Discoveries
Oct. 7th, 2011 09:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ostarellaHaving stopped logging in/posting to one writers' forum, and joined a couple others, I've discovered one thing - writers tend, at least in these communities, to have an overblown sense of their own importance. Now, that's not to say that all are like that. There are a great many who are sincerely and truly helpful and open-minded. But there are far too many who, either from being members of these communities for eons or from already having an overabundance of self-worth, think their advice is golden. That if they state an opinion, it should be taken as fact. That if you don't do what they say, or if you dare to disagree, you're stupid. And I won't even get started on the self-publishing "gurus"... (until another post :D)
I've also realized that there are a lot of writers who refuse, absolutely, to listen to any of the advice given, good or bad. Now, having been a beta, I already knew that occurred in the fanfic world. There are prima donnas out there who think because they've got groupies that their writing is perfect. I guess I was naive thinking it didn't happen in the 'real world'. And at the other end of the spectrum are those writers who want people to tell them how to write - everything from basic grammar to how the story should evolve (ie, "Write my story for me!"). It amazes (and frustrates) me that these people waste the time of forum-goers asking questions they could (and should) find the answers to themselves (What - you didn't know there were grammar books out there? Or articles online?) If one is confused about the information found, that's when the forums should be utilized - but really. "When do I use a comma?" WTF?
Connected to that is my discovery that there is very little about writing per se that I haven't already learned. Publishing is a different story, of course, but writing... yeah. Now, I realize that that statement sounds every bit as egotistical as those I just complained about. But writing is a craft - and of that aspect, I am very confident. What few grammar questions I have typically turn out to be matters of style and 'currency' - things that are not rules so much as how one 'authority' prefers things versus another 'authority'. But I definitely know how to string together a coherent sentence, how to form dialogue, how to weave a story together so it holds the reader's interest - with the given regarding that last item that everyone improves the more they write.
Now, when ones talks about methodology, my preferences are no better - and no worse - than anyone else's. What works for me works for me and may or may not work for someone else. And that's what separates me from the blowhards above. I recognize that each writer needs their own style and their own methods for completing a book.
So, I'm finding myself glancing through the various communities, reading with half-interest those newbie questions about how to write, shaking my head at the "You have to do it this way" replies, and noting those who offer suggestions versus commands (ie, who recognize the individuality of the writer). Otherwise...
What it all boils down to is this: I started looking at various writing communities because I thought they could teach me things about writing. I was wrong. There's very little a seasoned writer can learn about writing on these forums. There is, however, a lot one can learn about publishing and when I am to the point of actively pursuing that (ie, when my first book is completed), I shall certainly be going to these various forums to glean whatever knowledge and insights I can. But I shall do it with one caveat - not everyone really knows what the hell they're talking about. Even the published authors. Those who are in the publishing business - agents and publishers - certainly need to be listened to. But even those need a grain of salt, as one will inevitably find they contradict each other. But reading their advice, and finding that which seems to be a consensus (or at least, makes more sense), will be invaluable when I start querying for my book. And there will be a few individuals (again, see above) to whom I will listen with more than just mild interest, and those to whom I will not listen at all.
So, I will be spending a lot less time on these communities and a lot more time actually writing. Because that's really all that's important.
I've also realized that there are a lot of writers who refuse, absolutely, to listen to any of the advice given, good or bad. Now, having been a beta, I already knew that occurred in the fanfic world. There are prima donnas out there who think because they've got groupies that their writing is perfect. I guess I was naive thinking it didn't happen in the 'real world'. And at the other end of the spectrum are those writers who want people to tell them how to write - everything from basic grammar to how the story should evolve (ie, "Write my story for me!"). It amazes (and frustrates) me that these people waste the time of forum-goers asking questions they could (and should) find the answers to themselves (What - you didn't know there were grammar books out there? Or articles online?) If one is confused about the information found, that's when the forums should be utilized - but really. "When do I use a comma?" WTF?
Connected to that is my discovery that there is very little about writing per se that I haven't already learned. Publishing is a different story, of course, but writing... yeah. Now, I realize that that statement sounds every bit as egotistical as those I just complained about. But writing is a craft - and of that aspect, I am very confident. What few grammar questions I have typically turn out to be matters of style and 'currency' - things that are not rules so much as how one 'authority' prefers things versus another 'authority'. But I definitely know how to string together a coherent sentence, how to form dialogue, how to weave a story together so it holds the reader's interest - with the given regarding that last item that everyone improves the more they write.
Now, when ones talks about methodology, my preferences are no better - and no worse - than anyone else's. What works for me works for me and may or may not work for someone else. And that's what separates me from the blowhards above. I recognize that each writer needs their own style and their own methods for completing a book.
So, I'm finding myself glancing through the various communities, reading with half-interest those newbie questions about how to write, shaking my head at the "You have to do it this way" replies, and noting those who offer suggestions versus commands (ie, who recognize the individuality of the writer). Otherwise...
What it all boils down to is this: I started looking at various writing communities because I thought they could teach me things about writing. I was wrong. There's very little a seasoned writer can learn about writing on these forums. There is, however, a lot one can learn about publishing and when I am to the point of actively pursuing that (ie, when my first book is completed), I shall certainly be going to these various forums to glean whatever knowledge and insights I can. But I shall do it with one caveat - not everyone really knows what the hell they're talking about. Even the published authors. Those who are in the publishing business - agents and publishers - certainly need to be listened to. But even those need a grain of salt, as one will inevitably find they contradict each other. But reading their advice, and finding that which seems to be a consensus (or at least, makes more sense), will be invaluable when I start querying for my book. And there will be a few individuals (again, see above) to whom I will listen with more than just mild interest, and those to whom I will not listen at all.
So, I will be spending a lot less time on these communities and a lot more time actually writing. Because that's really all that's important.
