Anyone ever get really pissed at...

Just who tends to become a bestselling author?
I mean, ok, any serious student of the craft already knows Dan Brown is a hack. They already realized he just recycled the plot of his other book, Angels and Demons, with a more controversial conspiracy for Da Vinci Code.

But there are others, too. For instance, I see on the New Fiction shelf at Borders today that Nicole Ritchie has a new fiction novel out.

Nicole. Bloody. Ritchie.

I just had to stare at it for a few minutes in shock. And then I felt like crying. She'll probably sell more copies of that one novel than I ever will of anything I ever eventually publish. Then I look at people like John Grisham, who for the most part write the same formulaic stuff over and over and are always best-sellers.
Then I look at people like Ann Coulter, who are famous for nothing more than writing books of venom and spite. She's not even witty, like Al Franken can (or used) to be. She's just vile.

It pisses me off, and makes me want to hit something. Whoever said that reading is an intellectual's haven...they lied. Horribly.

Does anyone else here ever feel that way?

Way I look at it, if those dorks can get published, so can I.

Yep, that's how I feel.

I wonder that every time I see the latest Trek novel on the shelf.

Don't get me started...

Ugh. Watching films is such a double edged sword for a screenwriter. On one hand, you can watch a great movie and be inspired to try and write something just as good. On the other hand, you can watch a piece of crap and tell yourself "THAT sold? THAT hack makes a living? THAT got made? THAT had a one hundred million dollar budget behind it??"

The thing is, a lot of bad movies actually came from good scripts, they just got hacked to pieces by re-writing.

Oh, god, no, I flinch away from that like a spoonful of poo held in my face.

When I try to emulate what I like, it ends up being an insult to the original at best.
When I see stuff that inspired me subliminally seep in, it's just as bad, which is why most of my stories make me puke.

Embarrassing. Awful.
Like that little kid in the family who thinks you're great, and starts copying your mannerisms and stuff.

Or, like that whole awful generation that started aping Tarantino.

Swore I'd never be those people.

No, I try my damnedest to brutally beat that out of myself.
I just focus on the clockworks, and try to make my own voice communicate more effectively.

Can't stand it. Can't goddamn STAND it.
Wanna split into two people and beat on myself when I catch myself doing it.

I'm not talking about writing a carbon copy of something.

I'm talking about seeing something great and being filled with the need to run to the computer and get to work.

Oh, no, I stifle that back.
That's the worst time to write, cuz then the damn subliminal influences creep in.
It's almost ruined movies for me.

I've been building a mental barrier to try to seperate writing and movie watching.
The wall still leaks.
It's agonizing to seperate out every little thing.

Although, I guess influences are almost if not entirely impossible to fight, so maybe it's psychotic to even try, so don't go by me.

Please, the memories are far too painful. By and large that is exactly what happens.

What is really annoying is watching any book Oprah Winfrey farts at rocket to the top for no other reason than Oprah farted at it.

I can't imagine how aggravating that must be to actual authors.

[action=phantomofthenet]reminds self to put a fat black woman in his novel...[/action]

Oh, no, I stifle that back.
That's the worst time to write, cuz then the damn subliminal influences creep in.
It's almost ruined movies for me. - quote

That's why the first movie developed by the Amish will kick ass. You know it won't be influenced by too much.

Two words: "U.S. SEALS"

Well, think of it this way Cro, you can always brainwash some of the flash-in-the-pan, idiotic, celebrity-of-the-month types into believing you're the next Jesus and get them all buy your books. By the crateful...

The thing about Oprah, though, is that while some of those books were crap and some were actually quite good - she opened the venue for writers other than the Usual Suspects, and gave readers more options to read than Same Old, Same Old.

If every talkshow host sponsored a book club, they could change the face of publishing in this country for the better.

Point. Taken.

I'm with the rest of you - seeing crappy authors get published indicated I still have a chance.

As for book clubs, they do tend to focus on the usual suspects, I think, if only because they need to focus on authors the viewers are interested in. With Oprah the books are not what draws the audience towards the show, so there is no need to be predictable.

Personally I write down book titles mentioned in interviews I read, take recommendations from (some) friends, etc. but I also check out award lists: as limited as they are, it's not fair to say only the bestselling books get awards. Many books get awards and are subsequently forgotten by the audience. I also pick books at random, of course, and even if you intend only to read the classics each country produces, you can keep yourself busy for quite some time.

btw. I was thinking it might be a good idea to use quotes from favorite books as signatures on a forum as well as in emails. Change them from time to time, and watch your favorite writers find a new audience..

Bah. Write more, write better. I'm not worried about what someone else does. If they're happy and successful, God bless. I'm only responsible for my own. And figuring out a way to make 'em shorter.