tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post6902968328631257759..comments2023-09-29T05:32:04.308-07:00Comments on StrangePegs: Create Your AudienceAndrew Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-42383245887058037922012-07-16T22:44:56.809-07:002012-07-16T22:44:56.809-07:00Jericha: Speaking of that, there's an antique ...Jericha: Speaking of that, there's an antique shop here that has a display of "found art" right now. Stuff I bet you would find really cool. <br /><br />Just to say it, I like wackos.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-47283163311103201572012-07-16T19:28:44.498-07:002012-07-16T19:28:44.498-07:00I'm with Briane: "instead of trying to bu...I'm with Briane: "instead of trying to build a better mousetrap, build whatever the heck you want and then convince people to check it out" sounds like much better advice to me. Which is what I think all the best creative people do almost automatically, really - check out what's out there, figure out what's useful & meaningful, and then instead of taking that as THE WAY IT MUST BE DONE ZOMG they create something beautiful out of what spoke most loudly to them.<br /><br />But then I'm one of those old-fashioned wackos who thinks that "soul" and "honesty" in writing and art is vitally important, and that's just not hip, man.jerichashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14313710420089008960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-75731202533538100222012-07-16T16:21:10.962-07:002012-07-16T16:21:10.962-07:00Shannon: Um... I have no idea what turtle you'...Shannon: Um... I have no idea what turtle you're talking about. That sounds kind of freaky.<br /><br />And good for you!<br /><br />L.G.: Well, if it makes you feel better, it's much easier to get picked up if you've written the whole thing rather than just 1 with a "promise" of more.<br /><br />Hmm... that's interesting. I had not actually paid attention to that. Today, though, that is certainly the truth.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-77517235778731447422012-07-16T14:17:39.156-07:002012-07-16T14:17:39.156-07:00This is why I'm putting my head down and just ...This is why I'm putting my head down and just writing the trilogy I want to write. Most people will tell me I shouldn't write a trilogy, because what if the first book doesn't sell? But I don't care. I want to write all three and dammit I'm going to write all three...and publish them myself if no one in traditional publishing wants them. Now, to create an audience for stories about post-apocalyptic Wales. . .<br /><br />Also, just an observation, but statistically speaking you have a very high Colorado contingency in your blog comments. Don't know if you've ever noticed. :)Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-33516769940981554412012-07-16T13:37:18.731-07:002012-07-16T13:37:18.731-07:00Ugh, I just remember that computer lab consisted o...Ugh, I just remember that computer lab consisted of feeding degrees to the "turtle" to make a circle, and then whatever I wanted to make after that. I sort of hated the turtle. <br /><br />Other than that, I try to write what I want to write, without thought to whether it has a market.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-86057848632610022952012-07-16T11:06:43.322-07:002012-07-16T11:06:43.322-07:00neal: Well, sometimes that means finding an audien...neal: Well, sometimes that means finding an audience that doesn't know it's there. I mean, before personal computers came out, if asked, I would imagine that most people would have said they weren't interested in one, especially if they knew that the computer wouldn't do anything. That audience was created from (mostly) young people who began to envision the "could be"s once they did exist. People don't always know they want something until it's there in front of them.<br /><br />Rusty: Yeah, I wanted a computer, then, too. It was, like, 15 years before I finally was able to get a computer, though.<br /><br />Alex: That's certainly true.<br />And, see, that's an audience I bet didn't know they existed. The idea kind of repulses me, but, yet, I still want to try one!<br /><br />ABftS: You know, one of these days I will get around to reading some King. Maybe.<br /><br />Michael: Yes, it is. I'm not sure I like thinking about that, though.<br /><br />Briane: Yeah, why do people always want to catch mice anyway, huh? I think I want to build a dragon trap. Okay, well, maybe that's not the smartest decision. What would I do with one if I caught it?<br />I love your program! I give it an A!Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-12428310893186252172012-07-16T09:30:56.389-07:002012-07-16T09:30:56.389-07:0010 Read blog post
20 Goto comments
30 Type "A...10 Read blog post<br />20 Goto comments<br />30 Type "Andrew Leon, that was brilliant advice."<br />40 End.<br /><br />I don't actually remember much Basic, beyond "Goto." But I like your advice here: instead of trying to build a better mousetrap, build whatever the heck you want and then convince people to check it out.Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-31236876397362458792012-07-16T08:29:47.503-07:002012-07-16T08:29:47.503-07:00My mom always wanted a computer so that she could ...My mom always wanted a computer so that she could write.<br /><br />I wanted one to play games on and to organize my own writing.<br /><br />But those were the eighties. The world has changed so much since then.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-63785724112236158852012-07-16T06:05:30.351-07:002012-07-16T06:05:30.351-07:00Oh man, I remember my first PC. We got it, and I b...Oh man, I remember my first PC. We got it, and I brought it home, and then I thought... okay, now what? It doesn't really DO anything.<br /><br />Also, it's funny you mention it because Brandon and I were just talking about the 3rd/1st person thing the other day. See, Stephen King's new book (in the Dark Tower series) is called Wind Through the Keyhole. It starts with a 3rd person story, and then the main character tells a full story (in 1st person) and within THAT is a 3rd person fairytale. It's everything we've been told as writers NOT to do, but it was pulled off really well and I loved it. So I would say if it works, and you can pull it off, do whatever the hell you want. Forget what agents and editors tell you you should or shouldn't do.A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-35513356625946924802012-07-16T04:46:44.587-07:002012-07-16T04:46:44.587-07:00They always say fill a need, but maybe sometimes w...They always say fill a need, but maybe sometimes we need to make people realize they need it first.<br />And I'm definitely in the audience for some deep fried pickles!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-22125950635940789152012-07-16T04:31:10.509-07:002012-07-16T04:31:10.509-07:00I recall my early 80's computer classes at sch...I recall my early 80's computer classes at school. That was a ton of fun. <br /><br />I wanted a computer pretty bad back then, I finally got a Tandy 100 several years later... it had that awesome cassette recorder with it to hold programs. It would take forever for something to load.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-46287998678309036822012-07-15T23:27:30.124-07:002012-07-15T23:27:30.124-07:00Although I do get that you're not talking abou...Although I do get that you're not talking about finding the audience, but rather, creating it. So if our cheerleader asteroid miner writer just writes the best damn book he can, people might laugh at first, but the great variety of stuff available through the nets has also made readers fairly open-minded, I think. Ready for new things.neal callhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17285975416175230777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-83306995960152842592012-07-15T23:23:57.451-07:002012-07-15T23:23:57.451-07:00Coincidentally, your computer metaphor is not just...Coincidentally, your computer metaphor is not just a metaphor. Personal computers now allow us to access everything we could possibly want to read...right on the screen in our hand. The next step is to match up the .00001 percent of the people in the world who want to read about cheerleader asteroid miners with the one person who wants to write it. And that dude would be rich.neal callhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17285975416175230777noreply@blogger.com