Ask the Author: Stacey Keith
Answered Questions (1)
Stacey Keith
Have respect for the craft. Very few people who have an idea for a novel just sit down and dash off something that sparkles. For most of us, we have to suck until we don't suck. It's a matter of Butt In Chair, learning everything you can about the art and craft of writing, and then remembering that you are never the best judge of your work. In fact, no one is.
That's the nature of being any kind of artist though. For instance, I think Trent Reznor from NINE INCH NAILS is brilliant. Is that everyone's opinion? No. Does that mean he's any less brilliant? Yes. No. Does that mean he's a talentless hack? Yes. No. You see? Who gets to be the "decider?"
So it pays to remember that when you're submitting your work to the slaughterhouse of publishers and agents. I know what a demoralizing mess that can be. Just keep writing and sending, writing and sending. Self-publish if you aren't getting the response you want. Be the best writer you can be, but don't get too hung up on that abstract concept either. Because who's to say what's good or not good?
That's the nature of being any kind of artist though. For instance, I think Trent Reznor from NINE INCH NAILS is brilliant. Is that everyone's opinion? No. Does that mean he's any less brilliant? Yes. No. Does that mean he's a talentless hack? Yes. No. You see? Who gets to be the "decider?"
So it pays to remember that when you're submitting your work to the slaughterhouse of publishers and agents. I know what a demoralizing mess that can be. Just keep writing and sending, writing and sending. Self-publish if you aren't getting the response you want. Be the best writer you can be, but don't get too hung up on that abstract concept either. Because who's to say what's good or not good?
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