hey, weren't you supposed to be writing a novel?

[karawynn]

Now that I'm more visibly writing online again, I'm starting to get the 'So, about that whole writing career thing?' question with more frequency. To save myself having to explain it individually, I present

Comments

[greyduck]

I am irritated by even tiny flaws, and few stories captivate or inspire me the way most things did fifteen or twenty years ago.

I'm not there yet, but I can see it from where I'm standing. The more I learn about narrative structure and pacing and dialog, the less I can put up with from published authors. (The irony, of course, is that I'm getting ready to perpetrate a story which will fail on several levels. My glass house, let me show you it.)

[karawynn]

:D

[jkoke]

if i have any say in it, we will write at least one novel together. i know it's a long time without feedback, but i really think it will be worth it for both of us.

also, in my experience, once you (generic) start writing books, the ideas for other books will start coming. you (specific) have two very compelling novel ideas, one of which is in nebula material imo... if it's done well. i also happen to believe that our idea/premise for the collaborative novel is quite good as well.

that said, i think pocketmint is going really nicely :)

[karawynn]

It's not really a matter of not having other ideas -- as you (should?) recall, I've come up with other ideas when I've put my mind to it. I just don't see them as books that *need* to be written. They might be marketable, or good, or even (gasp!) both -- but I don't find them *compelling*.

What I'm saying is that *even if I write one novel*, I no longer have the intention of ever stepping onto the book-a-year treadmill that is required for a traditional publishing career.

(That public declaration alone makes it unlikely that I could sell a single book if I wrote it, but I no longer care. Once I let go of the idea that I have to make any noticable money at it, I'm left with only what I'd do for love. Which opens up a number of other distribution options.)

[kimberkit]

I for one love PocketMint. And good for you for finding other things that are satisfying in life, besides the One True Path :)

[karawynn]

thank you! Feedback Junkie is pleased. :)

[kizlj]

*tosses Feedback Junkie some (non-chocolate) cookies*

I keep meaning for Buckle Down and Write, Dammit, to be one of those things I make time for Real Soon Now, but everything you've said makes a lot of sense. I tend to agree with the line that the best tool a writer can have is a gaping psychological wound. I've found I'm only ever prolific when I'm unhappy; if I'm engaged in life, I'm generally too busy with other things to be banging away at my keyboard for hours.

[karawynn]

lol re 'gaping psychological wound'. those have been in rather short supply for me too, in recent years ...