Writers of the Future Workshop - Day 4
OK, the notes aren’t very good today (not that they were all that good to begin with) because I only got three hours of sleep last night due to working on my story. I was lucky — my roommate, Scott Roberts, stayed up all night working on his story.
AM=Anne McCaffrey
AM: You may not make a lot of money as a writer, but there’s great satisfaction in seeing your name on a book.
“You’re a writer when you can’t not write.” (A double negative only strengthens the positive.)
I submitted a lot of books before I sold my first.
One of the nice things about the science fiction field is we’re always willing to welcome new people.
Keep a record of the characteristics of each character.
If there’s a subject you don’t know much about, find an expert to help. Be sure to have your expert read the portions of your story that relate to his expertise.
SW=Sean Williams
SW: With regard to the advice you hear, take what you need and leave the rest. But remember the rest, because you might need it later.
I submitted to WOTF every quarter. It took me ten entries to win.
“Quit now, you’ll never make it. If you ignore this advice, you’re halfway there.” — David Zucker
Be a part of the SF community.
If you’re writing something that you’re not enjoying, readers can pick up on that.
CB=Charles Brown (Publisher of Locus)
CB: The average full-time writer makes $4000/year.
If you don’t want to sit down and write every day, don’t be a writer.
Learn to write short fiction; your novels will be better.
Very interesting. I thought it was significant that CB talked about learning to write short fiction–something you have done. I also liked AM’s advice “Keep a record of the characteristics of each character.” As a reader, rather than a writer, it is important to me that I not be bothered by characters seeming to act in “out of character” ways. If a writer changes his ideas about his characters in mid-novel, one hopes he goes back to make sure that in previous chapters he changes everything necessary to reflect the final view.
Re CB’s comment on average full-time writers’ income being $4,000. First of all, who know how he determined “average.” In any case, I wonder how those who make less than a living wage DO live. Supported by other family members? Government welfare? “Part-time” jobs?
Wait a sec…
Is this *the* Scott Roberts? He of blackberry wine fame? You guys are roomies?
Damn, I’m so jealous.
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I also agree on the short fiction advice and think that some writers in the field would do well to remember this advice. Flabby ain’t pretty in whatever form it comes in.
Yes, *the* Scott Roberts. In fact, I believe he thanked you by name in his acceptance speech.