Comments on: Craft vs Marketing

By: Andra M.

Andra M. — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:00:39 +0000

So what you’re saying is it’s okay to PEE in public?

By: valerie

valerie — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:21:07 +0000

Andra, in the puppy posts folks are advising Randy to *pee* in public. Or at least down his fenceline. Surely it would be more acceptable to P.E.E.?

By: Andra M.

Andra M. — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:47:08 +0000

Valerie: Yep! I just neglected to add the periods in P.E.E.

I wanted to add, too, about the original subject that being in a writer’s group has helped in removing the extra weight of the things I care about vs what everyone else cares about. It’s tough, and I always want to disagree with them.

When I take their advice, though, 80% of the time, they were right, and the story always improves. Whether or not it’s publishable remains to be seen . . .

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:15:32 +0000

Emotively. Did you mean Emotionally??

And yes, even though I “get into” what I’m writing, when I have bills to pay, mass market sounds good. You do what u gotta do.

By: Vaness

Vaness — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:20:18 +0000

What amazes me is some stories really have a routine premise.

*A num gets sent to take care of some kids. Yawn.

Sound of Music. A story (substantially true) which was a mega hit. Of course the premise was fleshed out well…And the score & actors didn’t hurt either.

Tho the other trick is…getting the story on the market. I once worked for a publisher. They mainly went for name writers (or ghost authored celebrities) because of name recognition. I referred a friend to them. He had well illustrated stories to offer. They seriously considered him, but he had no name & was rejected.

Just wonder what would have happened if Raymer Unwin had not gotten his father’s permission to “lose 1000 pounds” on a brilliant manuscript with probably no audience. My past example fits her “The Lord of the Rings”.

Still, I hope you Tolkein like creatures out there don’t give up.

By: Groovyoldlady

Groovyoldlady — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:33:20 +0000

I am working on a powerful emotional experience involving an innocent cyclist and a nasty, rude, thoughtless, idiotic car driver! Murder, anyone?

By: ML Eqatin

ML Eqatin — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:58:48 +0000

The topic is too wide to be manageable. It needs breaking down.
Craft — what works for reader A stinks for reader B.
Market — the same problem. What happens when you write for reader A and poor marketing takes it to reader B?
A flop, which reader A would still love.
We live in a world of micro-markets, which are fragmenting so fast it’s making the head spin. That’s why internet savvy is so crucial: it is the measuring rod of the future. Rather like using a live snake, but better than nothing.
Filter all writing advice through this screen: does this apply to my own market?
Filter all marketing advice through this screen: will this reach my reader?
Work like mad to keep up with both.

By: Amy Wallace

Amy Wallace — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:07:04 +0000

Great thoughts, Randy! I totally agree that writing powerfully comes from keeping the “why you read” and “why you write” connected and keeping it all authentic. It’s a writer’s thrill to hear that a reader connected with a character that first breathed for the author.

My mentor tells me often to “bleed on the page.” And while that’s so very hard (very messy if you’re a literalist), it’s also incredibly rewarding when someone “gets” it and is moved.

By: Barb Haley

Barb Haley — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:24:34 +0000

As I am planning my stories, I ask myself, “How do I want the reader to feel in the beginning? How do I want the reader to feel in the end?” Then I plan the trip. Often, I stop at several points along the way and ask, “How is the reader feeling right now?” That’s when I throw in a twist that will totally throw the reader. It’s too fun.