Bill Bodden's Blog, page 28
August 6, 2013
Internet Connections
It's good to vent once in a while, isn't it? I vented last week in this blog over a few depressing things that happened at that time, because they were all things that were bumming me out. Having vented, it's out of my system, and I'm moving move on.
My main topic this week concerns social media and the habit of "friending" anyone who asks. The basic idea of allowing a stranger access to your posts is to make connections. In this modern world, where we hardly know the people who live next door, having other vectors with which to nourish friendships can be useful. The danger lies in sharing too much with total strangers.
Posts as simple as "going to the funeral" can be used by less trustworthy individuals to ransack one's home while one is away. Not revealing one's home address or other vital contact information - telephone number, home address, even city of residence - can make it more difficult for predators to victimize you. Likewise, do not share the names and ages of your children online; the world is a scary place, with scary people in it. It's too easy for a random person to pretend to be someone else to gain one's confidence online, then spring a nasty surprise - ask anyone who's done online dating if people always represent themselves honestly. The truth is, the Internet allows us a certain degree of anonymity when interacting with one another in virtual space - anonymity which less scrupulous individuals can and will use to their advantage.
I am every bit as guilty as anyone of friending nearly anyone who asks on Social media. I've grown a bit more cautious over the last year - not through any bad experiences of my own, thank goodness - but out of a sense that everything we do online can easily be watched by others these days, and it's important to hold back a bit to keep safe. Have an Internet presence, yes, but be careful whom you share with, and how much.
My main topic this week concerns social media and the habit of "friending" anyone who asks. The basic idea of allowing a stranger access to your posts is to make connections. In this modern world, where we hardly know the people who live next door, having other vectors with which to nourish friendships can be useful. The danger lies in sharing too much with total strangers.
Posts as simple as "going to the funeral" can be used by less trustworthy individuals to ransack one's home while one is away. Not revealing one's home address or other vital contact information - telephone number, home address, even city of residence - can make it more difficult for predators to victimize you. Likewise, do not share the names and ages of your children online; the world is a scary place, with scary people in it. It's too easy for a random person to pretend to be someone else to gain one's confidence online, then spring a nasty surprise - ask anyone who's done online dating if people always represent themselves honestly. The truth is, the Internet allows us a certain degree of anonymity when interacting with one another in virtual space - anonymity which less scrupulous individuals can and will use to their advantage.
I am every bit as guilty as anyone of friending nearly anyone who asks on Social media. I've grown a bit more cautious over the last year - not through any bad experiences of my own, thank goodness - but out of a sense that everything we do online can easily be watched by others these days, and it's important to hold back a bit to keep safe. Have an Internet presence, yes, but be careful whom you share with, and how much.
August 1, 2013
Take The Good With The Bad
So this post is going up later than usual because I've been pretty down lately, and two things contributed to that more than anything right now. First, I got another rejection letter. Short and to the point, it brought to the fore all the self-doubt and depression I could possibly want. It was an anthology I was really hoping to get into, and I came up short yet again. To top things off, someone broke into our storage locker.
The locker was really the least of our worries. On examining the damage, I honestly couldn't remember all the things we'd put in there - the hallmark of having more stuff than you need. The one thing we were both worried about - our relatively new camping tent - had been rifled through but left behind. The lock was totally removed and the door latch completely undamaged, leading me to believe the padlock just plain failed, which wouldn't surprise me. The lock was more than a decade old, and had probably spent one too many winters with snow melting down into it's inner workings, only to freeze again and stress the mechanism when it got cold overnight. So as bad things go, this was really, really minor. But when added to the rejection and a couple of other things, it made for a really crappy week.
This blog is mostly about me, but despite feeling like a poseur as a fiction writer most of the time, I try to remain upbeat. Upbeat just isn't happening much this week, so I decided not to inflict my grumpiness on everyone else.
The one bright spot this week was definitely a "feeling wanted" kind of experience. An RPG firm was apparently so happy with my previous, recent work they want me to be lead writer on another project in the same product line. Good news, and a little money in the pipeline, both of which should take more of the sting out of the fiction rejection, but sadly it doesn't work quite like that.
