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jesshartleyI found this on Neil Gaiman's site (www.neilgaiman.com)...
"It occurred to me recently that if I were now to meet myself at the age of 12 – the age, as all of you here know well, that has been called the Golden Age of Science Fiction – I would, I have no doubt, be an extreme disappointment to my twelve year old self.
He might be impressed by the fact that I’m a writer – but then, he knew he was going to be a writer. That I’m that one of a relatively rare clan, a writer who makes his living writing, would make no difference to my 12 year old self. He is, after all, convinced that the simple action of writing a short story and getting it published is like winning the grand prize at the end of the Quiz Show: the roof opens up and goods and money tumble down. He also has a strong suspicion that supermarkets, bank managers, and car lots will, on production of a book with an author’s name on the spine, allow the author the pick of the best of what they have, and never charge him a penny.
(My 12 year old self has not met any authors.)"
It amused me greatly. :) I can tell, when my bad-ex mentions my book, that he thinks "Well, she's a writer now, she can afford blah..."
I'm reminded of one of my favorite writers, Jim Butcher, who said this summer something along the lines of... "I'm really hoping this television deal comes through. It will make the difference between "part time minimum wage" and "full time minimum wage"..." That was his way of describing the earnings an author makes... Did I mention his latest book hit the Barnes and Noble best seller list? And that he's starting his second series? And that this was spoken on the way back from his favorite luxury restaurant (Burger King)?
Not so much with the quiz show, but... you know, I love it anyway. (Or so I keep reminding myself after days like yesterday when nothing went right...)
And, speaking of favorite authors, I sent out two blurb request letters today, both for people I met this summer. I won't name any names yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I don't know if White Wolf will use the blurbs if I get them, but I will certainly treasure them and use them in my own promotion work...
I don't know if other media-tie-in write-for-hire authors put as much time and effort into promoting their work as I am, but I think it's a sound investment in what I intend to be a long and broad writing career.
If anyone else has insight into the PR side of being a writer, I'd love to hear it.
"It occurred to me recently that if I were now to meet myself at the age of 12 – the age, as all of you here know well, that has been called the Golden Age of Science Fiction – I would, I have no doubt, be an extreme disappointment to my twelve year old self.
He might be impressed by the fact that I’m a writer – but then, he knew he was going to be a writer. That I’m that one of a relatively rare clan, a writer who makes his living writing, would make no difference to my 12 year old self. He is, after all, convinced that the simple action of writing a short story and getting it published is like winning the grand prize at the end of the Quiz Show: the roof opens up and goods and money tumble down. He also has a strong suspicion that supermarkets, bank managers, and car lots will, on production of a book with an author’s name on the spine, allow the author the pick of the best of what they have, and never charge him a penny.
(My 12 year old self has not met any authors.)"
It amused me greatly. :) I can tell, when my bad-ex mentions my book, that he thinks "Well, she's a writer now, she can afford blah..."
I'm reminded of one of my favorite writers, Jim Butcher, who said this summer something along the lines of... "I'm really hoping this television deal comes through. It will make the difference between "part time minimum wage" and "full time minimum wage"..." That was his way of describing the earnings an author makes... Did I mention his latest book hit the Barnes and Noble best seller list? And that he's starting his second series? And that this was spoken on the way back from his favorite luxury restaurant (Burger King)?
Not so much with the quiz show, but... you know, I love it anyway. (Or so I keep reminding myself after days like yesterday when nothing went right...)
And, speaking of favorite authors, I sent out two blurb request letters today, both for people I met this summer. I won't name any names yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I don't know if White Wolf will use the blurbs if I get them, but I will certainly treasure them and use them in my own promotion work...
I don't know if other media-tie-in write-for-hire authors put as much time and effort into promoting their work as I am, but I think it's a sound investment in what I intend to be a long and broad writing career.
If anyone else has insight into the PR side of being a writer, I'd love to hear it.
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insights
Date: 2004-10-13 10:15 am (UTC)The only insight I have is that the words are inside, and must get out. Nothing good can come from holding them in; only good can come from them getting out. There are days when I would gladly pay someone to get the words to come out of me; that you can be paid anything at all to draw them out yourself is wonderful beyond words. Literally.
Eat at Burger King. Drive a beat-up car. It doesn't matter. Your mind is a palace.
"Someday all things will be fair and there will be wonderful surprises. I truly do believe this."
no subject
Date: 2004-10-13 12:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-13 07:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 11:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 11:38 am (UTC)You'll have to tell me all about it!
Coffee?
no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 11:45 am (UTC)