"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

[John Jarrold]

In many ways, writing is the bread and getting published is the jam on the bread. Of course many authors want commercial publication, but most will be eternally disappointed and should concentrate on loving their writing. Because those who start to write simply for commercial gain often lose their enthusiasm, and that comes through in their writing...

[gary compton]

Originally Posted by Doctor Sax

From the self-publishing thread:



Hmm. I really hope it wasn't the £300 grand advance that inspired you to start writing, because the odds are you (and me, and all of us on this board) are going to be sorely disappointed.

No it wasn't the 300K actually - it was because she seemed so down to earth and wasn't particularly eloquent and because I am also as common as muck I thought I could do that...no problem.

Unfortunately I found out that it isn’t that easy but I am persevering. Just one thing though I don’t think talking about financial reward should be a taboo subject after all publishing is a commercial business.

[John Jarrold]

No, too right - it's just I don't want anyone to think that getting to the point of an offer being made for their novel is a likely occurence for most of them. 99% (or more) of writers who submit their work to publishers will never, ever see their book in print from a mainstream publisher.

So thinking about the actual writing, refining it, working on the prose, the characters, the setting, the dialogue - these are all the areas that need to be looked at first.

[gary compton]

I understand that totally, you have seen my work so you know that I have no chance of being published at the moment but hopefully taking on board your comments and what I have learned at a writing course that I have been attending you will see an improvement on the next draft. Whether it moves me to the 'Getting Published' category we will have to wait and see.

Surely learning to write and to do it well enough for a publisher to want your book is a long process and also its maximizing whatever talent you have got. Speaking for myself I believe I have a great imagination but lack writing skills but I also believe rightly or wrongly that those skills can be learnt and that's what I am trying to do. I am motivated primarily by wanting to write well and secondly by wanting to acquire a huge mountain of cash for my work and spend my days writing successful books for years to come.

[John Jarrold]

Onwards, ever onwards!!!

[gary compton]

"This time next year John we will be millionaires."

[John Jarrold]

Though possibly not driving Reliant Robins...or drinking from glasses with umbrellas sticking out of them...

[David Elliott]

Never mock the Pina Colada ... it's a fine drink.

There was one episode where he ordered a Malibu and Cherryade.

Mmmmm ....

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

In many ways, writing is the bread and getting published is the jam on the bread. Of course many authors want commercial publication, but most will be eternally disappointed and should concentrate on loving their writing. Because those who start to write simply for commercial gain often lose their enthusiasm, and that comes through in their writing...

This is so true.

I often wonder if a lot of people these days think "writing a bestseller" is the modern equivalent of a pervious generation's desire to become a "Hollywood Star". For most of us want to be writers it is not going to happen.

I know I didn't start with the idea of selling a novel, that came later, much later. The reason I started writing was because I wanted to see if I could do it, actually write a story from beginning to end and have it make sense. Once I had done it I wanted to see if I could actually sell something I had written. Still working on that. (well, to sell a novel. I have managed to sell a few short stories and I am very proud of that) If I ever do sell a novel I am going to enjoy every moment of it, and hope that I will be able to sell another. I know that is not always the case. Anyway, its nice to have a goal to strive for. Each time I write a novel my writing improves and I learn more about the industry, so I can't complain, it keeps me out of trouble, or should I say in the bar at Cons..

[gary compton]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Though possibly not driving Reliant Robins...or drinking from glasses with umbrellas sticking out of them...

Nice one Dave!!

[Triceratops]

Absolutely essential that the writer undertake this craft with a hefty dose of reality and write with their heads slighly below the cloud deck. It's a very tough and competitive business. Do it for the love, experiment a bit, touch that toe in the water and feel the temp, before deciding to wade into the surf. If you've hung with it a few years, have several books under you belt, and are not afraid of research/submission/rejections, then it might be time to throw on the trunks and take a swim. However, Keep your expectations grounded--grow that thick skin--you'll need it.

Tri

[lin robinson]

But know what, there are PLENTY of very successful books written right in the clouds. People like them.
You don't write something like The Little Prince from a hardball grasp of publishing politics and demographic positioning.

I would say, take "the craft" as you find it, use that grounded, thick skin for marketing.

[Karen Dales]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

In many ways, writing is the bread and getting published is the jam on the bread. Of course many authors want commercial publication, but most will be eternally disappointed and should concentrate on loving their writing. Because those who start to write simply for commercial gain often lose their enthusiasm, and that comes through in their writing...

Despite the fact that I am not a published author, the MAIN reason for seeking publication is so that I can share my creativity with friends and family. I know it's a crap shoot to become a successfully published author, even if professionally published. I'm not in it to make money. I've learned a lot about the business of creative arts from my husband (musician and production engineer) and fame is very fleeting at best. That's why, if I haven't been able to find an agent and/or publisher by a particular date, I'm going to seriously consider self publishing so I CAN share my love of writing with people.

Karen

[John Jarrold]

Yes, everyone must deal with this in the way that suits them personally. Again, no absolute template...

[David Elliott]

For me, it's always been a case of trying to recreate the feeling I had as a teenager, when I first discovered people like Stephen King, Cliver Barker, James Herbert, etc; that feeling of being completely absorbed into the world on the page ...

When my writing's flowing, I feel something similar to that, and that's my main reason for sitting in front of the computer every day. I mean, don't get me wrong, it'd be great if someday, other people were to get the same kind of experience from something I'd written ... but mainly it's a bit of a compulsion; I get very cranky if I haven't got a new writing project on the go!