Why do people who hardly read books think they can be authors?

[mainer]

It's just a pet peeve of mine. As a published writer myself, I'm often approached by wannabe novelists -- many of them accomplished in other fields -- who want to know the "secret" of getting published. I ask them what they like to read, and it often turns out they haven't read a novel since college, decades ago. But since they've got their M.D.'s or they're lawyers, they think surely it couldn't be that hard, right? And they're frustrated because those "stupid editors in NYC" don't appreciate their genius and keep rejecting them, so it must be about knowing the right people.

Sometimes, I'll try to be nice and read their manuscripts. Invariably, their writing sucks.

I'm tired of people thinking they can be published authors when they haven't put in the time. And they don't even frigging READ.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I think it must be part of the Great American Dream.

You know, anyone can write the American novel. Oh, sure.

[Chan790]

2. Narcissism.

"I went to law school, I write legal briefs all the time, how hard could it really be? I really always wanted to be a writer, I wish I'd pursued it more diligently. Well, it's never too late."

I appreciate their desire and agree, it is never too late...most novelists don't hit their stride until they have some life experience behind them: over 30, usually closer to 40 or older. What they miss is that their newfound desire means they should take a class and start writing, start doing exercises, start jotting down their thoughts for the day, start reading...not sit down and write Shitty Moby Dick which is a lot like Moby Dick only unoriginal, meandering, long-winded, pretentious, pointless, uninspired, transparently-trite, plagued with bad prose and tired.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. These days I read legal briefs

It ain't the same thing.

I have to find time to both read for fun, a novel or two...and write.

[roguevalley]

27. actually, it is wired into us I think. Good or bad, I hail writers.

I have been writing for other people on the internet since 1996 and I have to say that I have grown yards doing it. I have a girl who wants me to insert the scandanavian band, A-Ha into my long form Transformer story I am writing on the internet. She likes them so she thinks they woudl be epic. She must be 14 or something but she's adorable. Not everyone is good at it but everyone who thinks they want to should do it. I have no peeve, pet or otherwise with people expressing themselves. The creative urge is a cruel master.

[Neoma]

3. LOL.

The first thing I did after realizing I wanted to write, is realize that I don't know jack about the world. That fiction is bad to read when you're trying to be true to reality...

To this day, I haven't written anything because I still feel the need to grasp things in its entirety...

[SheilaT]

4. As Chan 790 says, narcissism.

Beyond that, someone who has never tried to write just can't fathom how difficult and tricky it is. Anyone can sit down and type out stuff like this, quick comments that don't need a lot of thought or editing. But to write an entire short story? A novel? Until you've tried you just don't have a clue.

Almost all writers understand that the real secret to writing is rewriting. I'm working on a novel and even though I've been writing for years on and off, and been published once or twice, it's still shocking to me how much work and reworking is involved.

You've also hit on the other basic problem which is that if you want to be a decent writer you have to be a reader. You have to read and read to internalize what goes into making a good work of fiction, and then you need to read and read some more while consciously paying attention to what's gone into making a particular novel work.

Personally, my biggest problem connected to my writing is that I have no one to discuss plotting problems and issues with. I recently tried two different critique groups and they didn't work for me, although I did get some useful feedback. Just not as useful as I'd like. Sigh.

I have discovered a writers conference in Colorado Springs. Went last April, plan to go again next year. I did spend time with one of my fellow writers in the second critique group encouraging her to attend next year. She's actually a good and talented writer, but needs a kind of direction that I, as a fellow novice, can't really give. I'm going to call her up in a couple of months and remind her she ought to attend.

[mainer]

12. When I was starting out decades ago, I found a writer's group helpful

But I chose a group of only fiction writers (i.e. no poets or non-fiction) who were committed to writing a certain number of pages each week. Also it's good to limit the size of such a group to maybe four or five people, and they must be respectful of whatever genre you choose to write. You don't want some snooty literary type who openly despises popular fiction, if that's what you're writing.

[SheilaT]

13. Worse yet, I write science fiction.

The snooty literary type in my group said all s-f was totally predictable, which only shows that she really hasn't read very much in the field.

What I really feel like I need are people I can sit and discuss plotting and character with, both at the specific and the general level.

[mainer]

14. SF is, if anything, unpredictable!

I understand your need to discuss plotting and character with people in your genre. Maybe connect with a local chapter of Science Fiction Writers of America to find people who understand what you're doing?

Definitely go to their national meetings.

