Comments on: Writer vs. Artist http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/ A mutual support group for SF/F Novelists Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:42:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Mike Brotherton http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-234 Mike Brotherton Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:33:57 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-234 I liked the point about how the writers sub-category could make it on their own without formal classes. I always believed that about myself, and focused almost exclusively on science and engineering in college so my transcript makes me look a lot more one-dimensional than I really am. Formal writing courses can certainly help and be fun and worth taking, but they're not *necessary* for the real writers. I believe in the Muse, a little, except that the Muse visits a lot more often than most people realize and if you pay attention to your environment and your reaction to it, you're never short good ideas. If you live a rich, interesting life and reflect on things, the Muse is already there and waiting for YOU to realize it. I liked the point about how the writers sub-category could make it on their own without formal classes. I always believed that about myself, and focused almost exclusively on science and engineering in college so my transcript makes me look a lot more one-dimensional than I really am. Formal writing courses can certainly help and be fun and worth taking, but they’re not *necessary* for the real writers.

I believe in the Muse, a little, except that the Muse visits a lot more often than most people realize and if you pay attention to your environment and your reaction to it, you’re never short good ideas. If you live a rich, interesting life and reflect on things, the Muse is already there and waiting for YOU to realize it.

]]> By: Tobias Buckell http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-226 Tobias Buckell Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:14:04 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-226 I meet so many potential readers who've been turned away from reading b/c of the 'it has to be hard' routine shoved down their throats by academia and high school. I was just talking to someone in high school who was quite intrigued with the whole idea that I, as a writer, despised the whole theory. My stepdad said he started my book 4 or 5 times but couldn't get past the whole idea that he was supposed to be looking for great themes and symbols. He's about half way through now because the rest of the family was like 'wtf are you talking about, just read the damn thing and have fun.' He's enjoying it now that he's just let go of trying to hunt for meanings that are hidden in the text and is just enjoying the adventure the characters are on. *sigh* I meet so many potential readers who’ve been turned away from reading b/c of the ‘it has to be hard’ routine shoved down their throats by academia and high school. I was just talking to someone in high school who was quite intrigued with the whole idea that I, as a writer, despised the whole theory.

My stepdad said he started my book 4 or 5 times but couldn’t get past the whole idea that he was supposed to be looking for great themes and symbols. He’s about half way through now because the rest of the family was like ‘wtf are you talking about, just read the damn thing and have fun.’ He’s enjoying it now that he’s just let go of trying to hunt for meanings that are hidden in the text and is just enjoying the adventure the characters are on.

*sigh*

]]> By: Steve Leigh http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-217 Steve Leigh Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:32:04 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-217 Early on, I would patiently wait for the Muse before I started writing. I did a lot more waiting than writing in those days. I finally figured out that the Muse would eventually show up if I just started typing... Early on, I would patiently wait for the Muse before I started writing. I did a lot more waiting than writing in those days. I finally figured out that the Muse would eventually show up if I just started typing…

]]> By: S.C. Butler http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-216 S.C. Butler Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:21:07 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/08/27/writer-vs-artist/#comment-216 Great differentiation between Writers and Artists. It's all about the work, isn't it? When I was in school we used to describe the difference as being between people who wanted to write vs people who wanted to be writers, but you put it much better. Great differentiation between Writers and Artists. It’s all about the work, isn’t it? When I was in school we used to describe the difference as being between people who wanted to write vs people who wanted to be writers, but you put it much better.

]]>