(More from memo.)

The most frustrating mantra heard since Day One from ULAers past and present is that they want to "just write." I call them the Just Write crowd. Their attitude shows a fundamental failure to understand the society in which they live and the nature of the lit-biz.

If a tree falls in a forest and no one's around, does it make a sound?

Today, it doesn't matter how good a writer you are if no one knows about you. Oh yeah, they may not now-- but when you die, you'll be discovered and recognized as a genius. Dream on. As Cullen Carter pointed out, more likely to happen is that your collection of masterworks will be shoved in with the rest of your junk at a garage sale, and tossed into the trash when no one buys them. Genius vanished.

-King Wenclas