Is it Just A Pipe Dream??

AngelPrincess09 · Post by **AngelPrincess09** » 07 Feb 2010, 18:09

Has anyone through about becoming a writer. Writing books for children.
And getting them published. Was just a pipe dream. A fantasy. Not having it come true?

She would just like to figure out. How to become a children's writer. Hopefully get even one book publish.
But want nothing to do with the fame side of it. Like book signings, meeting fans etc??

Would like some feedback on this one?

Angel xxx

AdamWest · Post by **AdamWest** » 09 Feb 2010, 15:12

Pipe dreams only exist if you let them, you NEED to be more confident, you can achieve anything. No one has limits and I'm sorry if you were raised to believe you have any limitations at all, because you don't. Go BE a writer. You will run into obstacles and at times it will be easy to quit, but just don't. That's part of what makes it so great when you reach your goal, those obstacles are there to keep the people who don't want it badly enough away from getting waht they want.

w.s.scotti · Post by **w.s.scotti** » 08 Mar 2010, 13:06

I'm afraid with writing book signing and interviews are a big part of the success of being an author however you can control your privacy and what people know of you.Think of book signing not as something you have to do but as a thank you to those who have bought your book because without them your book would not be out there. So you go do a book signing.

MrWright · Post by **MrWright** » 09 Mar 2010, 08:37

There's a book called We Can't All be Astronauts, by Tim Clare, about the workings of the publishing industry, and the author's own attempts to get his novel published. It's a bit cynical and dispiriting, although still a funny and informative read.

dollhouse · Post by **dollhouse** » 03 Apr 2010, 22:29

thanks mrWright, i'm gonna check that out.

i think AdamWest's response is on the money. being a success is tough work, but those hurdles are there to weed out the people who aren't willing to do the work.

MrWright · Post by **MrWright** » 04 Apr 2010, 10:34

Something I've suspected for a while is that when it comes to getting a book deal, talent (and even hard work) are of only minimal significance.

To quote Tim Clare on the publishing industry:

"The only general advice possible is to embed yourself as deep as you can in the belly of the beast, then use every means at your disposal to get your work read by the people with their hands on the purse strings."

In this article, he tells aspiring authors to "think of talent as your insurance policy".

I guess there's much more to getting published than just sitting at a desk writing.

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 07 Apr 2010, 22:09

AngelPrincess09 wrote:Has anyone through about becoming a writer. Writing books for children.
And getting them published. Was just a pipe dream. A fantasy. Not having it come true?

She would just like to figure out. How to become a children's writer. Hopefully get even one book publish.
But want nothing to do with the fame side of it. Like book signings, meeting fans etc??

Would like some feedback on this one?

Angel xxx

Book signings and meeting fans do constitute a pipe dream. Those who are able to turn any of that into reality start off being celebrities in the first instance, and then only later write a book (or have it ghost written). The book then becomes an appendage to the "writer".

If you are not a star to begin with you can arrange a book signing at a major bookstore and then suffer the embarrassment of hardly anyone going up to you, let alone buying a copy of your book. That is a FAR WORSE outcome (for the vast majority of authors) than not even acheduling such an event. Most people shoud start to get to grips with reality that only a tiny percentage of authors achieve a measure of success, and a micro number achieve mega success.

Perrywinkle47 · Post by **Perrywinkle47** » 26 Sep 2010, 05:42

Yeah I agree, totally..

Shaysmommy5810 · Post by **Shaysmommy5810** » 16 Dec 2010, 14:23

I'm perfectly happy not being published. All my children's books were written for my daughter, and if they become published they will belong to other kids. I want something that was uniquely created just for her.

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 19 Dec 2010, 02:13

There must be a certain criteria of who is considered a writer and who falls outside such a scope. If there is no such criteria then anyone and everyone can claim to be one thing or another. For instance, thousands of people queue up to audition for American Idol, claiming that they can sing. Outside of their family members and perhaps a few friends, not many others think they can sing. It has to take someone like Simon Cowell to tell the vast majority to consider a career in something else other than singing. That may seem harsh, but to quote Gore Vidal, "Nothing is harsh that is true."

Shaysmommy5810 · Post by **Shaysmommy5810** » 21 Dec 2010, 19:18

ResearchScholar wrote:There must be a certain criteria of who is considered a writer and who falls outside such a scope. If there is no such criteria then anyone and everyone can claim to be one thing or another. For instance, thousands of people queue up to audition for American Idol, claiming that they can sing. Outside of their family members and perhaps a few friends, not many others think they can sing. It has to take someone like Simon Cowell to tell the vast majority to consider a career in something else other than singing. That may seem harsh, but to quote Gore Vidal, "Nothing is harsh that is true."

I completely disagree. I do believe anyone with a good sense of literature and grammar can write. Singing is completely different. Someone has to practice and train their voice, while a writer just has to write what's in their head, then tear apart what they love to make it publishable, then watch as everyone who reads it loves or hates what they're reading yet never fully knows the true story. Writing is a craft, not a profession. It's an instinct.