So yeah; keep writing blah, blah; don't give up yadda yadda. Not the first time I've regretted this career move, and damn sure won't be the last. This, kids, is why you shouldn't depend on your writing income to support you; thank my wife and the Powers That Be that I don't have to.
The locker was really the least of our worries. On examining the damage, I honestly couldn't remember all the things we'd put in there - the hallmark of having more stuff than you need. The one thing we were both worried about - our relatively new camping tent - had been rifled through but left behind. The lock was totally removed and the door latch completely undamaged, leading me to believe the padlock just plain failed, which wouldn't surprise me. The lock was more than a decade old, and had probably spent one too many winters with snow melting down into it's inner workings, only to freeze again and stress the mechanism when it got cold overnight. So as bad things go, this was really, really minor. But when added to the rejection and a couple of other things, it made for a really crappy week.
This blog is mostly about me, but despite feeling like a poseur as a fiction writer most of the time, I try to remain upbeat. Upbeat just isn't happening much this week, so I decided not to inflict my grumpiness on everyone else.
The one bright spot this week was definitely a "feeling wanted" kind of experience. An RPG firm was apparently so happy with my previous, recent work they want me to be lead writer on another project in the same product line. Good news, and a little money in the pipeline, both of which should take more of the sting out of the fiction rejection, but sadly it doesn't work quite like that.
So yeah; keep writing blah, blah; don't give up yadda yadda. Not the first time I've regretted this career move, and damn sure won't be the last. This, kids, is why you shouldn't depend on your writing income to support you; thank my wife and the Powers That Be that I don't have to.
July 23, 2013
Writing To Order
Most of my publishing credits have been write-to-order projects. That means that I am writing something - whether fiction, non-fiction, or gaming material - based on parameters set by my editor. In the case of fiction open calls, everyone else is writing to the same parameters, so my story has to stand out in order to make the cut.
In the case of gaming material, my assignment probably will require a large amount of research, which is easily the most time-consuming part of writing. On the other hand, research often leads to new ideas, whether for the thing I'm working on or for other, future projects, so it's never a waste of time to put in the due diligence during the research phase.
Writing to order can be tough. There are expectations needing to be met, and frequently the writer doesn't know about all of those expectations, but that's human nature for you. It often works the same way for people who illustrate for a living; sometimes no matter how good your work may be, it doesn't meet those secret hopes of the person commissioning the work, and so it gets rejected.
That's the downside to writing to order. The upside -- for fiction, at least -- is that you have an already finished work you can sell somewhere else -- assuming that the work was rejected for a reason other than its quality. Too long, too short, not enough cowbell -- the reasons for not making the cut are numerous, and it can be incredibly discouraging.
I've had my share of rejections over the years, and mostly they run along the lines of "…thanks but X doesn't meet our needs at this time." If an editor actually takes the time to comment on the piece, that commentary is like gold. It means the work is good, but needs some more tweaks or polishing. Cherish those kinds of rejections - they'll help you through the long weeks of dealing with less communicative editors.
In the case of gaming material, my assignment probably will require a large amount of research, which is easily the most time-consuming part of writing. On the other hand, research often leads to new ideas, whether for the thing I'm working on or for other, future projects, so it's never a waste of time to put in the due diligence during the research phase.
Writing to order can be tough. There are expectations needing to be met, and frequently the writer doesn't know about all of those expectations, but that's human nature for you. It often works the same way for people who illustrate for a living; sometimes no matter how good your work may be, it doesn't meet those secret hopes of the person commissioning the work, and so it gets rejected.
That's the downside to writing to order. The upside -- for fiction, at least -- is that you have an already finished work you can sell somewhere else -- assuming that the work was rejected for a reason other than its quality. Too long, too short, not enough cowbell -- the reasons for not making the cut are numerous, and it can be incredibly discouraging.
