The True Number of Viable Manuscripts? - Page 4

Vintage Season · 08-10-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickSpalding

I'll liked the dairy metaphor Vintage - by that extension, does it make anything published by Stephenie Meyer stinking cheese?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Such imagery is why he's an Author !

Aww... you guys are making me blush! (No comment on Stephenie Meyer, because I've never actually read anything she's written.)

- M.

P.S.: I just returned from ReConStruction/NASFIC10, so there is a review at The Friday Challenge if anyone is interested in reading it.
.

neilmarr · 08-11-2010, 03:38 AM

***Heck, I'd just about bet a box of books that there's only really one readable book per 10,000, and maybe 1% of those readable books is actually good enough to be publishable***

There's an old saying in the game, Steve, that you'll have come across: "If a budding author can be discouraged, that's your job."

It sounds harsh on the surface, but it ain't. If a budding writer CAN be discouraged, it suggests that s/he has no faith in her or his work and doesn't have the will and sheer guts to develop. Those who fall at the first fence are not good bets.

And picking up on your comparison of writing with cooking -- spot on. I have a strong feeling that when a basic skill (like literacy, photography or mastering simple mathematics) becomes almost universal, the 'art' is in some way devalued. Only those few with exceptional training, dedication and talent can fairly command spcecial attention.

Best wishes. Neil

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Print from Sigil? Or viable alternative?	Hitch	Sigil	31	07-13-2010 04:31 PM
I want my manuscripts to be read on mobilephones and PC. How?	seasong	General Discussions	10	05-14-2010 11:09 AM
Buy Once, Read Many-A viable solution to the format mess?	jasonkchapman	News	5	10-30-2009 05:17 PM
Iliad Book Edition: a viable word processor?	lotusindigo	iRex	12	08-10-2009 10:32 PM
Madame Bovary original manuscripts available online	zelda_pinwheel	News	9	04-25-2009 08:46 PM

08-11-2010, 03:38 AM	#47
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,216 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	*Heck, I'd just about bet a box of books that there's only really one readable book per 10,000, and maybe 1% of those readable books is actually good enough to be publishable* There's an old saying in the game, Steve, that you'll have come across: "If a budding author can be discouraged, that's your job." It sounds harsh on the surface, but it ain't. If a budding writer CAN be discouraged, it suggests that s/he has no faith in her or his work and doesn't have the will and sheer guts to develop. Those who fall at the first fence are not good bets. And picking up on your comparison of writing with cooking -- spot on. I have a strong feeling that when a basic skill (like literacy, photography or mastering simple mathematics) becomes almost universal, the 'art' is in some way devalued. Only those few with exceptional training, dedication and talent can fairly command spcecial attention. Best wishes. Neil