There is one very serious misconception about what a writer should do “in the world. By the way, the fact that a writer has to work somewhere, to go to service, is not discussed at all. It’s understandable a priori. So here’s the thing: what should a writer do?
Not a translator, a journalist or a literary editor in a magazine. The point is that in his free time as a writer, he should NOT be writing. Otherwise he’ll go crazy. And if he doesn’t go crazy, he certainly won’t be a writer. Maybe that’s better.
Or rather, here’s how. A writer, in his job, should do the kind of work that doesn’t require a lot of hard thinking, or, God forbid, even lettering. Anything – work as a longshoreman in a port, work on a building site, groom unicorns, catch butterflies – but not intellectual work associated with sedentary work and mental strain.
Then the writer has a hunger, a real hunger for culture and the creation of the Word. And then, when he comes home from work, he rushes to write. A lot of people, even those who are not involved in creative work, live like that: they work for half a year and then, eating up the money they’ve earned, they do what their soul asks for.
The established poets and writers are another matter. They can teach (a little), write op-ed columns for a newspaper, host a TV show. All, mind you, in the singular. But it is contraindicated for a young talent to begin even with this.
Literature Institute, awards, and parties.
May I confine myself to a short answer? Don’t enroll, don’t aspire, don’t go. It’s not fashionable. It doesn’t do any good. It doesn’t make any money.
What is a “winding up”?
A windfall is the name given to the flow of authors’ manuscripts to publishers. As a rule, the fate of such manuscripts is sad – they are not printed, not reviewed, and not returned. It makes sense to apply to a publishing house only if the director of the publishing house is your acquaintance. And even then, it does not guarantee you an income from the circulation and a solid royalty.
Writers on the Internet
Everyone’s talking now about how the Internet is saving aspiring writers. And it really has. Blogging and ZhJ is a way of self-expression not only for fools, but also for those who really have something to say to the world in good Russian language. Especially if you know how to work in a small genre – an essay, a short story, a short story. And also, if you write poetry. In the ocean of graphomania your talented voice will definitely be heard. And the fashion for bloggers, who are perceived today as the most relevant newsmakers, will make journalists pay attention to you and invite you for an interview. And there and publishers will conclude a contract with you.
If you do not read anything, then you do not do in the craft of writing. I should say that it’s not about reading your contemporaries. They just do not need to read. With regard to contemporaries, the proverb quoted above is true. One should read the classics. First, because it contains strategic reserves of literate and rich Russian speech. Secondly, because the writer must be able to distance himself from his time, otherwise he will turn into a journalist of a district newspaper. In general, writing is a craft, and here, as in any other craft, the shop apprentice must be trained by the Master – whether he likes it or not.
If you already have a contract with a publisher.
I’m optimistic. Publishers know one tricky rule: you can’t feed the reader with the same names. That’s why publishers are always on the prowl. In addition, if you are not graphomaniac, and your text will like reading his editor, you will be invited to a conversation. And then the circulation is printed. Immediately disappointing – you will be cheated. Circulation will be more than indicated on the cover of the book. You will not see the difference. And this is the only way not to pay the author. But you will still get paid. How much?
In addition, the publisher will ask you to write a sequel, to make your name a brand, to accustom the reader to it. That’s why if you’re a typical author of one book, they won’t even want to talk to you. Write two, or even three parts at once. Write a book in three parts. And feed it to the tiger one piece at a time.
