Sue Grafton: "The universe will come to your aid."

fjtorres · 08-08-2012, 02:13 PM

From: http://louisvilleky.com/2012/08/loui...s-sue-grafton/

Via: http://www.thepassivevoice.com/08/20...t-publication/

Quote:

Do you have any words of wisdom for young writers?
Quit worrying about publication and master your craft. If you have a good story to tell and if you write it well, the Universe will come to your aid. Don’t self-publish. That’s as good as admitting you’re too lazy to do the hard work.

Comments?

carld · 08-08-2012, 02:22 PM

I agree and disagree. Perfect your craft most of all, yes, but don't expect the Universe to do you any favors. Being a good writer isn't enough, you also have to be lucky, and incredibly determined. It's not uncommon for a bestseller, even a classic, to be rejected 20 or 30 or more times before finding a publisher.

Ninjalawyer · 08-08-2012, 04:04 PM

Great, just what young writers need to hear: Empty platitudes ripped straight out of The Secret, combined with an understanding of epublishing that pre-dates the internet.

Barcey · 08-08-2012, 06:04 PM

Interesting point of view that the publisher's rejection process is all part of developing as an author and if you skip it you're lazy. I wasn't aware that the publishers provide constructive criticism on rejected works and provide lengthy guidance on what you could do better. I assumed they just don't respond or send you a form letter that it was rejected.

carld · 08-08-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

Interesting point of view that the publisher's rejection process is all part of developing as an author and if you skip it you're lazy. I wasn't aware that the publishers provide constructive criticism on rejected works and provide lengthy guidance on what you could do better. I assumed they just don't respond or send you a form letter that it was rejected.

Rejection without comment has been my experience.

fjtorres · 08-08-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

Interesting point of view that the publisher's rejection process is all part of developing as an author and if you skip it you're lazy.

In Major League Baseball rookie players are routinely hazed and players who get called up "too quickly" (not spending years and years in the minors, "honing their craft") are subject to special abuse for not "paying their dues", usually by journeyman players with a fraction of their talent.

Craftmanship is important but so is talent.
Paying their dues is for some a waste of time and talent.

tompe · 08-08-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

Interesting point of view that the publisher's rejection process is all part of developing as an author and if you skip it you're lazy. I wasn't aware that the publishers provide constructive criticism on rejected works and provide lengthy guidance on what you could do better. I assumed they just don't respond or send you a form letter that it was rejected.

That was not what was said in the quote.

I read it as if you have good craftmanship and tell a good story you will find a publisher. That is also what I have heard from science fiction and fantasy publishers. They do not get a surplus of publishable submissions.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 08-08-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Comments?

Easy for an established author with her own publisher to say.

Barcey · 08-08-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

The hard work is taking the rejection, learning the lessons, and mastering the craft over a period of time.

What lesson do you learn from a flat rejection letter that helps you master the craft.

fjtorres · 08-08-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barcey

What lesson do you learn from a flat rejection letter that helps you master the craft.

That you were lucky enough to find an old-school agent/publisher courteous enough to bother to send a form letter. Word is, many don't bother to do even that.

sabredog · 08-09-2012, 04:54 AM

What a condescending statement.

H.P. Lovesauce · 08-09-2012, 04:36 PM

O is for Outdated Bullshit.

ApK · 08-09-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

an understanding of epublishing that pre-dates the internet.

Hehe. "The finest advice 1982 has to offer."

joeyp · 08-13-2012, 05:37 PM

Sue Grafton and Scott Turow....two of my favorite authors died recently from the noxious fumes of Publishing house Arses, that they, repeatedly buried their noses in......

how two nominally intelligent people could become shills and obstructionists for such an antquated Dinosaur as is a publishing house I'll never understand.

thats 2 authors i'll never buy from again

AnemicOak · 08-13-2012, 06:08 PM

Hugh Howey's response was pretty good...

http://www.hughhowey.com/my-favorite...rafton-novels/

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08-08-2012, 02:22 PM	#2
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I agree and disagree. Perfect your craft most of all, yes, but don't expect the Universe to do you any favors. Being a good writer isn't enough, you also have to be lucky, and incredibly determined. It's not uncommon for a bestseller, even a classic, to be rejected 20 or 30 or more times before finding a publisher.

08-08-2012, 04:04 PM	#3
Ninjalawyer Guru Posts: 826 Karma: 18573626 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Nexus 7 (2013)	Great, just what young writers need to hear: Empty platitudes ripped straight out of The Secret, combined with an understanding of epublishing that pre-dates the internet.

08-08-2012, 06:04 PM	#4
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	Interesting point of view that the publisher's rejection process is all part of developing as an author and if you skip it you're lazy. I wasn't aware that the publishers provide constructive criticism on rejected works and provide lengthy guidance on what you could do better. I assumed they just don't respond or send you a form letter that it was rejected.

08-09-2012, 04:54 AM	#11
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,630 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	What a condescending statement.

08-09-2012, 04:36 PM	#12
H.P. Lovesauce Word Herder Posts: 29 Karma: 674360 Join Date: May 2012 Device: Kindle Fire	*O is for Outdated Bullshit.*

08-13-2012, 05:37 PM	#14
joeyp Banned Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: kindle	Sue Grafton and Scott Turow....two of my favorite authors died recently from the noxious fumes of Publishing house Arses, that they, repeatedly buried their noses in...... how two nominally intelligent people could become shills and obstructionists for such an antquated Dinosaur as is a publishing house I'll never understand. thats 2 authors i'll never buy from again

08-13-2012, 06:08 PM	#15
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Hugh Howey's response was pretty good... http://www.hughhowey.com/my-favorite...rafton-novels/