GoodWordEditing.com - Latest Comments in Hello from Mount Hermon!

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Marcus — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:00:57 -0000

Merrie, that's fair. I did post about it. I don't know who the writer was, but I gathered that the person was spending too much creative energy in blogging rather than writing to a deadline.

It's one of the big dangers of blogging. The instant feedback can be a real temptation.

In fact, I've thought of pulling out of blogging completely for just that reason. It can be very hard to set boundaries. And yet.... it really is one of the keys to the future of publishing I think. We just don't know what it is going to unlock yet.

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Merrie Destefano — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:11:44 -0000

Mark,
I know I'm coming into this conversation late, but did you ever find out how blogging was bad for someone's writing? I have a few guesses. One, the person wasn't getting her writing assignments finished on time. Two, the style of writing on her blog was different than her professional writing. Three, this one is tough, she was talking about things on her blog that were supposed to be confidential.

Unfortunately, I probably just painted you into a corner. You might not be able to discuss this situation on your blog, since it's a touchy subject.

But it could be good topic to discuss in an open forum, no pointing fingers sort of way.

Thanks for giving such a thorough over-view of the conference.
:)

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Marcus — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:29:54 -0000

Steve, thanks for dropping by! You are the man. Thanks also for the reminder that numbers are just a guideline. So many writers are looking for success formulas... including me more often than I'd like to admit.

As a Christian, I have to constantly check my definitions of success. First of all, love God through my work. Then, love my neighbors through my work. The real grace is God's love, not book sales. It's funny how hard is to remember that sometimes.

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Steve Laube — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:48:44 -0000

I probably should clarify regarding 1st book sales in fiction. If an author can consistently sell between 15,000 and 20,000 copies of their books they will continue to have a career and be contracted. That is a generally acceptable level.

If your first novel sells 5,000 copies or less it will be VERY difficult to get that next project sold to a new publisher unless the writing and idea are absolutely fabulous.

Also. At some publishers, selling 15,000 is considered a failure. At other houses that is like hitting the game winning home run. So it all depends on the publisher and their expectations.

But this is all a theoretical discussion anyway and writers need to be careful when telling this info without the full story behind the anecdote. Numbers are a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. Marcus was wise to add the caveat above.

It was great meeting you!

Hope that helps!

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Gina — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:25:26 -0000

I really need to get my proposal into Steve! Thanks for this day by day update!

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Marcus — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:38:13 -0000

Brandon, thanks! That will encourage me to post them.

Papa Poet, what is sleep?

Susan, we would never let you be a fly on the wall. You'd be in the thick of it.

Mary, I'll mention your name next time I run into them.

spaghettipie, I'm in the espressocart RIGHT NOW, waiting for her to open up and give us some coffee. Er, sell us some coffee, at least. There's no such thing as free coffee.

Or maybe that's free lunch?

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

spaghettipie — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:37:06 -0000

Thanks so much for taking the time to post some updates. And be sure to drink an espresso from the coffee cart for me.

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:14:52 -0000

Hey, say HI to Steve Laube and Nick Harrison for me! They're both terrific guys!

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Susan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:36:33 -0000

Thanks for sharing - I would love to be there, not because of the writing, but just to see you and LL interact with all the others - a secret fly on the wall!

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Papa Poet — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:23:28 -0000

Don't forget to sleep.

Re: Hello from Mount Hermon!

Brandon Satrom — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:45:55 -0000

Thanks for the update Marcus! I am looking forward to your daily updates and insights.