The world of writerly advice…
I spend some little time reading writers’ blogs on the internet. The really good ones are legendary: Joe Konrath, Ray Rhamey, Amanda Hocking, Nathan Bransford, Rachelle Gardner. My all-time favourite epicentre for writers is WriterUnboxed because it is varied and FILLED to the very brim with expertise that one can’t fault. Really true-blue expertise from authors (both mainstream and independent), agents, publishers and editors. Quite plainly, people who know.
These writers offer posts on their own very personal journey to publication or their experience within the field of publication. Writers describe the way they write their pitch, how the submission journey was, the results. Their own feelings about that long and often painful experience. What they do to survive the lengthy journey and so on. The editors, agents and publishers spell out in succinct language what they receive and what they think at their end. They are the ones who offer the technical expertise built up from years of experience. Quite frankly the only sort of experience that really matters.
My other favourite fellow writers (ie fiction authors) who post are those who post with panache and verve (like Ann Swinfen, Mark Williams, SJA Turney or Lexi Revellian), who dig beneath, who take a unique view of the wordsmith’s existence. And they are all UK writers… hmm, interesting. It must be a subliminal connection between Australia and Blighty! And not only that, they all belong to the same highly talented writers’ forum: YouwriteOn.com
Other than these clever people who provide the most unique contrasts into life in the garrett, I’ll stick with ‘the trieds and trues’… those mentioned at the very head of this post who never fail to impress with the information they impart.
I’m honored to warrant a link here, Prue. And in the company of Lexi and Anne too!
I love Anne’s solid, down to earth approach, and her experience across the publishing options from big-names to self-pub is invaluable.
And of course Lexi’s success with Remix (and now Replica) was and remains an inspiration to us all.
Sad to say I had never stumbled across SJA Turney, which is why little reviews like this are so valuable. I shall be along there next!
But is it the “big name” bloggers that are perhaps worthy of debate.
These people got to be mega-star bloggers because of their inisghts and expertise.
But what happens when they pontificate outside their boxes?
Nathan is a case in point.
Last week he explained to us all his road to publication and how he wrote. Which is great. It’s always nice to get new perspectives.
But because of his high profile as an industry insider his words on how to write are being taken as gospel by many of his loyal readers.
Yet this is his first book, as yet unread by the public, and aimed at 8-12 year olds.
And while it might well be the next Harry Potter, it might well not be…
I make no judgement on Nathan’ qualities as an author. He may be a genius.
But being an agent does not make you a good writer any more than being a good writer makes you a good agent.
As a insider Nathan should be well aware of his influence on those just starting out who are over eager, very inexperienced, and desperate for validation.
With influence comes responsibility.
My original post started off as a bit of a rant, Mark. Not so much against the Big Cheeses but against the little unpublished writers who set themselves up as the fount of technical advice in the craft of writing. If they had a contract, if they had indie-published and had a following of readers, then I might think they had the wherewithal to offer advice on HOW to write. But when they don’t it just seems wrong.
So I changed the post to mention those positive, adept and ‘recognised’ writers who have something to offer by virtue of their experience.
Nathan is interesting: firstly we had him coming from the ‘other’ side… the agent’s side. Now he’s one of us, albeit a mainstream ‘us’. The first chapter of Jacob Wonderbar is on his blog today and it reads okay. It doesn’t press my buttons necessarily and I was amused that a former agent could get away with so many adverbs in a para; but then maybe its different writing for 8-12 year olds.
Your final comment: ‘With influence comes responsibility’ was profound. The minute any of us started a blog we had the onus of responsibility upon us. I would never give advice on how to write. I haven’t got enough experience or sales yet. I’d be happy to tell people what my experience has been like but not how to do it because every single person’s approach, as in any creative endeavour, is different. Yes there are rules for writing, just as there are rules for painting, gardening, embroidery etc. But one thing I’ve learned is that rules are made to be broken and one man’s poison can be another man’s pleasure. It’s the end result… does it TELL a story? If the answer’s yes and you broke the rules to write it, does it matter?
Which is why it disturbs me when writers as green as me say to other green writers, THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE.
No, no, and no again! I’m guessing that you and Saffi might agree.
Thanks for these links…and let the blog stalking begin… 🙂
I find myself reading most writing/industry blogs less for hard and fast advice and more for camaraderie, sense of community, and understanding of the world of publishing. Mark, as you said–even a heavy-hitter like Mr. Bransford is just one voice. I enjoy hearing the whole choir of them 🙂
The whole choir… such a lovely way to describe it, Rowenna. My choir is made up of exactly those names above. I’ve pruned everyone else out. It was becoming discordant and too many of the lesser voices were shouting!
There is certainly an ocean of information on the web with respect to almost any subject, but writing seems to be treble that. So thank you for sharing what you’ve found to be “the tried and trues.”
It’s true… an ocean and so easy to drown in it. That’s why the ‘tried and trues’ are such life savers, particularly WriterUnboxed.
Mesmered, thanks so much for your blog. I’ve always written for my own amusement but only recently have felt certain things were strong enough to share with others. Reading about your journey here has been a real encouragement to me to reach further than just personal satisfaction. Thanks again.
jazzbaby1
An absolute pleasure, jazzbaby1. It’s always good when you hear that someone else is game enough to join the ranks. It’s a fabulous thing to do, to write. Keep in touch and let’s read what you write.
Mes, just saw this and have to ask…who did the magnificent illustration/painting/artwork above? It is absolutely stellar!
I’m forwarding this post to a writer friend of mine. The links you’ve included to other writers will be of interest to her and also their advice and experiences. Now, like Roweena, I’m off to “blog-stalk”! Thanks! And looking forward to reading Mr. William’s works. (Non writers are allowed to read the contents of YouwriteOn and WriterUnboxed , I assume?) 🙂
Not sure, NB (so good to hear from you!!!) It was on a Facebook site called Fairytales which I adore. Its seriously lovely, isn’t it?
Mark’s blogs have fabulous subject matter… right out of left-field which is what makes them so interesting. Rule-breaking with responsibility!
You could easily subscribe to WriterUnboxed without being a writer and as for YWO, ditto. It may just feed your own muse and before long you’ll be writing too.
PS: Think up a cake design for my 60th. I thought of a sheep holding open the pages of a book. Then I thought of a chocolate version of Pat’s version of Gisborne. Then I thought it really has to celebrate OH’s as well as mine… so the sheep and book thing might be better.
Oooh. Honour. Very much. The world is, in Pratchett’s words, “The mollusc of our choice”…
Si, your view of ‘the writer’s life’ (for a writer of such serious Roman hist. fiction) is a pure antidote to the dark days!
I’ve never read writer’s blogs (except this one) because I can’t imagine the courage it takes to write for the public. I admire all of you who take this great leap in the dark, and your concern and support for each others efforts is inspiring. Write on, indeed!