I’m blogging over at the Bradford Bunch blog today about villains. There’s a contest too.
And…just a little rant. I could do a big long one on this subject because it’s one of those things that presses my buttons, but I don’t have time.
I get really sick of authors pushing their silly publishing hierarchies. As if an author who writes for a small press is inferior to authors who write for large presses. Wake up and smell the ink, people. You made it to NY, good for you. Kudos. That means you have talent, are damn lucky, or have benefited from some combination of the two. But just because you got there, doesn’t mean you’re going to stay there.
This is not a career with a lot of job security, and you’re only as good as your last book. You’re only as good as the readers think you are. Sadly, most likely you’re not as good as you think you are.
So, don’t get too cocky. Don’t get too arrogant. Try some humility. You never know when you might get knocked off that high horse and the landing’s easier if you’ve created some mental padding.
That is all. One very rare rant from me, the non-drama loving romance novelist. (I only like drama when it’s in my books.)
Even if they are wildly successful for their entire life, it doesn’t give them the right to be arrogant or cocky. Humility and kindness are fabulous traits.
by Anna July 16th, 2007 at 4:24 amOMG, are you in my head????
by Susan Helene Gottfried July 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pmI can think of more than a couple of well known authors who shot up the charts, acted like all that and a bag of chips, then tumbled almost off the face of the earth. (Okay, lots of mixed metaphors there, but I’ve only had one cup of coffee so far.)
This is a VERY dicey business–and I periodically wonder why I’m trying to get into it : )–that requires luck as well as talent. A healthy dose of humility would definitely be a plus.
by Cathy in AK July 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pmAnna — That’s right. Most mamas teach their kids that, you know. 🙂
Susan — Ack! That would be freeeeaky. 😉
Cathy — I think we’re all a little crazy for wanting to put ourselves out there the way we do. LOL. Let’s hear it for a touch of insanity.
by anya bast July 17th, 2007 at 12:52 amYeah! What she said!!
by Seeley deBorn July 17th, 2007 at 2:39 amYou make an excellent point.
by Ann(ie) July 18th, 2007 at 2:51 amThank you for saying that! I get so frustrated with the melodramas I hear about online.
by Erin the Innocent July 19th, 2007 at 6:20 pmword – lml
by Lauren Dane July 20th, 2007 at 5:11 pm