I've had my share of rejections over the years, and mostly they run along the lines of "…thanks but X doesn't meet our needs at this time." If an editor actually takes the time to comment on the piece, that commentary is like gold. It means the work is good, but needs some more tweaks or polishing. Cherish those kinds of rejections - they'll help you through the long weeks of dealing with less communicative editors.
July 16, 2013
Books I Love: Drachenfels
I'd like to spend this week talking about one of my favorite books: Drachenfels by Jack Yeovil AKA Kim Newman. It was originally published by Games Workshop in 1993 to promote their Warhammer Fantasy Battles line of minature wargaming products.
The story begins with the legendary battle of a band of lesser-known heroes against the mighty enchanter, Constant Drachenfels. Drachenfels is evil incarnate, and has been a plague on the world for hundreds of years. He has been quiet lately, which led to rumors of his potential demise, but more sensible folk doubt such rumors. The band invades his castle to do battle with this monster, only to fall, one by one, to the Enchanter's wicked traps and vile servants. Only three reach the end of the quest: the throne room of Drachenfels!
Drachenfels (Warhammer) by Jack Yeovil
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
Cut to twenty-five years later, when Prince Oswald von Konigswald, the young noble who led the expedition to vanquish Drachenfels, and reportedly the one who struck the killing blow, is gathering his old comrades together to celebrate their glorious victory. The celebration will consist of a re-enactment via play, written by one of the leading lights of the stage, playwright Detlef Sierck.
Sierck is currently rotting in debtor's prison after a former patron abandoned him, refusing to pay the bills for the playwright's previous, lavish production. Prince Oswald rescues him with the understanding that Sierck will write the play commemorating his heroic deeds of yore. Sierck sets to work crafting the production that will seal the glorious legend of Prince Oswald and his band of adventurers. No expense is to be spared - Prince Oswald has even had the evil Enchanter's old castle cleared to re-enact the play under the most accurate conditions possible.
As the story proceeds, complications arise. Ghosts - rumored to be the victims of Drachenfels - begin to haunt the company. Prince Oswald's father, one of the current Electors of the Empire and Grand Prince of Ostland, dies, leaving Oswald to take up these new responsibilities, and for some strange reason, there is sometimes a mysterious extra wagon in the train of props, players and scenery traveling to the castle for final rehearsals.
Drachenfels uses the classic "play-within-a-story" theme used to great effect by Shakespeare, among many others. This is a complicated story - which is not at all a criticism. In fact, I've found that over the course of nearly two decades I've re-read this book almost once a year and am always discovering something I missed.
It also benefits from the richly-detailed world of Warhammer, now thirty years in the making and with a lush background and history. Yeovil/Newman's storytelling talents really shine here as well, as we are drawn into the world of Detlef Sierck, unlikely hero.
To say that the story has a twist to it is like saying the Pacific Ocean is a little wet. It twists and turns like an earthworm, but the rewards are well worth following the complex trail. The characters - and by extension the reader - don't truly know until the very end what is really happening. People begin dying off in truly horrible ways once the company reaches the deserted castle, and it takes a heroic effort to avoid total calamity from befalling not only the assembled company, but the entire Empire itself.
Well worth you time to read, Drachenfels is, for me, one of the experiences that made me want to be a writer. I highly recommend it for any fan of high fantasy and/or mystery.
The story begins with the legendary battle of a band of lesser-known heroes against the mighty enchanter, Constant Drachenfels. Drachenfels is evil incarnate, and has been a plague on the world for hundreds of years. He has been quiet lately, which led to rumors of his potential demise, but more sensible folk doubt such rumors. The band invades his castle to do battle with this monster, only to fall, one by one, to the Enchanter's wicked traps and vile servants. Only three reach the end of the quest: the throne room of Drachenfels!
Drachenfels (Warhammer) by Jack YeovilMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
Cut to twenty-five years later, when Prince Oswald von Konigswald, the young noble who led the expedition to vanquish Drachenfels, and reportedly the one who struck the killing blow, is gathering his old comrades together to celebrate their glorious victory. The celebration will consist of a re-enactment via play, written by one of the leading lights of the stage, playwright Detlef Sierck.
