Comments on: Friday Free-for-All

By: Philip Scott Wikel

Philip Scott Wikel — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:55:08 +0000

Thanks Janet. Your statements:
“You have no idea how many untenable ideas an agent/editor sees each day. Or a rehashing of an idea that already has had its day”
and:
“A painter would recognize the difference” helped me a great deal in understanding your point about Amazon.
Thanks again,
Philip

By: janetgrant

janetgrant — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:15:05 +0000

Phillip, I’ve always believed that an author who is serious about being published should listen with one ear to his/her heart–to write out of his passion. But then to listen with the other ear (we do have two) to what the market declares it wants. You have no idea how many untenable ideas an agent/editor sees each day. Or a rehashing of an idea that already has had its day (e.g., The Da Vinci Code). By not paying attention to what’s hot and what’s not, a writer might fulfill his passion, but he also might never see his material in print.
Would I tell a painter to visit WalMart? Of course not. But, then Amazon carries everything–from the sublime to the ridiculous. A painter would recognize the difference.

By: Philip Scott Wikel

Philip Scott Wikel — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:47:52 +0000

Would you suggest that a painter go to Target or Walmart to find out what people are hanging on their walls?

By: Philip Scott Wikel

Philip Scott Wikel — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:08:43 +0000

Writing, for me, has never been about following trends. I would encourage every writer out there to write the book they need to write and worry, or not, about saleability later.
The book du jour is tomorrow’s compost. I say, transcend the prose of the moment for something that will outlive today’s lunch special.

Philip Wikel

By: Rich Gerberding

Rich Gerberding — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:28:27 +0000

One area of building the platform that I’ve struggled a bit is knowing how much of the content / idea to share. With non-fiction, there is already a feeling of “so much free on the web, why buy the book?”

I’ve focused on area workshops and also touching on the subject in talks to men or leadership training, but have been hesitant to directly start a blog or website (thought I did get a domain for it) which could let the cat out of the bag too early.

Any tips welcome from agents or those who have been there. Thanks in advance.

Rich Gerberding
Rich@MenofAIM.org

By: joylene

joylene — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:11:18 +0000

Great post. I particularly like the part about studying those who have succeeded. How better than to gauge what works. Thanks!

By: Larry Mike Garmon

Larry Mike Garmon — Sat, 08 May 2010 12:12:12 +0000

May I link to this from our Shortgrass Children & Young Adult Writers Yahoo group?

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:29:36 +0000

Yikes! I think I’d die if the best writers in my genre didn’t write as well as I do. heh heh Shannon Hale? She’s OK but…not as good as me.

By: janetgrant

janetgrant — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:21:03 +0000

Crystal, checking the best-selling lists based on genre is a good way to have a pulse on who’s generating the most sales. I’m especially interested when a new name pops up on the lists. Who is this person? Have they just broken out, or were they a one-time wonder? That requires a trip to an online bookstore because often that “new” name has written 20 books. That person is an overnight sensation after at least a decade of being published.

By: Crystal Laine Miller

Crystal Laine Miller — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:47:04 +0000

I beat myself up over this sort of thing all the time! I don’t know how I can get any closer to knowing what’s going on, but it’s more of an issue with me to know what I want to do. I have to push through the self-doubt and reluctance to make a commitment is what I’ve decided.

So many ideas. Which one to finish?

Also, is there a good way to discern exactly WHOM IS leading your genre? Sometimes who I think seems to be leading the way in reality may not be? Does that make sense?