If the desire of a writer is to be published then logic says they should write about topics which sell and be willing to push themselves forward. Self-publish if they can afford to. Join a writers’ co-op. I have only just realised that the little stories I post to substack, then turn (when I have the energy and time) into homemade booklets for customers at a cafe I frequent to read are ‘zines’. ‘Perzines’ to be precise. That some disappear I take as a compliment. I do not want the hassle of a publisher at my age (81), nor do I want to have to deal with the taxman. It is inevitable that scenarios will be duplicated and pinched, as are ideas. I get little feedback and that that I do I am grateful for. My local public transport maps attract far more attention and are published by others (buses are a passion and they crop up in my substack stories from time to time). The misery of writing and not being published is akin to sticking pins in your eyeballs! But if self-inflicted pain is what turns you on then do it! Not me. I am a wimp!🐰
Just seen this Betsy. Thank you. That you are one of the few I follow on substack should tell you how highly I regard you. My only advice is never use more than one pin at a time. 🐰
I occasionally succumb to envy of those whose book has sold more copies, but then I get an email or read a loving review and the struggle is all worthwhile.
The only person whose words and stories I put into my memoir is the funny and insightful guy I'm married to, with permission of course.
Those personal letters or nice reviews do help a lot. My son once asked me how many copies of Casualties were sold and when I told him and then how it was not a very high number compared to the hopes of the publisher or me, he said, "Are you kidding? That's a lot of people who read it. Aren't you glad when you think about that many people buying and then sitting down a reading it?" So, it was a good reminder that the books find their readers and the readers find their books. And it is all good.
I’d love a free department of salad subscription if it’s still up for grabs. I like how honestly you write about the jealousy that comes in the publishing journey.
You'll be able to decide for yourself, Robyn. You won a copy in this morning's drawing. Just DM me or email me your mailing address and I'll get it to you.
Oh, that is awesome, but I totally forgot about this contest and bought my own copy while I was in Boston, so please pass this one along to someone else who can enjoy this lovely book.
Yes. I have done this and continue to do this. But it doesn't mean I don't take breaks because it takes me so long that I need to get other things done. It's a long road sometimes.
Loved this interview with R.L. Maizes....and you've gotten me very interested in reading her books...Also betsy, love how honest you are about one's complex feelings about artist envy. When I was a much younger actress, I found myself saddled with jealousy of others (who seemed to be working more than me) and as I got older, and more confident, and worked more!, I noticed the envy lessening big-time. I also didn't like that about myself and worked on it/became more aware of it and I'd remind myself of Sylvia Plath's mother (in her diaries) telling her when she was struggling with envy: "there will always be writers more successful than you and less successful than you" (Paraphrasing)....That really stuck with me. And my own mother used to say, "You should never want someone else's life. You never know what that person is going through privately." Very few colleagues have the jealousy effect on me now I'm relieved to say and I'm genuinely happy for my colleagues' successes and have come to realize I am my only competition. If I work hard and am right for a role and the powers that be (the producers and directors) want me, then I'll be the choice.
That's an excellent paraphrase of an important fact. There are always people who are going to be more successful and less successful. There are always going to be more books coming. And, as a friend once told me way back when, "It's not a zero-sum game. The success of another doesn't translate into failure for you."
I am a writer. I write plays, poems, novels, short stories, essays, the works. I've never had a big publisher, but my poetry collections are published by a small publisher. I've had lots of plays produced, but not published. I write because it's who I am. I've written about people in my life, but so far no one's sued me. ha. I appear in a friend's book and that pleases me. I'd love to read Maizes's book. If I don't win it here, I'll put it on hold at the library. Thanks!
Well, she told me she was putting me in the book, but changing my name. So I suggested a name I wanted her to use, and she did. She changed the names of everyone in the book. Unnecessary in my case, but it's what she wanted.
Congratulations to Robyn Ryle and Cynthia Laddon Kaase who each won a copy of R.L.Maizes "A Complete Fiction" in this morning's random drawing. To everyone else -- ask your library to get it or treat yourself to a copy. You'll enjoy it!
