Comments on: Would you rather be a Best-Selling Author or a Best Writing Author?

By: Sherry

Sherry — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:17:51 +0000

I want to be a well-loved author. I quite honestly don’t care to be famous or extremely wealthy or to parlay books into films. If (when) I write a book, I would like it to pay the bills but am ok if I still have to maintain a day job. I know it sounds like I’m shooting a bit low. But really, I think it would blow my mind to be sitting at a book signing or a cafe or whatever, and have a kid come up to me with battered, beloved copy of my book and ask for my signature. That’s on my “bucket list.”

By: David Royall

David Royall — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:20:43 +0000

I have been told, “The difference between a flower and a weed is merely a judgement.”

I wish my thoughts to be clearly understood; beyond that reader shall decide whether to fertilize or to use herbicide.

By: Kellie

Kellie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:58:13 +0000

For me, it’s about creating the best art that I can. Whether that art would be considered “literary” or not, I don’t know, but I don’t even like to read most best-sellers. (I do not, however, consider the label of literariness to be a guarantee of quality: I dislike reading both Stephenie Meyer and J. M. Coatzee, just for different reasons.)

I’d love to have the income of a best-selling author; I’d love to have a huge audience interested in my work; but my aim/hope/goal is to produce stories that I myself would consider worthy of reading.

By: Dan Brown: How Does He Do It? - by Joanna Penn | The Creative Penn

Dan Brown: How Does He Do It? - by Joanna Penn | The Creative Penn — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:32:32 +0000

[...] few weeks ago, I asked whether you wanted to be a best selling author or a best writing author. No one would say that Dan Brown writes literature, but ”The Da Vinci Code” is one of [...]

By: Timmy Graham

Timmy Graham — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:23:44 +0000

Like Hemingway used to say, I just want to write true sentences.

If I write a whole pile of sentences, enough to fill the pages of a novel, and if those sentences are true then I will be happy.

I would only hope that while I search for a true sentence I can find enough money to supply food, housing and some comfort.

By: Shack’s Comings and Goings » Alternative thoughts; Best Selling or Best Written

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:29:47 +0000

[...] Yesterday I posted Rob Parnell’s classic post Murder your Darlings because it turned up on the day I posted the conflicting view Flabby or Plump; Can You Cut Too Deep, also on the same day I read Joanna Penn’s blog post which asks the question Would you rather be a Best-Selling Author or a Best Writing Author. [...]

By: Shack’s Comings and Goings » Sunday Wash-up

Shack’s Comings and Goings » Sunday Wash-up — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:19:31 +0000

[...] Would you rather be a Best-Selling Author or a Best Writing Author- Joanna Penn discusses the difference between popular books and literature. Does following the rules make your book desirable to the buying public. [...]

By: Practice Failing Until The Day You Can Fly. Lessons Learned From The Wright Brothers. - by Joanna Penn | The Creative Penn

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:01:46 +0000

[...] environment to be in. The tall poppies are cut down by the literary critics, even though they achieve great things. Perhaps you need to stop going to the writers group that destroys your confidence weekly? Perhaps [...]

By: Zoe Winters

Zoe Winters — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:31:27 +0000

I don’t like the assumption that only literary fiction is the best writing.

The best writing is writing that moves people. I consider JK Rowling both bestselling and best writing.

I don’t think we should be defined by numbers though. But a fantastic response from a small group of readers would be better than a mediocre excitement level from a large number.

i.e. lots of bestsellers have a lot of hype but are wholly forgettable as books.

By: Ophelia

Ophelia — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:08:13 +0000

I also don’t think a choice needs to be made. Prose can be simple, compelling and beautifully constructed. I would choose to write as well as I can, whether that suits a ‘literary’ or a ‘popular fiction’ genre.

Re Dan Brown – lots of people like junk food, but that doesn’t mean it’s somehow inherently good to supply it. (By ‘junk food’ I mean badly written fiction, whether literary or popular). How wonderful would it be if Dan Brown took his talent for writing gripping plots and added beautiful, simple prose? That could only increase his sales! I would choose beautiful, clear writing and would love to see some of the best-seller authors continue to learn and grow as writers. Wow – what a great topic!