Comments on: Question: Why, Dennis Cass, Why, Why, WHY?!?

By: jeffreyricker

jeffreyricker — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:33:15 +0000

Some of the people who have helped me out along the way have done so for no clear reason and with no expectation of getting anything in return (as if I had anything to offer them). This post made me think of a saying by an old philosopher: the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. You help a lot of people this way. Personally, I’m grateful.

By: bets

bets — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:47:34 +0000

I do my best to help other writers, doing talks, beta reading, the First Page Game at Electric Spec, not to mention the magazine itself, which I edit for free.

I continually insist that I get more out of it than anyone else. I learn something with every issue, with every book I beta. Encouraging new writers encourages me. It’s not for everyone, but it works for this writer.

Thanks Dennis, for all you do.

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:58:02 +0000

Some months ago one of the faithful contributors posted a link to a wonderfully informative blog by writer Dan Baum. There Mr. Baum posted about twenty of his magazine article pitch letters, some leading to an assignment some not. Terrifically enlightening. Well, those letters haven’t been posted for some time now and we can’t blame him for turning the art of the “query” into a commercial enterprize–his proposal writing expertise now for hire. No more free advice it seems from Mr. Baum. Makes one especially grateful for Dennis Cass. It can get lonely out here. Thanks.

By: Lindsay Price

Lindsay Price — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:12:31 +0000

I think you have to give. It doesn’t have to be a lot, it doesn’t necessarily have to be advice in your field, or money, but there should be some ‘give’ in everyone’s life. Particularly if you’re in a good position of ‘get.’ I get to make a living as a writer. That’s a fantastic ‘get’ and it keeps me grounded to balance some get with some give.

Sometimes it’s amazing how little of a give can have such a huge impact. I work a lot with teen writers. It takes a lot of courage for them to work up the nerve to ask me a question about writing, or to ask me to read something. They’re sure I’ll say no or blow them off because that attitude happens quite a bit to teenagers. Many view teens as not worth time or investment. I never turn them down and I never will. It takes me such little time to answer a question, or to read their work. But it means so much.

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:44:22 +0000

I for one am extremely grateful for the help and the tips – your blog reminds me how little I actually know, and has given me one more place to go when I run into a brick wall. Baby steps, and your blog is part of that.

By: Cat Moleski

Cat Moleski — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:35:12 +0000

It absolutely astonishes me how many people in the writing/publishing industry give generously of their time to newbies and wanna be’s. And thank your deity of choice that they do. It makes me want to keep on writing and trying, just so I can hang out with such a great community.