I found myself in the middle of an online spat the other day. I really hate to join in when things get nasty in a discussion group, but this time I jumped in because a person I know online was being attacked for no good reason. Something I really hate to see, especially when this lady does so much to support what this particular online community is supposed to be all about.
I'm a big supporter of the Short Mystery Fiction Society but sometimes I wonder if the organization loses sight of what they're supposed to be about - the discussion of short mystery fiction, both the writing and the promotion of. And I sometimes wonder if the members are a little embarrassed about being short story writers and not novelists. If they feel there's some kind of stigma about loving the form and being a writer of short stories.
When the members discuss writing, things go along just fine, but if someone wants to introduce a new idea they're booed right off the stage. I pretty much stopped posting the markets I find there because that usually starts an agitated discussion of why couldn't we post markets that pay. When a newbie writer asks questions, many of the older members are patient and take the time to explain how things work or point them to places where they can learn what they need to know, but others just get this attitude of "how stupid are you?"
Not all writers are created equal. We're, everyone of us, at different levels in our writing. Some like where they are and remain there. Others work hard to take their writing to the next level and the next, always working to be better. In truth, we're all writers, no matter if it's just a hobby or a full blown career. So why the agitation when someone wants to introduce something new? You don't have to agree with them, but at least have the courtesy to listen. They might actually have an idea that would benefit the group.
The world of writing/publishing is an ever changing proposition and writers need to adapt and change with it. And short story writers are no different. The print markets are shrinking and not all the zines are paying markets but if you love the form and want to excel, you have to embrace the changes or just toss your computer against the wall and chuck the whole writing business.
So here's a few questions for you. What changes have you made in your writing and submission habits to deal with publishing changes? What kind of markets do you submit too? Do you think all online zine markets are dead ends for writing? Do you think we should shoot all the hobbyists out there or try to co-exist? Hey, the floor is open, discuss to your heart's content, but take time to listen to your fellow writers, that's the way we learn to be better writers and human beings.
And the newest Conversations with the Bookless is up featuring Robert Pesa. http://www.bookspotcentral.com/2009/04/conversations-with-the-bookless-robert-pesa/
The new issue of The Thrilling Detective has hit the streets. Take a break and go have a read at this excellent zine. And a big Snoopy Dance for Kevin B. Smith and Gerald So for their hard work and excellent taste in PI fiction and facts. http://www.thrillingdetective.com/
9 comments:
When I started writing many, many years ago, there were dozens of amateur publications printed on ditto machines and mimeograph machines and sent to readers via surface mail. Those publications ranged in quality from completely amateur to nearly professional. The people who create online publications today are similar in many ways to the people who used ditto machines and mimeograph machines to print their publications back in the day. So, online zines aren't unique in publishing; all that's changed is the medium used to do produce and distribute the publications.
I started my career writing for those amateur publications; I even edited and published one that was well-known and had a high circulation. If I was starting my writing career today, I would probably submit to many of the online publications.
But I'm not starting my career today. Nearly every short story I write gets placed somewhere, and the vast majority of them are placed with paying publications. Early career writers (those who hope to make a career of writing) and hobbyists (those who enjoy writing with no expectation of making it a career) are not my competition. Therefore, I don't mind passing along tips and tricks I've learned over the years.
What bothers me most are "writers" who try to "talk the talk" without ever "walking the walk." The ease with which anybody with a finger, a computer, and an Internet connection can profess to be an expert on writing and publishing fogs up serious conversions where good information and opinions based on experience get lost in the haze.
I don't think we should have to trot out our bonifides everytime we post something, but I do wish we all took more care to explain what experiences our opinions are based on. Let's face it: A writer with stories in a half-dozen online publications over the course of a year has a vastly different world view than a writer with hundreds of published stories stretching back to Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine or The Saint or Espionage. That doesn't make either of their opinions right or wrong, but it does mean that their different experiences should be weighed when deciding whose advice to trust.
In some respects, I've had more problems dealing with writers who aren't declared hobbyists, who actually want to get a book deal. The few who've been difficult tend to be more concerned about when a story will be published, less patient, and when they don't fix their editing mistakes they freak out and complain later.
