[JRTomlin]

I would have said, "Be brave, just like braveheart."



I HAVE BEEN WAITING SIX YEARS TO SAY THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evil, EVIL vampire kitty!

Edit: Just WAIT til you get all those emails requesting reviews. Lots and lots of reviews.

 

[JRTomlin]

Dude, lighten up. I was just saying he strikes me as more of a marketer.

I don't think anyone here is "attacking other writers." Even if we were, are we creative people, or are we sycophants? I find a little back and forth discussion much more interesting than weighing whether going against the consensus is "a great idea" or not.

You're a writer and the best you can come up with is: Dude, lighten up?

I don't think anyone was talking about any "consensus" anyway. In fact, I don't know what "consensus" you're talking about unless the one that if you write you're a writer.

 

[JRTomlin]

As I say above: "I don't see any sign that he writes anything he feels the need to say."

That's what I think makes a real writer.

In his book he says he writes what he thinks will sell, and if something doesn't sell, he switches back to what does.

So if on a certain day I write something that I don't feel particular passion for I'm no longer a writer?

Nope, passion may make you a passionate writer although I've known some very passionate writers who, to be utterly frank, were a lot more passionate then they were talented.

What makes on a writer is getting words down on a page. When I was a writer for a newspaper, I was a writer. If I chose to write non-fiction, I would be a writer. If I choose to write what sells (ala John Locke and Patterson), I would be a darn successful writer. When I write what I enjoy (and it is enjoy and not necessarily have a passion for) I am still a writer.

Of course, you can not consider me or Locke or Patterson writers and that's by your definition. Obviously, we disagree on that but I don't think it's really a great idea to go around attacking other writers because they're not passionate enough for you. Of course, you don't consider them writers so you consider you have that right, nay, that duty. So we have a bit of a disconnect.

 

[JRTomlin]

I find the replies here interesting, in particular

I'm interested to know what you think makes a "real writer"?

For me a writer is someone who writes... is there a piece of the puzzle I'm missing?

Personally I think Locke is interesting and I admire him for the fact that he did achieve his goal. He writes books that are entertaining and that people want to read. For me that's what I want to do, I'm not interested in writing art or even the next "big thing" but I do want to write books that people want to read. Books that entertain and give enjoyment, a means of escape. Now If I can do that and make a living from it I'll be one happy bunny

Bilinda

I absolutely agree. I do not buy that one must be some sort of artiste to be a "real writer".