Jul
21
2011
I provide advice about
how to write novels, comic books and graphic novels. Most of my content applies to fiction-writing in general, but I also provide
articles specifically about superhero stories.
I liked this list of common but unrealistic romance storylines.
I was not personally familiar with the Angry Kiss, but if anybody tried those shenanigans in real life, he’d probably be registered as a sex offender, fired, and subjected to a restraining order. As for the Wealthy, Good-Looking Stranger, let’s be honest. If somebody is wealthy, hot and “single,” he/she is probably a mental case and/or not actually single. Case in point: Me. I’m hot*, single and frequently sane, so obviously I’m unwealthy. What can I say? Writing really is less lucrative than vagrancy.
*On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog.
Jul
21
2011
1. Because you need the money. It usually takes around 10 years to get published and the typical advance for a first novel is usually around $5000 (assuming it gets published), which is scandalously low for a project that will probably take thousands of hours and might not ever get published. If you need money, get a day job. If your main consideration is financial, other types of writing that typically pay better (and more reliably) include copywriting/advertising, corporate communications, journalism, nonfiction books and unemployment forms. Writing comic books also pays better than writing novels, but you’d still be dealing with some of the same risks/uncertainties and reliability issues. Outside of writing, virtually every full-time job pays more reliably and more by the hour. It is depressingly rare for a novelist to beat minimum wage, so you’d probably make more working at McDonald’s.
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