we deserve each other, you and I...

[lagilman]

For my sins (and because I really do buy into the "pay forward" theory) I've volunteered* to work with the incoming non-member queries about how to [fill in the blank] with regard to publishing/writing.

Many of the queries run along the lines of "how do I become a successful writer?" Verbatim.

*is flummoxed*

ETA: oh, I know what to tell them. I just don't understand how anyone can come in cold, asking for An Answer presumably waiting to be handed over, and if it's arrogance ("it can't be THAT hard") or stupidity ("it can't be that hard?").


I can tell someone where to go for information on agents, and manuscript formatting, and how to tell a scam from a real deal, and what questions they should ask when offered representation/a contract. I know how to, delicately, tell someone that no, we aren't a publisher and can't help them spread the word about their 2000 page epic boy-and-squirrel romantic fantasy. I'm even -- because I was an Evil Editor and have no soul to speak of -- able to dash their hopes about joining SFWA before they've made their required professional sales, no matter how bestselling their book will be some day.

But the total hopeful haplessness of some of the questions....

Do other "arts" professions get this sort of thing? Do people walk up to actors and say "how do I get a movie deal?" Do they ask painter "How do I sell my painting for a million dollars?"









* in SFWA, "volunteered" means Mary Robinette Kowal says "will you...?" in a voice that means "you WILL."

Comments

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

"Be interesting. Don't tell people about your ideas, write them down and develop them. Gather a circle of friends who love you enough not to BS you. Learn spelling, grammar, plotting, mapping, geography, and enough about almost everything else that you know where to look when you need to research everything else. Remind yourself that people are not identical, are not static, and do not think the same things or in the same ways. Tell yourself it's a job until you know it in your bones. And don't try to create GREAT LITERATURE."

Tidbits gathered/stolen from various author friends.

[lagilman]

Except you know they don't want to hear that. People who ask questions like that want to hear "you do X, and then Y and then Fame & Riches Follow!"

Alas, I cannot tell them that. I write fantasy for a living, not when giving advice.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I have most of the qualities I listed, and can manage to do the rest except for one: I don't want to work hard enough for it.

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

I like this answer.