Learning from the Masters...
As a writer of fiction (typically, but not exclusively, science fiction and fantasy), my goal is to be widely read. To that extent, it behooves me to take what good advice I can from any writer who is already doing what I'd like to do: earn a living with writing, not just write as a side-project.
I was reminded of this during a workshop with Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch (two of the busiest working writers in science fiction today), when they provided my fellow writers and me with a list of books to read before the workshop. Lawrence Block? Nora Roberts? Clive Cussler? Why would I want to read those? I'm writing sci-fi. Stephen King, sure. But... Meg Cabot? Who is she, and why should I care? The Year's best Crime and Mystery? Historical fiction? What does this have to do with me?
Well, it turns out that they are all writers who are *extremely* well paid to put a story together and sell it to the reading public. And they all have something to teach me. Meg Cabot, it turns out, is one of the biggest names in Young Adult fiction around (The Princess Diaries). I'd never heard of her. Some of you here may never have heard of Connie Willis, despite the fact that she's won more Hugo awards for her writing than any other writer ever. So? If you want to write fiction that sells, and you have a chance to study any of these writers, you take it. They all have something to teach you.
A few folks on this thread have commented that Dan &Dave are just flourishers. Like you, I must say that my taste tends to run in a different direction when it comes to what I'd like to learn and work on. But have you ever listened to D&D talk about their trade? They are fascinating. Articulate. And they are doing something that I'm not doing -- they are making money in this industry and commanding the respect of their peers.
Certainly, you'll learn more from some folks than others. Then again, the more you're willing to listen, the more you're likely to learn from even the least likely of sources. This DVD has a great line-up. David Regal and WH are perhaps the two I'm most familiar with, but I expect to learn from *everyone* who contributed to this presentation. And if (when) there's a follow-up with additional performers, I'd like to hear what they have to say, as well.
Incidentally, after reading those aforementioned books that I never would have read had they not been labeled 'required reading', I wrote a short story in the historical fiction genre, and sold it within a week. (The anthology just came out in paperback -- Swordplay edited by Denise Little, available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and anywhere else fine books are sold. My story is about Custer and his famous Last Stand.)
You might be surprised at what you learn by listening to mentors from all across the field.
