Day 328 of the 365 Days of Blogging

The author/publisher,
Dane F. Baylis

IS IT THAT SIMPLE?

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To quote Epicurus, "Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And once it does come, we no longer exist."

 

I like simple. Like the simple fact that no one values what is given away for free. or damned near free. That's about the way it works out when you, a) Rush something to publication. (Like the NaNoWriMo race to a first draft that maybe gets rewritten once or twice.) and, b) Offer that defective incomplete bastardization of literature for 99 cents in hopes that somehow that is going to turn you into an overnight sensation.

 

I've watched this over and over. A hopeful writer joins a blogging group being promoted by a talented salesman, sometimes offering the platform as a way for others to turn a buck on the wants and aspirations of a ready-made market. The gaff is to bring in the desperate and lazy and convince them that all they really need to do is remain loyal to the clan and they are on their way to stardom.

 

What they are really doing is fulfilling the egotistic needs of the blog author, providing validation for a shallow lack of content or talent. The brutally honest part is simple, and I've said it before, the only place success comes before work is in the damned dictionary...period. But there are sites popping up daily, inspirational, promotional, and publication that promise they can turn you into the next New York Times Book List darling. The deeper you insist on diving into the delusional crap, the further you'll wander from anything worthwhile.

 

Simple answer. Sit the hell down and get back to work. About the time you hit the fifth rewrite you might be ready for a professional editor to show you what you're doing wrong. Then, if you've a modicum of talent, an agent might be ready to turn you into an actual author. Before that, there are no silver bullets (if I can be forgiven the dark fantasy reference).

 

Just a bit of post-holiday reality from your Uncle Dane.

 

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Meanwhile...live, love, write with real intent.

 

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Tomorrow,

 

Dane F. Baylis

Author/Publisher.