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BS: So who here's a writer?
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: JohnInKansas Date: 16 Nov 06 - 09:29 PM It's rumored that it might have been one of our 'catters who got the only A+ on the assignment to write as short a short story as possible, including Religion, Medicine, and Mystery as plot lines. The story that got the good grade was: "MY GOD, I'M PREGNANT. I WONDER WHOSE IT IS." John |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Chip2447 Date: 16 Nov 06 - 10:32 PM Short stories, poetry, lyrics, limmericks, got a couple of huge novels started, (most of the time I write just to write and see what comes out), had several vigettes published on a now defunct online net work game...MUDs. Been published several times in the brick and motar pen and pencil gaming communiity, scenarios, rules additions, and variants. Several years ago I was on the design team of a large and very detailed Roleplaying Game. We actually got nominated for best new RPG that year at GENCON. Occassionly I'll throw in an line or to in the Mudcatfiction threads. Chip2447 |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 16 Nov 06 - 10:46 PM Myself and 4 other Irish performers have a book coming out early next year. It's compilation of short stories about our adventures (and misadventures) in performing over the last 35 years or so. So I guess that makes me one fifth of a writer. Seamus |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Amergin Date: 16 Nov 06 - 11:02 PM I've been known to write a word or two... |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST Date: 16 Nov 06 - 11:44 PM You certainly have collected a long string of Wanna-Be's
Ask for writers who have sold 10,000 or more...it is small pickings...but you have eliminated your thread.
Sincerely, always take the the advance |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Nov 06 - 11:55 PM 10,000 what? Dollars or copies? |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Bert Date: 17 Nov 06 - 12:08 AM Garg ol' buddy, you're just a spoil sport. Of course we're all Wanna-Be's that's why we're here (you too) - (Especially you). And to paraphrase SRS, what has 10,000 got to do with quality? Have you followed kat's links? (I know you love her as much as we all do) AND - have you read her book? It's great, I loved it. I've written a few songs and a couple of stories, but 10,000 people haven't bought them (YET - BUGGER) Despite the fact that I'm an internationally famous singer (Due to Mudcat Radio). AND SQUEAKS you're a bloody liar, I've never read ANYTHING of yours that is "Terrible" |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Gervase Date: 17 Nov 06 - 09:06 AM Used to be, but enjoying myself doing other things now (although I may go back to it if the payment:effort ratio looks like picking up). |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Crystal Date: 17 Nov 06 - 10:41 AM So anyone doing NaNoWiMo? I was, but now I'm not *sigh* |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: dick greenhaus Date: 17 Nov 06 - 12:08 PM I guess I'm a reformed writer (magazine and books) and editor. And yes, I've topped 10K in both circulation and dollars. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Bert Date: 17 Nov 06 - 01:32 PM I hope you're not TOO reformed Dick? |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Elmer Fudd Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:49 PM Gargoyle, perhaps at the heart of your observation is whether or not people are in a position to define themselves as writers. You have certainly offered a prevalent opinion in popular culture of what gives someone the right to say that their artistic expressions have merit, let alone even exist as such. In my opinion, a person is a writer because he or she writes. Furthermore, in my opinion, the "wannabes," as you call them, are the people who show up at writer's conferences, classes, seminars and coffee houses to think and talk about writing because it makes them feel like a writer. Or perhaps they are hoping some magic will rub off on them and profound word constructions and inspired stories will magically burst forth on their computer screens and notepads. Writing itself is too damn hard. God bless them. If the marketplace is the judge of who gets to be called a writer, well, O.J. Simpson's new book about how he "might" have committed the murders is approaching best-sellerdom. "The Bridges of Madison County" was a runaway multi-million seller. The best-seller lists are lousy with such examples, ad nauseum. In her lifetime, ten poems by Emily Dickinson were published. She belongs to an awfully large club. In a phrase that seems to irritate many literati on another thread, go figure. I'm very aware that all the above is a big fat cliche, by the way. Us wannabes never tire of venting it. Elmer |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: M.Ted Date: 17 Nov 06 - 04:47 PM As per Gargoyle's comment--I was paid to write for many years, and the stuff I wrote was read, appreciated, and used by millions of people. Instruction manuals, ads, articles, ad naseum,to borrow a phrase. Most of the people who write for a living(and there are many, many, many of us) write for informational rather than aesthetic reasons. And since writing comes first, the number of readers, if any, is a circumstance, after the fact. Even