Sierck is currently rotting in debtor's prison after a former patron abandoned him, refusing to pay the bills for the playwright's previous, lavish production. Prince Oswald rescues him with the understanding that Sierck will write the play commemorating his heroic deeds of yore. Sierck sets to work crafting the production that will seal the glorious legend of Prince Oswald and his band of adventurers. No expense is to be spared - Prince Oswald has even had the evil Enchanter's old castle cleared to re-enact the play under the most accurate conditions possible.
As the story proceeds, complications arise. Ghosts - rumored to be the victims of Drachenfels - begin to haunt the company. Prince Oswald's father, one of the current Electors of the Empire and Grand Prince of Ostland, dies, leaving Oswald to take up these new responsibilities, and for some strange reason, there is sometimes a mysterious extra wagon in the train of props, players and scenery traveling to the castle for final rehearsals.
Drachenfels uses the classic "play-within-a-story" theme used to great effect by Shakespeare, among many others. This is a complicated story - which is not at all a criticism. In fact, I've found that over the course of nearly two decades I've re-read this book almost once a year and am always discovering something I missed.
It also benefits from the richly-detailed world of Warhammer, now thirty years in the making and with a lush background and history. Yeovil/Newman's storytelling talents really shine here as well, as we are drawn into the world of Detlef Sierck, unlikely hero.
To say that the story has a twist to it is like saying the Pacific Ocean is a little wet. It twists and turns like an earthworm, but the rewards are well worth following the complex trail. The characters - and by extension the reader - don't truly know until the very end what is really happening. People begin dying off in truly horrible ways once the company reaches the deserted castle, and it takes a heroic effort to avoid total calamity from befalling not only the assembled company, but the entire Empire itself.
Well worth you time to read, Drachenfels is, for me, one of the experiences that made me want to be a writer. I highly recommend it for any fan of high fantasy and/or mystery.
July 9, 2013
Writers on Social Media
I spend a lot of time on Social Media -- too much, probably, but I know I'm not alone in this. At this point, I'd like to offer some well-meaning advice -- that I also try to follow -- to my fellow authors on good Social Media content guidelines and etiquette. AS far as that goes, most of this advice could apply to anyone, not just writers.
DO NOT: fill your content stream with pleas to purchase your latest book(s), or glowing quotes/endorsements. I know I'm as guilty of this as anyone, but as much as I like knowing about ways to support you, I'd also like to know a little bit more about you as a person. Promoting yourself is fine; doing so at the expense of all else is boring, and people will stop coming to your blog/website/Facebook page in droves. Remember: A little goes a long way. I try not to constantly bug people about this, but I do want to promote myself and my tiny, little writing career, so I won't NOT ever promote myself and my work - I'll just try to not do it too often.
DO: Talk about some aspects of your life.
Do you go to cons? Do you collect something as a hobby? Are you a fan of Line Dancing or maybe Punk music? Do you like to hang out with other writers and talk shop - or just to shoot the breeze? Talk about those things, too!
On the other hand, the world is a scary place, and many of us have chilling tales of stalkers who would not leave us alone - some tales more recent than others. As writers, knowing who engages in stalker-ish behavior is useful info; it prevents us from allowing someone who will abuse the privilege to get too close to us.
Also, many writers are reluctant to share much about their personal opinions online. This can be a wise policy, but also very limiting. If people who MIGHT read your work won't do so because of a cause you support, maybe you don't really want them to follow your career anyway. Let your own conscience be your guide here, as there really aren't right or wrong answers to the question: "how much personal sharing is too much?" What's clear is that making your home address and phone number -- or the identity of family members -- known publicly is unwise.
ALWAYS: be courteous. Even if some jackass comes to your website to slag you off, be courteous and polite. Ban/block their butts ASAP of course, but don't make yourself look bad in front of people who might be your fans.
The world is a scary place and keeping a professional distance from fans is sometimes necessary precaution. Be courteous, be careful, and most of all, be sensible in your approach to maintaining an online presence. I'm far from an expert, and if readers have other suggestions or corrections, I'd love to hear about them.
