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A Writer Writes

11 Sep 2003 by Matthew Linderman

Author Jennifer Weiner offers “a completely idiosyncratic, opinionated, flawed and somewhat sassy take on some of the steps you can take to get published.” It’s a fun/interesting read, even for non-writer wannabes.

The big joke in the publishing community is that smart editors shouldn’t waste their time at lunches or conferences, but should instead proceed directly to the local elementary schools. There, they will carefully note the boys picked last in gym class, the girls sitting alone in the cafeteria - all of the outcasts, misfits, geeks, dweebs and weirdos - and give them some kind of small identifying tag (much like wildlife services will tag animals to follow their progress through the years). Twenty years later, the editors should track down the kids they’ve tagged, now hopefully grown to more successful adulthood, and say, “Okay, where’s the book?”

22 comments so far (Post a Comment)

11 Sep 2003 | RS said...

There's a great gem in there:

"writer's block is a luxury".

11 Sep 2003 | Mike said...

Great read Matt, why is it that Scott and yourself don't post more on svn?

Could it be that you two are the ones doing all the hardwork, and Jason's just slackin' off? ;)

11 Sep 2003 | ML said...

Scott and I have both been travelling lately so that's part of the reason for the diminished amount of posts. I'm back in full swing now though so don't sweat it. And JF's the hardest working man in showbizness. : )

11 Sep 2003 | SU said...

I've also been hard at work growing a beard to further my "mountain man" look. It takes time!

11 Sep 2003 | Mike said...

Haha nice, oh ya, couloir.org looks great (as always)!

12 Sep 2003 | Matthew Oliphant (formerly fajalar) said...

Looks like I will be stuck at stage 5 for a long time as I will never get a dog.

Meanwhile the novel gathers dust,
the non-fiction goes half-written,
if success I crave, I suppose I must
get a dog that is flea-bitten?

12 Sep 2003 | Graeme Donald said...

Mathew, are you related to the Oliphants in the Lord of The Rings book?

12 Sep 2003 | Matthew Oliphant (formerly fajalar) said...

Yes, that's why I hvae so mnay tyops.

Whne will they make a keyaord for the husky-fingerde?!

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