[ SECRET POST #5878 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #5878 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 16 secrets from Secret Submission Post #841.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[tabaqui]

I don't like Bones, no (well, not the later seasons, anyway) - i don't actually remember that scene, but that was kind of Angela's function, so it fits.

I understand what you're saying, and I imagine that's extremely frustrating. The 'template' that editors seem to force on a lot of writers/genre books is pretty limiting and in some instances, really BORING.

I'm just not getting OP's complaint, since you would rather expect a neurodivergent author (particularly if writing about/from the POV of a neurodivergent character) to NOT ACTUALLY GET how non-divergent people think/act/etc. It's kind of a built-in.

Just seems a weird thing to want to focus on.

[(Anonymous)]

It is! I agree.

Especially if the neurodivergent author is writing for ownvoices.

I find readers can get really hung up on "this is how a book is supposed to work in my narrow view" versus what story an author is trying to tell and how the guidelines of writing are used/bent to tell the story.

Maybe the main characters of the books aren't supposed to be ND, and so it reads strangely. But again, many Neurotypical authors also don't do characterization work well, so it's a strange thing to hone in on. And many times, it's exactly b/c of that 'template' of 'stuff that sells' from the publishing house. (Urban Fantasy, I'm looking at you.) I get publishers want to make money, but geez, readers want variety! And it causes a lot of frustration with authors who are going "how did this get published and my book can't" when it comes to writing style.

[tabaqui]

All of this.

I would actually be interested in reading a book from a ND author, just to see what their take is. An interesting look into a very different (or not very different) mind.

I've always thought about publishing, and I think my writing is/could be good enough, but I know from people who are/have been involved in the business from several sides, the kind of editing decisions and, yes, templates that are kind of forced on authors would, I think, make me resentful, and ultimately spell the end of any kind of publishing. I just don't think I could edit what I write/like about a story to fit with some pre-conceived plot.

[(Anonymous)]

If you're interested, try the ownvoices hashtag on twitter or tiktok and see what comes up for books. You might be able to narrow it down more by using ownvoices with actuallyautistic or other hashtags.

I'm not diagnosed as introvert ADHD so I can't say if my writing would feel that way or not and I don't try to write ADHD characters? I dunno. I try to give them occupations, and hobbies, and what do they carry in their pockets rather than anything else. To do otherwise feels less like I'm writing people and more like I'm writing quotas.

I get where you're coming from. I had those same feelings. I say, if you want to publish, and say you like writing a series. Write the whole series, set a kitty aside to hire an editor (and shop around really) and publish the whole series, one book every three months on Amazon or through Smashwords if you don't want to feel that resentment. Doing it all means you can really get your story right/developed and edited. And publishing a book every three months after will STILL keep you in Amazon's algorithms while having a well fleshed out book. That is the main issue I see in indies, is they are trying to put out a book every three months from scratch which means they don't have enough time in the oven.

Trad pub is in such a mess right now between Simon and Schuster trying to sell, and the Harper Collins strike, and what B&N is doing, it's hard to know what way it's going to go. So, I would blame no one for being wary of querying at this time.

[tabaqui]

Thanks for the tip - i had no idea where that hashtag might lurk. :D

'Writing quotas' is EXACTLY what got us to the dismal state of a lot of literature right now. Spot on!

All of publishing seems to have been floundering hard for the last ten years or so. I dunno. Having never been truly dialed in on the pro side, I can't say for sure, but it just seems to not be as interesting or productive as it used to be.

Interesting info! Thanks again. :D

[(Anonymous)]

You're welcome! It's hard to know where to go if you aren't 'dialed' into the pro side of things, and the pro side of things is on the toxic cesspit that is twitter. And the publishers are pushing authors HARD to do their own marketing on tiktok (actually, all of their own marketing period.)

Pro side is floundering b/c of why every industry is floundering. 4 or 5 major companies, 2 book printers for those 5 companies, employees not being paid enough/on commission so leaving, therefore not enough editors/book cover artists etc aka not enough employees, a major spreadsheet mentality up on top, not enough marketing for books that aren't lead titles, paying MASSIVE advances to books that will NEVER earn out, and a heavy emphasis on TV/Movie rights before the book comes out, plus the desire to have buzzy high concept books that are stand alones with "series potential."

Therefore they are reducing costs wherever possible, and not as many books are getting published and those that are, aren't getting the love and attention (aka editing) they need. Even buzzy award winning, highly recced books I've put back b/c they needed massive amounts of editing. It's frustrating and depressing. Sorry.

You're welcome again, it was fun chatting!

[tabaqui]

No worries - sometimes you gotta vent!
What a damn mess, and a freaking shame. I feel like fanfiction will save us all, in a way; people who love stories and characters just writing, writing, writing....

Enjoy your day! (Or night, depending on where you are.) :D