DO NOT: fill your content stream with pleas to purchase your latest book(s), or glowing quotes/endorsements. I know I'm as guilty of this as anyone, but as much as I like knowing about ways to support you, I'd also like to know a little bit more about you as a person. Promoting yourself is fine; doing so at the expense of all else is boring, and people will stop coming to your blog/website/Facebook page in droves. Remember: A little goes a long way. I try not to constantly bug people about this, but I do want to promote myself and my tiny, little writing career, so I won't NOT ever promote myself and my work - I'll just try to not do it too often.
DO: Talk about some aspects of your life.
Do you go to cons? Do you collect something as a hobby? Are you a fan of Line Dancing or maybe Punk music? Do you like to hang out with other writers and talk shop - or just to shoot the breeze? Talk about those things, too!
On the other hand, the world is a scary place, and many of us have chilling tales of stalkers who would not leave us alone - some tales more recent than others. As writers, knowing who engages in stalker-ish behavior is useful info; it prevents us from allowing someone who will abuse the privilege to get too close to us.
Also, many writers are reluctant to share much about their personal opinions online. This can be a wise policy, but also very limiting. If people who MIGHT read your work won't do so because of a cause you support, maybe you don't really want them to follow your career anyway. Let your own conscience be your guide here, as there really aren't right or wrong answers to the question: "how much personal sharing is too much?" What's clear is that making your home address and phone number -- or the identity of family members -- known publicly is unwise.
ALWAYS: be courteous. Even if some jackass comes to your website to slag you off, be courteous and polite. Ban/block their butts ASAP of course, but don't make yourself look bad in front of people who might be your fans.
The world is a scary place and keeping a professional distance from fans is sometimes necessary precaution. Be courteous, be careful, and most of all, be sensible in your approach to maintaining an online presence. I'm far from an expert, and if readers have other suggestions or corrections, I'd love to hear about them.
July 3, 2013
Gaming As Adults
Most adults I've talked to who played D&D gave it up after college. They still speak fondly of the games they had, but for some reason felt that it wasn't an appropriate activity for grown-ups. I find this attitude confusing, and it can be extended to most types of games including board games; mainstream adults don't see games as anything other than "kids' stuff".
That makes me sad. Play is one universal that all humans enjoy. It helps keep our minds sharp, helps shed stress, and is a fun social activity that doesn't (necessarily) involve alcohol. Physical activity, like bowling or being in a recreational sports league is the same idea, only with (usually) less mental stimulation and a more physical dimension. Exercise is important for body AND mind!
I've spent the majority of my life gaming, and it has provided me with a living now for the better part of 30 years. I'm encouraged seeing more families -- and more adults -- enjoying board games as a regular pastime. Role-playing games are also more than just kids' stuff; the RPGs of today are, as a rule, far more sophisticated than those we played growing up. In fact, most tabletop RPGs are aimed at an adult audience, with mature themes and subject matter that the average 12 year-old just won't find appealing.
The greatest impediment to a regular gaming session as adults is lack of free time. With the technology we have today, even gaming groups separated by vast distance can still game together using a variety of online resources like Skype and G+/Google Groups. As life and technology changes, so too must we change and adapt to our new environment.
That makes me sad. Play is one universal that all humans enjoy. It helps keep our minds sharp, helps shed stress, and is a fun social activity that doesn't (necessarily) involve alcohol. Physical activity, like bowling or being in a recreational sports league is the same idea, only with (usually) less mental stimulation and a more physical dimension. Exercise is important for body AND mind!
I've spent the majority of my life gaming, and it has provided me with a living now for the better part of 30 years. I'm encouraged seeing more families -- and more adults -- enjoying board games as a regular pastime. Role-playing games are also more than just kids' stuff; the RPGs of today are, as a rule, far more sophisticated than those we played growing up. In fact, most tabletop RPGs are aimed at an adult audience, with mature themes and subject matter that the average 12 year-old just won't find appealing.
The greatest impediment to a regular gaming session as adults is lack of free time. With the technology we have today, even gaming groups separated by vast distance can still game together using a variety of online resources like Skype and G+/Google Groups. As life and technology changes, so too must we change and adapt to our new environment.
