tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464672471650659120.post4095087452289310538..comments2021-11-01T08:15:23.443-04:00Comments on Writeful Mumblings: The Blessed Bovines of BloggingKath Calarcohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04286836397248059317noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464672471650659120.post-38946643864408017262010-08-15T15:28:44.935-04:002010-08-15T15:28:44.935-04:00Love the Libra logic. :-)
Disclosure: My blog pi...Love the Libra logic. :-) <br /><br />Disclosure: My blog piece was partly motivated by the chronic bashing by the self-pubbed of the traditional publisher, as well as their product. I came under personal attack at a blog for the mere mention that I love literary fic and poetry. Back handed as the blogger's comment was, it was implied that lit.fic and poetry are self-indulgent. Seriously. Slapped me in the face, it did. I write poetry and at times, lit fic (when my brain is in the zone, lol). I seethed, calmed, and then wrote this blog. <br /><br />You know the importance of viewing every side of the beast. Wish more did. Critical thinking can be lost on the desperate. That said, I think we're going to see many writers suffer heartbreaks bigger than rejection. And that's sad. The new digital way of publishing makes it easy to put work out for all to read, but what saddens me is that lack of quality interprets into lack of sales. Not that I've researched this - just a guess based on people I've know who have paid upfront money to places like IUniverse in order to see their name in print. They ended up in the red because they only had so many friends and relatives to buy their books. And even though digital has next to no overhead, lack of sales can be SO devastating, I think.<br /><br />I fear for the craft, for the art of writing, and for the hearts of those with high hopes.Kath Calarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286836397248059317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464672471650659120.post-28133159562102980742010-08-15T12:31:13.901-04:002010-08-15T12:31:13.901-04:00I get sick of both sides of it, honestly. Of cours...I get sick of both sides of it, honestly. Of course, I'm a Libra, and I fully intend to be diversified into both worlds. At this point, I think small publishers and e-publishers are the ones who are becoming unneeded, not NY publishers. At that point, hire your own editor; a good editor is worth gold, but not 75% of your profits forever and ever.<br /><br />I love good editors--ADORE them. I'm not against them in the slightest. However, I'm way too easily influenced and I totally write to please, which is a dangerous thing. So in a way, the fact that I've only had editing here or there has worked out well. And, oddly, one of my pubs just said that of all the writers she knows and worked with, I've improved the most. And that's largely without editing or crit groups.<br /><br />But... for example, Erica, ages ago, and she's probably forgotten by now, LOL, has offered to crit a chapter of mine. And I'm totally there, but I'm saving it up until I can't figure out how to improve on my own. I just haven't gotten there yet. My mistakes are quite obvious. :D So I'm ever open to the possibility of joining a crit group or getting a crit partner. Just not yet.<br /><br />You know me: I believe "each to their own path."Spy Scribblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299551957327543491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464672471650659120.post-24666539578307312742010-08-13T18:45:15.633-04:002010-08-13T18:45:15.633-04:00Erica, your blog truly is as you say - "love ...Erica, your blog truly is as you say - "love letter to the craft." Sometimes I feel that it's my school away from school. I've always learned something there.<br /><br />I understand your point regarding indies, e-presses and small pubs mimicking the professional process. Writers should consider when weighing their options whether they just want to see their name in print, or experience growth.<br /><br />And YES it took guts to hand over my pages for your editing expertise, but you know how I am - "jump in feet first." It's the only way I can overcome my fears and phobias. Over-thinking (something I used to do) just doesn't work for me anymore.Kath Calarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286836397248059317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464672471650659120.post-92146943603306712132010-08-13T16:43:42.173-04:002010-08-13T16:43:42.173-04:00Kath:
I consider my blog (1200+ posts) a love lett...Kath:<br />I consider my blog (1200+ posts) a love letter to craft. Editors, writers, dabblers, career writers . . . I consider myself, as an editor, the one who will tell you that you can do it. And by "it" I mean elevate your work to whatever it is your next level is. If you put your two scenes, before and after, side by side, it's ALMOST not recognizable . . . but I didn't do that. YOU did by your embodying the traits of a true writer--perseverance, drive, OPENNESS . . ..<br /><br />I love my crit group. They are pretty brilliant. But I also know that in whatever circles you swim, the Peter Principle can take effect. That sometimes you have to lift off the band-aid, pick at the scab a bit, shake things up, go outside the comfort zone. <br /><br />As for the death knell of print . . . I fall firmly in the camp that it is when small, indie, or electronic presses MIMIC the process of professionalism that you will see some neat things happen. I'm for saving tress. I love my Kindle. But I still have too many superb books (!!!) to read before I'm likely to spend time browsing books self-pubbed beyond curiosity. And when a few become buzz-worthy? Then sure. But like I said, too many masterpieces out there. And as you posted . . . Limited time. <br /><br />I think what you did was scary. I sometimes wonder what most writers would do in my crit group or with an edit by me or JVZ. My guess is some don't have the stomach for it. LOL!Erica Orloffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16415925758466527671noreply@blogger.com