Aspiring writers?

[msbae]

But professional artistic endeavors are always for money, and what's more always have been. The myth of the starving artist is just that: a myth, perpetuated by failed artists who needed an excuse for their failure. Those who think true art can't be created under such restraints should recall that Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling was a media tie-in work-for-hire.

Amen! I sure didn't go to school to learn video game design just for fun. I want the money.

BTW, Mr. DeCandido, I enjoyed your work with Tales of the Dominion War.

 

[Therin of Andor]

They only ask King to be creative and be himself give them something creepy and he delivers. He creates his own characters and does as he wishes.

Which is precisely why Stephen King has never sent a ST proposal to Pocket Books...

And I don't do trek or sci-fi writing, It doesn't suit me and im not a fan of the genre.

Huh? Well why are you here? Earlier you said, "hell id love to but The whole cant kill a trek character or have them in a new relationship unless it all resolves itself in the end...not how I work."

Nerdius Maximus was asking about himself writing for ST, and that's who much of the thread was directed towards.

Write your original novel and have your agent send it out to the huge array of novel publishers.

 

[Wowbagger]

It's your agent who contacts Pocket Books.

And this is the hard part. One, because you really need to finish a novel before submitting to an agent, and, two, what sane agent would take on a manuscript from a first-time writer with only one possible buyer--a buyer whose schedule is already quite full, thank you very much?

...and, no, I'm not going to admit whether or not this knowledge was gleaned first-hand from hard-earned experience gained during my misdirected and writing-intensive youth.

On the other hand, your chances for success increase if you actually know an agent personally.

Do you, now?

You wanna be my friend?

 

[Brikar99]

In another thread about how to bust into the business way back when, someone had posted a really useful link for a database to magazines and such that accepted submissions... Does anyone have that again? I forget what it was called, but it seemed like a good tool to have.

This might be of some help, even if it has nothing to do with Magazines...

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_faq.html#published

In another thread about how to bust into the business way back when, someone had posted a really useful link for a database to magazines and such that accepted submissions... Does anyone have that again? I forget what it was called, but it seemed like a good tool to have.

Was it http://www.ralan.com?

In another thread about how to bust into the business way back when, someone had posted a really useful link for a database to magazines and such that accepted submissions...

The annual book "Writers' Market" seems to have a web presence, too. Not free, though.

http://www.writersmarket.com/

In another thread about how to bust into the business way back when, someone had posted a really useful link for a database to magazines and such that accepted submissions... Does anyone have that again? I forget what it was called, but it seemed like a good tool to have.

Was it http://www.ralan.com?

Try www.duotrope.com too.

Duotrope was the one I was thinking of, but the others all seem worth a look, too.

 

[Christopher]

If you can't adapt to follow instructions, you'll never be able to write anything but fanfic. Doing a paying job means doing what other people want, not just what you want. As stated, that's what the guidelines are about: assessing your ability to follow editorial instruction.

They only ask King to be creative and be himself give them something creepy and he delivers. He creates his own characters and does as he wishes.

Stephen King is a veteran who doesn't need to prove himself. But he had to earn that status. It's like they say, you have to prove you've learned the rules before you can start bending them. The ST submission guidelines aren't intended for veterans. They're part of an audition process for first-timers. Think of them as a school assignment. Once you prove you can fulfill that assignment, you can graduate to doing more.

Besides, as Keith said, they're guidelines for writing tie-ins. If you don't want to follow other people's instructions, you wouldn't want to write tie-ins anyway, so the guidelines wouldn't affect you and there's no reason to object to them.

A writer needs to be in it because its a calling, not because your good at it.. not because you like to write and sure the hell not for money or fame. Any other reason is senseless.

Uhh, what other reasons are there? How can you be a writer at all if you're not good at it and don't like it? Why would you do anything you suck at and hate doing, especially if you're not getting paid for it?

 

[RaymondJames]

They only ask King to be creative and be himself give them something creepy and he delivers. He creates his own characters and does as he wishes. And I don't do trek or sci-fi writing, It doesn't suit me and im not a fan of the genre.

We weren't talking about Stephen King and, more to the point, we weren't talking about original fiction, we were talking about Star Trek fiction, and you do have to follow the rules to write tie-in fiction of any sort.

I am kind of curious what you're doing here if you're not a fan of the genre, since this is a forum about Star Trek books. (Not that you're not welcome, I'm just confused.)

Anyways, I don't want to start any fighting on this peaceful fourm so live long and prosper. Hopefully I haven't gotten us too off topic.

A writer needs to be in it because its a calling, not because your good at it.. not because you like to write and sure the hell not for money or fame. Any other reason is senseless.

