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Writers: Would you rather:?
04-03-2014, 06:24 PM
Post: #1
Writers: Would you rather:?
It's either or, not none or all.

Would you rather:

1) Write a bad novel that was a commercial success or write a novel that was a literary success with industry elites (but the book was a flop with readers)?

2) Teach writing at the university level or high school level?

3) Teach a writing course at a writer's conference or teach a writing course online?

3) Write a short story or a novel?

4) Go on a blog tour or a physical book tour?

5) Have a facebook author page or a twitter account?

6) Write a book series or write a stand alone novel?

7) Write a serial for a magazine or write a novel?

8) Self-publish or publish with a trade publisher?

9) Have control over your title or have control over how your cover design?

10) Have a movie based on your book or a tv show based on your book?

11) Have Stephen King blurb your book or have J K Rowling blurb your book?
@gemini - Re: #1 - not necessarily. Do you think Twilight or 50 Shades are literary successes? I probably should have used a better word like critical acclaim (like you did), but I mean something that's more respected by literary elites or something that would be taught in school/uni because of it's literary merit (which is what I think you've figured out based on the rest of your answer). And critical acclaim and commercial success does not go hand-in-hand. There are many great literary fiction titles that garner great literary/critical/whatever you-want-to-call-it reviews & respect from industry professionals, but still go undiscovered by the masses simply because most people aren't reading them. Most people these days are reading genre, which, if you ask many genre writers, (genre) doesn't get the respect it deserves from the professionals in the industry. So, chances are even more so that that great literary fiction title that could be taught on a college level
(cont.) even more so that that great literary fiction title that could be taught on a college level isn't being read by the masses. If ur not being read then you're not a commercial success. & literary fiction isn't selling as well as genre.

& I use literary fiction as an example because those types of books are the books that are most likely to get the attention of literary reviewers (I'm talking about those reviewers that like to analyze books for deeper meanings, because lets face it, genre is less likely to be those types of books) and be taught in schools and colleges. Not saying genre can't be the same, because The Magician Kings comes to mind, but that doesn't represent the whole of genre fiction.
(cont.) So, perhaps I should have been a bit clearer in what I meant, but I also think you understand what I meant based on your answer. I can't say that commercial success and literary success go hand-in-hand because if that were the case, literary fiction would be selling much better than it is now, and that's where you're more likely to see the kind of reviews and respect i"m talking about in regards to books & you'd see more literary fiction that are commercial successes, yet those that have garnered a lot of industry respect arent' getting the kind of commercial success they should have (based on what you've said). just my logic.
@Gemi - okay, I understand your point now. Can't say we completely agree, but that's the thing about books and publishing, you can ask 50 writers/reviewers/readers and can't get them to agree with each other & even a topic like this would be debated endlessly on any writers board (seen it a million times). It's debatable and it comes down to perceptions and opinions and many times your own experiences. thanks for answering. Smile

& to be honest, I really want to keep this debate with you going...but my Add-ons would too long. Big Grin
@dna - your reasoning for #2 is spot-on. In high school, you get kids who don't want to be there, dont' care to do the work, and even act out and disrupt class. In college, they're a bit more mature and they or their parents are paying for it and they don't come unless they want to be there, so they're less likely to disrupt class and make life difficult for the teacher to teach (or students to learn). That's one thing I noticed when I was a freshman in college; fewer disruptions and no misbehaving students. Smile

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04-03-2014, 06:37 PM
Post: #2
 
1) Write a book which was a flop with readers but a commercial success. There's always a chance of getting new readers in the future, whereas a bad novel popularity might just be a phase.

2) High school, seeing some of the grammar and spelling 14 year olds come out with on here I'd say it won't be wasted...

3) Online. I'd be too nervous to talk in front of a bunch of people!

4) Blog tour.

5) Facebook. I can actually use and understand Facebook...

6) Stand alone novel.

7) The novel.

8) Trade publisher

9) Have control over the title.

10) TV show. That would be awesome!

11) Um, Rowling. Only because I grew up with her books.

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04-03-2014, 06:51 PM
Post: #3
 
This is awesome!

