So Easy a Caveman Can Do It?

[Rianna]

When I hit a bump in the road with my own novel, I started writing little odd essay type bits. Note: this bump was mainly due to strong pain killers for a horribly tearful excruciating painful abscessed tooth. I started organizing these writings into what I later titled "Meaningless Ramblings of a Madwoman." In my drug induced state (and later, my insane state) I thought this grouping of writings would be the next best seller once I got it cleaned up and self-published.

Then I actually thought about what I was doing.

Who would really want to read about an ordinary person - even if said person is a bit off her rocker? The truth is, other than a dozen or so who would feel obligated, and another dozen or so who may be tricked by the title to assume it was good, no one would purchase it.

In looking at self-published novels/books, I've come to realize just how extensive the self-publishing world has become. And I can honestly say I'm not sure this is a good thing. I used to think of self-publishing as simply people with great books who simply choose not to go the conventional route. Maybe the reason was they don't believe in the conventional way. Maybe they just know its difficult to get into the doors without paying money for an agent, or without having an infamous name. And this is occasionally true.

Unfortunately, it is also true that some go this route because no self-respecting publisher would ever publisher their book.

I'm lucky. I have people who care enough about me to tell me when something I write is good, or that it's crap. I have people honest enough to say "no one is going to buy some stupid ramblings of bits and pieces of your life." True, it's hard to hear at times. And yes, I need a second opinion on those thoughts. But I am not going to embarrass myself by putting something out there (except through blogs) that is, quite honesty, stupid crap.

It makes me almost a little afraid to go the self-publishing route. With all the crap out there, will people even take that leap to test mine out, or will they learn to avoid the self-published?

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

I couldn't agree with you more. great work, keep it up.

[Rianna]

I absolutely love Stephen King stories. However, I do agree the story gets lost in detail. Anne Rice novels, I feel, contain way too much detail and history as well. It's as if people just throw in more words to meet preferred (or required) word counts. And I agree that whether or not something is good or not is simply opinion. Certain people and instances just ruffle my feathers (i.e. those who brag about being published when 9/10's of the population wouldn't even use the pages of his/her "published work" as toilet paper).

I, too, like a majority of what you, Blind, and others here write. However, even when I don't care for content, I can see and appreciate the talent and/or effort. What I'm speaking over in my complaining is those whom you can't even read the talent (or effort at such). They don't concern themselves with writing properly. They don't write in a way that would hold a person's attention (again, not speaking content here...speaking of ability). The don't bother to use tools available (spellcheck, for instance).

There are those who think they are writers and therefore don't try. And there are those with a passion for writing, always trying to push themselves to the next level. Always trying to better their skills. One can read the passion whether the author is actually good or not, and that passion and effort makes a difference. One can also read the arrogance of someone who thinks they already have it all. I'd read a poorly written passionate piece over a piece of crap written by someone arrogant enough to believe they deserve bragging rights any day of the week.

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

Agreed, your point is well taken. How ever I continue to state that the opinion of a great book or a piece of crap lies with the reader. Whether it is publish by a professional publishing service or self published. Again it boils down to individual taste and what someone can afford. We all would love to have the talent and the money to go through a professional. Unfortunately that is not the case.

As to the question of great or crap, I am sure Stephen King, Dean Koontz, or Ann Rice didn't write a blockbuster novel when they started out. Case in point, I don't like the way Stephen King writes. In my opinion the story gets lost in the detail (Way to much) in his writing. Again that is my opinion. You might or might not agree with me. And that is perfectly fine.

"My Opinion" I love the vast majority of the things you write. Somethings, not so much. I love the vast majority of what Blindogg writes, somethings, not so much. I take things one story or book at a time.

I am sure you feel the same way about some of the things I write. Hell for all I know you may not like anything I write, and that is perfectly fine. I have been published, 2 Magazine articles and 5 published poems
Does that make me an accomplished Author? Not in my opinion. To someone else it might.

[Rianna]

Yes, we each have a unique story to tell. And yes, some autobiographies make interesting movies. But I'm guessing it's only about .5% (if even) of all autobiographies written which are actually good enough (or seen enough) to become popular.

This isn't about whether or not autobiographies are worth publishing. It's about whether or not the self-publishing world has gotten too far out of hand. There are people who write absolute crap (or would be considered that to 99.5% of the population) but walk around bragging about being published. All they did was hand out a couple dozen of a cheaply printed book to friends and family. Published - yes. Worthy of bragging rights? Quite probably, no.

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

To this I would say, What is an autobiography? Isn't it bits and pieces of a persons life? Childhood stories and such? How many make for a really great book? how many have been made into great movies? Take "Fried Green Tomatoes" or "War" for example. Two great stories full of lively adventures. These stories are Americana. They are part of the history of our country and its people. Granted not all are or should be considered great works, but many are intriguing and fun to read. I love a well written well thought out autobiography. Why would yours not be so? From the bits and pieces of your life that I have read your story could make for some very interesting writings.

We all have a past, some of it good, some bad. We each have a unique story to tell. It is up to each individual to decide what is entertaining and what is not. Not everyone likes autobiographies, so be it, there are millions of other types of stories out there that they will like. Let them seek their desires.

Great Post.