Sorry about this folks, but I do need to get some paid work out of the way before the end of the month. This is in lieu of proper blogging.
Jed Hartman pointed me at the Geek Feminism Blog, and in particular the Where are all the men bloggers? post, which is hilarious.
Justine is absolutely spot on when she says that wannabe writers tend to ask Very Wrong Questions.
Crochety claims that Jules Verne and HG Wells didn’t write science fiction because they didn’t call it “science fiction”, which I think is the stupidest thing I have heard on a very stupid topic for a very long time.
Damien Walter wants to start a Support Our Zines Day, and as he’s planning to donate money to Clarkesworld as part of it I’m certainly in favor, though there are, of course, many other fine zines out there that deserve your support.
Tim Holman has some more fascinating data, this time proving that urban fantasy is keeping the SF&F business afloat.
I never said that!, lol. I was responding to IO9, which all by itself is probably the stupidest thing I’ve done in a while.
I was referencing the name itself…
dang, I can’t edit the post…
IO9 said: Science fiction started with novels and pulps, but mass consumption of the genre truly began when spaceships, aliens, time travel, and preternatural events invaded the small screen.
Then I said:
Depends on what you mean by science fiction, so far as the starting thing is concerned, but NOTHING was labelled science fiction (scientifiction) until the pulps in 1926, so – No. Science Fiction started with the pulps.
See – I was referring to the label.
I may still be stupid though…
If I read the expression ‘wannabe writer’ one more time, I’m going to explode – or say something very rude in public. If you want to write, then write. And write. Then you’re not wannabe anything. You are already a writer.
Conventional publishing was once the only significant way to disseminate your work. No longer.
Steve:
Oh,. I see, you were trying to find a rationale for something that io9 said. Yes, that is pretty silly really.
Lee:
Justine’s point was that these people were not writing. They were looking for ways to become successful at writing that didn’t actually involve much writing. Mainly, I suspect, because they believe that success is all down to how you market yourself, not how good your writing is.
Hi Cheryl,
Yes, I know that was Justine’s point. However, what lies behind it all is the assumption that publishing – conventional publishing – is the measure of a true writer. Let’s be honest: most writers, critics, and litbloggers believe that as well. Most times, they won’t admit it, at least not in public, but it’s what they generally think. See any reviews of online indie fiction lately?
Lee:
You are starting to get boring. I am so not interested being baited by you.
I apologise if I seemed to be baiting you, which wasn’t my intention in the least. Just the opposite: I respect your independence of mind! I was speaking in general about the problems of writers who prefer to go the indie route; their struggle against the onus of unpublished; of wannabe. It’s a tough battle.
I do think it’s important to ask now, in the electronic age, why so many people still aspire to conventional publication. I feel this question is relevant to larger cultural issues, questions like whose voices are going to be heard, will fiction develop into a more communal rather than individual art form, etc.
But I won’t comment again on this post rather than bore anyone further.
I am going to go away and breath deeply for a long time and then maybe I won’t blacklist you.
I agree with Cheryl completely. There are far too many people who say, “one day I’m going to write a novel.” As a friend used to say, “pee, or get off the pot!” If all you do is talk about writing, when will you actually write, write, and then write some more?
Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Thanks for the links too!
Cheryl,
“Oh,. I see, you were trying to find a rationale for something that io9 said. Yes, that is pretty silly really.”
Does that mean my statement is no longer the stupidest thing you’ve seen on a stupid topic for a long time? LOL
“I do think it’s important to ask now, in the electronic age, why so many people still aspire to conventional publication.”
Cheryl – are you on prozac or something? Breathing deeply indeed. I’m banging my head against the wall…
Steve:
No, the statement is still stupid, but the origins of it are much more understandable.
As to Prozac, check the byline on that comment again.