1. Bad novel with commercial success.
2. University level. I'm already a university student and those youngens (hehe...I'm in my early 30s) irritate the crap out of me.
3. Online. I have been to conferences. The people who usually attend are crazy as f**k.
4. Short story.
5. Physical tour. I like traveling.
6. Facebook page. I already manage two pages for my blogs.
7. Stand alone. Too much pressure with a series.
8. Serial for a magazine. I'm a journalism major. I'm probably better suited to write for magazines.
9. Trade publisher.
10. Cover design. I suck at coming up with titles so I'd rather someone else did it.
11. Movie.
12. Tough call. Probably J.K. Rowling. I am not a huge fan of either author but I'd still prefer Rowling over King.
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04-03-2014, 06:58 PM
Post: #4
 
1. Write something good. I already have a job that pays the bills.
2. High School. I have experience there and college kids p*ss me off.
3. Teach live, again, that's what I've done before
3. Novel
4. Physical
5. Facebook.
6. Stand alone.
7. Novel
8. Write something good enough for trade publication
9. Title
10. Film.
11. KIng
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04-03-2014, 07:06 PM
Post: #5
 
3 & 10 (:
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04-03-2014, 07:14 PM
Post: #6
 
1. Write a novel that was a literary success with industry elites but a flop with readers. I probably should go with the other one because I ain't exactly rich, but I'd rather write something good and know it's good than something terrible.
2. High school. I'm barely in high school now (just finished 9th grade) so the thought of teaching university terrifies me.
3. Novel. I like short stories, but I prefer novels and writing one is my current goal.
4. I would love a physical book tour, but I have social anxiety disorder so I'll have to go with blog.
5. Probably Twitter. Both of them have their fair share of crazy/generally annoying people, but I despise Facebook.
6. I'd have to think about it-I love series, but I can't really see myself successfully writing one. Maybe stand alone novel.
7. Novel.
8. Trade publisher.
9. Cover design. I don't care about titles (plus I suck at coming up with them) but I always have ideas for a cover whenever I start writing something.
10. It depends on whether I think it's more suited for a movie or a show. Probably movie, but in some cases a book just seems better fitted for a TV show.
11. Stephen King!
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04-03-2014, 07:23 PM
Post: #7
 
1) Commercial success IS literary success. The "elites" value their profit margin, not the number of critics you impressed. But if authors gain critical acclaim, they tend to also be commercially successful. So they go hand-in-hand regardless. Anyway, I'd rather write for commercial success. I need to support my family and am trying to do that via writing. If my writing wasn't selling it would defeat the purpose to writing it. I'm not writing it to hear myself think.

2) University level. I have very little patience with high school antics and a teenager's level of skill/understanding.

3) Online, with videos. More freedom and flexibility with schedule.

4) Short story for quick pocket money. Novel for real cash. Overall, I prefer writing novels.

5) Neither b/c they aren't worth the effort. Only a very select few of your particular reader demographic would be present in each. I'd rather have my own website and blog. But if I had to choose: blog tour.

5) Both Facebook and Twitter. Whichever my fans subscribe to more is what I'd prefer. I need to keep them update, after all.

6) I have no preference for series or standalone stories. It depends on what the story requires.

7) Novel. Serializing a novel is tedious if you're writing as you go, especially when you have to break your writing process to edit each chapter before submitting it to the magazine. But, if I was strapped for cash, serializing is a decent way to make fast money.

8) I will only self publish electronically. That means I'd have to sell print rights to a trade publisher. Sadly, publishers fight tooth and nail for ebook subsidiary rights.

9) Title. Cover means nothing and authors have very little say regardless. If a reader is dissuaded by a cover, they're likely not my reader demographic anyway. I write fantasy and require readers with an imagination.

10) Depends on the quality of director/producer. A movie could yield more money unless produced at a low budget/with poor vision. Tv sitcoms are too volatile. They break contracts all the time.

11) Stephen King. I don't and will never value Rowling's opinion. And I personally wouldn't want her endorsement associated with my name.

EDIT:
If a book gained critical acclaim (awards/reviews), then it provides additional publicity, which results in more commercial success than it would've received without the reviews. "50 Shades" received more publicity from its negative reviews, resulting in its commercial success. That doesn't mean that commercial success is synonymous with "bad writing," as you suggest. That was the point I was making. Literary success is defined by its contribution/influence to literature. You can't influence anyone if they haven't heard of you, and you need commercial success to be heard of.

Either way, I'd personally rather make money than receive the well-wishes of some critic. Money feeds my family. All a critic does is give me free publicity. He's just a freelance writer selling articles to periodicals like 'Publishers Weekly.'

And yes, 'Twilight' could be considered a literary success, as it influenced '50 Shades of Grey'. Similarly, '50 Shades of Grey' will influence forthcoming literature. Do they lack substance? To you and I they might, but not to those who find quality in them.
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04-03-2014, 07:24 PM
Post: #8
 
Yay! I am so in the mood to answer these kind of questions!

1) Write a bad novel that was a commercial success or write a novel that was a literary success with industry elites (but the book was a flop with readers)?
Which one am I more passionate about? I'd say commercial success, I've always wanted to reach out to a reader, and I'd be happy if I could do that.

2) Teach writing at the university level or high school level?
I feel too unexperienced to answer this question because I've only been to secondary school out of the two options. High school... No. You get people there who don't want to be there and I don't think I'd be good in a classroom environment. In Uni people actually want to be there and I feel like I'm actually learning something that I can apply to more book (we've had a few Uni taster day sessions which is what I'm basing this on). In school it's just essay essay essay.