Aaaaaand this is nonsense. Utter, total nonsense. The technical term for writers who aren't in it to be paid is "hobbyist." But professional artistic endeavors are always for money, and what's more always have been. The myth of the starving artist is just that: a myth, perpetuated by failed artists who needed an excuse for their failure. Those who think true art can't be created under such restraints should recall that Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling was a media tie-in work-for-hire.

I am here because I like Star Trek (not for the aliens, or space travel. I like it because of the mythology and religious roots within its episodes and characters. It is something so well developed. As for the money writer thing, I just have complete "mirror" opinions and philosophy on that.

Great writers earned money for their work but as far as I know and have learned that wasn't their purpose, nor the reason they wrote. Eric Blair (George Orwell) wrote to express his political philosophy of oposition to communism and dictatorships. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote Through The Looking glass and thus sparked the famous character Alice wrote for a little girl to help her through life. William Golding wrote against war and to show hoe underneath out exterior we are at the core savage.

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had. Fame, Money, and Power are quick to corrupt, those who make the money and recieve the fame but have always held true to themselves are the writers I admire.

 

[smeos]

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had. Fame, Money, and Power are quick to corrupt, those who make the money and recieve the fame but have always held true to themselves are the writers I admire.

Some writers, like any other field, are just better at it than others. It doesn't matter why someone chooses to write. The purpose of writing is either education or entertainment, and preferably a mixture of both. It's not a sin to get rewarded for your efforts. You can't really 'abuse' a gift. Is Kobe Bryant 'abusing' his athleticism? Did Pavarotti 'abuse' his natural singing ability. No. They got paid to do something that they were really good at and, presumably, enjoyed doing.

For me, I like to write, and I've heard that I'm not bad at it. I have a ways to go yet, but one day I wouldn't mind getting paid to do that than to toil away in an office or a mill or something.

 

[Christopher]

Great writers earned money for their work but as far as I know and have learned that wasn't their purpose, nor the reason they wrote. Eric Blair (George Orwell) wrote to express his political philosophy of oposition to communism and dictatorships. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote Through The Looking glass and thus sparked the famous character Alice wrote for a little girl to help her through life. William Golding wrote against war and to show hoe underneath out exterior we are at the core savage.

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had. Fame, Money, and Power are quick to corrupt, those who make the money and recieve the fame but have always held true to themselves are the writers I admire.

You're proposing a false dichotomy. Just because we work for money doesn't mean we don't do it out of love. Hell, if we didn't love writing, we'd be crazy to do it, because it's a pretty lousy and unreliable way to make a living. Of course we do it because we love it -- otherwise we would've gone to law school or something. But we still have to make a living; everyone does. We're just lucky enough to be able to get paid for doing what we love. It's ridiculous to say that getting money so you can have a place to live and food to eat is "abusing your gift." You can't serve your gift if you're starving to death on the street. You need to make enough money so you're able to pursue your gift, and obviously if pursuing your gift can be one of the things that gets you that money, that's more convenient and satisfying than having to spend 40 hours a week doing some totally unrelated job and then trying to squeeze in some profitless writing on the side.

And "fame, money and power?" Please. Maybe a fraction of a percent of writers have those things. For most of us, it's something to supplement our day job, or if we're very lucky it's a full-time job that lets us pursue a lifestyle of modest means.

 

[RaymondJames]

ah you have clearified things better. before you made it seem like you felt that it was alll about money and that writers din't need to have a passion for writting. Now I am more level with you.

 

[Broccoli]

That Lori Jareo character makes me laugh. Why would anyone want to re-imagine Episode IV?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Infinities:_A_New_Hope

BTW, which book did you write?

String Theory Book 2: Fusion and "Isabo's Shirt" in the Distant Shores antholoy came out about the same time.

I'm now writing the next Voyager relaunch novel, Full Circle.

I must have missed something, but I thought Christie Golden was the sole Voyager Relaunch author.

 

[TGTheodore]

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had.

Hey! I'm a fake writer!

And damn proud of it!

--Ted

 

[William Leisner]

I'm now writing the next Voyager relaunch novel, Full Circle.

I must have missed something, but I thought Christie Golden was the sole Voyager Relaunch author.

Yep, you missed the news from NY ComicCon back in April. Kirsten's going to be doing the post-Destiny Voyager book.

And may God have mercy on her soul.

 

[Brikar99]

That Lori Jareo character makes me laugh. Why would anyone want to re-imagine Episode IV?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Infinities:_A_New_Hope

There's a difference between a crackpot fan thinking "I can do better" and then illegally trying to make money off it and an officially licensed "What if...?" story.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

Great writers earned money for their work but as far as I know and have learned that wasn't their purpose, nor the reason they wrote. Eric Blair (George Orwell) wrote to express his political philosophy of oposition to communism and dictatorships. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote Through The Looking glass and thus sparked the famous character Alice wrote for a little girl to help her through life. William Golding wrote against war and to show hoe underneath out exterior we are at the core savage.

