<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d36329712\x26blogName\x3dWriting+Aspirations\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dBLACK\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://writingaspirations.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_US\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://writingaspirations.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d5448834363968810756', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe", messageHandlersFilter: gapi.iframes.CROSS_ORIGIN_IFRAMES_FILTER, messageHandlers: { 'blogger-ping': function() {} } }); } }); </script>
Monday, January 08, 2007

Writing in the news.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review had an article, Novel writing not for the faint of heart, authors say.

I'll allow you a moment to say, "well duh".

The article is pretty interesting and has some good comments on writing.

Some tidbits from the article:

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, there were 172,000 books published in the United States in 2005. Only in the United Kingdom, where 206,000 books were released, were people more intent on putting their ideas into print. And that's not counting the thousands of books that never see the light of day and those that are self-published.


"When people tell me they want to write a book, I tell them 'good luck,'" says Michael Connelly, the author of the crime novels "The Narrows," "Blood Work" and the recently released "Echo Park." "The road to publication is hard and full of obstacles."

So, how to even begin with such a daunting task ahead? Connelly advises any would-be writers to first be good readers.

"They must know the best work out there if they are hoping to join the ranks of published authors," he says, noting that finding an established literary agent, especially one that represents new writers, also is a must.

Then, a writer must remain true to his or her vision.

Labels: , , ,

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice points. I think the key thing too, that should be exalted and defended, is that you have to have something of value to say. I think you do, it matters ittle how well read you are. Of course, its not totally that simple.

7:53 PM  
Blogger Susan Helene Gottfried said...

*whispers*

One of their offices is West of Mars, too, you know. I bike past it often.

But I don't read the paper. Too right-wing for my blood. :(

8:38 PM  
Blogger Susan Helene Gottfried said...

*doesn't whisper*

Chuck Kinder was my first writing prof at Pitt. He was my last one, too -- although I took classes from every other fiction prof there in between. I adored Chuck and what he had to teach me. He gave me the faith to be right here, where I am now.

And let me echo what he had to say: writing is a compulsion. I don't care if I ever meet Oprah. I don't care if Trevor's Song is ever made into a movie.

But I *do* care that my stories touch people.

And dammit, but I can't quit trying.

8:43 PM  
Blogger Rashenbo said...

That's so awesome, Susan! :) I've never read that paper before, but I thought it was a pretty good article! :D

8:47 PM  
Blogger Bernita said...

Well, duh...

7:31 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home