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Pat
As you say, Pat, timing is everything. Some of the sketches I did back when make me wince now, and in some of them I can't remember the persons involved.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 28, 2006 at 10:25 AM
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John, when you talk about current affairs sketches
you remind me of a funny short story I wrote -- an update on the Frankenstein story with characters from the old Fantasy Island show. It involved a puppet maker and the little character who used to start each program announcing, "The plane, the plane!" I don't know what ever happened to the story, but it wouldn't be worth 2 cents today. Timing is... you know.. :) And yes, I think writing is worth our time and thought.
posted by
Pat_B
on June 28, 2006 at 9:15 AM
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fionajean
I used to think self publishing was a cop-out, but that is how our friend started. She self published three books and got her writing noticed. This one was published in the normal way. She has more belief in her writing than I have in mine.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 28, 2006 at 4:57 AM
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Hi
I'm surprised that just 1500 would cover the publisher's costs. I think it's worth being published if it's not self-published. I think it's a step in the right direction that a publisher actually wants to publish your book.
posted by
fionajean
on June 28, 2006 at 3:19 AM
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jacenta
Thank you jacenta. I'll pass your message on to Ell.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 24, 2006 at 6:26 AM
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johnmcnab...
Ell's faith in your writing is justified.
Tell her I said, "hello"
.
posted by
jacentaOld
on June 23, 2006 at 10:36 PM
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Blanche
I think I'd hide in a corner, Blanche. I've never liked eating crow, even when it is barbecued. My friend has suggested I send some of my UK radio sketches to Garrison after making them more American, but they were Scottish current affairs sketches and sooo out of date.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 22, 2006 at 4:07 AM
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Straightforward
When you consider it, Straightforward, Blogit itself is a method whereby our writings can be -if not sold - at least appreciated for their intrinsic value.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 22, 2006 at 4:04 AM
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I always thought the expression "eating crow" was a particularly unpleasant
one, but it sounds about like what you'd be doing. On the plus side, though, maybe she could help you get your work published. It's nice to see people giving each other a hand.
posted by
Blanche.
on June 21, 2006 at 6:41 PM
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Of course everybody wants their book to be widely read,
and while I am not for the ban of Dan Brown's book, I do not think we should use that method to get widely read. Let it happen because of the intrinsic value of our writings. Why not we set about creating a new ethic in writing or join the few who are into this new ethic?
posted by
Straightforward
on June 21, 2006 at 6:40 PM
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Blanche
If Garrison Keillor takes up her manuscript, Blanche, I will have to do 2 things. 1 - delete a few comments on this post. 2 - Listen to Ell lecturing me about being more determined.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 21, 2006 at 6:39 PM
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BrightIrish
You are quite right, BrightIrish. She does think it is worthwhile and not only that, she wrote the first draft on a typewriter.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 21, 2006 at 6:16 PM
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It's true that it's just a start. Who knows what will take off.
Wouldn't that be a kick if her manuscript got picked up by Garrison Keillor? Then you can say you knew her when.
posted by
Blanche.
on June 21, 2006 at 5:59 PM
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John
Hello .. I guess each person has to judge for themselves but it seems your friend thinks it is worthwhile or she wouldn't be putting forth such a effort.
posted by
BrightIrish
on June 21, 2006 at 5:56 PM
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Azur
I think she is achieving her goal, Azur. She is writing to celebrate her marriage and her life, and the sequel she is writing is assured of publication. I know what you mean about readership. I had a sketch - the very last sketch - broadcast on
Scotch & Wry. The programme was televised and broadcast in Scotland at 11.30 on Hogmanay. That was it. A half hour programme once a year. I was never so proud as that night. As far as I was concerned, every one of the 2 million viewers saw MY sketch.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 21, 2006 at 5:49 PM
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Blanche
Oops! It is bad enough repeating my own comments, but repeating Ell's as well......Ahhhhh. Her book is a small memoir book that will appeal to the farming and religious community. I tended to dismiss the book because I knew who wrote it and who it was about, (that doesn't read properly?) but I did notice that as I was reading one of the reviews, I became slightly teary eyed - which surprised the hell out of me. I must read it again. She is writing the sequel which will definitely be published and her publisher has sent a copy to Garrison Keillor, who just coincidentally happens to know the author. Maybe it is about who you know after all.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 21, 2006 at 5:42 PM
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John,
I was just curious as to what genre she was writing in. I have no idea what the scope and magnitude of book sales are in general. It sounds like marketing is key, as in everything, because life histories and memoirs seem to be a really popular field now. I know they interest me more than say, celebrity bios.
I remember you writing that about Ell's comment earlier.
posted by
Blanche.
on June 21, 2006 at 5:24 PM
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Blanche
Sigh! The pool isn't up and running yet, Blanche. The car I bought at the yard sale isn't up and running yet. My bank balance is down and sinking fast. Yes, she gives me that look on average about......mmm....99 times a day. Our friend's book is about her life, marriage, and the death of her husband ( my Canadian hero) and as Ell said when she tossed it aside after reading it. "You write a lot better than that." There was a lull during which I started to get big-headed, but she brought me down to earth with the next sentence "But then she is determined."
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 21, 2006 at 5:15 PM
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If someone wants an easy career, fast rewards then no it isn't worth it.
However I think it is worth it if she is achieving a goal. Of course she'll never know how many of the 1500 read the book. One of the papers I write for has a circulation of several hundred thousand but I don't imagine that many people read although with circulation figures like that I can pretend they do
posted by
Azur
on June 21, 2006 at 3:25 PM
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JohnMcnab, tell me what she writes so I can save myself the exhaustion
and try to flog something else. 1,500 books, after all that: the book tour, the signings, etc. (ps, do you get that look a lot from Ell?) and is the pool up and running yet?
posted by
Blanche.
on June 21, 2006 at 1:24 PM
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afzal50
I agree, azfal50.
posted by
johnmacnab
on June 20, 2006 at 6:31 PM
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I do not know about publishing but writing is really woth it .
posted by
afzal50
on June 20, 2006 at 6:09 PM
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