Do Prolific Authors Sacrifice Quality For Quantity?
In 2011, I published 4 novels (none of my novels have been self-published), and this year, 2012, I expect to see at least that many novels hit the street. During the course of a year, I try to write four new drafts of novels. I'm not sure if that literary output qualifies me as a "prolific author."
I'll also add that each of my novels go through rigorous edit cycles as well as beta reader(s). My latest novel, OUTSIDE THE WIRE, clocked in with 32 (yes, I'm anal enough to count them) revision cycles. I can honestly say I've never wrote a first draft of a novel and thought it was anywhere a finished product. So nothing gets rushed or pushed out the door too soon.
Where does all this leave me then? I can only suppose a happy medium has to be sought and found. Maybe "proficient author" is a better descriptor than "prolific author," although that call is really left up to my readers and the critics. All I know is, the Lord willing, I'll go on to write more and, hopefully, better novels.
I'll also add that each of my novels go through rigorous edit cycles as well as beta reader(s). My latest novel, OUTSIDE THE WIRE, clocked in with 32 (yes, I'm anal enough to count them) revision cycles. I can honestly say I've never wrote a first draft of a novel and thought it was anywhere a finished product. So nothing gets rushed or pushed out the door too soon.
Where does all this leave me then? I can only suppose a happy medium has to be sought and found. Maybe "proficient author" is a better descriptor than "prolific author," although that call is really left up to my readers and the critics. All I know is, the Lord willing, I'll go on to write more and, hopefully, better novels.
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Randy wrote: "Everything depends on the writer I would think. Some can do it, some can't. For example, I know you like James Reasoner. He write a million plus words a year and while I haven't read anywhere close..."Thanks for the insightful comments, Randy. Yes sir, for me likewise James Reasoner is always dependable to deliver a satisfying read. If I see his books, I grab them with no second thoughts. I like his Westerns, old and new, quite a bit. They just feel authentic. The bestselling author you discuss brings up a topic I fear doing: writing the same book over and over. Bad news there. Anyway, thanks again for picking up Blood Diamonds. I hope you enjoy it.
there are many prolific authors who later reduce their output. I have many favorite authors whose earlier works (4 books/yr) were better than the one book/yr they put out now. Maybe the reduced output is due to lack of new ideas or plots?
Michele wrote: "there are many prolific authors who later reduce their output. I have many favorite authors whose earlier works (4 books/yr) were better than the one book/yr they put out now. Maybe the reduced out..."I don't know why the fall off in production. Maybe burn out. Maybe fatigue is a factor. Running out of ideas for plots seems a good reason to me, too.
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On the other hand, there's one best selling writer, I won't mention names here, who's written five novels in his career. I haven't read that fifth and never will. In reading those first four in short order, I came to realize he was writing the same novel over and over. Sort of like movie sequels, it was all paint by numbers: hero here, female picked up along the way, a scarred killer chasing them, a friend helping who inevitably ends up as the major villain who sent the killer after his friend.
I have no reason to think the fifth would be any different. Why read a book when you've read it four times already.