Then it turns out that the cover art is horrible, and no one buys it based just on that, and that gives it a horrible rating (“No one bought it; how good can it be? Meh, I’ll just go with the newest Patterson…”)
I have a couple of books. Yippee. A friend of mine has a dozen out — yippee. Nobody cares (with the possible exception of other writers). What we thrive on is the utter indifference of the vast majority.
“Tell me again why writers write.” Your basic assumption is off, Pig. Writers write because they are writers. “Why do you assume I have a choice?” Stephen King, Danse Macabre (1981).
Wait-wait! I have Stephen King’s How to Write book here somewhere, maybe it has the answer. Remembering my five English grammar and lit courses, it was very hard. But it did come in handy later when I was writing Disaster Recovery Exercise scripts for my company.
I’ve sold 22 novels to publishers large and small in several countries. A week before my first novel came out, the publisher was taken over by a conglomerate and dissolved. My book, not the new owner’s stock in trade, went straight to the warehouse and stayed there.
But I later got the rights back and sold it to Time-Warner. You win some, you lose some.
My third most unexpected publication, a letter in Avengers #22 in 1963.
My second most unexpected publication, seeing the same letter reprinted in miniseries Avengers 3.1 in 2017. [This was a 54 years reboot of the 1963 story.]
My absolutely most unexpected publication, on the Marvel Comics official website, an interview with me about seeing the letter reprinted and how comics have changed over the decades.
Real writers write the way most of us eat or breathe: No choice, though you can delay it a bit sometimes. The old “Suffer for your writing” shtick is true, but for a different reason: It’s hard to earn a living wage when your mind and spirit are spinning around how… exactly… to convey the scene in your mind.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
They thrive on crushed dreams and ketchup soup.
juncarlo almost 5 years ago
A writer dreams with the success, his editor works to crushed his dreams and return him to reality. And sometimes they thrive.
Differentname almost 5 years ago
Fran Leibowitz said that writer fame is the perfect amount of fame. You get money and good seats at events without the stalkers.
SonicFan91 almost 5 years ago
But Stephan writes this. Just go about saying nothing
Mentor397 almost 5 years ago
This scares me. Writing is the only dream I have left.
tripwire45 almost 5 years ago
I’m already published. Does that count?
Gent almost 5 years ago
Self experience, eh, Pastis?
Gent almost 5 years ago
Why writers write? It’s called writing, that’s why!
enigmamz almost 5 years ago
Then it turns out that the cover art is horrible, and no one buys it based just on that, and that gives it a horrible rating (“No one bought it; how good can it be? Meh, I’ll just go with the newest Patterson…”)
Breadboard almost 5 years ago
All comments come from unpaid writers………Croc Power !
mjb515 almost 5 years ago
You do have to write well for the first reaction.
Stocky One almost 5 years ago
What is mightier than the sword? The pen is. (Watch the spacing).
jel354 almost 5 years ago
Looks like comedians and writers both draw on anger as source material.
wllilly1960 almost 5 years ago
…Paaay—per-back writa! Paperback writer!………
cdward almost 5 years ago
I have a couple of books. Yippee. A friend of mine has a dozen out — yippee. Nobody cares (with the possible exception of other writers). What we thrive on is the utter indifference of the vast majority.
ekw555 almost 5 years ago
I think they just do it for the online comments & reviews
Zontar from Venus almost 5 years ago
The worst is when you get hateful reviews on Amazon and you can tell they never even read your book.
waycyber almost 5 years ago
Ah, Stronghold: Exodus…
8ec23d5228da33aa2115003c92d0fe83 almost 5 years ago
Traditional ways to be immortal: write a book, plant a tree, have a child.
Zebrastripes almost 5 years ago
I write for self expression, and don’t care if it’s published or not! Writing frees my soul and lifts my spirits!
Smokie almost 5 years ago
Bernie Sanders" If you want to get rich, write a tell all book". Even if you have to lie.
Purple People Eater almost 5 years ago
I’m published (I wrote a letter to the editor), and I got neither response.
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
“Tell me again why writers write.” Your basic assumption is off, Pig. Writers write because they are writers. “Why do you assume I have a choice?” Stephen King, Danse Macabre (1981).
Greyhame almost 5 years ago
I like a spoon of crushed dreams on my ice cream.
zeexenon almost 5 years ago
Wait-wait! I have Stephen King’s How to Write book here somewhere, maybe it has the answer. Remembering my five English grammar and lit courses, it was very hard. But it did come in handy later when I was writing Disaster Recovery Exercise scripts for my company.
chris_weaver almost 5 years ago
Why you don’t often see professional writers at school on Career Day.
KEA almost 5 years ago
Pretty bitter, Pastis.
RobinHood almost 5 years ago
I asked Neil Gaiman why he wanted to be a writer, he said because he had stories and didn’t trust others to tell them for him.
Indianapolis Smith almost 5 years ago
Why is someone asking the (apparently male) author to “have my babies”? I realize this is a comic strip, but still…
rick92040 almost 5 years ago
Did Pastis write a book??
Cameron1988 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Wow, dude. You wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Pastis
DCBakerEsq almost 5 years ago
I remember the first time I was published. My wife simply asked, “How much does it pay?”
Leadvilledave almost 5 years ago
i’ve had three murder mysteries published, my fourth will be out this summer
Troglodyte almost 5 years ago
Rat is an inspiration – for suicide.
JohnNeal almost 5 years ago
thrive on crushed dreams? there goes my writing career
AnthonyThomas almost 5 years ago
funny!
Hapthorn almost 5 years ago
I’ve sold 22 novels to publishers large and small in several countries. A week before my first novel came out, the publisher was taken over by a conglomerate and dissolved. My book, not the new owner’s stock in trade, went straight to the warehouse and stayed there.
But I later got the rights back and sold it to Time-Warner. You win some, you lose some.
BubbleTape Premium Member almost 5 years ago
pain is my fuel
SukieCrandall Premium Member almost 5 years ago
There is always this reaction to contend with: “Will you gave me some copies?”
hariseldon59 almost 5 years ago
I’ve had dozens of research papers published in scientific journals. No books yet though.
Cornelius Noodleman almost 5 years ago
I was going to write, but then I went left!
Trina Talma Premium Member almost 5 years ago
And the second book, and the third book… I’ve published ten and I’m still waiting.
jimmjonzz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
My third most unexpected publication, a letter in Avengers #22 in 1963.
My second most unexpected publication, seeing the same letter reprinted in miniseries Avengers 3.1 in 2017. [This was a 54 years reboot of the 1963 story.]
My absolutely most unexpected publication, on the Marvel Comics official website, an interview with me about seeing the letter reprinted and how comics have changed over the decades.
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
Real writers write the way most of us eat or breathe: No choice, though you can delay it a bit sometimes. The old “Suffer for your writing” shtick is true, but for a different reason: It’s hard to earn a living wage when your mind and spirit are spinning around how… exactly… to convey the scene in your mind.
xXAndezXx almost 5 years ago
Life of a writer
WCraft Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Do cartoonists have the same experience?
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
Yeah. I never get the adulation I deserve! (Or do I, and that’s the problem?)
PBS1! about 3 years ago
Part of the reason I dream of acting.