But lately, I've found myself wondering about hobby writers, and the problems they pose. In one specific case, a person had a public fit because they didn't like being critiqued. I wasn't the critic, but I realized they'd submitted work to Spinetingler twice in the past year, and hadn't followed submission guidelines, despite an e-mail reiterating them.
I don't want to hash out all the specifics, but in the end, I realized that part of the problem any publication, including an ezine, faces is being taken seriously. To be taken seriously, you need to present a quality product. I know early on, we had a hard time raising our profile so that we could get good submissions. I never really worried about the name behind the story if the writing was good... but there have been a few incidents with writers who were amateur in every sense of the word, and those people can actually jeopardize the publication's reputation.
We're still going to look at the story and base our decisions on the writing, but I think in the online world, ezine publishers have to be prepared for possible problems with people who aren't career-minded. And by that, I don't mean they need to have a novel in the works. I can look at many prolific short story writers (Stephen D. Rogers, as well as you, Sandra) who are every bit as professional as authors.
The only writers I really have issue with are the ones who have no desire to improve. I don't care who it is - if they refuse to be edited or listen to constructive feedback from the editors, I'd rather spend time on someone serious about learning.
That's what I love about SMFS, Michael. We have writers like you and Jack Bludis and Jack Ewing who can teach us so much if we just listen. The three of you have taught me more about writing and finding markets than any of the books I've read.
When I first joined, I just sat back and read for a month so, learning about the posters and where their knowledge came from, like you said. After a while you can get a feel for who knows what they're talking about and who's talking out of their backside. And who's there for the short stories and who's there to promote themselves.
I love that you guys share so much, and that's why I try to share what little I know, which is mostly about the zines because that's where I've started. I'm still learning and I try to remind anyone that stops by that I'm still in that learning process of writing.
I've never understood writers who couldn't take editing advice from an editor, Sandra. For me, that's the most important part of writing, making the story the best it can be.
I think sometimes writers let their egos get in the way of seeing that there might be a problem with the story and rather than rewrite they just go off and have a hissy-fit. Which does't help them, the editor, or he story.
I don't remember who said this, probably Michael, but they said, "Even a hobbyist should act in a professional manner." That's something I've taken to heart. At my age and with such a late start, I'll probably never make a living writing but I still try to be as professional as I can be by following guidelines, working with an editor and turning in the cleanest copy I'm capable of. I believe that behaving like a professional is just as important as being the best writer you can be.
I've actually learned quite a bit over the past couple of years, but especially in the past year since I've been blogging.
Before I started blogging, I thought my writing was pretty good, in spite of the negative/non feedback I was getting.
But after I started blogging for a while and started searching out writing related blogs (like this one), I realized that my early attempts at wrting really sucked.
In the past year or so, I picked up enough tips and enough positive (of all types) feedback, to help me improve my writing.
I may not be as good as the writers I've met in the blog world, but at least I'm trying to approach my craft/hobby with an open mind and a positive outlook.
And if that doesn't work, then surely having my early writing being labled as "pornographic", is enough of a motivator to prove to all the yahoos that have said that to me face-to-face (or online) wrong.
"Pornographic", G? Are you writing erotica? :-)
I've found that the more time I spend with other writers and studying how they work and write, and listening when they're kind enough to spread a little wisdom, the more I learn. The most that any of us can do is keep on writing. I remember that someone once said that once they hit a millions words they were finally fit to be published. And that sounds about right. Of course, there's always exceptions to that rule.
Trying to.
My first novel was described as "pornographic" and "violent".
But as with all things, there's a HUGE learning curve involved with writing erotica.
It's coming along in fits and starts, but I'm still having fun in the process.
In the markets resources section there's a link to the erotica readers and writers association, G. And http://www.blacklace.co.uk/ is an erotica publisher. If you click on their guidelines there's a very comprehensive list of do's and don'ts for writing erotica. Hope that helps.
I don't think I'd even attempt to write erotica because I'm pretty sure it would come out as pornographic. I have no finesse.
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