Beware Young Writers…
…there’s a ton of crap you have to deal with out in the world. Plenty of nice people–people who understand that we’re all in this together, who are helpful, intelligent, responsive, and fun to talk to. This is what makes being a writer a joy.
Alas, there’re also a few cranks, jerks, and two-faced, smarmy jellyfish. So prep your armor and expect scars, because if you don’t, chances are you won’t last very long. The best advice I have is the advice I’ve had to take this week: try your hardest to ignore it because people who act in that way simply aren’t worth your time–and are a waste of time–and you should simply write better, longer, faster, harder–whatever it takes to leave those people in the dust. Even if it’s tough to ignore at times. I’ve survived blacklisting, idiots, my own stupidity, and people who have no honor and no scruples. How long you last is directly related to how long you can continue to write well and with originality in the face of this kind of crapola.
And, as a kind of aside, if you want to speak your mind, engage in arguments, and put your money where your mouth is, you’ll make more friends than you make enemies, but you will make enemies. Because most people can’t compartmentalize the argument and make it separate from the messenger. That said, we need more writers willing to enter into the trenches, not fewer. We need more writers who are willing to be honest. We don’t need more politicians.
Jeff
October 6, 2007 at 8:35 pm
“. . . you should simply write better, longer, faster, harder–whatever it takes to leave those people in the dust.”
I especially like that part.
Thanks for the frankness, Jeff. I like it. You got moxy. Wait . . . that’s cheesy, huh?
October 6, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I posted a link to this on my livejournal (not that anyone really looks at the damn thing — but I thought it was a message worth repeating). I discovered your blog by accident (or Fate), and I’ve found some of your advice to be indispensable for writers trying to break into speculative fiction. Ten Clues for the Clueless was a perfect example. Those unfortunate souls in my postion, who haven’t been published yet (but who are earnestly, doggedly, frantically trying to achieve that milestone), need this kind of information in the worst way. So, I’ll take it on to say thanks from all us fresh little newbs. Truly.
October 6, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Alas, there are too many things beginning writers have to experience for themselves–i.e., no matter what advice is given, you don’t really “own” it until you go through it. But, still, advice can knock a couple of years off of the learning curve.
jv
October 7, 2007 at 8:45 am
“Be quiet. When the dogs bark it means we are working”
-Don Quixote
October 7, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Wait… blacklisting?
October 7, 2007 at 3:58 pm
That should read “harder, better, faster, stronger”. Never fail to quote Daft Punk when the opportunity presents itself,
October 7, 2007 at 4:26 pm
“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”
- Ray Bradbury
October 7, 2007 at 4:33 pm
“We don’t listen to people who don’t like us”
-The Mooninites
October 7, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Oh–back in the day, some horror mags and a few other people, because I wrote a negative review of a year’s best antho.
jv
October 7, 2007 at 10:22 pm
[...] – Beware Young Writers… “… we need more writers willing to enter into the trenches, not fewer. We need more [...]
October 8, 2007 at 11:25 am
I misread the title and thought it read, Beware OF Young Writers. Even with my initial disappointment, it was still a good piece. As many know, I come from the “fuck ‘em” school and always bluntly but fairly speak my mind. That attitude has served me well more often than not. After some twenty years as an writer and editor, I have more friends than enemies. The key is consistency and to avoid personal attacks. I’ve written some particularly harsh words but they always come from a place of honesty and thoughtfulness. My friends like to joke that “I’m that bastard Klaw” and that I enjoy “pissing on dreams” (a story for another day.. perhaps when I am guest blogging), but if I was really that way no one would dare say those things to my face.
So good advice Jeff. Sounds similar to some of the advice I got in my 20s.
October 8, 2007 at 11:43 am
[...] All the young dudes “We need more writers who are willing to be honest. We don’t need more politicians.†[...]
October 8, 2007 at 1:14 pm
[...] you’ll make more friends than you make enemies, but you will make enemies. Because most people can’t compartmentalize the argument and make it separate from the messenger. [...]
Amen Brother!!
I tend to believe that we’ll actually make more enemies than friends, but the personal value of one friend makes up for the hundred or so enemies.