[DavidDvorkin]

15. Sheesh.

[TeamPooka]

5. same rule applies to aspiring screenwriters....

they don't watch movies old or new but they know everything...

[raccoon]

6. I think almost anybody thinks they can be a writer. If they can write a grocery list, they think

that qualifies them.

[hunter]

7. Anyone can write and I don't think that's a bad thing.

The greater problem today is finding authors I enjoy reading, even from established publishers. Maybe especially from established publishers.

Sometimes it seems I'm as likely to find fiction I enjoy on a fan site as I am on a New York Times best seller list. I've found enjoyable books here on DU, free epubs and amazon books recommended by friends of the authors.

Before computers and word processing my mom was a world-class typist and proofreader. She's also a published author. Writing books was never her day job, which was usually advertising, but she can write.

My mom is a little old retired lady now, living with my dad in one of the world's remote places. Her arthritis has slowed her down a bit, but sometimes she'll work for friends. When I was a kid I remember my mom transcribing audio tapes without much pause. She could turn chicken scratches on a yellow pad into polished manuscripts. People would pay her well for this work but most of the writing she worked with was crap. Crappy Hollywood scripts, crappy autobiographies, crappy pornographic novels, crappy academic papers for crappy academic journals...

Theodore Sturgeon was right.

My personal perspective is that writing ought to be encouraged. As with many arts it's an activity with low environmental impacts. With a generous welfare system, with free education, we will discover those artists who are truly brilliant while keeping the hacks out of trouble.

The problem today is not terrible writers, the creators of crap, the problem today is sorting the gems from the bullshit, and keeping the starving artists out of trouble.

[SheilaT]

8. The New York Times best seller lists.

They present a very specific problem of their own.

I have learned over the years that many books that are wildly hyped and become best-sellers really aren't, in my opinion, very good. I think the problem is that a book becomes a best-seller when people who only read one or two books a year buy that one. If you rarely read fiction your standards aren't going to be very well established. Or very high.

[Thespian2]

37. Another problem with best seller lists...

If a politician or a business biggie or Hollywood personality hires someone to write a book for them, wealthy people buy cart-loads to pass out to anyone who enters the office...obviously, being on a best seller list can be meaningless...

[mainer]

9. I liken it to wannabe musicians who hardly listen to music

And I agree, it smacks of narcissism.

There was a profile of Stephen King and his family in NYT recently, and I was struck by how much that entire family reads and reads and reads. They talk about other authors and other books that inspired them. No wonder just about everyone in the King family can write.

[Olive Birch]

41. You're in good company

In Stephen King's memoir 'On Writing', he is adamant about aspiring writers being voracious readers.

[exboyfil]

51. Before audiobooks got big

I think they actually made their own for each other. King is a big time walker who likes to listen to audiobooks (just like I do). I am fortunate that I live in a neighborhood with mile after mile of bike trails to walk on so I don't have the same road risk as King did when he was hit.

Both my dad and mom were big time readers. My wife's dad is also a big time reader. Both my daughters were big time readers growing up until their studies interfered with it. My youngest, now that she is out of college and working, is back to reading heavily. My oldest is still establishing her married life with a husband, new house, and two dogs.

I listen to a book about every three days (about 3 hours a day while walking and rowing). I also usually read a book about once per week (around 300 pages).

[fierywoman]

52. The wannabe musicians who won't deign to learn how to count rhythm, how to play in tune,

how to learn the cold-hearted technique needed to be able to finally take off and soar.

[mainer]

10. What inspired this OP was a doctor who handed me his "book"

implying that of course I would recognize his genius, and would pass it along to my agent. It was self-published and consisted of page after page of telling, not showing.

He assured me it would be a movie someday.

[valerief]

11. I write for fun and have no illusions about becoming published or about my work being good.

When/if I retire, I'll work on that.

Since I started writing about 15 years ago, I've improved greatly, a gazillion percent better. (The hyperbole is intentional.) Part of it is from reading but part is also from writing. Practice may not make perfect, but it makes for way, way better.

[roguevalley]

28. I guess my experience is different than many here. I agree with you, Valerief.

I also don't understand how wanting to write even if you are terrible, to have good and maybe even lofty or unrealistic ambitions about writing is narcissistic. I think its great. Good will rise and bad will either learn or move on. Write on the internet. You will find out whether you are any good or not and you will get told what sucks and what doesn't right away. More power to writers everywhere. But then, I was a teacher.

