Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
ARCHIVE (General Topics)
>
Writing Questions for Josh
Josh wrote: "I mean the people for whom piracy is an act of political...whatever. Self-rationalization, if you want to dig down. It's okay to steal from artists because this is the information highway and it should be Fereeeeeeeee!!!!!! ;-) "Oh, thank you for clarifying.
I guess I never heard someone justifying piracy of books as political. For music I did.
Mod
Doing a lot of nodding here. For a loud, cane waving granddad you write amazingly sane things. ;)
I especially agree with everything you wrote about the negative influence the instant critical reporting has on creativity of the artist. That's nothing new, really, but like you said, the technology has made the critic so immediate, so spontaneous, so humongous. If it feels frightening to me, I can't even begin to understand how it must feel to all of you writers.
Mod
This sounds very wise. I can easily see how reading all kinds of reviews could quickly drive a writer insane.
Aleksandr wrote: "I have lots of opinions, but have essentially muzzled myself, unless I talk to friends, off the record, and in real life."
For some reason this put a huge smile on my face. I think I might have pictured you with a grey hair and a cane, too... ;-)
Josh wrote: "Or, more exactly, we all write for ourselves, but we *publish* for others. The act of publishing is transparent. It is the desire to be read. We want interaction, we want engagement."Yes. We're satisfying a creative impulse, but in the end, all creative endeavor is a form of communication.
Writers aren't much different from actors, singers, dancers, musicians, film makers, photographers, and artists. Even the creators of ancient petroglyphs intended their work to have an audience.
Johanna - Growing old, scarred and wise(r). :)
Aleksandr wrote: "Johanna - Growing old, scarred and wise(r). :)"Bah! You are still a young whippersnapper!
LOL. :) Today I feel like about 85.
Aleksandr wrote: "LOL. :) Today I feel like about 85."Me too from my gardening aches and pains. :) But it's looking nice out there now.
I did some general weeding yesterday, but today my gardeners *should* show up (downside of their low price, I guess - them actually showing up is a bit hit-and-miss). It's flowering and growing and I have birds and flying insects and ants... it's pretty damn cool. :)
Here's something else I've noticed recently. I volunteered to be a judge for this year's Rainbow Awards, and the experience has made it screamingly obvious just how hard writers are striving for originality. Maybe even straining for it. I think it's an indication -- certainly the starkest one I've yet seen -- of the pressure authors are under to stand out from the madding crowd, even in this small corner of the literary world.
Mod
An interesting thing is I've found I don't mind looking at (negative) reviews months later. After a book has done what it's gone to do, earned out or flamed out, it doesn't seem to matter so much whether someone liked it or didn't like it. It's that instant negative response that is so damaging.
I'm not even sure why. In either case the book is finished and out there. I can't change it, regardless of how much someone loves it or hates it.
For me, that period is about two years. :)
Mod
Absolutely. And this has always been a very inventive and original genre -- probably *because* of the fan fiction influence (fan fiction is nothing if not inventive). But when you've got so many writers flooding in...yes, there is a desperation to somehow stand out from that ever-swelling crowd. Most people seem to be turning to bigger and bigger concepts rather than good old honing your craft.
LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!
Ahem. Sorry. That just sorta burst out.
Josh wrote: "Most people seem to be turning to bigger and bigger concepts rather than good old honing your craft.LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."
YES! Please! :)
Josh wrote: "LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at my library. I just downloaded Murder In The Rue Chartres by Greg Herren.
I am optimistic! 8)
I've had some reading disappointments lately. The books themselves were OK (but not better than OK, unfortunately), but the endings sort of fell apart. I hate it when a story unravels in the epilogue.
Josh wrote: "when you've got so many writers flooding in...yes, there is a desperation to somehow stand out from that ever-swelling crowd. Most people seem to be turning to bigger and bigger concepts ..."The trend is especially noticeable in contemporaries (and not those with paranormal elements), where believability is stretched to the breaking point. Yikes. I really hope that good stories beautifully written aren't aren't falling by the side of the m/m road.
K.Z. wrote: "The trend is especially noticeable in contemporaries (and not those with paranormal elements), where believability is stretched to the breaking point. Yikes. I really hope that good stories beautifully written aren't aren't falling by the side of the m/m road. ..."I wholeheartedly agree here. I love a good contemporary where the two protags get to know each other, and the story is about them without some crazy ass plot to move the story along.
Reggie wrote: "Josh wrote: "LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at my library. I ..."
Reggie, your mention of Greg Herren made me think longingly of Poppy Z. Brite's Liquor series. Poppy has since become Billy, a trans man, and he gave up writing after Katrina hit. God, I still miss the characters in those wonderful stories!
