A couple of things hit me today: The idea that agents and publishers have that authors need the pain of rejection in order to grown and the notion that self-publication opens the door to publishing “before the author is ready.”
I have a few things to say.
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It’s been seven days – a full week. Is this interesting? Worthwhile? Do you have a subject you want me to talk about?
Let me know.
Thanks for listening.
Interesting podcast this morning. I agree with you that the advice to writers that persistence always pays off does not make sense. Better advice: Trust your experience. If writing and submitting writing enhances your life than good. If trying to be a writer is something you do because it keeps you from being happy and succeeding in life than change how you do it.
I am also from academia (phd in social science from Syracuse ) but I never considered staying to teach because I saw no examples of people who were happy in academia. In my experience academia more often than not takes advantage of smart and hard working people. I always wondered why my professors didn’t find something better.
As a consultant I teach and work with individuals, couples, small and big groups and I get paid fairly. Its hard work but there is integrity for all involved.
You are correct that the world does not buy talent it buys what it knows is can sell.
I like your writing and books and if I had your talent I would also try to make it as a full time writer.
Another great episode Nathan – hope the talks with the kids went well, that sounds fun. As to what I’d like to hear, as a new writer and huge fan I can’t wait to hear episodes that are recorded on days when you’re writing, or days after you’ve written. I’m not saying you would go into what you wrote, but how the writing session was so we could hear about your process. “Yesterday I wrote 4K words on Cape Grace,” 🙂 It would be really fun to hear what’s going on in your life while you’re writing. By the way, the birds in the background adds to the sound, I love hearing them in the background. It’s very cheerful to listen to while sitting in my cube or riding in my car. I look forward to hearing from you again tomorrow. Cheers!
Hi Nate! I look forward to these listening to these everyday. I know a lot of your listens are writers and love to hear you talk about writing. I do too but I’m also interested in hearing about more about your thoughts about education today. Do you think programs that place technology in student’s hands throughout the school day will help bring more learning back to the classroom?
Thanks! Melissa
Just discovered this site, Mr Lowell ! Following you on your walk from this day on !