Comments on: Baseball as an analogy for the writing game… http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/ A mutual support group for SF/F Novelists Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:34:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: va zhuk http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1820 va zhuk Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:27:25 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1820 Unfortunately, I think the main difference between playing baseball and writing is that there are much more people who watch baseball then read books, at least in the US. Unfortunately, I think the main difference between playing baseball and writing is that there are much more people who watch baseball then read books, at least in the US.

]]> By: The new free agents: Not who you think « Ron Kaplan’s Baseball Bookshelf http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1392 The new free agents: Not who you think « Ron Kaplan’s Baseball Bookshelf Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:39:38 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1392 [...] Other articles recognize the influence/importance of the sportswriter, including Slate, which refers to the Times’ piece and maintains that “stars” of the industry (Ring Lardner, for one) have always been well-compensated; and this blog entry, which considers “Baseball as an analogy for the writing game…“ [...] […] Other articles recognize the influence/importance of the sportswriter, including Slate, which refers to the Times’ piece and maintains that “stars” of the industry (Ring Lardner, for one) have always been well-compensated; and this blog entry, which considers “Baseball as an analogy for the writing game…“ […]

]]> By: S.L. Farrell http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1377 S.L. Farrell Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:34:30 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1377 Andy -- That's a good distinction Dan McCall made, though I gotta admit I've listened to people watching a ball game saying "Man, how could that guy miss that fly ball. *I* could have caught that one!" So not even professional ballplayers are immune to "I can do what you do..." :-) Karen -- Yeah, one of the things I tell my writing classes is that writing is something you can do at a professional level far longer than sports. Jack Williamson was publishing excellent fiction into his 90s... Sam -- I like that aspect of the analogy as well! Andy — That’s a good distinction Dan McCall made, though I gotta admit I’ve listened to people watching a ball game saying “Man, how could that guy miss that fly ball. *I* could have caught that one!” So not even professional ballplayers are immune to “I can do what you do…” :-)

Karen — Yeah, one of the things I tell my writing classes is that writing is something you can do at a professional level far longer than sports. Jack Williamson was publishing excellent fiction into his 90s…

Sam — I like that aspect of the analogy as well!

]]> By: S.C. Butler http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1375 S.C. Butler Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:12:05 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1375 I use the writing's like baseball analogy all the time, though my take is a little different. I compare how you have to practice both every day, concentrating on the little things and not worrying about the homeruns. I use the writing’s like baseball analogy all the time, though my take is a little different. I compare how you have to practice both every day, concentrating on the little things and not worrying about the homeruns.

]]> By: Karen Wester Newton http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1374 Karen Wester Newton Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:40:53 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1374 I always use the prfessional sports analogy because I think it's closest (I may have been the commenter you were thinking of), but I take comfort from the fact that writing is slightly less formidable to break into in one respect. Yes, there are a set number of speculative fiction publishers with a set number of books they can publish in a year. However, each book is judged on its own merits (or saleability, if you prefer). If they like your book enough, they will try to find a place for it, even if they have to slot it two years out. It's even possible for mainstream houses to publish speculative books. Also, sports being a very physical enterprise, you pretty much have to try to break in when you're young. Yes, there have been a few baseball players who were older, but they're very much the exception. As long as you mind stays sharp, you can keep writing a lot longer than you can throw a baseball. I always use the prfessional sports analogy because I think it’s closest (I may have been the commenter you were thinking of), but I take comfort from the fact that writing is slightly less formidable to break into in one respect. Yes, there are a set number of speculative fiction publishers with a set number of books they can publish in a year. However, each book is judged on its own merits (or saleability, if you prefer). If they like your book enough, they will try to find a place for it, even if they have to slot it two years out. It’s even possible for mainstream houses to publish speculative books. Also, sports being a very physical enterprise, you pretty much have to try to break in when you’re young. Yes, there have been a few baseball players who were older, but they’re very much the exception. As long as you mind stays sharp, you can keep writing a lot longer than you can throw a baseball.

]]> By: Andy Havens http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1369 Andy Havens Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:16:36 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/12/27/baseball-as-an-analogy-for-the-writing-game/#comment-1369 I agree with the metaphor almost 100%, especially the way you've stated it. The difference being that most people can look at a pro ball player (or even a Saturday afternoon regular) and say, "Wow. That guy can hit the ball better than I do," or "Look at him run! I'm not that fast." Whereas with writing, most people don't understand what makes for good product, and certainly can't grasp many of the differences between their work and professionals. When I studied writing in college, one of my professors, Dan McCall, once said, "Just because everybody can write, everybody thinks they can write." I've found that true in design (have a favorite color? you're a designer!) and marketing (watch ads on tv? you're an ad man). Yep. Doing it for real is a lot harder than it looks. I agree with the metaphor almost 100%, especially the way you’ve stated it. The difference being that most people can look at a pro ball player (or even a Saturday afternoon regular) and say, “Wow. That guy can hit the ball better than I do,” or “Look at him run! I’m not that fast.” Whereas with writing, most people don’t understand what makes for good product, and certainly can’t grasp many of the differences between their work and professionals.

When I studied writing in college, one of my professors, Dan McCall, once said, “Just because everybody can write, everybody thinks they can write.” I’ve found that true in design (have a favorite color? you’re a designer!) and marketing (watch ads on tv? you’re an ad man).

Yep. Doing it for real is a lot harder than it looks.

]]>