Just got one of those emails writers get now with, frankly, a really flattering ai summary of my last book. The scammer, who had stolen the headshot and LinkedIn deets of an innocent editor, wrote proposing that "they could do great things for me at Hachette Books."
Dude, that book--like all my books--was published by Hachette.
Dude, that book--like all my books--was published by Hachette.
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I sometimes worry that my most cynical writing seems to land best. Puppies and rainbows from here on out.
@BrentWeeks i, too, have been betrayed by the Corporate world,... or rather, by the institution i was at, (not actually corporate)
This bit was the most grounded, the most applicable to real life
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Art is craft first. Crafts can be learned. Some learn fast, some slow. Many who could learn give up. Innate giftedness matters, but "her work ethic and perseverance were amazing" tells the tale. This is why some artists/musicians/writers hate it when you tell them they're "so gifted" or "a genius," and will say, "Nah, I just work hard." You think they're being humble. They're being real, and if they're annoyed by what you intended as a compliment, it's because they think you're discounting the work, as if all their mastery just got plopped into their laps unearned. They've seen those vanishingly rare cases and know they're not that guy. This is why a Billy Joel, with decades of success and many hits, will say, "As a musician, I'm merely competent." The artist in the anecdote also kept trying, which gave her many chances to get lucky. That matters too.
honestly this rewired my fucking brain
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Last reminder for those in the Portland, Oregon area to come to Powell's at Cedar Hills Crossing in Beaverton to launch Tad Williams' The Splintered Sun. Event starts at 7pm. Both of us will chat, answer some questions, and sign books.
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If Tad looks as much like his author photo as I don't, you may have trouble telling us apart.
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(A little less than) One week's notice: Tad Williams, Tuesday, Oct 6th, 7pm, Powell's Books Cedar Hills Crossing. I'll be available to sign books, following our official conversation.
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I may need a new pen name: Brent Years.
@BrentWeeks Bad books take days, good books take WEEKS.
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I'm not saying the new Siri is bad--but I haven't had to spell out so many words since the days of Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
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I've met Doug, and I like him a lot. If you get a book published AND it does well? You feel like you've forfeited any right you have to complain. Ever. You're living the dream!
And yet the work can still chew you up.
And yet the work can still chew you up.
I interviewed an author who started a fantasy trilogy that sold very well, but found himself unable to finish it.
To stop this post being buried, I'll point you at it in reply to comments.
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I took a creative writing class with a professor who didn't like my "sci-fi stuff" but was hugely encouraging to me anyway.
The odd thing is that maybe the best writer in the class wrote about incest repeatedly and so viscerally, it was clear she was processing it in front of everyone. Heartbreaking, but also super awkward.
So while this list is ridiculous, I do feel a bit of empathy for the prof. I mean, who wants to be repeatedly exposed to Science Fiction?
The odd thing is that maybe the best writer in the class wrote about incest repeatedly and so viscerally, it was clear she was processing it in front of everyone. Heartbreaking, but also super awkward.
So while this list is ridiculous, I do feel a bit of empathy for the prof. I mean, who wants to be repeatedly exposed to Science Fiction?
... seriously?
This from some "creative writing" course or other.
I have frequently said that creative writing classes mostly serve to stifle actual creativity, and this right here is exhibit fucking A.
Oops, used foul language, I get an F.
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I've seen a related gain. I don't feel enough need to hire a personal trainer, but a few times I've used AI to correct my form lifting weights: navigating around old injuries, alternative lifts, etc. It's a real but invisible (to GDP) benefit.
I just fixed my dishwasher with the help of ChatGPT. A trivial task. I had been about to order a new one. So this software has increased the country's real wealth yet decreased the measured GDP. The main economic indicator is structurally incapable of registering the thing that actually makes people better off, namely the growth of knowledge
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Fan: Hey, do you want to grab a drink after your signing?
Author:
Author:
@BrentWeeks I'm your #1 fan!
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Brent Weeks retweeted
I am very excited to announce my full tour for The Wolves of War. I have the honour of chatting to Ryan Cahill and Shauna Lawless in Dublin, Samantha Shannon in London, Joe Abercrombie in Bath, and Hannah Kaner in Manchester. Truth & Courage. Head & Heart
geni.us/JohnGwynneEven…
geni.us/JohnGwynneEven…
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Every epic fantasy novelist:
Book lengths:
200-250 pages - very forgivable length even if the book sucks
400-600 pages - possible to write a perfect book this length
700-900 pages - almost certainly contains lots of bad writing
1000+ pages - only about ten books in the world of this length are worth reading
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Mark your calendars, Portland (OR) vicinity SF/Fantasy readers: I've been granted the privilege of sharing the stage with the great Tad Williams on October 6th, promoting the release of The Splintered Sun. Link in comments.
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