still, everyone who posts here is a writer, of necessity--and, if circulation is a criteria, folks like Katlaughing and John in Kansas, who have posted here steadily for years, have garnered a readership that most "published" authors would envy-- So you lose again, Gargoyle--and still, your venomous words have made you one of the most famous writers here-- |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: autolycus Date: 17 Nov 06 - 05:04 PM Some book reviews, compiled a book to commission, Prayers for the Future of Mankind (1975), the occasional poem, some pieces for a local little magazine (which I loved doing - knowing they were going to be published was a massive boost), started a book,working title 20th Century Classical Music for People who like Tunes, it'll include jokes. Since writing has been defined as the art of putting one's bottom on a chair and keeping it there, I don't think I quite qualify. Yet. And I'm truly grateful for Mudcat for providing these oppotunities to try things out, find a voice, be silly, provide a platform. Thanks. I'll take this thread as encouragement. It's also wonderful how many here do write. Ivor |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Hawker Date: 17 Nov 06 - 05:48 PM Songs and poetry mainly, you can see some of them on PoemHunter.com if you search for author Lucy Burrow - all for enjoyment, when stirred to write usually! Not for financial gain. Cheers Lucy |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Elmer Fudd Date: 17 Nov 06 - 05:57 PM Nothing wrong with getting paid for it. There's a book edited by Peter Lefcourt called, "The First Time I Got Paid For It," containing essays by contemporary writers about the first time they received moolah for their work. Elmer |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Rowan Date: 17 Nov 06 - 06:20 PM Sometimes, when I feel what I'm thinking is worthwhile, I try to write it. Cheer, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Lox Date: 17 Nov 06 - 06:27 PM Sometimes, when I write what I'm feeling is worthwhile, I think to try it. lox |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Rowan Date: 17 Nov 06 - 06:45 PM And, lox, so do I. Many times, the attempt works and I try again. Cheers, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Lox Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:00 PM And Rowan, how I try Some times, the work's attempt-tation I do gain so. lox |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Janie Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:19 PM I spent several years as a policy specialist for the Dept. of Human Services in West Virginia, writing policy and procedural manuals and memoranda, but I never really thought of that as 'writing'. I thought of it as 'communication.' It was very careful, dry, detailed communication, with words and sentence structure chosen to attempt to eliminate any nuance, to preclude more than the one, intended interpretation. Writing papers in graduate school was very similar. It kinda takes the fun out of it. I probably should edit much more carefully before I submit a post on the Mudcat, but I think it is good practice for me not to. Janie |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:44 PM Gargoyle, without reference to quality or quantity, I am hired as a writer at a state institution, and have scribble away there for the last 10 years. Ten times my modest annual salary adds up to well over $10,000. I just wish I'd gotten this amount in one fell swoop. :) SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: catspaw49 Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:54 PM Geez Janie......How hard could that have been? Instructions for a better life for West Virginians? I-77 North to Ohio Rt.33 to Ohio Lemmee guess.......You made a list of all bridges across the Ohio River? I really love West by gawd Virginia even though the state bird is a fly.......beautiful place. Just jokin' Janie......Just jokin' (;<)) Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: DougR Date: 17 Nov 06 - 08:03 PM I have written six screenplays. None have been produced. DougR |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST Date: 17 Nov 06 - 08:09 PM Any suggestions on how to push or not to push a screenplay DougR? I'm trying to generate interest in one of mine at the moment. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: catspaw49 Date: 17 Nov 06 - 08:09 PM Wellgeez Doug I tried to tell you that bio-pic of yours wasn't going to sell. "Let's Boog-A-Loo Til We Drop;The Spiro Agnew Story" just isn't the kind of thing that Hollywood makes these days. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Janie Date: 17 Nov 06 - 10:28 PM Better watch it 'spaw, or I'll start telling Ohio jokes;>) Janie |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 17 Nov 06 - 10:54 PM You have it...or you...
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 17 Nov 06 - 11:08 PM Doug R.
The INDUSTRY is a very tough nut to crack.
Most successful writers have been local, active for decades.
The most successful one I know began as a child actor about age 12 (perhaps age 5) ....it took three positive money procuring scripts (age 40+) before he was permitted to direct.
Scripts are a dime a dozen. They sit like coffe-table-stacks in the dens of bored consultants.
Just like a folk-performer....you need to "hook" the audience in the first three chords.
