Writing

mainer

(12,208 posts)

12. When I was starting out decades ago, I found a writer's group helpful

Mon Aug 12, 2013, 01:17 PM

Aug 2013

But I chose a group of only fiction writers (i.e. no poets or non-fiction) who were committed to writing a certain number of pages each week. Also it's good to limit the size of such a group to maybe four or five people, and they must be respectful of whatever genre you choose to write. You don't want some snooty literary type who openly despises popular fiction, if that's what you're writing.

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Why do people who hardly read books think they can be authors? [View all] mainer Aug 2013 OP

I think it must be part of the Great American Dream. CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2013 #1

Narcissism. Chan790 Aug 2013 #2

These days I read legal briefs nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #16

actually, it is wired into us I think. Good or bad, I hail writers. roguevalley Sep 2014 #27

LOL. Neoma Aug 2013 #3

As Chan 790 says, narcissism. SheilaT Aug 2013 #4

When I was starting out decades ago, I found a writer's group helpful mainer Aug 2013 #12

Worse yet, I write science fiction. SheilaT Aug 2013 #13

SF is, if anything, unpredictable! mainer Aug 2013 #14

Sheesh. DavidDvorkin Aug 2013 #15

same rule applies to aspiring screenwriters.... TeamPooka Aug 2013 #5

I think almost anybody thinks they can be a writer. If they can write a grocery list, they think raccoon Aug 2013 #6

Anyone can write and I don't think that's a bad thing. hunter Aug 2013 #7

The New York Times best seller lists. SheilaT Aug 2013 #8

Another problem with best seller lists... Thespian2 May 2015 #37

I liken it to wannabe musicians who hardly listen to music mainer Aug 2013 #9

You're in good company Olive Birch Apr 2016 #41

Before audiobooks got big exboyfil Nov 2018 #51

The wannabe musicians who won't deign to learn how to count rhythm, how to play in tune, fierywoman Nov 2018 #52

What inspired this OP was a doctor who handed me his "book" mainer Aug 2013 #10

I write for fun and have no illusions about becoming published or about my work being good. valerief Aug 2013 #11

I guess my experience is different than many here. I agree with you, Valerief. roguevalley Sep 2014 #28

Absolutely. There's more narcissism in having children (I want a mini-me!) than in wanting to write. valerief Sep 2014 #30

Just happened to me again. ANOTHER doctor tried to hand me his manuscript, mainer Aug 2013 #17

Another reason so many semi-literates think they can be a writer, SheilaT Aug 2013 #18

Bubonicon sounds like fun. Great name for a conference! mainer Aug 2013 #19

Yes, it is a great name. SheilaT Aug 2013 #20

I was injured in 1991, nilesobek Jan 2014 #21

Please do press "send"!!! mainer Jan 2014 #22

It would be awesome to be able to inspire someone. nilesobek Jan 2014 #24

Far better that YOU get it published. It's your story. mainer Jan 2014 #25

Curiously enough, it was reading that started me writing. Savannahmann Jan 2014 #23

I love to read and cntrygrl Feb 2014 #26

try it anyway. tell it on paper like you are talking to someone. Start small, then roguevalley Sep 2014 #29

Just do it JennyD Feb 2015 #33

I never wrote a masterpiece... Thespian2 May 2015 #38

This message was self-deleted by its author dreambeliever Feb 2015 #31

In the strictest sense of the word, you're correct that SheilaT Feb 2015 #32

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2015 #34

hard to finish Zippyjuan May 2015 #35

Here's another problem with the world of on-line publication. SheilaT May 2015 #36

Another thought sam_i_am Jul 2015 #39

Yep. Ideas are a dime a dozen SheilaT Jul 2015 #40

This pet peeve transcends many professions. Olive Birch Apr 2016 #42

Good point. SheilaT Apr 2016 #43

I guess it's for the same reason that people think they are experts raccoon Dec 2016 #44

I'm someone who loves to read, and who reads a lot. PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2016 #45

Those who hardly think they are authors Goose3 Aug 2017 #46

Yes. Academic writing is another problem. PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2017 #47

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2017 #48

Ignorance Separation Oct 2018 #49

There really is this sense out there that anyone can write. And be published. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2018 #50

You make a good point. LaelthsDaughter Feb 2021 #53