Ditchdoctor
Accentuate Writer!
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It's an honorable profession
What we all endeavor to do. If we go way back in time, picture this. People had separated into tribes and had languages, fire and had learned to hunt
in groups. The men who could run the fastest and throw the spear the best were admired and respected.
But, at night when the meat was cooked and everyone finished eating. There were no televisions or radios. Other than the night sky, it was those
who told a good story who were admired by the group. Those who could articulate as they looked at the stars and wondered what it was all about. After
all, that's what we all are, or aspire to be, storytellers.
Don't let fear and common sense stand in your way.
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Tangoshoes
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Going back to most Native cultures, storytellers were indeed highly regarded.... before there was a way to track stories in print, storytellers had to
rely on memory and gift to pass stories down from one generation to another. Not everyone could be a storytell either. It's a very prolific,
honorable profession indeed.
Buy the ticket, take the ride.
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GarryMcL
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Sometimes it isn't having the ability to tell a good story that makes one a published author, but being able to put in the words some agent or
publisher will accept. If just being able to tell the story was the answer, we all would probably be published and respected authors.
Garry-
51,110 of 85,000 words
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Ditchdoctor
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Garry, when I look at some (most) of the tripe that is offered up on the shelves, I really wonder how some of these people got published and remain
published.
Don't let fear and common sense stand in your way.
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Tangoshoes
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Ah opens up a good discussion about "Can anyone be a writer, should a writer be anyone?" hmmmm
I think there is an insane amount of garbage on the shelves these days and I do ask myself, how the heck did this get published!
Buy the ticket, take the ride.
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Nancy G.
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"One man's trash is another man's treasure" is true about storytelling/writing also.
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Sadie
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Well, I suppose "tripe" and "garbage" are in the eye of the beholder, just as beauty is... but I can usually find something to like or enjoy about
almost any book I read or movie I see, even if it's just to laugh about it afterwards.
For anyone who wants to give writing a shot and has a story to tell, I am glad for their opportunity to at least try.
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horrificly_me
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I like to think of it as empowering to have a medium to reach an audience. To think of how many people out there spoils this amazing opportunity by
not having anything to say.
Not that I always put anything important into my work, but now and then I like to have a little subtle message.
[Edited on 28/7/2010 by horrificly_me]
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raian76
Superlative Writer
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I think a vast majority of stuff that gets published is due to sheer luck. It's all based on one person's opinion of your work. Either the
editor/agent/publisher you sent it to on that particular day likes it, or not. It's one of the biggest crap shoots out there.
I actually would like to see the entire publishing industry change. I think it's time for the giants to fall. In this day and age, with all the
mediums available, I think a lot more worthy stuff will be seen by a lot more people who may never had a chance to see/read it in the past because it
wouldn't make it into print at the big houses.
There will still be great writers and mediocre writers, and lousy writers.
I do photography for a hobby, and since the DLSR's have come down in price, there are so many people out there shooting and selling their work for
pennies. Are they any good? Sure, some of them are, but some aren't.
Same with writers.
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Ditchdoctor
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Pardon me, I have never been published and I don't mean to coma off as sounding superior. But it is my ultimate dream,, to see my book on a shelf for
sale. To have people really enjoy the tale that I have to tell and read it. If I won the lottery and were rich beyond my wildest dreams, it would
still not fill this void. I just love writing stories, but, to have my writing validated, I must also see that others like it.
I have seen books like "Power Walking", an entire book devoted to and published about walking fast and swinging your arms. I suppose you could wring
out an entire book on this if you devoted 10,000 words to choosing the right shoes and socks, but why?
Or, "The Primal Scream", an entire book explaining why we all have ulcers and heart attacks (according to the author). He says way back in time, if
say a sabre toothe Tiger ate your wife, you just screamed and let it all out. But, today it is no longer proper to scream so we get eaten up inside by
our stress. A good theory, but an entire book saying, "Once a week, drive out to the middle of nowhere and just scream for tan minutes. You will live
longer."
That's what I was referring to as published tripe.
Don't let fear and common sense stand in your way.
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Skwerly
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Society just scares the hell out of me. When the most popular trash on television are scripted reality shows with scumbags as participants or adult
programs about drugs and sex and violence, it really makes me wonder where it's all headed.
With all the MTV rubbish that is aired, it's no wonder folks take a chance on absolute garbage books. After all, one never knows, right? In this day
and age, it seems that the stupider the plot, premise or participants, the more successful the endeavor.
I suppose it has always been this way to some degree, but I see it worsening at breakneck speed and it honestly bothers me a lot. Back in the day if
I wanted to watch a pretty girl get drunk and cheat on her boyfriend with a too buff, too tan dude who just beat the shit out of another guy, all the
while considering the fact that she may be a lesbian, I would just go to a party. THAT'S the real reality television.
Sorry to detract from the thread, but the mention of trash books got me thinking about other forms of trash entertainment, and I had to go on a
mini-rant.
Please excuse me, and resume your discussion. 
I seemed to be looking down from an immense height upon a twilit grotto, knee-deep with filth, where a white-bearded daemon swineherd drove about
with his staff a flock of fungous, flabby beasts whose appearance filled me with unutterable loathing.
My AC page:
Derek's Junk
My Horror Writing Forum: http://writersofhorror.myfreeforum.org/index.php 
I **love** creepy trees!
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GarryMcL
Superlative Writer
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Skwerly ... I kind of liked your rant ...  I totally agree with
you. Then again, I am an "Old Fart" that is stuck some place between 1940 and 1970.
Garry-
51,110 of 85,000 words
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