Reggie wrote: "Josh wrote: "LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at my library. I ..."
I liked this one, but then i found the second in the series to be quite traumatizing. I should have known from the sample...
K.Z. wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Josh wrote: "LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at ..."
Oh yes, G- man and Rickey, what great types and wonderful stories. I am sad to hear he isn't writing anymore.
Anne wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Reggie wrote: "Josh wrote: "LEARN TO WRITE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!! ..."Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and ..."
I did look at the Poppy Z. Brite books. The kindle ed. was $13. I could get it in paper for a good price, but I haven't finished a paperback in a while. I went with a different book, free digital download at the library for instant gratification. ,)
Reggie wrote: "Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at my library. I just downloaded Murder In The Rue Chartres by Greg Herren. ..."
I like that series, and also the other more light-hearted one by Greg: Scotty Bradley starting with Bourbon Street Blues. After Katrina I searched out and read lots of books set in New Orleans, including those by his mentor Julie Smith.
Mod
Yes. I just read one of those. Ugh. It got me in the mood for a N'Orlawns book. I went searching for a LA book and found one at ..."
I was just thinking the same thing the other night. Well, maybe one day he'll return to writing those characters. Stranger things have happened.
Whew! I dug my most recent writing files off of my dying laptop and moved them over to this one and the cloud drive. Soon as I start up my desktop, they'll be there as well. They all synch. Now the laptop can die if it needs to. My husband will look at it. He's very good at computer resurrection, and also data recovery if resurrection doesn't work.
Josh wrote: "But I have been teaching writing and running writing and reading groups for many a year, and I can tell you first hand that most writers have dreams of being widely read (and praised) and making money. .."If I had a left nut I would give it to take a writing course from someone as talented as you. I had a lousy fiction writing teacher in college... and unfortunately he taught both the basic and advanced classes. What a bummer that was.
I had a wonderful writing teacher in college - and I hated him. He told me my characters were whiny women who deserved what they got. Made me furious. I thought he was phenomenally sexist. But when I reread those stories later I had to admit he was right. My characters did tend to whine. And when I started writing again after 20 years, despite plenty of other writing classes and groups in between, it was his words in my head as I struggled through my first book.
Dev wrote: "I had a wonderful writing teacher in college - and I hated him. He told me my characters were whiny women who deserved what they got. Made me furious. I thought he was phenomenally sexist. But when..."My teacher gave the worst assignments and was pretty damn lazy. I don't remember learning anything from him. For our homework assignments he had us read and critique his own stories... We didn't do any actual writing until the final exam.
Tina Kay wrote: "For our homework assignments he had us read and critique his own stories... ..."That's appalling! None of you could be honest about his writing, whether it was good or not. That's worse that having to critique an author who you know your teacher loves.
"Aleksandr wrote: "Josh - very much with you. Every now and then I look at my reviews, but my level of sanity and happiness is directly correlated to my exposure to other people's judgment of my work..Josh wrote: An interesting thing is I've found I don't mind looking at (negative) reviews months later. After a book has done what it's gone to do, earned out or flamed out, it doesn't seem to matter so much whether someone liked it or didn't like it. It's that instant negative response that is so damaging. ."
I can see why you are careful about reviews, especially negative ones. However you should be grateful that people are commenting on your books. You want to try getting reviews if you are a poet - it's blood out of a stone I tell you. I'm pleased with the two reviews so far (one on GR and one in the other place) but I would quite like some more now.
Anne wrote: "I am sad to hear he isn't writing anymore."So am I! He's now creating New Orleans-inspired folk art and selling it on Etsy. Very interesting pieces. He was also doing freelance editing for a while but might not be anymore. I would've loved to hire him if I could've afforded it!
Hj wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: "For our homework assignments he had us read and critique his own stories... ..."That's appalling! None of you could be honest about his writing, whether it was good or not. Tha..."
Exactly, Hj! And let me tell you, his stories weren't all that great - but I sure as heck never told him so. I got an 'A' in that class, so I must have faked it well. :-D
Mod
My writing teacher told me I showed promise but lacked discipline and would never be successful. :-D
Mod
..."
That's the thing. I am grateful for the reviews, good, bad, or indifferent. But wanting reviews and wanting to *read the reviews myself* are too very different things. I want honest reviews for potential readers so they can make up their minds whether my book is for them.
Do I want or need to read the reviews?
As we hear over and over, reviews aren't for writers.
Mod
So am I! He's now creating New Orleans-inspired folk art and selling it on Etsy. Very interesting pieces. He was also doing freelance editi..."
Here's the problem with sharing too much of your personal life online. As much as I admire Poppy/Billy's work, I don't want an editor who seems perpetually on the verge of addiction and breakdown.
