tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post2507117536593669452..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: 5 Reasons You’ll Never Make It As An Author, And One Reason You MightL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-91492508508650006702014-03-16T07:05:39.180-07:002014-03-16T07:05:39.180-07:00I have read books written by all of the authors ab...I have read books written by all of the authors above. Their willingness to share is my reward. I know how they all are working to improve their craft and they still take time to post their ideas about their craft on social media. An education available to all, "Aspiring", authors looking to learn. Thank you to all for taking the time to talk to us.Chicago John's Mystery Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127394292117694370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-60795261050712646992014-03-15T20:11:56.705-07:002014-03-15T20:11:56.705-07:00Perhaps I should have reversed the manner in which...Perhaps I should have reversed the manner in which these ideas were presented, the way this writer did:<br />http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/signs-you-are-a-writer/Michael W. Shererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359437241079384725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-40368587909367298892014-03-15T11:02:26.207-07:002014-03-15T11:02:26.207-07:00While most of you think my advice is harsh, I thin...While most of you think my advice is harsh, I think it's the best advice any author can get. In each case, while I present a potential career-killer, I also posit ways to improve or avoid the pitfall. <br /><br />Writers who truly want to make authorship a career will have already heeded most of this advice. This is aimed at those who think that the ability to publish has put stardom within reach without being willing to put in the work it takes to excel at their craft. <br /><br />In individual cases, I can be as encouraging to novice writers as the best of you. But, yes, I hope this post discourages all those who don't take this business seriously. After 25 years, nine published novels and several unpublished books, I'm still not the writer I hope to be, so I agree that we publish the best books we can at the time. And certainly my most recent novel is better than my first, but I made sure my first was the best it could be and better than a lot of what I was reading.<br /><br />Talent and perseverance or not, though, luck plays a huge role in who's ultimately successful.Michael W. Shererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359437241079384725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-91867955672353864822014-03-14T16:43:45.404-07:002014-03-14T16:43:45.404-07:00Hi Michael. I agree with the points you made and I...Hi Michael. I agree with the points you made and I truly respect the fact that you offer support and encouragement to new authors. <br /><br />The book that an author puts out needs to be the best it can be in terms of quality of writing, editing, proofreading, cover design, and formatting. It needs investment, in time and money, and should not be rushed. <br /><br />But I also agree with what others have said here. An author doesn't start out being perfect at this game. Should that stop him from publishing that first novel? I don't think so. An author who's serious about this career path will continue to learn the craft and improve as a writer. The only way to acquire that knowledge is through the experience of publishing. Like you said though, that first novel needs to be that author's very best. But I would add the caveat "very best at that point in time." That author's best should be on a different level with subsequent books.<br /><br />Yes, KDP has made it easier for people to hit the publish button. Gaining visibility has become harder. I can't see that situation changing. But I believe the cream will eventually rise :) (might take many years and many books under the belt)<br /><br />As for the luck factor, I believe in that as well.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17450470829315838666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-48356095889229275122014-03-14T09:08:11.501-07:002014-03-14T09:08:11.501-07:00Michael, you may have to turn back your Dale Carne...Michael, you may have to turn back your Dale Carnegie certificate for your brutal honesty. Although your five factors that will set up failure are accurate, and I agree that being in the right place at the right time is sometimes--maybe even often--the key to success, I go back to Pasteur's quote: chance favors the prepared mind. In my mind, the writer who continues to learn the craft, keeps improving, and hammers at every closed door until one opens still stands the best chance of success. All that having been said, thanks for taking the time and effort to share your thoughts with us.Richard Mabryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15993592219849830777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-72489891108953206802014-03-14T05:44:49.458-07:002014-03-14T05:44:49.458-07:00I agree with Aymen, Jodie, and Peg! This was a tad...I agree with Aymen, Jodie, and Peg! This was a tad harsh and not at all encouraging to young authors. I'm pretty sure they won't be seeking you out for advice and support, Michael. And who is to judge what books become successful and which ones flop? You just pointed out it takes some luck. So, why would you discourage what you consider to be rif-raf? Is it because you know it's your competition? I think we can all agree that 50 Shades of Gray is not exactly well-written, and wouldn't we all love to be her? And then there's James Patterson....Lala Corrierehttp://www.lalacorriere.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-67502320685860555232014-03-13T09:05:52.935-07:002014-03-13T09:05:52.935-07:00Well said, Peg! I totally agree with you! Why disc...Well said, Peg! I totally agree with you! Why discourage new writers when with guidance and work they can produce some wonderful books for all of us to enjoy!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-8892833516318748372014-03-13T08:52:36.636-07:002014-03-13T08:52:36.636-07:00All excellent points, Michael, if somewhat harsh.
