Any Writers out There? (page 2)

Hmmm

Sirona,

Most successful writers will tell you that the single most important factor in your success is how much you want it--how passionately you NEED to write. An intense love of writing won't guarantee fame and fortune, but if you don't love to write, it pretty much guarantees failure. Writing must be something that you would do without pay, because you frequently will.

On the talent side, if you are able to unintentionally evoke those kinds of feelings in others, that pretty much answers the question of whether it's any good.

Hmmm

kenpodragon

I consider myself a writer to some degree. I have been paid to write several things. I was never formally trained, with a degree or anything. I just write from the heart. Which is what we should all do.

Take Care

Dragon

Sentinel

Hi There Sirona,

I've also been a "closet writer", that is, I write poems, prose, and journals, but usually only share them with certain people. I have quite a collection stuffed away and add to it all the time. Everyone is always saying that I should do something about it, and so far I haven't; although perhaps when I retire I might. (in another ten years).

I wouldn't really care if I made much money doing it, although that would be a nice perk for the retirement years. I certainly could not afford to pay someone else to publish my works. I would just give me so much pleasure and satisfaction to be able to share my expressions with others. I love to read myself. I know how powerdul words can be.

I think you should go for it, Sirona. It sounds like it's really in your heart, and you just need someone to help you out and get you started. You are obviously talented. When you become famous, you can let me know how you did it.

Karen

Edited by - Sentinel on 26 September 2002 19:29:26

Michael3000

((((SIRONA))))

Firstly, how do I know that what I write is any good?

As with any creative endeavor, you can tell when you are "good" (although that's a very relative term) if you elicit a response from your audience. In other words, ambivilance is NOT what you're after. Even if you get a "bad" response (another relative term), this allows you to see how to tweak your work. Artists, however, don't normally like to please the mainstream - and this is true for political radicals or liberals, as well. You should want to stir some emotion with your work, force people to, at least, THINK about what it is you're trying to express.

Hope this helped.

--M

heathen

How about you post some of your poetry and see what happens on the board for a start? I for one would like to see something before possibly giving an opinion.

Farkel

Sirona,

: Who of you are writers out there?

Everyone who posts in this forum is a writer.

: Firstly, how do I know that what I write is any good?

If idiots hate what you write, it's good. It has always been thus.

Farkel

Edited by - Farkel on 27 September 2002 1:31:7

xenawarrior

Sirona:

How do you know what you write is any good?

You've been hearing the answer to that all your life. BELIEVE IT. Hone those skills.

Pick up the latest copy of "The Writer's Market"- It lists all of the publications that accept work from writers and what their specifications are etc. A real valuable resource. And start submitting your stuff. It take so little- just some stamps and envelopes and paper. Oh, and some thick skin. You'll get letters back saying "No thanks". Don't take it personally, go on to the next thing and re-submit to them again later.

And keep writing. ((((Sirona))))

XW

Flip

How do you know what you write is any good?

A possible hint would be when a reputable publisher begins to send you lots and lots of money for some of the manuscripts youve been sending them over all those years.

I'm with Xena ... times a wastin'.

Kagloo

For the record....

I have been writing songs, lyrics, short stories, novels for years... since the mid 1960's. Lots of people think that some of the stuff I do is great.. others couldn't care less. As far as getting published is concerned ... Ah... that's a different matter!

It's not WHAT you know or how good you are.. It's WHO you know! It might be a cliche but it's sadly true.

I have been so close, so many times to publishing deals etc... that in the end I decided that as long as I was happy with my work that's fine... perhaps in a 1,000 years when someone un-earths some of my stuff????? Well you never know....

You might like to try Bookselecta.com They have a 'free' service that allows people to read your book for free. If enough people read it you are offered a deal! Log on and talk to them about it! Three of my books (children's fiction) were on their site for over a year.

Sirona

Hi

I don't have a lot of time right now to answer everyone individually. THANKS to everyone for your input! I will check out all of the links.

I honestly think that I'm going to be writing a lot over the next few years, simply because of my overwhelming desire to do so. As many of you know, I'm into "mystical" things, and this year I've had numerous dreams about spiders. A book I have suggests that the spider is linked to creativity and that in myth the spider is the founder of the written word.

Anyway, I will post again tomorrow on this thread...

Sirona x

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