Comments on: Reprise: The First Two Storyfix Posts. And So It Began.

By: Five Essential Writing Blogs

Five Essential Writing Blogs — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:20:49 +0000

[...] of getting published, this may be the most important site you will ever read. Start with his original post about what it takes to make it in the industry and then read every other article he ever posted. He will teach you how to craft a publishable [...]

By: Monica

Monica — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:03:24 +0000

Larry, you may have your deadlines, but I have no excuse. I just read this post, and only started today’s post.

And I can’t thank you enough for (re)posting this one! I wasn’t around when this came out the first time, so I am appreciating it for the first time. As a very new writer, this is a truly inspiring post. No, I don’t find it discouraging, b/c I’m not under the illusion that I’ve chosen an easy path. I’m stubborn enough to have been, on occasion, equated to a terrier. When I decide to go after something, I don’t quit.

If nothing else, my memories of finishing my dissertation provides me with insight into what it’s like to go after something beyond difficult, that takes everything you’ve got and then some more, and that statistics tell you you’re unlikely to finish. So, it took me 6 years :-p. I finished. And I’ll publish :-p. That’s my attitude, and I’m stickin’ to it. All the way thru, as I scratch and claw my way there.

Eh, sounds a little bit violent for hope, but there it is.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:34:23 +0000

Larry, this is a great post. I’m always looking for great writing tip blogs and while many come and go in my RSS feed, your is one that I really look forward to. Always such awesome advice. I love the golf example. It’s a great way to really bring out the concept of how tough this seemingly “reachable” goal is.. and the concluding image of holding a book with your name on it.. in a legitimate book store.. makes me feel a little guilty that I’m not relying on coffee as more of a crutch right now. I need to extend the moonlighting hours for sure. Thanks again for the always great and worthwhile content.

By: janice | Sharing the Journey

janice | Sharing the Journey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:56:09 +0000

I don’t usually re-read blogposts, but this one definitely stands the test of time. I know I ebb and flow a bit when it comes to the killer ideas and the clever prose you mention above, but your site and a few others that inspire me, keep me hopeful and eager to hone my craft.

I still get a thrill every time someone buys my book; it never goes away.

Keep cramming!

By: Larry

Larry — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:19:54 +0000

@Bruce — amen brother.

By: Bruce H. Johnson

Bruce H. Johnson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:08:50 +0000

For those of you who are parents with kids out of the nest:

Remember how difficult it was to raise them “properly?” How much you had to study and learn (My first wife couldn’t change a diaper; I simply read the directions and did it)?

We writers have to learn everything we can about the Craft, then apply it. It might take several passes such as different novels, etc., and several rewrites.

Remember as a parent when a child finally left home to be on their own? You’d done the best you could, now they have to survive on their own. Yes, you’d support and help, but it was still up to them.

Your novels are exactly like that. Do your damnedest to get the Craft of them the best you can. Then you can let them go out into the world you don’t control.

You can help them by publicity, blogging, or whatever, but conventional publishing success is still something you can’t control.

Now go write something great.