Blogging
I don’t think I posted yesterday. My brain has turned to oatmeal because I’m down with a terrible flu/cold. Yesterday 102 degree fever. Today sneezing, coughing and low fever. I’m trying to read for Critical Mass — New Mexico’s writers group — and hoping I’m well enough to attend. But here I am blogging, and that brings me to Aaron’s query about how often I write in the blog.
I try to make a habit of learning from the best. Neil Gaiman writes in his blog everyday, and I think it’s a very smart choice. When you ritualize something it’s no longer a burden, it’s just part of your life. Other things where I’ve learned from the best. I learned form George Martin, and Alan Brennart and Rick Manning that a writer on staff on a television show never, never jumps credit on a freelance writer. Otherwise you’re a greedy pig. You see, a writer on staff gets their salary and once they’ve risen above the level of staff writer they get paid for their scripts in addition to the salary. If you put your name on that freelancer’s script you’re going to take half of their residuals, and that money is often a godsend to a freelance writer. When I feel a little better I’ll do a primer on how television writing staffs work.
Where else have I learned from the best. Walter Jon Williams stressed to me years ago that only one thing separates a writer from a non-writer. Writers write. I know that sounds simplistic, but it’s true. I’ve known a lot of people who think about writing, or prepare to write, or have to do just a little more research before they start, etc. etc., but never actually put butt in chair and fingers on the keyboard. I’ve also met more than a few writers (way more talented than I am) who have filing cabinets filled with first chapters, or the first three chapters of novels that are never completed. Which is the final ingredient to being a writer. Finish something. No matter how badly it sucks, just finish it. Almost anything can be fixed in post. (To mix my metaphors.)
Anyway, I better crawl back to bed and try to sleep a bit more.
Melinda
March 20th, 2007 at 10:39 am
I remember hearing Heinlein’s similar admonishments regarding writing. “You must write. You must finish what you write. You must submit what you’ve finished. If it is rejected, you must resubmit.” and so on.
Feel better soon!
March 20th, 2007 at 10:42 am
the evil cold thing is making the rounds of Albuquerque as well. sorry to hear it hit you.
what do you think about things like http://www.nanowrimo.org/ to challenge people to get something out there, no matter how awful in first draft?
March 20th, 2007 at 11:32 am
As a general rule I don’t approve of writing it fast, and sending it out. There are a handful of stone, cold talents who can write something good, maybe even wonderful, on a first draft. But not very damn many. And I have a feeling if you think you are one of those incredibly talented people — you’re probably not. George RR gave me some great advice when I first started flirting with Hollywood. He said never hoard your silver bullet. It means don’t hold back your best ideas, use them, and write the absolute best you can. It’s another old cliche, but true — you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And editors do talk to each other.
Melinda
March 20th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Ouch, get better soon.
I write out of order (I use outlines, though) so I have more than a bunch of first 1-3 chapters. But I admit, I have to force myself to stick to no more than three projects at the same time, preferably of the same basic historical setting (early Roman Empire for now). There are more plotbunnies lurking.
Since I’m a slow writer and edit while I go, it may not be such a bad idea to have 2-3 novels in an advanced stage once I start submitting the one that’s going to win the race for my attention.
It will prove easier to meet the demand of a second book often asked in contracts if there already is the better part of another one or two novels in my files. I hope it’ll work that way.
March 20th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I hope you feel better soon. I absolutely agree that those points are key in separating writers from non-writers, and I’ve touted them often enough that some ears no longer wish to hear them. This works out very nicely, I’ve just pointed my daughter to your blog.
March 20th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
ah - my bad in phrasing. Getting it out, as in getting it out of your head. And then edit, rewrite, and edit more before letting anyone see the mess you’ve probably made on the first pass.
March 21st, 2007 at 4:45 am
Feel better, Melinda — we need you healthy!