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

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

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?"

Maybe not that way but yes it does happen all the time.

Even in puppetry to which is most asked question is "How can I work for the Muppets/Henson?"

And the stories I could tell you about casting would make your hair curl. Esp. with the Stage Moms who believe with all their soul that their kid is destined for greatness if we would just give them the role.

Then there are the groupies at rock concerts who "just want to meet the band" but there are also the ones that want to meet the band so that they can get their music to the PTB that will of course give them a multi million dollar deal on their homemade demo tape (It was tape when I had to deal with it. It is probably a CD now).

Comic Book artists and writers are forever getting hit by people who want to break in and feel that they are the next best thing when it is pretty obvious that their grasp on the human form is sketchy at best and Frank Miller is still the best at drawing stuff that looks like Frank Miller's art.

Peter is thinking about finally joining SFWA. I hope his credits will be acceptable. *grin*

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

Completely OT, but I would like to talk to you at some point about puppet making and operation (puppeteering?).

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

More than happy to talk about that topic.

[lagilman]

Yeah, comic book artists are probably the closest analogy. Fans with enough imagination to "see" what could be done, but none of the training, and undetermined ability...

As for Peter, I'll see if we can find someone willing to put in a good word for him, just in case. *grin*

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I think there might be a few members that would speak up for him *grin*

[sorek.livejournal.com]

Honestly I don't think even Frank Miller's that good at drawing Frank Miller stuff (which is a round about way of saying I don't like his drawing style :)