[valerief]

30. Absolutely. There's more narcissism in having children (I want a mini-me!) than in wanting to write.

[mainer]

17. Just happened to me again. ANOTHER doctor tried to hand me his manuscript,

What is it with all the M.D.s who think I'll consider it an HONOR for me to read their badly written stuff?

[SheilaT]

18. Another reason so many semi-literates think they can be a writer,

better yet a famous and rich writer, is that now the word is out that you can just publish electronically and easily and you'll sell lots and lots of your book and you won't have to pay an agent and you get to keep a lot more of the price for the Kindle version and so just go ahead and do it. (I only put breaks between the words because without them you'd not quite be able to follow me, but that's basically what I keep on hearing over and over.)

Listen up guys. I was just at Bubonicon, which is a science fiction thing in Albuquerque, and at more than one of the panels I attended the question of e-publishing came up. And I didn't even attend the one that was about the state of short fiction in the age of digital publishing. Anyway, all of the published writers who commented pointed out that the gatekeepers, meaning the editors and publishers, exist for a good reason. Too much stuff is put up on-line without proper editing or proof-reading even, and somewhat more than 99% of it is crap. One published writer pointed out that to do it properly in digital format you have to pay someone to edit, pay someone else to format, pay someone for the cover art. He said, "The writer shouldn't be paying for that stuff."

While I'm certainly not a much-published writer, I heartily agree.

[mainer]

19. Bubonicon sounds like fun. Great name for a conference!

I heartily agree with not paying anyone to do all that editing/formatting/design/marketing stuff. No one should have to pay anything to get published. They should get PAID.

[SheilaT]

20. Yes, it is a great name.

If you're able to get to Albuquerque in August you should go. Normally it's the third weekend of the month, but next year it will be the first weekend in August so as not to conflict with something else. I forget what.

[nilesobek]

21. I was injured in 1991,

pretty severely and had quite a bit of down time. So I discovered the library. Eureka! I could be educated and entertained and leave my miserable world behind and absorb myself in non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

Being a grade school dropout, the idea that I might be able to write a book seemed impossible, "can't," being the dirty four letter word.

My friends and family, hearing me talk and reading excerpts of my writing attempts, greatly encouraged me. Yet I still consider myself unfit for publication. I've written over 100 short stories and numerous pages of poetry. I feel I have stories to tell and a unique perspective and writing style.

Sometimes I can become withdrawn and tell myself, "Its just a hobby." Recently, I was offered $9,000 for one of my earlier stories, a suspense thriller about a schizophrenic housewife. But I can't bring myself to push "send."

Writing for me has been greatly therapeutic. The truth is, I'd rather wallow in obscurity than face the pressure and tension of real success. It seems that the opposite is true of the people you speak of.

Letting people come to me for my stories is far less humiliating than rejection, which I've had a whole life full of. Some people just want to say, "Hey, I'm a writer." Like a resume enhancement.

[mainer]

22. Please do press "send"!!!

It's scary sharing your work, but someone is offering to pay you $9,000 for your story, so your writing must have "it". I like the idea of a thriller with a schizophrenic housewife. Years ago, an aspiring author pitched a story to me featuring a schizophrenic detective. I loved that concept so much, I wish I'd thought of it first. (And no, I'd never swipe the idea.)

[nilesobek]

24. It would be awesome to be able to inspire someone.

Have you ever read "Gulag Archipelago?" In that book there is a scene where a Soviet politician has a rally. At the end of the rally the crowd begins thunderous applause. This applause is enthusiastic and goes on for ten, twenty, thirty minutes. Pretty soon, the crowd realizes that no one wants to be the first to stop applauding, out of fear. People start dropping from exhaustion and cardiac events, then finally, a guy stops applauding and slowly, the applause ends. Then they haul away the guy who stopped the applauding.

The only point to this is that the Author invites people to use this and other things in his book for story ideas. So I used it in one of my stories, an adaptation from that.

So if someone likes the idea of a schizophrenic housewife story, I could hardly accuse anyone of stealing it, as a matter of fact, I would be honored.

[mainer]

25. Far better that YOU get it published. It's your story.

I always try to find my own inspiration when I write, because it would feel like cheating if I took another writer's terrific concept (schizophrenic detective). True, concepts can't be copyrighted, and every writer would end up with a different story, but it still feels wrong to me.

I read Gulag Archipelago about 40 years ago -- a hint that I'm not a spring chicken anymore!

