Okay, right up until I started writing this I meant to make my Q post all about writing Queries. But the thing is, I don't actually know squat about queries. I haven't done one for years, since I gave up on traditional publishing and became an author-publisher. Besides, it kept making me think about questions, and questioning, and finally realized that being a writer means you are always going to be asking some big quesetions. So here it is. . .
The biggest question every writer faces sooner or later is not "self-publish or traditional" nor "vampire or werewolves." No, it's "What was I thinking when I decided to become a writer? Was I absolutely NUTS?" It sounds easy and fun when you first think it--turn the story-writing thing that you can't stop doing anyway into a career. But at some point, while struggling to find a cover or a plot or an editor or the right way to say that really really important thing that the character needs to just toss off but which holds the key to everything. . . you realize that writing is a lot like work.
Then the questions begin. Can I do this? Am I really good enough? Should I get another day job? And, of course, "am I crazy? Crazy enough to be hauled off by the nice men with the white coats?"
Odds are, the answers to all of those are "yes."
What say you, writer-buddies? Are we all crazy?
While you think about it, have some ice cream.
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| Death By Ice Cream. Available from Amazon, B&N, and after long hikes with the author. |
for some reason i heard an evil laugh after that offer of ice cream...
ReplyDeleteit's hard to not question yourself about so much with writing and publishing... then you just have to go for it anyway!
happy a to z-ing!
Can't imagine why you heard that evil laugh. I thought I'd turn off the sound.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Definitely crazy but what would life be without words, words and even more words? Nothing of much, I suspect.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from AZ and following your blog. I like it... :)
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, writing is a bit crazy, but I'd be crazier if I didn't do it (on reflection, much like spending weeks in the wilderness with a bunch of guys, a.k.a. my family).
DeleteWell, you know most of my views on this already! I work far too hard for very little return - so I need to work differently for better returns. Still trying to work out what that entails, though. I'll pass on the ice cream today, but you'll find a slice of Easter cake for you on my (real) facebook page.
ReplyDeleteOoo--Easter Cake! My mom used to always bake a bunny cake for Easter. She had a mixing bowl that tapered to a pour-spout, and she'd bake the cake in that--turned out on a plate, it was just right for a crouching bunny :)
DeleteHa! Yes, you are all crazy! ;0)
ReplyDeleteI always forget that you aren't the crazy one in your house--unless encouraging your kid to write makes you crazy! (this week I forwarded Chuck Wendig's advice to young writers to my 16 y.o. son [Neighbor Girl is a bit young for his advice, or I'd send it on to you, to] so I may be just as crazy.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am definitely crazy but I can't attribute it to being an author. Yeah, maybe it is the encouraging her. :0) I just read his advice (definitely not good for her yet, you are correct, but only due to the language choices) - I love the message there. How is your son's writing going?
DeleteHe has finished an 84,000-word epic fantasy in a rather Tolkienesque style. In addition he and his best buddy have created a history and language(s) for the world. If nothing else, that's a lot of hours those guys have NOT spent playing video games!
DeleteWhether he will be willing to edit, I don't know. And I haven't read enough of it to know if he should bother, or start writing the next (training) novel, as most of us have to do.
Well, I'm a tad behind on some stuff (ha!) - that is quite a book he has written. Wow - so impressive. Have a great weekend!
Delete:) That's okay! You have a thing or two on your own plate. . .
DeleteI think a bit o'crazy is good, and, yes, you do have to be a bit la-la to chose writing as a career. My royalties do not pay the rent, but at least I can buy ice cream!
ReplyDeleteHA! That's going to be my new measure of success! And my writing would buy quite a bit of ice cream if sales were always as good as they were in March! (might even pay the power bill). Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI would live to have some of that ice cream. Thanks. The questions never stop coming. Thanks for the resounding yes answer.
ReplyDeleteNana Prah
Yummy stuff, ice cream :)
DeleteThe "yes" answers are, of course, a good news/bad news scenario!
Definitely crazy here, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
ReplyDeleteRight. Insanity can be our happy place :D
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