Getting Real-Life Advice
Jessica Faust over at the BookEnds blog has a new post up today discussing the contrast between the advice given to aspiring novelists in college classes vs. the advice given to them by literary agents and published novelists. She laments the fact that often the advice given in the classroom is out-of-step with the real world. And unfortunately, many students listen to their professors when it comes to getting advice on how to write a query letter, or how to get published, rather than industry professionals who deal with these issues every day.
It strikes me that this has application beyond publishing. Academia has its place, but there’s a reason why Academia is often referred to as “the ivory tower.” It is remote and aloof, separated from the real world. And here’s something it has taken me a long time to learn: wisdom is not about how much you know, but about how you use what you know. Whether it’s an MFA in Creative Writing, or an M.Div., the letters mean nothing if you cannot make application in the “real world.” And often, to know how to do that, you need to engage the real world. Writers need to talk to agents and authors. Theology students need to talk to pastors and missionaries.
Just some of my thoughts. Go read Jessica’s post–especially if you’re a budding novelist.
Wow, yes, this can be very true, depending on the university. Some universities have publishing requirements for tenureship — Bloomsburg University, my alma mater, does for English faculty. My creative writing professor for our seminar and fiction course spent more time on the writing process than publishing (giant mistake) but I noticed her MUST rules really are guidelines.
That’s okay, though. I think part of this whole publishing/writing game is to make up your own mind. Each publishing house is different as is each agent, so I noticed you have to just go with the flow. 🙂
I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
My husband and i ended up being very happy when Chris managed to finish up his studies because of the precious recommendations he obtained from your own site. It’s not at all simplistic to simply possibly be releasing concepts people have been trying to sell. And we also understand we have got the blog owner to thank for this. The explanations you have made, the straightforward site menu, the relationships you make it easier to create – it is mostly incredible, and it is leading our son and the family feel that the matter is exciting, and that’s very serious. Many thanks for all the pieces!
Thanks for your thoughts. One thing we’ve noticed is that banks plus financial institutions have in mind the spending practices of consumers and as well understand that most people max outside their credit cards around the getaways. They sensibly take advantage of this real fact and commence flooding a person’s inbox and snail-mail box along with hundreds of Zero APR card offers soon after the holiday season comes to an end. Knowing that if you are like 98% of American open public, you’ll rush at the opportunity to consolidate credit debt and transfer balances for 0 APR credit cards.