NOTE- Please read this before listening. This is a show regarding getting down about your career, and I pinpoint a lot of things that aren’t true about publishing. Upon relistening, I realize what I’m TRYING to say is the things I mention (ie, your editor putting a huge marketing campaign behind your book) aren’t guaranteed. The things I mention definitely can happen, and often do, you just shouldn’t count on them happening. Sorry for the downer of a show.
There’s one swear word in the interview with the fabulous Mary Robinette Kowal.
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- 00:00:07: ISBW #153
- 00:01:08: State of the Mur: preparing for WorldCon, working on the next novel.
- 00:02:12: GoTo Meeting Message
- 00:03:17: Confidence, and losing it. Remembering that ideas can’t be copyrighted or trademarked (or “stolenâ€), that execution is everything. Keeping expectations reasonable – success and/or ease in a writing career is never guaranteed, no matter what stage of your career you are in. [And even if you do become a King-Rowling-Patterson-Brown-Meyers-level bestseller, then you’ve got to deal with all those critics saying your writing is crap. No one gets a pass. Thus sayeth the show notes writer. -CKHB] Networking and how to win friends and influence people. Convention etiquette.
- 00:24:26: Promo: Enemy Lines
- 00:25:52: Interview: Mary Robinette Kowal
- Launch party
- Bull Spec
- Transitioning from being a puppeteer to being a writer
- Shades of Milk and Honey
- Creating a historically plausible magic system
- Upcoming novel: Glamour in Glass
- Picking a title
- 00:54:08: Promo: Into the Dark podcast / Save the Villain
- 00:55:32: Pep talk! Keep going!
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7 Responses to ISBW #153 – Plz read show notes first / Mary Robinette Kowal Interview
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New from the Murverse- ISBW Special #46 – Stonecoast Writer’s Residency January 31, 2012
- ISBW #230 – Feedback January 30, 2012
- Short Story Alert- Gimme Shelter January 27, 2012
Be glad Syfy didn’t adapt your novel. Just ask Ursula K. LeGuin how the Earthsea adaption went.
It probably helps to say that I wanted to send you this note before listening to the depressing intro to this podcast, so this isn’t just a pity-party response:
Lately, whenever I listen to ISBW (to to Escape Pod, for that matter), I find myself feeling incredibly proud of you. That seems like a strange emotion to have for a stranger, but I’ve watched your career develop over the last few years, and your growth has been inspiring. To see you finish projects, get published, speak at conferences, and take on new podcasts gives me this, “Yeah, go get ‘em, Mur!” feeling, like someone from my team is actually living the dream.
I realize that what the dream actually looks like is a target that keeps getting further away, and I constantly remind myself of this as I work toward my own goals. I’m grateful for the cheerleading that you have given me; it seems as though you’re awfully good at broadcasting the advice that you most need to hear. The progress that you have made over the last few years indicates that, for the most part, you do a decent job of taking your own advice most of the time.
I hope you have an incredible adventure at WorldCon.
Hey Mur,
Just wanted to remind you how awesome you are. And, that this too shall pass. Hopefully that doesn’t come as cold comfort, but look at the difference between the start of ISBW (5 years ago!!!) and now. We’re all cheering for you, Mur.
Thanks for everything. Hang in there!
Arvik
I really feel for you, Mur. The Syfy thing is annoying not only to you but all of us who loved Playing for Keeps. I’ll root for the show to really suck and die a quick death. (Yes, that’s mean of me. I’ll get over it.) On the bright side, your title is much, much better. Am I the only one who thinks that “Three Inches” sounds like the punch line to a slightly off-color joke?
And who wants to be J.K. Rowling, anyway, able to turn in your grocery list and see it published? Where’s the challenge in that?
A Con Etiquette Question:
Can you approach agents and editors at a Con while in Cosplay (low key, Witch Hunter/Gunslinger), or just forgo costuming for a year and try to shake hands with as many agents/editors as possible with your real persona?
Okay, now that I have typed the question, it seems self evident, but I would still like to hear your opinion.
Sorry to be contrary, but you brought up something that hit a nerve. I get where you’re coming from regarding people wanting to hear their names, but I work in retail, with a name tag. In that context, it really burns my a** to have people calling me by my name. It’s an un-earned familliarity, and reminds me of telemarketers.
Other than that, everything else in the last 153+ shows was perfect.
Hi Mur,
I just got back from a long walk. You came with me as I listened to #153. Sorry to hear that you’re down about someone else using the idea of super heros with UNUSUAL (not crappy) super powers. Another way to look at it is that someone else thinks the idea a good one.
I’m a bit surprised that you seem unaware of Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz series, which does something similar. Get thee to a bookstore immediately and read his books. One of the more powerful character sports the ability to “always be late to everything”, and indeed it is a powerful trait, at least in Brandon’s world
Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians is the first of the series and I highly recommend them.
Oh, and thanks for “I Should Be Writing.” More than anyone you address not only the pragmatics of a creative person’s life but also the emotional roller coaster that one must experience as you navigate a creative life style. You’re the best.
Cheers — Larry
http://www.woodnbits.com/blog