So you want to be a writer

Until I'd heard of Na No Wri Mo, I'd never planned on writing any original fiction, just working on my Naruto piece in my spare time. As much as I'd like to get published, it's not important to me; if it happens, it happens, if not, I'm still happy.

If you cannot get published, it's not that getting published is hard, but that you're not good enough for it yet. Is that right?

I'm not sure I ever want to try.

The catch is, to earn a living at writing, you typically have to write about things you'd rather not. Technical writing, for instance, explaining how to use a piece of software—very dry & matter of fact (I've done it). How-to books. Ad copy. Legal briefs. You get the idea. Creativity is discouraged. Any writing practice, though, is good practice.

self-publishing is a lot easier online than it was 10 years ago, plus more profitable. It makes a lot more sense to publish online chapters at a time for 50-99 cents than all at once for one lump sum.

edited 14th Apr '11 10:29:47 AM by Vyctorian

In his essay "The Consolations Of Horror", Thomas Ligotti wrote that the one true consolation of the horror story is that the reader is able to identify with the anxieties of the author, allowing both to know that they are not alone in the proverbial darkness. Logically, one may apply this to any emotions that carry with them any factor or alienation or idiosyncrasy.

In other words, I create because I want to know that someone else, whether I know them or not, feels the same way that I do.

Again, not true. It is one way to make a living writing, but many more people read fiction than software manuals. There are jobs out there, and you can earn a living. You just have to be good (it's an art) and dedicated (it's a job).

However, as everyone knows, if you want to get rich in the publishing industry, you have to publish university textbooks. And be sure to make a few minor changes every two years so you can come out with a new edition that makes the old book obsolete. That's my plan. *

You seem to be knowledgeble on the subject. Woudln't you like to write a guide for becoming writter fotr the site?

so you want to : Be A Writer perhaps?

edited 14th Apr '11 7:38:34 PM by FallenLegend

Obviously I can't speak for everyone here, but in my case writing is a godsend. It's one of the few things that makes a mellow guy like me BLAZE WITH BURNING PASSION!

(strokes now-throbbing throat)

Besides, it's good to have a creative outlet in life, isn't it? While I would like to become a writer of some renown — preferably great enough to fulfill my lifelong dream of owning some semblance of a Humongous Mecha — I'd be happy just knowing that my stories are putting smiles on peoples' faces.

That's what writing is all about...to some extent, anyway.

edited 14th Apr '11 7:48:08 PM by Voltech44

YES, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S BLOOD BOILS LIKE MY VEINS ARE FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT GASOLINE WHILE WRITING!

edited 15th Apr '11 1:51:00 AM by Vyctorian

and : Now I know what happens when Gurren Lagann meets writing...

Writing is my hobby, not my life's blood. An important hobby, yes; but a hobby nonetheless.

Would I like it if I earn a trillion dollars through a book? Yes.

Will I count on it? No.

edited 15th Apr '11 5:50:04 AM by CyganAngel

"A important hobby, yes; but not a hobby. "

You meant something else, yes? Not to mention the typo.

Blech. Edited.

I write because it's fun. I know how fickle the creative industries are, so instead, I plan on taking a job in engineering (that's just as cool) then I'll write in my spare time.

My favored genre is science fiction/fantasy, that brings in even more fun if I ever try to publish...

Writing is not my life.

Story telling, however, is.

I am fine with being a horrible writer, just please let it be that I am not a horrible story teller.

^ That. Definitely that. I don't care if the drawings are bad or the writing is poor, just as long as I can drag you along with me in the heart of the story.

…Okay, maybe I still sorta care about that stuff, but not as much as telling a good yarn. I like yarn.

Writing is a thing I do. I like to do it. That's pretty much it; I don't take it very seriously.

I don't care about writing all that much. The reason I write is that I like to create plots, characters, stories in general. Writing them down is an essential part of their creation, so I write.

This may sound a bit strange, but I don't actually like writing, by itself. I don't view it as a chore either, but it's just the means to an end. Sometimes it can be tedious, sometimes it can be fun. However, if I had the abilities, I'd focus more on doing graphic novels, video games (which I'm sort of doing right now), visual novels, something like that. But at the moment, I have to make do the easiest ones, the plain old written stories.

That said, even "making stories" is just something I like to do. Just a hobby, without any kind of existential complications in it.