Re: Confabulation

On Jan 28, 12:40 am, "Sea Wasp (Ryk E. Spoor)"
<seaw...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 1/27/12 5:34 PM, Matt Hughes wrote:

[between us, a lot of interesting stuff]

Obviously, we differ in our approaches to the craft. Which is fine;
there's more than one path into the forest. When I've taught
"emerging" writers, I've always told them to listen to all the advice
they can get, then take the portion that sounds right to them.

One of the most discouraging how-to books I ever read was by Ken
Follett's agent. He explained that the only way to write successful
genre fiction was to outline extensively -- put all the creative
effort into the outline, then just type up the ms to fit. That was
it: outline or die. If you are the type who outlines, it was
wonderful advice; if you aren't, the book was telling you you'd never
make it in the biz.

My advice is based on my experience as the kind of writer I am. It
reflects the way I write genre fiction. But I have sold fifteen
novels under my own name(s) and I've ghosted and doctored books, for
other authors, that have also sold. I've had nearly fifty short
stories in the magazines, including twenty appearances in F&SF. I've
won one juried award and been shortlisted for the Nebula, PKD, and
Aurora.

So, for anyone who finds that what I'm saying resonates, feel free to
come by my blog and see what I have to say. For those who don't, good
luck on your own path.

Matt Hughes
BSP: THE OTHER shortlisted for the PKD Award
First chapter: http://www.archonate.com/other
.

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