Writers as protagonists

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Rick Wyman

Rick Wyman

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Sep 24, 2011
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My own writing career never kindled. But the first chapter of a novel I was writing impressed my writing professor so much that he recommended (in front of the class) I send it to his editor at Viking. The editor sent a nice note saying that, while he found the writing "exciting", writers writing about writers "set [his] teeth on edge." I lost heart (for this and other reasons) and never finished the novel. But these days I think of
Ben Mears, Jack Torrance, Bill Denbrough, Jim Gardner, Thad Beaumont, Paul Sheldon, Mike Noonan, Mort Rainey - and I just smile.
 
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TKP

TKP

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Sep 13, 2017
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Hey, just wanted to pop by and say that I don't know if you've ever thought about it but maybe it was just that editor's preference and that maybe there could be other editors out there that would like your work/ideas. You never know what could've been and if you have the opportunities you should try 'em. :) Wishing you luck, T.
 
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recitador

recitador

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Rick Wyman said:
My own writing career never kindled. But the first chapter of a novel I was writing impressed my writing professor so much that he recommended (in front of the class) I send it to his editor at Viking. The editor sent a nice note saying that, while he found the writing "exciting", writers writing about writers "set [his] teeth on edge." I lost heart (for this and other reasons) and never finished the novel. But these days I think of
Ben Mears, Jack Torrance, Bill Denbrough, Jim Gardner, Thad Beaumont, Paul Sheldon, Mike Noonan, Mort Rainey - and I just smile.
Click to expand...

that seems like a terrible critique, and a terrible reason to reject something out of hand. i sure hope he had more than not liking writers writing about writers as criticism. how was your story structure, characterization, dialogue, or any one of a dozen other things? considering some of the crap that makes it to publishing, criticizing something based on the subject instead of its merits seems like a failure on his part.
 
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Grannie CeeCee

Grannie CeeCee

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Sep 7, 2017
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finish it. It's never too late. I'm pushing 60, had a 20 year long block, but I'm back in it. I don't even care at this point what anyone thinks of what I'm doing - good, bad, indifferent - I'm digging it, so that's all that matters right now. I have two friends who never pursued their true passion because some drip somewhere told them no once.

Just write it.
 
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Kurben

Kurben

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Apr 12, 2014
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Critics be damned! At least that kind of criticism. You write for you (At least i write for myself because i think its fun) and if its fun or fulfilling for you then you should write. Then go to another editor. They are like snowflakes you know, no two are alike!
 
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Doc Creed

Doc Creed

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Grannie CeeCee said:
finish it. It's never too late. I'm pushing 60, had a 20 year long block, but I'm back in it. I don't even care at this point what anyone thinks of what I'm doing - good, bad, indifferent - I'm digging it, so that's all that matters right now. I have two friends who never pursued their true passion because some drip somewhere told them no once.

Just write it.
Click to expand...
For me, this is the single most alluring thing about pursuing a writing career post-fifty. It is a career where age is actually an asset, provided one has enduring mental health, and an aging writer has so much to offer. I've been writing since I was seventeen and it's not until now that I see any significant improvement. In many occupations time can be an enemy but for a writer it can be essential for growth. Best of luck with what you're working on!
 
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muskrat

muskrat

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Nov 8, 2010
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Under your bed
You either love doing it or you don't. You'll know it when you feel it, once yer gears are properly greased. Whether or not it's published is of no concern, you just gotta love getting behind that steam engine and rolling.

That's how it feels for me; like the old work table is the engine of a big long train, choogling on into other worlds. It's a narrow room in which I do my deeds, walls on either side lined with bookshelves. Books on them shelves sometimes seem to flicker by like picket fences.

Uh...as far as writer as protagonist (what I thought we was talkin about inna first place), I always dig it. Love them kinda books. Thems my favorite.
 
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