What do you do when writers don't want to learn? (Moved from Novels)
- Thread starter Dancre
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I actually had one such person start crap with me in the Twitter urban fantasy chat a couple of weeks ago, insisting that NY will make you change everything and you won't be allowed to write what you want and other garbage like that. No matter how much I told him that wasn't correct, or how much other NY authors said the same, he kept insisting I was wrong/lying.
Finally I lost my temper and basically said, Yes, well, you're a fabulous artiste and I am obviously just a hack piece of shit. Thanks for the rudeness," and ignored him the rest of the time. That was actually quite unlike me; normally I get more polite the angrier I get.
People like that have an axe to grind. They will never be respectful; their jealousy and anger blinds them. Just ignore them. Let them have their fun wallowing in the mud. If they really irked me I would probably say something like, "Well, who knows, perhaps you are correct. All I know is I wrote my book this way, and it sold," or something like that. "All I know is this is the advice I see professional writers who make a living from their work give." Stay polite and distant; they're only making themselves look bad, really.
It's hard, I know. I hate dealing with those people, sigh.
Oh, that's weird. It goes from 21 straight to 23.
ETA: There's no post 27 either. What the fudge?
ETA: There's no post 27 either. What the fudge?
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PLEASE don't get me wrong. I've come across some great writers who self-published their books and they are wonderful people. It seems like maybe 10% of the SP group is this arrogant, you can't tell me nothing group, while the other 90% follows you around like puppy dogs begging for writing info. You have to beat them off with a stick. If just makes me sad, sad, sad when I see someone with so much potential refuse to listen to technique and write something that makes your eyes bleed. Then accuses the publishers of not understanding him. Sigh . . . Oh well.
As for the record, I've learned that learning new techniques is like getting a new hand tool for the tool box. My dad always said use the right tool for the right job. He used to yell at me when I'd use a shoe to drive a nail into the wall or a table knife as a screwdriver. I see writing the same way. If you use a certain technique, it will create a certain mood or picture or something. You get the idea. Thanks to everyone for your advice. And yes, I will move on and let them argue that technique stifles the creativity.
And yes, Virginia, there are other writer's boards out there. But be careful.
And stop using your shoe as a hammer!! Gesh!! Were you raised in a barn? - Dad.
As for the record, I've learned that learning new techniques is like getting a new hand tool for the tool box. My dad always said use the right tool for the right job. He used to yell at me when I'd use a shoe to drive a nail into the wall or a table knife as a screwdriver. I see writing the same way. If you use a certain technique, it will create a certain mood or picture or something. You get the idea. Thanks to everyone for your advice. And yes, I will move on and let them argue that technique stifles the creativity.
And yes, Virginia, there are other writer's boards out there. But be careful.
And stop using your shoe as a hammer!! Gesh!! Were you raised in a barn? - Dad.
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Well, that self-published writer is the idiot. There are no correct techniques or wrong techniques for writing - there are only techniques that work for you.
You can suggest to someone a way to solve a problem based on things that you have found have worked for you when faced with a similar problem. Anyone who tells you that this is wrong only proves themselves to be a ninny, because no one can tell you what does or does not work for you - only what does or does not work for them.
Let him continue thinking that. People like him/her don't want to be told, they don't want to learn - they only want to continue playing the expert because it makes up for whatever delusions or deficiences they've got going on in their life.
Feel free to post a differing opinion if you see them giving spectacularly bad advice, but don't engage with them. They're self-regarding, insular little numpties and not only will you never burst their bubble, but you'll just drive yourself nuts trying to do so.
Focus on trying to help those who want to be helped. Ignore the asshats.
MM
exactly!! Thanks to all. It's just plan sad!! And I love your nouns, ninneys and numpties. Hey, that's a great title, Ninneys and Numpties. 
))
And I think there's a big lesson here, just when we think we know everything about writing, we realize we know nothing. Writing is so complicated and artistic that you need to always be learning. There might be a better way to write something to make your writing turn from just writing to art. Stephen King calls it your tool box and each time you learn something you add a new tool to that box. And one more thing, I always think to myself about these arrogant writers, well, that's less competion for me.
)) And I think there's a big lesson here, just when we think we know everything about writing, we realize we know nothing. Writing is so complicated and artistic that you need to always be learning. There might be a better way to write something to make your writing turn from just writing to art. Stephen King calls it your tool box and each time you learn something you add a new tool to that box. And one more thing, I always think to myself about these arrogant writers, well, that's less competion for me.
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When someone starts doing that, I just consider them a troll or attempting to troll me and pass them off as an asshat.
It may not be a correct thing to do, but I've dealt with too many trolls to deal with another.
It may not be a correct thing to do, but I've dealt with too many trolls to deal with another.
Traditionally published writers work for the public? Well, yeah, they're the ones who will be buying my books!
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