...All excellent points, Michael, if somewhat harsh.<br /><br />We all learn in stages. Can you remember how you felt when you first began writing? A secret part of me knew I was the Next Big Discovery. <br /><br />Within a week or two of seriously writing, and joining my first writers' organization, I submitted my first few chapters to a contest, and waited for The Call. It only took another week or so for me to learn enough to know I had an awful lot to learn.<br /><br />There's a time for brutal honesty, but it should come from a loving place and not one of exasperation. Encouragement, with guidance, is often much more effective in the long run. I, for one, should not have the power to discourage anyone from following their dream.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-11886020974781717902014-03-12T23:26:51.988-07:002014-03-12T23:26:51.988-07:00Excellent article Michael. Sometimes, I think the ...Excellent article Michael. Sometimes, I think the writers' courses and conferences are too soft on aspiring authors. I certainly agree about using an editor, cover design, and luck. And the readers of the world can be grateful for Harry Potter, although one wonders where JK Rowling would have been if The Casual Vacancy had been her first novel. Ian Walkleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17775489270265742728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-63738859669613929052014-03-12T13:13:27.330-07:002014-03-12T13:13:27.330-07:00Aymen, certainly one has to put oneself in a posit...Aymen, certainly one has to put oneself in a position to take advantage of opportunity when it knocks, but luck plays a huge part in success. Ask Theresa Ragan how she sold a half-million copies of her books and she can tell you all the things she did, but can't point to any one and say "That one worked." <br /><br />Stephen White, NYT bestselling thriller author from Boulder, Colo., said when his first or second book was being published in paperback, the lead title in the month his book was to come out wasn't ready. In an editorial meeting, after discussing about it for quite some time with no resolution, editors went on to other subjects. As they broke for lunch, one asked what they should do about the lead title. Another said, "What about White's book?" Eager to get to lunch, they all agreed without further discussion. They did a 450,000-copy first print run.<br /><br />Would White have been successful without that lucky moment? Probably. But it happened a lot sooner and with far greater impact on his career through serendipity.Yes, he positioned himself well--he'd written a good book--but his selection as a lead title, given his novice track record, was pure luck.<br /><br />Ask J.A. Konrath or Barry Eisler about the lotteries of legacy publishing and indie publishing. They're a little different, but both men would agree that luck plays a large role in success in this or any other industry. The fact is that bad books published by legacy publishers and independently have also done well. I don't think anyone would mistake John Locke's books for great writing or his covers for great art, but the guy has sold a couple million copies of his books. So, the dynamics of the marketplace don't always weed out the chaff. Sometimes, it turns out, the masses like the chaff. Think "50 Shades of Gray." Godawful writing, bad covers, but the subject matter titillated millions. Go figure.<br /><br />And Jodie, as gruff as this post may sound, I still encourage and help authors, too, at least those who are willing to put in the time and the effort it takes to get good. This post is really aimed at those who think that simply because they can publish a book on Kindle it should sell a million copies and make them famous. To those I say, lead (if you're good enough), follow, or get out of the way.Michael W. Shererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01359437241079384725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-66071309055137139752014-03-12T05:47:09.184-07:002014-03-12T05:47:09.184-07:00What Aymen said. :-)
Also, I try to be more enco...What Aymen said. :-) <br /><br />Also, I try to be more encouraging and helpful to aspiring authors, as it takes years of practice and perseverance to get good at the craft.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.com