[Savannahmann]

23. Curiously enough, it was reading that started me writing.

At the time, I was reading a number of different books, some purchased, some through online story sites. I was looking for a book, one that examined the minds of those involved in the BDSM lifestyle. I read dozens of books, and found nothing that remotely approached what I wanted to read. Frustrated, I left the stories and started reading other books. I read Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. I remembered reading a fictional book of his some years back, and figured the autobiographical story of his youth would be moderately interesting. I did not imagine that it would be the spark of inspiration.

Then I remembered something else. Homer Hickam had written in his book Back to the Moon that he wrote the story because he couldn't find one to read. He had scoured the Science Fiction sections of libraries and book stores and nobody was writing a book about returning to the moon. So he wrote one, because it was what he wanted to read.

I started out with a couple ball point pens, and a composition notebook, you know the ones, and I started to think about the story I wanted to read. I wanted two lost souls who were searching for each other. I wanted it to be a love story, of sacrifice, trust, exploration, understanding, and loyalty. I wanted the man to be better than anyone, and I wanted the woman to be searching for John Wayne. But mostly, I wanted the story of how they met, fell in love, lived, and died, all with BDSM wrapped through the story.

I wrote, and then I re-wrote, and then I typed, and then I re-typed. Self Publishing was unknown to me, so I put my story online, and it got very favorable reviews, and some very critical comments. Mostly due to my complete lack of an editor, and some silly mistakes I made in my writing. As part of a challenge from one of my readers, I wrote a short story, and it was well received. The story has been out there for years, and I still get the occasional email telling me how much someone liked it.

My editing skills are so horrid that I consider that one of my major flaws. Perhaps one day, I'll dedicate more time to the thing, but for now, I have a job, a family, and a million other things that need my attention more.

[cntrygrl]

26. I love to read and

would love to write but I know it will never happen. I have, what I think, a couple good ideas but have no idea on how to get it on to paper. No writing skills whatsoever and I am dreadful when it comes to organization.

[roguevalley]

29. try it anyway. tell it on paper like you are talking to someone. Start small, then

grow. You have it in you. I believe everyone does to some extent. Try it.

[JennyD]

33. Just do it

start writing and keep going. It doesn't matter if it's not the greatest literary masterpiece in the world, all of that can be tidied up at a later date. The main thing is to write. yes, reading is important, it helps you figure out the kind of thing you want to read and then write. But you mainly need to write, that way you can find your voice.

[Thespian2]

38. I never wrote a masterpiece...

but that is not what a writer is doing...I have ideas in my head...I start by using a pen and talk to the paper, trying to get those ideas on paper without worrying about the sentences, the structure, the finer points of writing...get the ideas on paper...the sculpting into a story will come later. Without editors, no one would have known the works of Thomas Wolfe of Asheville, NC.

[SheilaT]

32. In the strictest sense of the word, you're correct that

a person doesn't necessarily need to read in order to write. One could never ever read books and still write happily away. However, most fiction exists within some sort of literary tradition, and someone who never reads, say science fiction, decides to write a science fiction novel, it probably won't be very good, and will contain very trite ideas that have been written thousands of times in that field.

Also, to write good fiction, you need to be aware of things like pacing, and conventions for punctuation. A non reader usually won't have a clue about those things. I know, because I've tried joining writing groups wherein someone doesn't read, and boy, does it show.

If you have the goal of being published, other than self-published, it would behoove the would-be writer to read lots.

[Zippyjuan]

35. hard to finish

I find it easy to come up with an idea. If you have thought of it, then many others have too. What is hard is too develop the idea. And also to develop a story and characters.

I see a lot of movies likes this. They have a good premise, but slowly start to fall apart. The talent comes with the execution. The talent IS the writing.

You also see this in the business world. Someone has an idea, but again, the success is in the execution. Probably this way in a lot of other endeavors.

[SheilaT]

36. Here's another problem with the world of on-line publication.

There are sites out there where you can put up what you've written, and gather a following and if you get enough likes your stuff rises to the top of the heap.

From what I can tell, there's still the problem of the readers of those sites not being all that able to read critically, or provide the kind of useful feedback a budding writer needs.

Then there's the meme about the handful or writers who first self-published and wound up having their novel taken on by a big publisher and being very, very successful. Listen up. While this happens, it is so rare as to make being hit by a meteor common. If you are writing, and you want to do the self-publishing route, then go for it. Just be very, very aware of the limitations of your chosen venue.