June 25, 2013
August Conventions
I'll be attending two conventions on consecutive weekends at the end of summer: GenCon and GeekKon.
GenCon (http://www.gencon.com/) is the largest of all gaming conventions, and takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana over August 15-18. I'll be attending the Diana Jones Award ceremony the evening of August 14. My official presence during the remainder of the convention will involve helping out in the Green Ronin booth during the day, and goofing off in some fashion during the evenings.
GeekKon (http://www.geekkon.net/) is a general interest convention that takes place in Madison, WI August 23-25. I've been invited to return as a special guest this year, and plan to help out in the Gaming With the Guests program, as well as participating in a few panels here and there. Other guests this year include friends Matt Forbeck, Matt McElroy, Rob Wieland, and John Jackson Miller.
I'm especially thrilled that Bridget Landry will be a guest of GeekKon as well. Ms. Landry is on the team supporting the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which among other things provides the relay for information from both Mars rovers, Opportunity and Curiosity. As if that weren't enough, she's also a world-class costumer. I'm really looking forward to meeting Ms. Landry!
GenCon (http://www.gencon.com/) is the largest of all gaming conventions, and takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana over August 15-18. I'll be attending the Diana Jones Award ceremony the evening of August 14. My official presence during the remainder of the convention will involve helping out in the Green Ronin booth during the day, and goofing off in some fashion during the evenings.
GeekKon (http://www.geekkon.net/) is a general interest convention that takes place in Madison, WI August 23-25. I've been invited to return as a special guest this year, and plan to help out in the Gaming With the Guests program, as well as participating in a few panels here and there. Other guests this year include friends Matt Forbeck, Matt McElroy, Rob Wieland, and John Jackson Miller.
I'm especially thrilled that Bridget Landry will be a guest of GeekKon as well. Ms. Landry is on the team supporting the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which among other things provides the relay for information from both Mars rovers, Opportunity and Curiosity. As if that weren't enough, she's also a world-class costumer. I'm really looking forward to meeting Ms. Landry!
June 18, 2013
Reboot Fatigue
I'm in a severe state of reboot fatigue.
I'm painfully tired of seeing Hollywood rehash the origin story of a superhero, or a Sci-Fi classic just because someone new is playing the part. In the last decade alone, Batman has been rebooted once, and Superman twice. Seriously? Maybe instead, you could move on and let a new actor take over the role by offering them the chance to do something different, instead of making them replay the origin story like it was f-ing Hamlet.
Or, in the case of the Lord of the Rings series, somebody took a big risk and it paid off in spades. HBO took a big, expensive gamble by making George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones books into a television series, and the rewards speak for themselves; larger audience and more revenue from new subscribers.
I have no plans to see the new Superman films. Saw the first one of the new crop a couple of years ago -- unimpressed. Don't intend to see the new one. Just. Don't. Care. Didn't see the reboot of Star Trek; am told by people I respect that it was fabulous, but I can't muster the energy to give a damn. Haven't watched any of the new crop of Mutant/X-Men movies; I was happy with the batch already produced, and wanted those to continue. No such luck.
I have to say I ended up being mostly very pleased with Star Trek: The Next Generation. THAT'S what Hollywood should strive for: Spinning off a classic so they can do something different with the same universe. I know; different is bad. Milk that already existing cash cow until it's totally dead. Sorry, I'm tired of that. I refuse to enable the suits to peddle more crap by paying them my hard-earned money to see it. They are -- time and again -- simply failing to draw my interest.
Congratulations, Hollywood; you have taken this drooling fanboy and made him totally blase' about whatever it is you think you're doing. And I can't be the only one.
I'm painfully tired of seeing Hollywood rehash the origin story of a superhero, or a Sci-Fi classic just because someone new is playing the part. In the last decade alone, Batman has been rebooted once, and Superman twice. Seriously? Maybe instead, you could move on and let a new actor take over the role by offering them the chance to do something different, instead of making them replay the origin story like it was f-ing Hamlet.