3) Teach a writing course at a writer's conference or teach a writing course online?
Online.

3) Write a short story or a novel?
NOVEL! Short stories are too... short. I can never write a story realistically if I feel restricted.

4) Go on a blog tour or a physical book tour?
Er... Physical book tour. Come on, that would be so exciting. Nerve-wracking but fun.

5) Have a facebook author page or a twitter account?
Twitter. More publicity when advertising for my demographic, even though I always forget my Twitter password.

6) Write a book series or write a stand alone novel?
That depends on the idea, but I'm not the best at deciding a solid ending so book series. That way I get to keep it going, keep my characters alive.

7) Write a serial for a magazine or write a novel?
Novel. (Always choose fiction, always choose fiction, always choose fiction, always choose...)

8) Self-publish or publish with a trade publisher?
This is so what I'm contemplating at the moment (even though I'm nowhere near publishing). I used to always want to be published with a trade publisher, and regarded self-publishing as cheating. I was wrong, I was so wrong. Self-publishing is not cheating.
Now I like the idea of self-publishing because it's more independent and you can do a lot yourself.
Trade publishing... I think it's my dream. I *think* it is. Damn. I don't think I'm scared of getting rejected from them because that's inevitable at one stage or another, but I am scared of being a failure for them. I don't like business...
Self-publishing seems so much harder, and when I say that I mean harder to advertise and get out there. But if you do it right then you could be successful.
I don't know. Can I try both? Haha.
Might have to pass on this question.
(My heart is still saying trade publishing. I know I still want that... but I think I'm only just realising how hard it is).

9) Have control over your title or have control over how your cover design?
Cover design. Cover design will draw more people in, plus if you write the title in a cool font, who cares what it's called? Lol. I can't stand bad covers.

10) Have a movie based on your book or a tv show based on your book?
Hmm... both can be done well. (See The Hunger Games movie and Game of Thrones TV series, both of which I like as much as the books). Personally, I like TV series better and think that generally appear more realistic to me, so I'd go for that. But if it's what I think will be more popular with readers, for the novel I'm writing now, I'd pick movie.

11) Have Stephen King blurb your book or have J K Rowling blurb your book?
JK Rowling. I think she suits my novel more.
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04-03-2014, 07:32 PM
Post: #9
 
Hello Joss. You are my favourite question-er. Have I told you this before? What a fabulous question.
1) Commercial success or Literary Success?
This is hard to answer! I wouldn't mind having some padding in my pocket, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to bear with the shame of having made money off a pile of crap for the rest of my life. It'd suck to be associated with the writers that I've looked down upon for doing just that. I'll go for literary success just for some peace of mind.

2) Teach writing at the university level or high school level?
High school! I've been volunteering and working with high school youth from all sorts of backgrounds for a year or so and the things they go through are so amazing and heart-breaking. I know teaching isn't the same as counselling but even as a teacher I'd hope to have an impact on them in such a vulnerable stage of their life. I hope that teaching them to create worlds where they are in control will help them like it helped me when my real world was breaking. There's a lot of brats in high school though. Not sure how I'd handle that.

3) Teach a writing course at a writer's conference or teach a writing course online?
I'm terrible at public speaking and writers' conferences sound way too glamorous for little old me. Online would be nice, I wouldn't mind meeting my students in real life at some point for a coffee either!

3) Write a short story or a novel?
Novels please.

4) Go on a blog tour or a physical book tour?
Physical book tour! That would be full of amazing.

5) Have a facebook author page or a twitter account?
I think facebook! I haven't got a very active twitter account, but I feel like facebook has more reach and there's a lot more things you can do on it!

6) Write a book series or write a stand alone novel?
This is hard. It's still hard even if I can write several stand alone novels. I'm going to say book series for now, since I have a rather splendid idea for one if I do say so myself. (It's dreadful, actually, shh)

7) Write a serial for a magazine or write a novel?
I'd quite like to write a serial for a magazine! I'm the sort of author that loves interacting with fans, and seeing their ideas and thoughts after each installment would be great Smile

8) Self-publish or publish with a trade publisher?
I'd feel really unworthy if I had to resort to self-publishing at any point, so option 2 Smile

9) Have control over your title or have control over how your cover design?
Title. I'm terrible with art and would do a catastrophe of a job on my cover design.

10) Have a movie based on your book or a tv show based on your book?
If it was a standalone, then a movie. If it was a series, then a tv show!

11) Have Stephen King blurb your book or have J K Rowling blurb your book?
Urgh. This is hard. I want to have an audience with a younger population so perhaps J K Rowling?
xxChae
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