If JK Rowling Cares About Writing, She Should Stop Doing It - Page 5

BadBilly · 03-03-2014, 01:25 AM

Reminds me of a recent event. A friend in my local writing group tipped me to a short story contest. One of the stipulations was that a crime of some kind must take place. My friend is an accomplished crime writer with numerous publications of short stories and his first novel coming from a small publisher this fall. I have worked as a staff writer for various publications and freelanced but my published work has all been non-fiction articles. I placed third (which meant a significant cash prize)

The next time we were out drinking and he congratulated me and I thanked him and tried to be modest by saying it was only third, he replied that that was better than he had done. I smiled at him and said "Well, I guess you should have written a better story."

What did he do?

He laughed uproariously.

And then, I'm sure, the SOB went home and wrote something way better than I have yet to write. Because that's what you do. You're only as good as the last thing you've written. It didn't matter that he had the better portfolio. It didn't matter that he is the professional. It doesn't matter that I wouldn't even have known of the contest if it weren't for him. All that matters is what's on the page when the reader picks it up.

I don't begrudge anyone who works for their success. I gave up on the Potter books after the fourth one. They were becoming much too long and tedious. But she finished them and got them published, so good on her. Fifty Shades of Grey (only read the first one) is appallingly bad. But she finished it and got it published and seemed to really touch a chord. Good on her. And when I look at that book and think "I can write rings around her," the next thing I have to think is "Prove it! Sit down and do it."

Follow up: We were out with another crime writer, one with many successful novels and having a few drinks. My friend mentioned that contest and that I placed third and she congratulated me. She lamented that she too had entered and didn't even come third. I told her "Well, I guess you should have written a better story then." (A good joke is always worth reusing). She also laughed heartily and sincerely.

So, Ms. Sheppard, write a better story.

TL;DR: Yeah, I don't think so. I took the time to type it, you can take the time to read it.

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03-03-2014, 01:25 AM	#61
BadBilly Nodding at stupid things Posts: 209 Karma: 4097046 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Sony T1, OnePlus 6, Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, iPad Mini 2, PC	Reminds me of a recent event. A friend in my local writing group tipped me to a short story contest. One of the stipulations was that a crime of some kind must take place. My friend is an accomplished crime writer with numerous publications of short stories and his first novel coming from a small publisher this fall. I have worked as a staff writer for various publications and freelanced but my published work has all been non-fiction articles. I placed third (which meant a significant cash prize) The next time we were out drinking and he congratulated me and I thanked him and tried to be modest by saying it was only third, he replied that that was better than he had done. I smiled at him and said "Well, I guess you should have written a better story." What did he do? He laughed uproariously. And then, I'm sure, the SOB went home and wrote something way better than I have yet to write. Because that's what you do. You're only as good as the last thing you've written. It didn't matter that he had the better portfolio. It didn't matter that he is the professional. It doesn't matter that I wouldn't even have known of the contest if it weren't for him. All that matters is what's on the page when the reader picks it up. I don't begrudge anyone who works for their success. I gave up on the Potter books after the fourth one. They were becoming much too long and tedious. But she finished them and got them published, so good on her. Fifty Shades of Grey (only read the first one) is appallingly bad. But she finished it and got it published and seemed to really touch a chord. Good on her. And when I look at that book and think "I can write rings around her," the next thing I have to think is "Prove it! Sit down and do it." Follow up: We were out with another crime writer, one with many successful novels and having a few drinks. My friend mentioned that contest and that I placed third and she congratulated me. She lamented that she too had entered and didn't even come third. I told her "Well, I guess you should have written a better story then." (A good joke is always worth reusing). She also laughed heartily and sincerely. So, Ms. Sheppard, write a better story. TL;DR: Yeah, I don't think so. I took the time to type it, you can take the time to read it.