(September 2, 2015 at 8:42 pm)Beccs Wrote:(emphasis is mine)(September 2, 2015 at 8:36 pm)Rhondazvous Wrote: What then makes a writer good? I find I can't go by popularity, even though most writers who write for publication want that name recognition and big advances. Take Stephen King. He has a big name. I read just one of his novels and for the life of me could not figure out what the hype was all about. Commercial fiction has no excuse for being that bad.
As a writer, I want to write quality stuff that does not disappoint even the most discriminant read. If some big house wants to give me a 5 million dollar advanced royalty, I wouldn't turn it down, but I won't write junk just because that's what the publishers are looking for.
I think characters and situations that are compelling.
Rarely these days do I find a book I'll pick up and then read until I suddenly realise it's morning.
Brandon Sanderson.
Thief and assassin for hire. Member in good standing of the Rogues Guild.
