Thread: Helmet Fire

Bazz started me pondering this morning on the potential for this forum. I've often wondered if agents and publishers have time to surf around and look for places like this to find new, raw talent.

Baron has provided us all with this wonderful sandbox in which to play (thank you, your holiness...). What if it were to become more than just a playpen? What if this little world were to become a nursery for bringing real talent from the 'rock' stage to the 'diamond' stage? Could the forums become a sort-of prep school for real-life up-and-coming authors (and not just writers).

Maybe I'm building castles in the air. Maybe I am making much ado about nothing.

Would his holiness be disposed to having his kingdom used in this way, or is it preferable to keep our early-stage talent out of sight?

As I said on a different thread, 'Your thoughts?'

Hi Karl,
It's all my fault, eh? What did I say?
Well.
I suspect agents and publishers could never cope the sheer volume of writer's websites out there. They probably have their hands more than full with stuff flooding in from all corners.
Yet, there is another way to unleash that best-seller, now ebooks have become so prevalent, affordable electronic self publishing.
If you feel your book, or short story collection, or poetry has commercial potential, or just feel like it would be nice to have something for posterity, you can do it yourself. A track record of sales would help attract an agent, and catch a publisher's eye. Nothing succeeds like success.

There is an opportunity there for some smart-Alec to create an easy marketing website, or possibly an additional function could be added to WF. It could provide another revenue stream. It could easily fit in with the Motley Press.

I bless the WF Captain and his hard working crew for this 'sandbox.' There are some amazing writers here, and amazingly they are willing to spend time and effort helping those of us who are struggling to realise a dream. Maybe a helping hand from here to there is something that could benefit everyone.

I will keep my big keyboard shut for 5 minutes. (And that will be a struggle).

Sandbox? Playpen? How dare you, sir! Guards, alert the Baron at once.

I challenge you to a duel, Karl of R -- meet me in the coffee shop at dawn (GMT). I want to see shirts off and weapons drawn ten minutes before kick-off; refusal to do so will be seen as an act of treason, and shall result in your immediate (and grizzly) death.

But really, I'm surprised you think of WF as somewhere to "play". I certainly do not and, actually, find that a rather unfair description. For me it's been a place to grow, share, and grow some more. If anything, it's like an allotment: We all have our own plots, plant our brain-fruits, and water eachother's whenever possible. A candidate for 'worst analogy of all time', but that's how I see it.

It sounds like you want to turn it into Fame Academy for writers, hehe. Is that fair of me to say, or have I completely misconstrued your point? I do that a lot.

I guess I just see a great deal of potential for this place. If we could attract some names (anybody have Stephen King's e-mail?), perhaps we could kick the feedback into a higher and potentially more profitable plane. Mostly I'm just wondering if anyone has a vision for what they're doing here and cares to share it with the rabble.

As for the 'play' part, I don't take much very seriously--with the possible exception of my own personal well-being. (*cowers under desk at dawn(GMT)*)

Sandbox = geekspeak for safe place to try out possibly dangerous software.

Originally Posted by bazz cargo

Sandbox = geekspeak for safe place to try out possibly dangerous software.

A sandbox is also used by the bomb squad for controlled detonations.

Not to mention cats.




wait for it





I'm sorry, did someone mention cats?



Actually...pretty good idea. Dunno how workable. Quantity vs. quality argument.

Originally Posted by Baron

A sandbox is also used by the bomb squad for controlled detonations.

Nailed WF in one try.

Mod, shame on you! Hang your head sir...and stop snickering! *snicker*

Hm, it might be interesting to have a Motley Tavern chat soon.

Originally Posted by Foxee

Nailed WF in one try.

Mod, shame on you! Hang your head sir...and stop snickering! *snicker*

I never realised that eating nutty chocolate bars had its own verb...

Originally Posted by Bloggsworth

I never realised that eating nutty chocolate bars had its own verb...

Snickering at others really satisfies. (come on, it was demanded)

Originally Posted by KarlR

I guess I just see a great deal of potential for this place. If we could attract some names (anybody have Stephen King's e-mail?), perhaps we could kick the feedback into a higher and potentially more profitable plane. Mostly I'm just wondering if anyone has a vision for what they're doing here and cares to share it with the rabble.

As for the 'play' part, I don't take much very seriously--with the possible exception of my own personal well-being. (*cowers under desk at dawn(GMT)*)

Sure, Karl. I've had that same vision for some time and have been implementing it bit by bit. I don't know about attracting "names" but we can get some editorial interest happening. It just takes that reputation for quality, and a lot of effort toward spreading the word.
Profitability is on the shoulders of the individual writers. But we're slowly imposing a professionally-geared editorial policy. A pro attitude and pro material would be the desired net result of that policy.