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had. Fame, Money, and Power are quick to corrupt, those who make the money and recieve the fame but have always held true to themselves are the writers I admire.

You're proposing a false dichotomy. Just because we work for money doesn't mean we don't do it out of love. Hell, if we didn't love writing, we'd be crazy to do it, because it's a pretty lousy and unreliable way to make a living. Of course we do it because we love it -- otherwise we would've gone to law school or something. But we still have to make a living; everyone does. We're just lucky enough to be able to get paid for doing what we love. It's ridiculous to say that getting money so you can have a place to live and food to eat is "abusing your gift." You can't serve your gift if you're starving to death on the street. You need to make enough money so you're able to pursue your gift, and obviously if pursuing your gift can be one of the things that gets you that money, that's more convenient and satisfying than having to spend 40 hours a week doing some totally unrelated job and then trying to squeeze in some profitless writing on the side.

And "fame, money and power?" Please. Maybe a fraction of a percent of writers have those things. For most of us, it's something to supplement our day job, or if we're very lucky it's a full-time job that lets us pursue a lifestyle of modest means.

Yeah, I haven't seen too many authors on "Cribs."

 

[RaymondJames]

Great writers earned money for their work but as far as I know and have learned that wasn't their purpose, nor the reason they wrote. Eric Blair (George Orwell) wrote to express his political philosophy of oposition to communism and dictatorships. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote Through The Looking glass and thus sparked the famous character Alice wrote for a little girl to help her through life. William Golding wrote against war and to show hoe underneath out exterior we are at the core savage.

It is true some write just for money because they find their writing talent, but are they true writers? or are they just the gifted abusing what gift they had. Fame, Money, and Power are quick to corrupt, those who make the money and recieve the fame but have always held true to themselves are the writers I admire.

You're proposing a false dichotomy. Just because we work for money doesn't mean we don't do it out of love. Hell, if we didn't love writing, we'd be crazy to do it, because it's a pretty lousy and unreliable way to make a living. Of course we do it because we love it -- otherwise we would've gone to law school or something. But we still have to make a living; everyone does. We're just lucky enough to be able to get paid for doing what we love. It's ridiculous to say that getting money so you can have a place to live and food to eat is "abusing your gift." You can't serve your gift if you're starving to death on the street. You need to make enough money so you're able to pursue your gift, and obviously if pursuing your gift can be one of the things that gets you that money, that's more convenient and satisfying than having to spend 40 hours a week doing some totally unrelated job and then trying to squeeze in some profitless writing on the side.

And "fame, money and power?" Please. Maybe a fraction of a percent of writers have those things. For most of us, it's something to supplement our day job, or if we're very lucky it's a full-time job that lets us pursue a lifestyle of modest means.

Yeah, I haven't seen too many authors on "Cribs."

so true, you could only imagine what Anne Rice or Stephen King live in.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

You're proposing a false dichotomy. Just because we work for money doesn't mean we don't do it out of love. Hell, if we didn't love writing, we'd be crazy to do it, because it's a pretty lousy and unreliable way to make a living. Of course we do it because we love it -- otherwise we would've gone to law school or something. But we still have to make a living; everyone does. We're just lucky enough to be able to get paid for doing what we love. It's ridiculous to say that getting money so you can have a place to live and food to eat is "abusing your gift." You can't serve your gift if you're starving to death on the street. You need to make enough money so you're able to pursue your gift, and obviously if pursuing your gift can be one of the things that gets you that money, that's more convenient and satisfying than having to spend 40 hours a week doing some totally unrelated job and then trying to squeeze in some profitless writing on the side.

And "fame, money and power?" Please. Maybe a fraction of a percent of writers have those things. For most of us, it's something to supplement our day job, or if we're very lucky it's a full-time job that lets us pursue a lifestyle of modest means.

Yeah, I haven't seen too many authors on "Cribs."

so true, you could only imagine what Anne Rice or Stephen King live in.

Both are pretty much exactly as you might imagine, strangely.

King:

Rice:

 

[RaymondJames]

haha sweet, creepy King

 

[Brikar99]

haha sweet, creepy King

The walls run with the blood of the innocent, so he never has to worry about touching up the paint.

 

[msbae]

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Infinities:_A_New_Hope

That actually seems like a pretty good story.

 

[JM1776]

It's like they say, you have to prove you've learned the rules before you can start bending them.

This reminds me of very brash and very young art critics who see some of Picasso's wilder stuff and say, "Are you kiddin' me? I could do that!"

Actually ... no, you couldn't.

I think Katherine Kurtz lives in a castle.

These people know mood.