Sincerely, |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Elmer Fudd Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:22 AM Read "The Deal" by Peter Lefcourt. It begins with a screenplay about the life of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. The script goes into re-write and morphs into a buddy movie called "Bill and Ben." (Bill is William Gladstone.) It all gets weirder from there. Lefcourt's day job is a screenwriter, so he ought to know. Haven't laughed so hard in ages. Elmer |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: BuckMulligan Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:28 PM GUEST Gargoyle, why are you so hung up on the notion that "writer" must needs mean "writes for a living" - or even "published" for that matter? Is it the same for any activity, or only for "writer" IYO? |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Don Firth Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:29 PM I've been known to string a few words together from time to time. My first semi-triumph was getting an honorable mention in a high school short story contest sponsored by the Atlantic Monthly (my story was written on stone tablets). I started out by majoring in English Lit and Creative Writing in college, until I fell in with questionable company, took up the guitar, and started singing folk songs. In the meantime, I made several attempts at writing science fiction, but it came to naught. Gotta actually finish what you start. During the early 70s, while working for a radio station as an announcer and newscaster, I also got assigned to writing commercial copy. I spent a year writing and producing radio commercials (God forgive me!). In the mid to late 80s, I got a job as a technical writer, writing residential weatherization reports for the Bonneville Power Administration. Really gripping stuff! Someplace about that time, I decided to write a history of the folk music scene in the Seattle area. Much of the country, e.g. New York, Boston, Berkeley, etc., didn't even know there was a folk music scene in Seattle, despite the size of the scene and the quality of many of the performers (it took me awhile, but I think I've figured out why nobody knew we were here). I soon discovered that a "history" was more of a task than I wanted to tackle (the scene was big enough that even I didn't know everything that was going on), so I decided to turn it into a "memoir" or a collection of reminiscences. So far, I've written in excess of 115,000 words, which is some pretty serious wordage, and I'm only up to the early 60s. It's going to take a bit of pruning and editing before I send it to a publisher. Everything I've written so far relates in one way or another, but the idea of reading a book about the adventures of an obscure balladeer in an obscure part of the country might be a bit intimidating if even the trade paperback edition of the book is about three inches thick. I'm hoping to get if finished in the coming year. No vanity press on this one. I already have a couple of possible publishers lined up. Published writing so far includes an article in the "Last Chorus" section of "Sing Out!" Magazine and sixteen articles as guest writer for the "Musical Traditions" column of Victory Review. I think that lifts me out of the "wannabe" category. When I finish the book, I plan to turn my hand to a couple of other writing projects. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Donuel Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:48 PM I write things that will never be read like program notes for concerts at the Lincoln Center or the 1,200 poems I entrusted to my website. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Big Al Whittle Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:15 PM I once wrote to Father Christmas, but he didn't write back. I got the 1953 Billy the Kid Annual anyway. see, story with happy ending...... |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Hawker Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:33 AM Elmer Fudd, I know theres nothing wrong with getting paid for it, infact, that would be really nice, but I have just never gone down that road.....yet - it has always been a desire of mine to write AND illustrate a book, so you never know! Cheers, Lucy |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Georgiansilver Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:05 AM Wow Al...I got the Eagle Annual in 1953....wish I'd kept it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:17 PM "Writing itself is too damn hard." This remains a folkie site and I don't think anybody comes here to find outstanding/talented writers. No Johnson, no Celements and certainly no Shakespear wouldv'e wasted a line on such silliness as often fills the nonBS section. How long they might spend below the line is something I am afraid to comment on! It is afterall just BS. Nonetheless, there are some surprises, and they themselves know who they are, but I am not going to ruin a good free read. Eventhough some characters have left the site years ago, there remain several who happened to be also great musicians as well. And great writers/musicians also tend to be great cooks! It gets more interesting as time goes on, because now both bad writers and bad musicians can also be entertaining in a sort of perverted way, and when the two combine, there lies a comedy. But they don't know it, and like the turk who's shirt-tail dangles behind his dress suit at a wedding, the audience is laughing AT not with him/her/them. Such is fool's lot! Over several years reading a particular member's postings, I wonder, do they realize that the same effort would have produced a fat book or two? Having gone down that road myself, yes and published decades ago but no longer in print TG, I often back off replying to some of the more offensive ( to me ) troll threads. I make no apology for the brutality of my offerings against neoNazis of anykind when/where they pop-up. and they and their sympatizers here know who they are! You ask for it, I will let you have it. Again it is not a musician's website where we host offensive dross of whatever kind, and we should have the right to expect appropriate standards be upheld. IOW If it's offensive policrap, it should be deleted immediately. The wannabes here suffer from a fish