tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post352409131929301814..comments2024-02-09T12:12:37.636-08:00Comments on best minimum wage job a middle aged guy ever had: If I keep writing, I should be better in five years.Duncan McGearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02857388833850939721noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-52853269260742123022012-03-13T20:50:41.841-07:002012-03-13T20:50:41.841-07:00*high five**high five*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-31229035767741588142012-03-13T13:06:49.171-07:002012-03-13T13:06:49.171-07:00"I think one has to risk one's pride to g..."I think one has to risk one's pride to get better."<br /><br />True in all areas. If I was afraid of looking like an ass in my karate practice, I'd never get anywhere...<br /><br />And, usually, the risk is smaller in actuality than it appears.<br /><br />The destruction of gatekeepers is liberating for artists — which is one of the points found in the Barry Eisler stuff I sent you. Our fate is in our own hands. And who knows what will strike a chord and "score." "Mom porn" (Fifty Shades of Grey)? Really? Guess so. Whoooda thunk it...<br /><br />JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-17844675195303052132012-03-13T12:41:25.531-07:002012-03-13T12:41:25.531-07:00Jim,
I think one has to risk one's pride to g...Jim,<br /><br />I think one has to risk one's pride to get better.Duncan McGearyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02857388833850939721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-24019516601382790822012-03-13T11:47:46.491-07:002012-03-13T11:47:46.491-07:00Regardless of whether you've learned more abou...Regardless of whether you've learned more about writing since you were 30, you must have learned a lot about life, and that can make your writing deeper and richer. In my ideal world nobody would be allowed to even attempt a novel until he/she was 40.H. Bruce Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613347512240617956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-21188404118905496582012-03-13T11:45:26.816-07:002012-03-13T11:45:26.816-07:00As long as you enjoy writing, the writing is its o...As long as you enjoy writing, the writing is its own reward and you should keep doing it without worrying about whether it will be published. If it does and you make $100 million, all the better.<br /><br />As for me, I'm burned out on writing.H. Bruce Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613347512240617956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-23526480509737651042012-03-13T11:36:55.262-07:002012-03-13T11:36:55.262-07:00I convinced myself for years that I didn't nee...I convinced myself for years that I didn't need to write.<br /><br />But, I think that was rationalizing because, really, as long as I was struggling at the store, I couldn't write.<br /><br />Anyway, the deciding factor to me is the internet and the knowledge that whatever I write will be in the world, at least to some extent.Duncan McGearyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02857388833850939721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529575095156315075.post-41614643141681655212012-03-13T10:52:38.293-07:002012-03-13T10:52:38.293-07:00Duncan:
Writing good fiction is HARD, HARD HARD w...Duncan:<br /><br />Writing good fiction is HARD, HARD HARD work, regardless of talent level. You ARE a good writer. Whether you're a good novelist or not is a separate question. If the creation itself (or what Tolkien would call sub-creation) is satisfying to you, you should do it. If not, not. That all sounds simpler than it is, I know.<br /><br />Believe me, I know. I've been struggling with it for years. I know I have talent as a writer; not sure I have any talent as a fictioneer. Maybe I should stick to non-fiction. But I want...<br /><br />Well, if you've got your heart set on it, you've gotta do it, whether or not you "succeed." Why die thinking "I wish..." or "I wonder if..."?<br /><br />My biggest inhibition is fear that I won't or can't live up to my own standard of quality. I sense you have the same feelings or similar ones...<br /><br />What can you do about that? The only thing you can do is say fuck it and go. Or quit. Ask yourself not which would make you happier, but which would make you miserable.<br /><br />JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com