(no subject)

[cathschaffstump]

I thought I might squeeze in more writing time last night, but then I had a phone call from a longwinded, pedantic friend who decided to talk to me about, among many things, his own stab at being a writer some years ago. Since he quit after a mere 16 rejections, clearly he was wise to go into something else.

Certainly, however, he had a valid point. How do you keep at it while you're working another job? Because almost all of us do, and it actually gets worse when you get published, doesn't it?

So, I guess it's stubbornness, desire, and motivation. I was talked down to, however, because in my time, all this must be so much easier and less time consuming than it used to be. Back when he walked up hill. To school. In the snow. Both ways. Carrying a typewriter.

Dude, the tools make it easier, yeah. But the time you put in is still pretty intensive. Especially if you write novels, and not short stories. As in one short story. Ever.

And that's all I'm saying about that. While I was talking to him, I sifted through some more agents. With my SUPERIOR WRITING TOOLS! Bwah ha ha!

***

Part 2 of the conversation. Do you get published under any circumstances, just to say you have been? If that's the case, thanks to the Iowa Arts Council I am so in! But these days, I want to guard my career carefully and choose wisely. I'm not talking about buying my way into publication. That is verboten. My friend was impressed that he had been published once and had received complimentary copies as a payment. It was another reason to be pompous.

However, another author, upon giving me advice, suggested that if you get paid less than $500 for a short story, you're doing yourself a disservice. Yet another friend said that if you can get published in a prestigious venue, regardless of payment, you should. I believe too that there are good causes: the aforementioned Iowa Arts Council gig which netted Schaff-Stump a $50 honorarium, but made money for flood relief. Or getting in on the ground floor of something. Or good exposure. All sorts of things. What do you think?
***

Meanwhile, no new rejections, BUT a seriously interesting and cool offer that I'm THINKING about carefully.

While I'm at it, thanks to ilona_andrews for helping Schaff-Stump think about the hook in her query. Conflict? I am so a sub-plot girl! Did conflict for the individual book, rather than the whole series, even occur to me?

So, before the next query goes out (and I think I've got time, because I think I'm through all the trigger finger email back agents ;P ) I'll recraft that puppy.

Crumbs. Time to weigh in.

Catherine

Comments

[irysangel.livejournal.com]

I work 40+ hours a week and still managed to crank out 10 novels in the past 5 or 6 years. It's possible - you just have to make the time. :)

And don't give up after sixteen queries. It took me querying 2 novels and 40+ rejections to get an agent...and it took the agent over a year to sell the darn thing.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

He gave up after 16 queries. Ain't happening here.

Catherine

[hermia7.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't buy yourself some publication. I think since you want to be taken seriously that would be a big mistake...

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

To clarify, they paid me $50. Back in 2000 BC. You are *so* right. No writer should ever pay to be published.

My friend was arguing that publishing, even for free was the important part. I'm thinking the quality of the publishing, the venue, is equally important. If you are publishing for free/reduced dollars, what kind of exposure will it get you? If the publication is good, if you are doing it for charity or recognition, or if you are getting in on the ground floor of something good, I can see publishing for a lesser fee.

But you have to consider your street cred.

[hermia7.livejournal.com]

Ah, gotcha. I don't think that will matter; I thought you meant something NOW, when you're actively pursuing agency/publication. Which...you have more sense than that. I don't think this guy sounds very tuned-in. Are you sure this is a positive and uplifting friendship?

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not much of a friendship. He's an OLD friend who has aged really badly. I think we see him once a year, tops, and the occasional phone call. He was here recently for the Suzanne Vega concert, which is why he called. We won't hear from him again now for months.

So, no. If he were part of my life on a regular basis, we'd have to take action. As things stand, it does not hurt me to be a good example to him for the little time we interact.

Catherine

[scieppan.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. Obviously, don't listen to him and don't let his negativity get you down. You're stubborn, you're smart, you're positive, and you're creative, and I predict those are the things that will allow you to succeed where he did not.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

He is a pretty negative guy. I don't let his negativity get me down, but there are times I wonder why I decided to keep up contact with him, minimal though it is. Last night was one of those nights.

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

I think you just have to get your work out there so others can read it.

PS--I work full time but I try to squeeze in writing whenever I can.

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

I sold no short stories - except flash - until I published a novel.

How many did I sell since? 1. Heee! YMMV.

[kara-gnome.livejournal.com]

What a sad little man, and I'm sorry for the time you lost on him--good grief, what is he thinking?!

One of the ladies I worked with told me, after I'd published a story, that she could be a writer, too, but that *she* cared about her family.

Once she was quite certain I understood that she had chosen to take the high road, while I had elected the low, neglectful road, she nodded and walked off.

It takes all kinds, I guess.