Or, in the case of the Lord of the Rings series, somebody took a big risk and it paid off in spades. HBO took a big, expensive gamble by making George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones books into a television series, and the rewards speak for themselves; larger audience and more revenue from new subscribers.
I have no plans to see the new Superman films. Saw the first one of the new crop a couple of years ago -- unimpressed. Don't intend to see the new one. Just. Don't. Care. Didn't see the reboot of Star Trek; am told by people I respect that it was fabulous, but I can't muster the energy to give a damn. Haven't watched any of the new crop of Mutant/X-Men movies; I was happy with the batch already produced, and wanted those to continue. No such luck.
I have to say I ended up being mostly very pleased with Star Trek: The Next Generation. THAT'S what Hollywood should strive for: Spinning off a classic so they can do something different with the same universe. I know; different is bad. Milk that already existing cash cow until it's totally dead. Sorry, I'm tired of that. I refuse to enable the suits to peddle more crap by paying them my hard-earned money to see it. They are -- time and again -- simply failing to draw my interest.
Congratulations, Hollywood; you have taken this drooling fanboy and made him totally blase' about whatever it is you think you're doing. And I can't be the only one.
June 11, 2013
Saying 'No'
Sometimes freelancers are offered projects for which the only sensible answer is 'no'. It may be because of the timing -- in the middle of two projects when real plum drops into your lap -- or it may be that it just isn't right for you. It's tough to turn down paying work even if you're busy at the time: freelancing is a feast-or-famine existence, and building up a nest egg against the lean times is always desirable when work can suddenly dry up for months at a time.
I recently had a convention ask me to appear as a special guest. This convention was a two-day drive away from where I live, and due to the somewhat remote location, it would also be expensive to attend by flying. Being a small and fairly new convention, the only compensation they could offer me was a free badge (membership) to the con.
It was very flattering to be asked, but three important things came to mind:
The convention would cost me roughly $1500 to attend through gas, food, and lodging.
Timewise, it would cost me at least a week: two days driving -- both there and back -- plus the three days of the con.
This was a gaming con, and while I am a gamer and enjoy games, there's really nothing for me at the majority of local gaming conventions.
While I am at a point in my life where I have more time than money generally, this trip would cost me both, and the likelihood of it doing anything that would help my career as a writer is slim. In the gaming industry I don't really need any more exposure: I have a multitude of very solid contacts in that area, so work can be had if I'm willing to work for the rates that gaming companies can offer. It's not that I feel gaming work is beneath me or any such thing: my time is more valuable to me than two cents per word (or less) and retaining no rights whatsoever to the work after I turn it in. Those downsides for such projects usually far outweigh the benefits. It has to be a special project that really appeals to me before I will strongly consider work of that sort. It does come along from time to time, but it's rare.
Writing is a business, and writers have to learn to treat it that way. It would have been a balm to my frequently bruised ego to be listed on that program book as "special guest" but the numbers just didn't add up for me.
I recently had a convention ask me to appear as a special guest. This convention was a two-day drive away from where I live, and due to the somewhat remote location, it would also be expensive to attend by flying. Being a small and fairly new convention, the only compensation they could offer me was a free badge (membership) to the con.
It was very flattering to be asked, but three important things came to mind:
The convention would cost me roughly $1500 to attend through gas, food, and lodging.
Timewise, it would cost me at least a week: two days driving -- both there and back -- plus the three days of the con.
This was a gaming con, and while I am a gamer and enjoy games, there's really nothing for me at the majority of local gaming conventions.
While I am at a point in my life where I have more time than money generally, this trip would cost me both, and the likelihood of it doing anything that would help my career as a writer is slim. In the gaming industry I don't really need any more exposure: I have a multitude of very solid contacts in that area, so work can be had if I'm willing to work for the rates that gaming companies can offer. It's not that I feel gaming work is beneath me or any such thing: my time is more valuable to me than two cents per word (or less) and retaining no rights whatsoever to the work after I turn it in. Those downsides for such projects usually far outweigh the benefits. It has to be a special project that really appeals to me before I will strongly consider work of that sort. It does come along from time to time, but it's rare.
