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Post by HDSimplicityy on Dec 9, 2020 18:07:31 GMT -6
Not sure whether to post this in Writing Questions or Resources. Its both.
I have two writers websites that have emailed me on their books on this: how to plan effectively, write faster, get done faster, write more during the year, and more efficiently, and become a pro. One is from an author and one is from a group. So... as much as I want to buy their planning tools, are books like these worth using? |
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Post by doublejay9 on Dec 10, 2020 9:25:27 GMT -6
I personally wouldn’t find them useful. Mainly because I’ve spent so much time experimenting with various systems and figuring out what works best with my brain. Also I’ve got a DIY attitude, so at best I’d read the book, hack off the bits of the system I liked, scrap the rest, and eventually settle back into my old patterns anyway.
I can see where such books would be useful for others. People who are starting out or want a pre-built system to follow. If you’re in that situation, then do consider them. My two cents is that no book can replace honest experimentation and determining what works best for you.
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Post by RAVENEYE on Dec 10, 2020 9:45:59 GMT -6
Hmm, yeah, books that promise faster and better usually seem to be by blessed folks who found a system that works for them and are trying to make a buck off it. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean there aren't good tips and habits to develop. I can see such formulae being really useful if one is in a job writing for deadlines and needing a kick in the pants to get more work done. Yes, good little drones need to write more, more, more. (Do I sound jaded?)
Good discipline writes novels too. There, I said it--for free. B.I.C. --> Butt in chair. Finish what you start. Sacrifice something you love for something you love more (that's the part people don't like). Write as often as your brain can handle it and often when it can't (people don't usually like that either, b/c it sounds like WORK, omg). That'll get the book written, and no one paid me a dime. (Damn, I should write a book on it.)
But if it promises to make you a "pro" novelist when it's the gatekeepers who determine what gets published, then that's a gimmick making a buck on people's unfulfilled dreams. Be cautious in that instance.
As for the rest, it can't hurt to give it a glimpse, eh? I'm kinda curious myself. If you give the books a try, I'd love your opinion on them.
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Post by HDSimplicityy on Dec 10, 2020 21:11:45 GMT -6
I personally wouldn’t find them useful. Mainly because I’ve spent so much time experimenting with various systems and figuring out what works best with my brain. Also I’ve got a DIY attitude, so at best I’d read the book, hack off the bits of the system I liked, scrap the rest, and eventually settle back into my old patterns anyway. I can see where such books would be useful for others. People who are starting out or want a pre-built system to follow. If you’re in that situation, then do consider them. My two cents is that no book can replace honest experimentation and determining what works best for you. That is what I normally do. However, every once in a while there is a system that works where I dont remove parts. Example: the Snowflake method. I did part of it to finish writing my books first draft this spring. Next time I want to use the full system. Otherwise I fall to bullet point notes that may or may not be in order, test scenes, concepts in paragraph form.
I am tired of it. It has worked every time however. My main goal is just to complete stories faster, like the experienced writers on LegendFire. Get finished sooner rather than many months or years later, polish them, go for publishing. You are where I want to follow.
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Post by HDSimplicityy on Dec 10, 2020 21:16:06 GMT -6
Hmm, yeah, books that promise faster and better usually seem to be by blessed folks who found a system that works for them and are trying to make a buck off it. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean there aren't good tips and habits to develop. I can see such formulae being really useful if one is in a job writing for deadlines and needing a kick in the pants to get more work done. Yes, good little drones need to write more, more, more. (Do I sound jaded?) Good discipline writes novels too. There, I said it--for free. B.I.C. --> Butt in chair. Finish what you start. Sacrifice something you love for something you love more (that's the part people don't like). Write as often as your brain can handle it and often when it can't (people don't usually like that either, b/c it sounds like WORK, omg). That'll get the book written, and no one paid me a dime. (Damn, I should write a book on it.) But if it promises to make you a "pro" novelist when it's the gatekeepers who determine what gets published, then that's a gimmick making a buck on people's unfulfilled dreams. Be cautious in that instance. As for the rest, it can't hurt to give it a glimpse, eh? I'm kinda curious myself. If you give the books a try, I'd love your opinion on them. Like doublejay said. Yep, they can bring up great habits, some tips. But to buy their book is riskier. Simplest answer is developing what you say I suppose. The author mentions she can teach writers how she writes novel drafts in 3-6 months! Two a year.. that is a lot. Any writer going for a novel would love that.
I am careful for reading books on writing. I will share what I think of them if or when I do.
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Post by RAVENEYE on Dec 10, 2020 23:31:20 GMT -6
Oh, wow.  Hmm, yes, if one is going for a commercial success which is all about quantity, then I can see this being the way to do it. A handful of years after that novelist is dead, will anyone remember her work? Point is, quantity vs. quality is something, I think, we as authors need to consider. Can one write lasting meaningful novels twice a year? It might pay the bills though. So I guess which path an author takes is a rather difficult decision. Commercial security vs. lasting impact on humanity. I can see the lure of both. But I'm not sure one can DO both. Maybe some rare genius author can, but I've not found and read their work to date. Quality, IMO, takes time. If anyone is aware of one of these rare authors who can produce quality + quantity, please post their names/titles. I'd be interested in peeking at what they produce. (And if anyone mentions the name of that author who uses ghost writers to write his novels I'm gonna go jump off a cliff.  Just sayin'.)
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Post by doublejay9 on Dec 11, 2020 10:37:51 GMT -6
This is why I'm using a different form of writing to gain that commercial security. (Not that it's uber-secure or tons of $$$ at the moment, but it's a work in progress.) I've made my peace with the possibility that my creative work may never earn me much money, if any. Sharing it with the world means much more to me. Long story short, I'm content with self-publishing on my blog for the foreseeable future. I do want to try for something more traditional one day, whether that's a formal publishing deal with an agent or DIY through Amazon. Getting that commercial security, though, is the fish I need to fry.
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Hmm, yes, if one is going for a commercial success which is all about quantity, then I can see this being the way to do it. A handful of years after that novelist is dead, will anyone remember her work? Point is, quantity vs. quality is something, I think, we as authors need to consider. Can one write lasting meaningful novels twice a year? It might pay the bills though. So I guess which path an author takes is a rather difficult decision. Commercial security vs. lasting impact on humanity. I can see the lure of both. But I'm not sure one can DO both.
Just sayin'.)
You add them to your profile as you do them around the forum.
