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Neil Gaiman had the best response to this snarky comment about ‘real’ writers’ work rates
Author John Scalzi is one of the most popular contemporary writers of science fiction.
Among his published works are –
Nine books in the Old Man War universe
Three Interdependency novels
Two each of The Android’s Dream and The Dispatcher series
He has also written several standalone novels and shorter works and has either won or been nominated for at least two dozen awards, as well as being no stranger to the bestseller lists.
He’s clearly no slouch, by any reasonable measure. To most people.
He shared this screenshot of someone who didn’t agree.
If it makes these folks feel better to think I'm a part-time writer, fine. In which case I'm a part-time writer who doesn't have to have another job. That's actually pretty cool.
Also, if typing is all you think qualifies as writing, well, okay, that's a choice you can make. pic.twitter.com/jxzDBRYqve
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) December 7, 2021
There was also this clarification of his reasoning.
Also, yes, my usual schedule is to reserve 8am – noon and/or 2k words for physical writing (i.e., sitting in front of the computer and typing). Noon – 5pm is for other business-related stuff. After 5pm I try to keep free for family and other stuff I want to do. Reasonable hours!
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) December 7, 2021
Makes sense to us. Tweeters were on his side.
Usain Bolt, what a joke, right? People kept giving the dude medals and some days he'd only run a hundred meters or so. How can you even call yourself a full-time runner when you're that lazy? SMDH.
— Scott Lynch (@scottlynch78) December 7, 2021
Isn’t ignorance funny?
Someone I saw here recently said Twitter was the place where people who don’t read books argue with people who write them. Lo and behold!
— Harry Turtledove (@HNTurtledove) December 7, 2021
Too many people worship word-count instead of making each word count.
— The Unsheathed Quill (@justingwallace) December 7, 2021
I find writers who obsess over how much other writers write or don’t write really odd. The fact they never seem as focused of the quality of the resulting work is v.telling (and 1,000 words a day is very good imo) https://t.co/9ohep9adFb
— Rhiannon L Cosslett (@rhiannonlucyc) December 8, 2021
But it was the reaction of Neil Gaiman that really put the word-count Police’s judgemental comments in their place.
I wrote Coraline at 50 words a night. https://t.co/t5AfEd5Ion
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 8, 2021
The internet cheered.
This is exceedingly important information https://t.co/YUSb0mIVbQ
— Chris (@_Papaglitch_) December 8, 2021
In other words, do what works for you and Gaiman is a badass. https://t.co/Jinr3xoggs
— I Work For A Cat (@DanielBGreene) December 8, 2021
This is honestly the most encouraging thing I’ve read all week. https://t.co/V5EfKbl2Z1
— ari christmas (@AriWRees) December 8, 2021
The daughter of Neil Gaiman’s one-time collaborator and legend of the Fantasy genre, Terry Pratchett, shared this insight into his writing process.
When Dad was part-time he wrote 400 words a day. Full time it was 1000 words no matter what. If he was having a v good day it could be anything up to 6k. But the Oblivion playing time, the tortoise polishing, the bubblegum for the brain was as important as the words on the page. https://t.co/oU9Iw7n5Ut
— Rhianna Pratchett ️️⚧️ (@rhipratchett) December 8, 2021
Try to claim that Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and John Scalzi don’t count as real writers. We dare you.
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Source John Scalzi Image Michael Burrows on Pexels