Well, this is more of an observation than a rant, really. Even though it doesn't sound like one.
I've noticed throughout the past couple of weeks (after subbing to a couple of mailing lists and participating in some discussions) that a lot of writers seem to be quite hung up on endlessly discussing style and form and how-to-write, but yet get not much done in the way of a WIP or--horrors!--a finished book/short story/novella/etc.
Did that sentence make sense? Hmm.
Anyway, I've seen this quite a bit lately. And perhaps these writers are just newbies who don't know any better or have never heard of AIC or BIC. Perhaps they are still forming their 'voice' and feel they need to discuss all of this over and over again.
The posts, oddly enough, have usually morphed into a discussion on discipline.
I may be wrong, because, after all, I only can be sure of my opinion, but when I start forcing myself to write, that's when things start to go sour. No offense to anyone reading this, but again, IMO, writing should be something you want to do.
If you want to get rich, play the lottery. You probably have more of a chance to win with that. And it's cheaper, takes up less of your time, and you don't have to endlessly posture that "you're going to be big someday."
Maybe I see this differently because I'd rather be writing most of the time. And usually, I am writing, unless I'm at work. I don't see writing as a 'job' (in the sense of an obligation I don't enjoy) or a chore. I love to write. I like finding out what happens next, who dies, and where the story ends. And when I'm finished with one, I start another one.
I write. I don't participate in critique groups, in writer's circles, or in many organizations. I write. I submit. I get published, which is nice. I also get rejected, which isn't, but that's the nature of the game.
I only have a certain amount of time every night to be on the computer, read email, and/or participate in discussions. The rest of the time... I write.
When I was a newbie writer, I wrote. I didn't read any 'how-to-write' books until long after I completed my sixth or seventh novel. I didn't even think about submitting something until I wrote my tenth (I believe) because I knew the others just weren't good enough to submit.
Maybe that's not the way to go for everyone. Maybe getting bogged down with the details and discussions is the way to go for these people, but in all honesty, I really think that the internet and all its writing-related communities hurt more than hinder young writers.
I think I found my 'voice' a lot faster writing in a vacuum and learning as I wrote and read. Learning by doing. If I posted pages of my first novel and my latest novel on my website, you sure as hell could see a difference. Heck, come November, that will be 15 years ago. Half of my life!
I'm not saying there aren't many things you can learn from online communities and newsgroups and mailing lists. I'm just saying that the only way to really be a writer is to write. Not endlessly talk about it.
I hate to sound cliched, but "Just Do It" (probably trademarked by Nike which is probably registered and copyrighted by someone, so sorry) really says it all.
BIC= Butt-in-chair
AIC= Ass-in-chair
Yog's Law= Money flows towards the writer
That's really all you need to know.
I've noticed throughout the past couple of weeks (after subbing to a couple of mailing lists and participating in some discussions) that a lot of writers seem to be quite hung up on endlessly discussing style and form and how-to-write, but yet get not much done in the way of a WIP or--horrors!--a finished book/short story/novella/etc.
Did that sentence make sense? Hmm.
Anyway, I've seen this quite a bit lately. And perhaps these writers are just newbies who don't know any better or have never heard of AIC or BIC. Perhaps they are still forming their 'voice' and feel they need to discuss all of this over and over again.
The posts, oddly enough, have usually morphed into a discussion on discipline.
I may be wrong, because, after all, I only can be sure of my opinion, but when I start forcing myself to write, that's when things start to go sour. No offense to anyone reading this, but again, IMO, writing should be something you want to do.
If you want to get rich, play the lottery. You probably have more of a chance to win with that. And it's cheaper, takes up less of your time, and you don't have to endlessly posture that "you're going to be big someday."
Maybe I see this differently because I'd rather be writing most of the time. And usually, I am writing, unless I'm at work. I don't see writing as a 'job' (in the sense of an obligation I don't enjoy) or a chore. I love to write. I like finding out what happens next, who dies, and where the story ends. And when I'm finished with one, I start another one.
I write. I don't participate in critique groups, in writer's circles, or in many organizations. I write. I submit. I get published, which is nice. I also get rejected, which isn't, but that's the nature of the game.
I only have a certain amount of time every night to be on the computer, read email, and/or participate in discussions. The rest of the time... I write.
When I was a newbie writer, I wrote. I didn't read any 'how-to-write' books until long after I completed my sixth or seventh novel. I didn't even think about submitting something until I wrote my tenth (I believe) because I knew the others just weren't good enough to submit.
Maybe that's not the way to go for everyone. Maybe getting bogged down with the details and discussions is the way to go for these people, but in all honesty, I really think that the internet and all its writing-related communities hurt more than hinder young writers.
I think I found my 'voice' a lot faster writing in a vacuum and learning as I wrote and read. Learning by doing. If I posted pages of my first novel and my latest novel on my website, you sure as hell could see a difference. Heck, come November, that will be 15 years ago. Half of my life!
I'm not saying there aren't many things you can learn from online communities and newsgroups and mailing lists. I'm just saying that the only way to really be a writer is to write. Not endlessly talk about it.
I hate to sound cliched, but "Just Do It" (probably trademarked by Nike which is probably registered and copyrighted by someone, so sorry) really says it all.
BIC= Butt-in-chair
AIC= Ass-in-chair
Yog's Law= Money flows towards the writer
That's really all you need to know.
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