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

[chicating.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I wonder why I still want to write a book(or a script) so much. Because although my *fantasy* still is a Rowling-type "score"(and I still keep it as a fantasy, I mean, it could happen, right?) but I'm not a twenty-year-old unpublished newbie anymore...that isn't what drives me to do that almost every day now. To some extent, every once in a while, there's something in me that I just have to say, but then why don't I write the world's most lyrical blog posts?(Although I do that, too, feedback fiend that I am)
I don't know...I do it because sometimes I know how and because it's one thing I always wanted that doesn't involve torturing someone till they love me again(although I do read Lehane so I can't say that either, can I?)
Sometimes, I love to do it, but even that isn't right, because it's not a carnival and because I would still trade skills with someone more successful.
You should tell the "novel in me," people to eat more fiber and see if it goes awaysuricattus but maybe that's because there's an Alan Grayson in me. But come on, people, there isn't an incantation or anything...if you don't care enough to put it to paper, nobody cares about the pictures in your head.
Another thing I hate about Stephenie Meyer is her embarrassing little Origins myth that she never tried to write anything in her life and dreamed up a best seller.Ok, first of all, I don't really buy that, although it's not that I *know* she is lying, and I have gotten ideas from dreams or while watching "True Hollywood Story" among other random pursuits.
But I hate it every time I hear or read it(and not only cause I'm jealous that I've not written my "Big Fat Greek Bitch" yet) but because it has taken me a long time to take this seriously, despite it being something I've done my whole life, and I'm just now barely beginning to get other people to take what I do seriously, in the tiniest way possible, and there's stupid Meyer and her mysteries of inspiration bullpuckey again.
Arrgh.To say nothing of the baby writers who might be going to sleep with their journals under their pillows every night...