Harsh? Maybe. But *I'm* the artist in this particular circle of influence and the support staff needs to be reliable and steady as a rock.
Mod
..."
I need to get around to reviewing your collection, Caroline, because it really is unique and wonderful.
In particular, if you have an interest in WW2, you need to buy this collection of poems.
Josh wrote: "My writing teacher told me I showed promise but lacked discipline and would never be successful..."Ha! I'm sure you've turned out to have a much more successful writing career than that person. :-)
Mod
Ha! I'm sure you've turned out to have a much more successful writing career than t..."
:-D
Poor lady. She mistook disinterest in her class and opinions for a general lack of discipline.
Josh wrote: "Poor lady. She mistook disinterest in her class and opinions for a general lack of discipline...":-D
Reminds me of the English teacher who told me I had no real talent for the language. It's a petty victory, but a victory regardless. :)
Mod
This is why college is a great learning experience.
Josh wrote: "I don't want an editor who seems perpetually on the verge of addiction and breakdown."The situation might not be that bad, but I've seen other things (via LJ) that would be concerning. Like an inconsistent degree of commitment, ongoing complaints of physical impairment, and a cavalier approach to keeping up with email.
I get annoyed enough when one of my "free" editors continually makes herself unavailable by going on trips that are for pleasure, not business. If I were paying big bucks for editorial guidance, I sure as hell would expect devotion to the job and timely responses to my emails!
Josh wrote: "It's that instant negative response that is so damaging."You betcha. That's why it doesn't pay to subject ourselves to "the nattering nabobs of negativism." ;-)
Mod
The situation might not be that bad, but I've seen other things (via LJ) that would be concerni..."
I followed Billy for a time and it became too disheartening. TMI, I guess. I wanted so much to learn more about the author of those stories I loved, what Poppy planned for them, thought about them, maybe snippets of what she was working on, even maybe a *little* insight into her personal life. But it was just a relentless flood of trauma and turmoil. I came to pity him.
And finally I lost interest.
It was a salutary lesson on social media and author persona.
Josh wrote: "I followed Billy for a time and it became too disheartening. TMI, I guess. I wanted so much to learn more about the author of those stories I loved, what Poppy planned for them, thought about them, maybe snippets of what she was working on, even maybe a *little* insight into her personal life. But it was just a relentless flood of trauma and turmoil."That's exactly why I started following Billy when he still went by Poppy. And why I stopped. I was particularly appalled to learn he'd set up a PayPal account just for donations. (Imagine begging--worse yet, expecting--financial support from steadfast fans, especially when you're not writing anymore!) That in addition to the nonstop whining about every other problem in his life became pretty off-putting.
"Successful author becomes professional victim" wasn't a storyline I liked. TMI is right.
Josh wrote: "I followed Billy for a time and it became too disheartening. TMI, I guess. I wanted so much to learn more about the author of those stories I loved, what Poppy planned for them, thought about them, maybe snippets of what she was working on, even maybe a *little* insight into her personal life. But it was just a relentless flood of trauma and turmoil."I had the same feeling. And, honestly, I wondered why tell the whole world about this, including the bits about the relationship with Chris de Barr.
Chatting on social media seems to involve a delicate balance for an author. On the one hand, it's important to connect with readers, share some of what's going on with your work and a little bit about your life but on the other hand, I've certainly seen plenty of writers tumble over into promo-saturation and personal TMI.
Dev wrote: "Chatting on social media seems to involve a delicate balance for an author. On the one hand, it's important to connect with readers, share some of what's going on with your work and a little bit ab..."Oh gosh, yes. Promotion and personal revelations can go either way with the public. Frequent pimpage might work to one's advantage but is just as likely, perhaps even more likely, to alienate people. (It does me.) And a lot of blab about one's kids or love life or illnesses might engage certain readers but put off many more.
If I knew how to cook or knit, I'd probably stick with posting recipes or patterns. ;-)
Any tips on writing a manuscript synopsis for submission to a publisher? I've looked up a lot of information online, but I keep reading conflicting thoughts. It seems there's no cut and dry way to do it, so I would like to at least hear from people who have had experience with it and have done it themselves. I'm not even sure how long it should be... I read it should be 1 page, then I read it should be 2 pages, and then the next I read said 5 - 10. Double spaced or not double spaced? (I couldn't find any consistent advice on that either!)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Alphabears: An ABC Book (other topics)Rag and Bone (other topics)
As Meat Loves Salt (other topics)
The Well of Loneliness (other topics)
The Selfish Gene (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Julie Smith (other topics)Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Robin McKinley (other topics)
Tove Jansson (other topics)
Astrid Lindgren (other topics)
More...
Thanks, Johanna, your comment made ME smile :)