[sam_i_am]

39. Another thought

I think ideas can sometimes be easy. If you've thought of it, then many other have too. The execution of the idea is hard. Many can compose a decent premise, shell, or beginning, but either have nowhere to lead or no idea about the middle or end.

I think this is also true in a few other areas of life.

[SheilaT]

40. Yep. Ideas are a dime a dozen

to coin a phrase.

I constantly come up with brilliant ideas but an actual plot? Hah!

[Olive Birch]

42. This pet peeve transcends many professions.

As a paralegal for more years than I am willing to admit to - and now forced into 'retirement' over health issues, nary a week goes by that I am not prevailed upon by some random 'friend' (pronounced "barely knows me, but somehow managed to get my phone number&quot with a legal question they don't want to ask an official shingle-hanger for $200 an hour. The kicker is that, after prodding me into pointing them in the right direction, they will invariably tell me how much they already know about the subject (be it real estate, family law, criminal defense, etc.) and then without fail, do exactly what I told them not to do. That they call me back after said screwup almost goes without saying.

I feel your pain.

[SheilaT]

43. Good point.

I was a paralegal for not very many years. I took from that a certain sense of how the law works, and fortunately enough knowledge to know that I cannot give legal advice. I can at best hope I can point someone in the right direction to find the needed legal advice.

[raccoon]

44. I guess it's for the same reason that people think they are experts

on the field of education just because they went to school.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

45. I'm someone who loves to read, and who reads a lot.

I've also tried writing, and to my dismay I somehow can't incorporate what you think I'd have learned from my reading into my writing.

Oh, I can come up with lots of interesting ideas, and even a notion of where I should go from there. But when I sit down and start typing? Boy, is it hard.

Sigh. I console myself by thinking that the world is not noticeably impoverished because I can't somehow complete the novel that should spring from my brilliant idea. Plenty of others are writing books that are well worth reading, thank goodness.

[Goose3]

46. Those who hardly think they are authors

An author can be anyone with the ability to write what's in their imagination, heart or soul. However, it's whether or not the reader will be captured by their subject, plot and/or theories through the details brought to light in the flow of their words.

With that said, most Physicians and Attorneys compose their thoughts in a language they're used to using in a medical conference or court room. Therefore, more often than not, it would take a ghost writer and a very talented editor to assist a Physician or Attorney to an adaptable reading manuscript.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

47. Yes. Academic writing is another problem.

It's completely different from the conventions of fiction.

On the other hand, the reason some reporters turn around and make good novelists is that they're used to writing to deadline, and generally have to make it interesting.

[Separation]

49. Ignorance

Which sometimes isnt necessarily a bad thing, although to those that have heard the same question over and over again, it can turn into an annoying question for the writer.

I am by no means a writer. I just found out how much I liked it until just recently. I know for a fact that in other areas I am at the top %10 of my field. When I get questions in that field from people who want to become better without the hard work that I had to put into it, it can bug the hell out of me as well.

I'm good friends with some of the region's best Blacksmith's. They get the same types of comments as well. "Oh I bet I could make that just as easy", and their only knowledge of Blacksmithing is something they have seen on TV or YouTube.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

50. There really is this sense out there that anyone can write. And be published.

Especially since the rise of self-publishing.

A lot of people who think that it's easy (just write it and self-publish) simply haven't a clue as to what's involved. Which is why I've learned not to read anything that is self-published because 99.9% of the time it will be total crap.

I'm speaking as someone who has been through the process a handful of times to be conventionally published.

[LaelthsDaughter]

53. You make a good point.

I agree that one must read often to have a good sense of how to write. It's just... I don't often like to read published books anymore. I'll find some that interest me, but it gets difficult to entertain the ones that don't. I like reading fan works more often and I have some pretty high standards at this point. (Don't get me wrong I read the classics, lotr, hp, hell I even read vampire academy.)

I write for a hobby and almost side gig on wattpad. I hope to one day be published since I have a small following. It's a start and it's definitely helped me develope my skills.

My take is to tell people that if they aren't succeeding in a writer career then try writing something more familiar. If you're a doctor, write about being a doctor and the struggles that come with it. Take a break. Come back after a month and if it's entertaining to you when you reread it, you know it's good. If it needs work, try looking at how dramas describe things. Use exaggeration, try more dialog, describe what everyone is doing. Down to breathing and blinking. Daydream it out? What happens as you let the scene progress? That's how I try to help people.

I hope that helps! Sometimes there's lost causes, but for those who are really passionate you might want to take this approach.