No Time I am sad that I cannot spend as much… | Onigiriman's Xanga Site

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

No Time

I

am sad that I cannot spend as much timeon xanga as I used to. I used to be pretty good at posting with regularity and also visiting most of my subscribers on a somewhat regular basis, certainly to those who come here and leave a comment. But time has become a commodity that is in very short supply. I can't even find the time to finish the story "A Bright Light".

Well, at least the paper is finished. I expect, however, the editor to send it back with comment on what to fix/rewrite. You know, I read somewhere on Xanga that someone (The Vixen?) knew someone who had a first novel accepted by a major publisher and received $25 grand. Is that right? A first time novelist can get 25 big ones? Of course, I'm sure the style and content has to be good. and apparently, this person has an MFA degree, and so has a good grasp of the arts... although, as i think of it, I'm nost sure of the connection between fine arts (painting, sculpting, dance, etc) and writing. Besides, I am a "critic" of writing... sorta. I analyze poetry and read prose rather critically--meaning critiquing and not criticizing, of course.
Anyway, like SammyStorm and perhaps a bunch of other people here on Xanga, I would love to find the time to sit back and write a novel. But I'm not sure I'd have anything to write about... well at least, nothing that would be commercially viable enough to attract a major publisher. Any thoughts? -- I'm not try to ellicit compliments, if that's what you're thinking. The only thing I know with any degree of confidence is my life as an Asian American, but I'm afraid that that topic would not sell. I always assume that Amy Tan has already tapped out the Asian American theme in mainstream America in novels such as "Joy Luck Club". *sigh*
- 4:07 AM
- 1 view
- 42 eprops
- 23 comments

recommend
recs 0
give stars
votes 0
share
email
sent 0

Give eProps or Post a Comment

Comments (23)

u can do it mang, write about rice balls or something
- 9/20/2005 4:42 AM
- BarbEric_Bojo (message)
- reply
oh and put kute little cartoons in it, im serious itll sell well!, or how bout life as a teacher
- 9/20/2005 4:43 AM
- BarbEric_Bojo (message)
- reply
While it sounds like just another cliche, words will come to you the way love does, and the way happiness does. Sure it's fickle, but that's just the way it is. Inspiration hits when you least expect it, and when it does, it drops it like it's hawt

Best wishes,

Becky.
- 9/20/2005 5:04 AM
- Beckbites (message)
- reply
excuse eric for his sillines... but yea.. I have read most Amy Tan's books, and they are pretty interesting because her works represent many asian american's problems in the family... although she mostly emphasized on the relationshiop with the mothers.

But yea maybe you can do something specifically about the Japanese Americans. I would love to read your novels.
- 9/20/2005 6:49 AM
- akittyamy (message)
- reply
Writing is a fine art, especially creative writing. Consider the imagination and creativity that goes into sculpting and painting. The same amount of work, both creative and physical, goes into writing. Anyway, just write a little bit at a time. If you're really serious about wanting to write, you can sell your novel to publishers and they can give you an advance. With that, you can concentrate on working on your novel and take a hiatus from teaching.
- 9/20/2005 7:32 AM
- enygma81 (message)
- reply
As an academic, in particular a liberal arts academic, I'm pretty sure you're near the top of the writing pyramid. Good luck with it and be sure to drop by at least on occasion.
- 9/20/2005 10:18 AM
- SunJun (message)
- reply
good writing is good writing and should sell... or at least that's what i keep telling myself... i think we should at least try! :))
- 9/20/2005 11:35 AM
- jerjonji (message)
- reply
what are you talking about?? you could soooooooo write a novel especially about being YOU! I could already see the cover... big ass riceball. And no worries that you have no time for xanga.. i'm falling into the same boat haaaaaa
- 9/20/2005 11:53 AM
- simply_marie (message)
- reply
You never know, until you try it out!
- 9/20/2005 12:00 PM
- Andine (message)
- reply
I don't ever think you can tap the Asian theme enough. For me, it's interesting to read about other views and thoughts of Asian Americans. Why not turn Bright Light into a novel? Semi-autographical/fiction with themes and emotions everyone can connect to. I definitely buy it!
- 9/20/2005 12:56 PM
- sekura81 (message)
- reply
joy luck club can goto hell, the barbarians are coming by david wong louie is far more accurate representation
- 9/20/2005 3:45 PM
- dudedontdissrice (message)
- reply
So that's what I should be doing with all this free time. Finish that damned novel I was working on... I'm sure I can write another 150 or so pages, in addition to the 50 or so pages written thus far.
Now, I have to find all my notes on all my characters... ... ... damn it.
- 9/20/2005 4:28 PM
- takunishi79 (message)
- reply
Mmm, I'd like to write a novel too, as opposed to having a real 9-5 job... or in the case of Japan, a 9-9 job But it will have to wait. Off to Cambridge in one week to put all that Onigiriman-taught knowledge to use! Wish me luck!
- 9/21/2005 9:05 AM
- jcangel311 (message)
- reply
as far as finding time to write goes:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/
- 9/21/2005 5:12 PM
- seabhac (message)
- reply
You just get your work done my friend, xanga will be here when you get back!
- 9/22/2005 6:52 AM
- whonose (message)
- reply
I hear ya.... I've been incredibly busy too... but I try to update as much as possible
- 9/22/2005 11:30 PM
- DaddyLike (message)
- reply
O-man! when you get a chance, read this entry!

http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=simply_marie&tab=weblogs&uid=351592981 YAY! hurry up and not be busy.
- 9/23/2005 8:51 AM
- simply_marie (message)
- reply
Dude!!! there is no Joy Luck Club for men!!! Get on it, or when I'm done with college, I will... and I'm a whitey AA (born and raised in Oregon around hics), so it wouldn't be nearly as good!

Go for it, I'll make all my friends buy it! And once I'm big in the movie industry, we'll turn it into a movie!!! haha

Honestly, I think right now is probably one of the most opportune for a developing AA writer to get their stuff out... especially from the male perspective! It's a seriously underwritten/untapped subject that deserves some exploration.
- 9/25/2005 2:00 PM
- tif383335 (message)
- reply
wow, looks like u really don't have time for xanga anymore....
- 9/27/2005 1:23 PM
- PiscesTiff (message)
- reply
Give it a bash! I am thinking of writing a little book to raise funds for my sporting career, so I will have to see how that goes... As for a novel, what about a novella? Longer than a short story, shorter than a novel, very popular here in NZ...
- 9/27/2005 7:29 PM
- evil_vish (message)
- reply
i want to write a book too, i have alot of ideas but its just putting it down in a readable manner!
i love amy tan, but i think there is still a market out there for asian-american writing...it is still only the beginning...
- 9/29/2005 2:39 AM
- Eechim (message)
- reply
i want to write a book and have it published someday but i have no idea what to write about too and i'm not much of a good writer so i guess i should wait...

miss ya on xanga o man sensei
- 9/29/2005 8:11 AM
- Di_Gah_Jea (message)
- reply
I'd read anything you wrote. And surely Amy Tan doesn't have a monopoly on all things Asian American. There's also 21st Century Manzanar by Perry Miyake, which was a good read (although I've never read Amy Tan, so I can't compare the focus of the two writers).
- 10/31/2006 8:16 PM
- Piratechan (message)
- reply