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 21 Dec 2010, 22:42

I think we can agree to disagree. The main criterion for whether one is a writer or not is to be judged by one's peers. ("Peers" here relates to fellow writers.) The only acceptable way by which one can be so judged is through the conventional means -- i.e., one is published and the work circulates.

However, if someone who is unpublished insists that s/he is a "writer" then that is that person's prerogative. No one is going to stop them from doing so, even if their claim is greeted with scepticism and they are not accepted in the circles that matter.

Shaysmommy5810 · Post by **Shaysmommy5810** » 23 Dec 2010, 18:32

We can "agree to disagree" all we want. But, the only writer who assumes his "peers" are to be the judges over whether or not he/she is a writer is a pretentious one. The only people who can judge whether or not we are writers is ourselves, the only ones to decide if we are "good" writers are the readers.

Let me ask you this, do you write? Do you enjoy writing? Even if you were NOT to be published would you continue writing??? If yes to these, then you're a writer.

I looked up different definitions for the term "writer", and maybe these will help you:

a person who is able to write and has written something

A writer is anyone who creates a written work, though the word usually designates those who write creatively or professionally, as well as those who have written in many different forms

A person who writes, or produces literary work

: one that writes - this last one is direct from Webster's Dictionary.

Here's what I think. If my best friend made millions writing books, yet I hated her books - she'd still be a writer. If she just wrote for fun, no monetary gain and I hated her stories - she'd still be a writer.

A writer is someone who takes that dream and inspiration, fights through the obvious embarrassment and possible humilation, and creates a work of art that they poured their souls into. When someone pours their soul into something, how can you turn to them and say, "Well, you didn't make anything of yourself from doing it, you're not a writer/painter/sculptor...." If a bum on the street came up to me and said "I am a writer", I'd say, "Well, how are ya? I'm a writer, too!" I think those that complain and say "Oh, you can't be a writer, I'm the writer here" sounds as immature as the 10 year old who is so used to the praise for her poems that when her 5 year old brother tries to copy her and make his own art, she destroys it. Just somethin to think about.

And the only "circles that matter" are the ones you belong to that are filled with love: yours is obviously calloused, heartless money seekers. Mine is a warm environment where I'm surrounded by family and friends...that's my circle, and the only opinions that have EVER mattered. I've had outside praise and "Oh my God! This is amazing! I love it!" but it never mattered to me. Seeing my mom's eyes well up when she read a poem I'd written about child abuse or seeing her stick up for my work and hear with my own ears when she yelled "She's an artist, she doesn't need your input!" to a TEACHER...that's what mattered. Maybe you should reconsider your "circle that matters".

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 23 Dec 2010, 19:14

If someone has to search for a dictionary definition of words, then that merely confirms scepticism for whatever claims they make of themselves. A dictionary definition does not provide context but merely an all-encompassing understanding of a word that is neither here nor there. Just like the word “painter”. It can refer to a labourer who puts a coat of paint on a wall, or it could refer to someone who had created Old Masters. If people are satisfied with the most broadest and rudimentary definition of a concept then I say Good Luck to them and Merry Christmas too… If that is the level that they are debating at then I am also happy to give them the last word.

Shaysmommy5810 · Post by **Shaysmommy5810** » 25 Dec 2010, 18:04

okay obviously your skull is too thick to allow insight. i used the textbook definitions to prove a point, which you aren't too bright to pick up on. OH, and if you wanted me to have the last word you should have shut up when ya had the chance. do yourself a favor and climb down off your self made pedestal and take the time to learn a thing or two. as for your painter comment i could say the same of writers. NOW. a writer is someone who writes for the love of words or monetary gain. an author is a published writer. YOU LOSE.

"If someone has to search for a dictionary definition of words, then that merely confirms scepticism for whatever claims they make of themselves. A dictionary definition does not provide context but merely an all-encompassing understanding of a word that is neither here nor there. Just like the word “painter”. It can refer to a labourer who puts a coat of paint on a wall, or it could refer to someone who had created Old Masters. If people are satisfied with the most broadest and rudimentary definition of a concept then I say Good Luck to them and Merry Christmas too… If that is the level that they are debating at then I am also happy to give them the last word."

Ok, let me say this.......DO YOU EVEN HEAR YOURSELF????!!!!!???? Seriously, who wants to sit and have an intellectual discussion with a person who thinks so highly of themselves that by using the biggest words they can to attempt to make someone feel small...when in turn they make themselves look like a complete jerk. Not to mention a dolt. If you were back in high school right now, you'd be on the run. Heck, even the so-called "nerds" woulda had to take a few punches at ya to shut ya up.

It seems you just seem ready to ruin someone's dreams, and it's so sad and pathetic. I hope you find happiness, ya Grinch. but as much fun as this has been, i'm done, i don't like wasting too much time on your kind:) gives me carpal tunnel.