tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37800520.post5461984744963063286..comments2024-01-24T17:27:56.516-08:00Comments on One Word At A Time: Stages of WritingJoan Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13011766246198209544noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37800520.post-25547720165746499302007-02-22T08:19:00.000-08:002007-02-22T08:19:00.000-08:00Joan, this is an AWESOME post. I'm definitley cla...Joan, this is an AWESOME post. I'm definitley claiming the senior position. It's going to happen, and I'm so hoping it's with this book. I do believe in 'luck', being in the right place at the right time. But if that hasn't happened--and it hasn't happened to me--we just have to write a book so great that someome has to see how fabulous it is and snatch it up. <BR/><BR/>AboutEdie Ramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084144940233965447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37800520.post-23406244608950694752007-02-21T15:31:00.000-08:002007-02-21T15:31:00.000-08:00Here are the other definitions according to Ingerm...Here are the other definitions according to Ingermanson:<BR/><BR/>Freshmen are novice writers. They often have very fine content, but their craft is unpolished and they usually don't have any contacts at all. Most Freshmen are scared to death by the very idea of talking to an editor. Or they have an outrageous scheme for getting an editor's attention with the creative use of explosives and lingerie. Some Freshmen are simply astounded that editors aren't lining up to write checks for six-figure advances. But most Freshmen are convinced that they will never sell anything and they might as well give up. It's fair to say that all Freshmen are very confused. That's OK!<BR/><BR/>Sophomores have a bit of writing under their belts. They've improved their craft and probably also their content and they're starting to get restless. Just how long does it take to get published, anyway? And how do you write one of those book proposal things? And do I really have to meet editors? Does anybody ever actually get published by going to writer's conferences? Why can't those editors see that my book is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius and just publish the thing?<BR/><BR/>Juniors have gone even further. They've become strong writers. They've submitted some actual proposals at conferences. They've had an editor say those magic words -- "Send me that proposal." They've gotten that unmagic letter -- "We've studied your proposal carefully and it does not meet our needs at the present time." They now know a few editors. More importantly, editors are beginning to know their faces. Juniors are a frustrated lot. Their friends can't understand why they're not published. There is a reason, of course -- they're not Seniors yet.Joan Swanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13011766246198209544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37800520.post-39152012201662452052007-02-21T15:04:00.000-08:002007-02-21T15:04:00.000-08:00That's a good outlook, E. I guess I don't believe...That's a good outlook, E. I guess I don't believe in luck much. Maybe because my luck has never been spectacular. But it might be just that at this point. Although, I suppose my compulsive tendency to get even better can't hurt (except to drive me insane).<BR/><BR/>It's nice to know you have that certainty deep down -- helps me keep going when I don't have it.Joan Swanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13011766246198209544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37800520.post-51295603760715926152007-02-21T11:53:00.000-08:002007-02-21T11:53:00.000-08:00You always have such thought-provoking posts, J. ;...You always have such thought-provoking posts, J. ;)<BR/><BR/>Can you post the Freshman, Sophmore and Junior definitions? I think I'm a senior based off the definition you posted, but without the others it's hard to know if that's accurate or not.<BR/><BR/>That said, I think there are a lot of authors out there - that I interact with alone - who are on the verge of selling. At this point, it's not about talent or craft or even character anymore, it's luck. Are you hitting the right editor on the right day with the right story they need to fill that one shining spot? For me, it's really easy to get jealous of the "seniors" I see selling, but then I remind myself they had the luck that day. They hit the right person with the right story. Doesn't mean they write better than me. Doesn't mean it'll never happen. It just means I haven't been in the right place at the right time yet. <BR/><BR/>It'll happen. I believe it all the way down to my soul. You believe it too, or else you wouldn't still be here.Elisabeth Naughtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00310370376567468626noreply@blogger.com