If the desire of a writer is to be published then logic says they should write about topics which sell and be willing to push themselves forward. Self-publish if they can afford to. Join a writers’ co-op. I have only just realised that the little stories I post to substack, then turn (when I have the energy and time) into homemade booklets for customers at a cafe I frequent to read are ‘zines’. ‘Perzines’ to be precise. That some disappear I take as a compliment. I do not want the hassle of a publisher at my age (81), nor do I want to have to deal with the taxman. It is inevitable that scenarios will be duplicated and pinched, as are ideas. I get little feedback and that that I do I am grateful for. My local public transport maps attract far more attention and are published by others (buses are a passion and they crop up in my substack stories from time to time). The misery of writing and not being published is akin to sticking pins in your eyeballs! But if self-inflicted pain is what turns you on then do it! Not me. I am a wimp!🐰
I laughed at the end. Yes, most of this pain is self-inflicted. You sound so balanced and content by comparison!
Just seen this Betsy. Thank you. That you are one of the few I follow on substack should tell you how highly I regard you. My only advice is never use more than one pin at a time. 🐰
‘The story always has to be the dog and the message the tail even though the message is the impetus for the book.’
❤️☺️
You won, Cyndi! Watch for your copy to arrive soon.
I appreciated this quote too, Cyndi.
I occasionally succumb to envy of those whose book has sold more copies, but then I get an email or read a loving review and the struggle is all worthwhile.
The only person whose words and stories I put into my memoir is the funny and insightful guy I'm married to, with permission of course.
Those personal letters or nice reviews do help a lot. My son once asked me how many copies of Casualties were sold and when I told him and then how it was not a very high number compared to the hopes of the publisher or me, he said, "Are you kidding? That's a lot of people who read it. Aren't you glad when you think about that many people buying and then sitting down a reading it?" So, it was a good reminder that the books find their readers and the readers find their books. And it is all good.
I’d love a free department of salad subscription if it’s still up for grabs. I like how honestly you write about the jealousy that comes in the publishing journey.
This sounds right up my alley!
You'll be able to decide for yourself, Robyn. You won a copy in this morning's drawing. Just DM me or email me your mailing address and I'll get it to you.
Oh, that is awesome, but I totally forgot about this contest and bought my own copy while I was in Boston, so please pass this one along to someone else who can enjoy this lovely book.
Even better! I'll do it today
do you ever work so hard on a lengthy manuscript that means the world to you until it is done?
Yes. I have done this and continue to do this. But it doesn't mean I don't take breaks because it takes me so long that I need to get other things done. It's a long road sometimes.
Great interview!
Glad it caught you!
Loved this interview with R.L. Maizes....and you've gotten me very interested in reading her books...Also betsy, love how honest you are about one's complex feelings about artist envy. When I was a much younger actress, I found myself saddled with jealousy of others (who seemed to be working more than me) and as I got older, and more confident, and worked more!, I noticed the envy lessening big-time. I also didn't like that about myself and worked on it/became more aware of it and I'd remind myself of Sylvia Plath's mother (in her diaries) telling her when she was struggling with envy: "there will always be writers more successful than you and less successful than you" (Paraphrasing)....That really stuck with me. And my own mother used to say, "You should never want someone else's life. You never know what that person is going through privately." Very few colleagues have the jealousy effect on me now I'm relieved to say and I'm genuinely happy for my colleagues' successes and have come to realize I am my only competition. If I work hard and am right for a role and the powers that be (the producers and directors) want me, then I'll be the choice.
That's an excellent paraphrase of an important fact. There are always people who are going to be more successful and less successful. There are always going to be more books coming. And, as a friend once told me way back when, "It's not a zero-sum game. The success of another doesn't translate into failure for you."
I am a writer. I write plays, poems, novels, short stories, essays, the works. I've never had a big publisher, but my poetry collections are published by a small publisher. I've had lots of plays produced, but not published. I write because it's who I am. I've written about people in my life, but so far no one's sued me. ha. I appear in a friend's book and that pleases me. I'd love to read Maizes's book. If I don't win it here, I'll put it on hold at the library. Thanks!
That's interesting -- did your friend ask you ahead of time or warn you afterwards or just let you read it?
And "I write becuase it's who I am." is the thing I will be remembering for a long time to come.
Well, she told me she was putting me in the book, but changing my name. So I suggested a name I wanted her to use, and she did. She changed the names of everyone in the book. Unnecessary in my case, but it's what she wanted.
I'm glad you'll be remembering my words. :-)
Congratulations to Robyn Ryle and Cynthia Laddon Kaase who each won a copy of R.L.Maizes "A Complete Fiction" in this morning's random drawing. To everyone else -- ask your library to get it or treat yourself to a copy. You'll enjoy it!