Writing with Zette

Edits, rewrites, updates -- various publishers asking for various things.  It's been a busy few weeks and I think it's going to get worse at least until April and probably for a long time afterwards.  I don't mind busy, of course.  At least most of the time.

What I do mind are people who just straight out waste my time.  I offer to help anyone who is interested in the world of publication, and I often point them to other people who know more than I do.  I've been having an ongoing email conversation with an old friend about the publishing world and that's been a lot of fun.  But yesterday I had a round of emails from someone who was not only clueless, but rude.  'But (person I will not name) told me that publishers are all evil and stealing work and money.  Why should I trust them?

Because, child, if that was really true there wouldn't be a publisher in business today.   Do you really think something like that would be kept quiet?  Do you think a publisher who did something like that would still be in business?  Get a clue.

If you don't trust publishers then go self-publish.  It's the only way you'll be happy.  But stop bothering me with your stupid paranoia and 'but (person) said that we shouldn't do this.'  If you want to listen to someone else, then go plague that person.  If you really aren't looking for answers and alternative suggestions, don't come to me.

Oh, and one more clue.  If you are going to tell me that copyeditors will ruin your book, make certain that you at least know the difference between there and their, it's and its, and how to write a sentences with actual periods in place.  Just a suggestion, of course.  (Why is it so often the people who really do need help who have this attitude?)

I spend a lot of time offering whatever little help I can to other writers, but there are days when I have to shake my head and wonder what some of these people really expect.  Thinking back on the entire exchange, I have to admit that it was kind of funny.  Maybe that's it.  Maybe I need to remember the humor in some of this.  It is amusing sometimes.  The paranoia level ought to be good for a few laughs, right?  I mean I'm not paranoid about anything, after all.

Not as funny as Zaphod falling into the sink of dishes a couple minutes ago, of course, but still funny.  And look, now he's dripping water all over my desk and notes.  Isn't that cute?  (Ack.)

So there you have it -- my Monday.  I have a ton more things to get done tonight, so I think I'll just go leap into that work now.  Better to get some of it done yet tonight than face it in the morning.

Must remember to let the water out of the sink, too.