in the dark complex, they don't know who's reading them and how much they are appreciated or hated, they simply assume that because what the write is correct prose it is good. Sorry, but as Gargoyle proves, that ain't enough. You have to offer something else, even if Scrooge envies the nastiness of your spheel. And then as 'The Anal Annals' ( Harry Potter ) shows it doesn't have to good English either. You just need to be interesting, and as somebody already said, either you got it or you don't. I always think about Hemmingway when this side of the subject comes up. Like Rollingpins he was not that great of a sentence writer, but his paragraphs are like jail cells, once in you cannot get out until the last word. "Writing itself is too damn hard" sure if you make a chore of it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Elmer Fudd Date: 19 Nov 06 - 12:39 PM These posts are very inspiring and exciting. I stand in awe of the many ways people find to express themselves. Creativity is contagious. Hey Don Firth, even radio ads can be amazing. Did you ever hear the ones on some of the freeform (or underground, or whatever you wanna call them) FM stations back in the day? They were fantastic! People used to call up the DJs to request the friggin' ADS!!!! In my opinion, their isn't anything wrong with being a "wannabe" either. Sometimes, a person needs a little time and encouragement to hit his or her stride, or to find the story that they can't resist telling. Elmer |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST,Pelrad Date: 19 Nov 06 - 02:37 PM I cover a town beat for a local weekly. http://www.neindependent.com/ I've passed the $10k mark several times over, since even the low-paying part-time newspaper wage is about $22k a year. I freelance for local publications, and am putting together a couple of projects on local historic properties, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. They're just topics I'm interested in, and I'm waiting to see where the writing takes me before I look for a publishable outlet. I got a couple of research papers published while I was an undergrad, years ago. The Honors Colloquium prof my freshman semester insisted on finding a journal for my paper. Whatever; it was 60 pages of philosobabble. I used to write poetry and several pieces were published, but I gave that up in college. I used to write for fun, and have a couple of novellas lying around, but then came the children and the journalism job and they killed my energy level. I also have written several children's books, which have not made it any further than our own bookshelves so far. I love covering local news. It's a great job for nosy people. Kim |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:54 PM Hey! Come to think of it, I published a book (let). "A Twig Key of Shrubs and Trees of New England." I can even prove it. I was given all the unsold copies by the Museum who published it. I don't know where the one is that they sold. Jerry Knows Twigs |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Big Al Whittle Date: 19 Nov 06 - 04:43 PM The Eagle Annual......they obviously wanted you to grow up nicely. I often wonder why they bought me a book, when I was four, about a psychotic killer who shot one his twenty one vitims through the windpipe. And they read me the story several times in case I missed the point. I think it became a bedtime favourite. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:13 PM Hmmm now I know why I don't read newpapers any more! |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Bert Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:34 PM ...it doesn't have to good English... Eh! |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: BuckMulligan Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:18 PM Yeah, Bert I think GUESTsorefingers was providing itself as an example of what it was saying. And a damn fine one too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: katlaughing Date: 19 Nov 06 - 08:00 PM I have been paid for all of my published writings. With the internet, more and more writers are going directly to their market, giving the finger, so to speak, to publishers and becoming their own pubs. That is not vanity publishing.(Click HERE if you don't know the difference.) If one frequents writers' forums, one will quickly find out self-publishing is a growing and successful trend. CafePress acts as a printer and allows one to self-publish, with their own ISBN number, without any upfront costs, which pleases me to no end. By doing it that way, it also allows me to negotiate with distributors, cutting out the costs of a middleman. I am about to sign a contract with a major one out of Boulder, as a matter of fact. Don, I used to do ad copy at a radio station, too and have done some tv ads as well as written fashion show poems for a local humane society. That was fun! Hawker/Lucy, was it you asked if anyone was doing NaNoWriMo? I am, for the first time, and I love it. The discipline is great. I have over 35,000 words, so far. The rest seems like a piece of cake, now that I have reached that first goal. Thanks for the kind words, folks. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: JennieG Date: 19 Nov 06 - 08:00 PM I will be published shortly, my first article for a quilt guild magazine. In the Skagway (Alaska) museum there is a wonderful quilt made of ducks' necks, tanned and sewn together; 100 years old and still wonderfully coloured. My article about this quilt is called "Duck for Cover" - couldn't resist it! Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 19 Nov 06 - 08:40 PM One of My Uni English lecturers always said "Show me, don't tell me!" The Virtual Fooles Troupe Here be the place that doth Chronicle the Antics of a Troupe of Fooles, seeking Recognition, Patronage and Enlightenment in a World set in time somewhere between Medieval Times and the pre-17th Century World. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: M.Ted Date: 20 Nov 06 - 01:03 AM If you want to be an important writer, say something important. |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Georgiansilver Date: 20 Nov 06 - 02:51 AM Or better still....write it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: So who here's a writer? From: Elmer Fudd Date: 20 Nov 06 - 03:08 AM One hundred. |