Writing is a business, and writers have to learn to treat it that way. It would have been a balm to my frequently bruised ego to be listed on that program book as "special guest" but the numbers just didn't add up for me.
June 4, 2013
Ways to help out your writer friends
So I've been pushing the anthologies with my stories pretty hard the last few months (and more, if you count Haunted, which I do), and am hoping I haven't alienated friends or made them feel guilty in the process. Being a nobody writer like me can be a soul-crushing experience at times, and many of my friends have suffered along with me and had the good grace to keep me distracted with enjoyable chat while waiting for the clock to run out on signings, readings, or other events at which I have failed to attract much attention. With that in mind, I'd like to offer a few suggestions -- for those who have writerly friends or acquaintances -- on ways to help out your friendly neighborhood writer without doing things you don't wish to.
1) Buy their books. This is the single best thing you can do to help directly. Sales convince the publisher that this is an author people care to read, which makes all the difference in the world.
2) If you can't buy their books, please do help spread the word that they exist. Retweet/repost their blog entries, links to their books, and the Facebook/Twitter feeds that mention the books or talk about where to get them. This is the single best thing you can do for them that does not involve money directly. Buying my books is great, but will not change the fact that we are friends and that I enjoy spending time with you. Writing, while a source of income, is not something upon which I depend for my livelihood thank goodness, so not selling a book to you doesn't mean I don't eat tomorrow.
3) If what your friend writes is not your cup of tea and/or you're just not interested, see item #2.
4) Attend readings if you can. Buying books totally optional. Believe me, it's much more fun as a reader to have an audience than not. Heck, if there are other books you want to buy, do so, and be sure to mention to the clerk that you came for the reading. Your favorite local bookstores need support too!
5) If your friend is at an autographing session and no one is around, talk to your friend, and talk to them about anything other than the fact that no one wants their book signed. Be mindful of the fact that IF someone comes up wanting a book signed, you should step aside so the author can attempt to connect with that potential fan.
Regarding point #3, it is sadly not always the case that writers have writing as their sideline or second job. With relatively few notable exceptions, writing is not a viable income-producing career. The old joke goes: What's the difference between a freelance writer and a large pepperoni pizza? The large pizza can feed a family of four.
Being a writer is no easier and no more difficult that any other profession. There are different challenges that have to be overcome, but having a little help from friends now and again can help writers get through the lean times.
1) Buy their books. This is the single best thing you can do to help directly. Sales convince the publisher that this is an author people care to read, which makes all the difference in the world.
2) If you can't buy their books, please do help spread the word that they exist. Retweet/repost their blog entries, links to their books, and the Facebook/Twitter feeds that mention the books or talk about where to get them. This is the single best thing you can do for them that does not involve money directly. Buying my books is great, but will not change the fact that we are friends and that I enjoy spending time with you. Writing, while a source of income, is not something upon which I depend for my livelihood thank goodness, so not selling a book to you doesn't mean I don't eat tomorrow.
3) If what your friend writes is not your cup of tea and/or you're just not interested, see item #2.
4) Attend readings if you can. Buying books totally optional. Believe me, it's much more fun as a reader to have an audience than not. Heck, if there are other books you want to buy, do so, and be sure to mention to the clerk that you came for the reading. Your favorite local bookstores need support too!
5) If your friend is at an autographing session and no one is around, talk to your friend, and talk to them about anything other than the fact that no one wants their book signed. Be mindful of the fact that IF someone comes up wanting a book signed, you should step aside so the author can attempt to connect with that potential fan.
Regarding point #3, it is sadly not always the case that writers have writing as their sideline or second job. With relatively few notable exceptions, writing is not a viable income-producing career. The old joke goes: What's the difference between a freelance writer and a large pepperoni pizza? The large pizza can feed a family of four.
Being a writer is no easier and no more difficult that any other profession. There are different challenges that have to be overcome, but having a little help from friends now and again can help writers get through the lean times.
