calling editors/agents/publishers failed writers should imply that they have learned more than most. Like others have said, it sounds like sour grapes to me rather than addressing the real problem - the quality of the writing.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07823808700523297184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69323358066849316042009-05-15T10:32:00.000-04:002009-05-15T10:32:00.000-04:00Agents, editors, critics = failed writers? And coa...Agents, editors, critics = failed writers? And coaches are failed athletes. And teachers are failed... well, whatever they teach, supposedly. Have to admit - it's true of some, though not all.<br /><br />The thing is, failed or not, one thing these people succeed in is helping others in that business. They are mentors, teachers, coaches, professors, and leaders who help to develop and grow careers in their fields.<br /><br />Those who fail to see these people's importance in their respective fields won't learn from them and won't grow. Thus, the writers who can't understand that these people are there to help them, not block them, have failed before they started.BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87875778973275348372009-05-15T10:29:00.000-04:002009-05-15T10:29:00.000-04:00That article stated that as a general rule, editor...That article stated that as a general rule, editors/critics are not failed writers. I wasn't sure if you were saying the article was wrong in what it said or not, but thought I would point that out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68249964410341991782009-05-15T09:49:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:49:00.000-04:00I'm mesmerized by American Idol when the season be...I'm mesmerized by American Idol when the season begins. You know, before all the horrid singers are kicked off. Certainly some of the auditions are just a joke, but there are a number of people who are horrible singers--just horrible. And they don't know it.<br /><br />Most folks think Paula is the nicest judge, but I say Simon is. He tells so many of them that, "hey, you've got a talent, you need to find out what it is, but it's not singing."<br /><br />Agents have the same task. They get the unfortunate <I>privilege</I> of telling many (MOST) of us that we should be doing something else. None of us want to hear it, but most of us need to.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436510596736487435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15666798517319909882009-05-15T09:34:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:34:00.000-04:00Far better to be a failure than someone who never ...Far better to be a failure than someone who never tried.Lumpy Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10493920789977417670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65710003194958130592009-05-15T09:32:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:32:00.000-04:00The whole idea of the failed writer is misdirected...The whole idea of the failed writer is misdirected. Think of Melville, Moby Dick long behind him, walking the docks as a port inspector as he worked on his decades-in-the-making long poem.<br /><br />To all appearances, he was a failed writer. Nobody knew who he was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21192902794371196672009-05-15T09:10:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:10:00.000-04:00Every writer is a failed writer!Every writer is a failed writer!Robin Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02813200098317819473noreply@blogger.com