Tribute to Authors of Yesteryears (Article) - 11/13/2014 3:31:35 AM
Yes, as the number of writers wanting to have their works published skyrockets, the publishing and vetting processes also change in tandem to accommodate the increased input. It has to be seen as a natural progression in the overall scheme of things.
The children of the future have to be conscientiously exposed to the writings of yesteryear authors. Then, changes in the styles of writing will be more readily understood and accepted. Otherwise, an age of classical writings would forever disappear from the realm of the generations to come.
Tribute to Authors of Yesteryears (Article) - 11/12/2014 7:54:00 AM
I must admit that I have not read most of those classics. However, I have read some and have read some others not on the list. What I find interesting is when I read the background stories of the authors, I find that many had great difficulty publishing their work. I wonder how many great stories were written by people who could not get them published and the manuscripts perished.
The Internet has changed that and the publishing empire that created those books and made sure that only the most profitable got into bookstores and libraries, has crumbled, to be replaced by the wild West of the Internet. Without even the slightest review or simple editing, authors can publish books and post them for sale.
The interesting thing is… That cream always rises to the top. The New York bestseller list of the most profitable mainstream published works will soon be overshadowed by books by unknown authors that have huge sales because their stories are popular or classic because of the ideas they present.
For children of 2030, your list may be greatly altered… Maybe not.
Ron
Qualities for any Aspiring Author - My Story (Article) - 11/11/2014 3:08:19 AM
Hi Ron,
There was something about your comment which I could not put a finger to. As I pondered about it, I realized what had intruded upon my thoughts these past days. For me, it is not so much as wanting to leave a legacy as to doing something concrete, finding meaning in all that takes place around me and leading a life of fulfilment.
Now, fulfilment can mean a lot of things to different people. For me, it is the reality that I have accomplished something truly unique in coming out with a tale of epic proportions. Many other writers have also done similarly. Aside from the ego boost, I feel a sense of accomplishment and blessing for having taken the challenge to complete my story, no matter how long it took.
Gopal
Another remedy for Writer's Block (Article) - 11/7/2014 6:46:31 AM
Your concept must of been immense for you to be able to create so many volumes on one story.
I once read Isaac Asimov's, Opus 100, his 100th book describing the other 99 and how he wrote them. Anyway, he said that he had several stacks of manuscript that he was writing all the time. He would write on one book for a while, and then as his muse would change he would either start a new story or or go back to one he had already started. Eventually he would finish one and have a completed book or short story. Since he had several things going at once, if he encountered a block with one, he could always pick up on another that he had been thinking about. This approach made him very productive and able to work on all the ideas he had.
I've adopted Asimov's approach and it works quite well for me. I don't set deadlines for the projects I have underway. Every once in a while, I get very busy and finish a project that I've left aside. Occasionally, especially with a short story, I write the whole thing in one sitting.
To write a long series of books on one topic, like you have, requires discipline I don't think that many possess. I know I don't.
Ron
Qualities for any Aspiring Author - My Story (Article) - 11/6/2014 8:46:45 AM
Successful writers need those three qualities. You are right about the legacy. We leave this world without a legacy if we have not accomplished something great or, written down something that others will read. Your wife is interesting because I've known so many, like my grandmother, who read every book they could find, but wrote very little. I have read far too few books, but I have always had a desire to write. Therefore I write much more than I read.
It appears you've taken on a massive project that may still be unfinished. I did that originally when I wrote my first novel. But somehow I crammed 6000 years into 65 pages by leaving out everything but the essence.
Ron
