I choose to believe that Alan Moore randomly walks into bookstores and starts giving inspirational speeches about being a writer to anyone that will listen.
I have always said I would love to meet Alan Moore as he is a huge inspiration for me, but I would want to meet him as a writerly "peer." To know that he basically considers me a fellow writer already?
One of the greatest creative geniuses of our living age. Loved this humble, human talk. As a writer and performer and someone persistently hoping to evolve, all of this is great advice and lovely to hear. Thank you for your art, your brilliant mind and indefatigable work ethic and passion.
Just watched a Frank Miler Interview then this - writers seem much more "down to earth" than movie stars and musicians. Far less narcissistic at least.
it depends on a person after all, just writers tend to be more real them and they are satisfied with them who they are they are satisfied with the creative expression, the ones who are usually narcissistic just lack creative expression, however there are humble musicians as well like dave gilmour or mark knopfler.
Every time I watch a clip of Alan Moore, I think "I can't possibly admire and respect this guy any more than I do now." And then I watch another clip and he proves me wrong...
This hit my recommended in what tommorow would be 11 years after it was originally posted, I'm a writer, and I hope to publish my work someday, I have plenty of time, I'm only 20, and I know I'm very good at what I do, so I'm chilling.
Knowing how good or bad you are is the most important thing: Even if you never make something better, seeing where it goes wrong is most of the battle.
One tip Moore doesn't mention: read widely and seriously. If you look at your bookshelf and the majority of your books are Neil Gaiman and Edward Gorey, you'll never be a great writer because you read what everyone else does.
Publishing is indeed a mess right now. And reader apathy is a big hurdle. The very best book ever written has never been read. No, I don't know who wrote that book, but I'm willing to bet it's never been read.
I nearly got my first book published when I was 14. But they wanted $85,000 in printing fees (if I was to sign on with them) so they could produce copies. At the time; nobody in my family could even afford bread, so that was not an option. But even so, I'm somewhat glad that it wasn't published. Just having it sitting unpublished in a cardboard box there inspires me to write all sorts of stuff and just shove it away in a different box, then I'll open them every odd occasion and I'll either be really dissapointed in myself of really proud of myself: But I'm always surprised. And yes, thinking about The Market has been a massive creativity killer for me.
@oconstanti I met him at St James library in Northampton at a talk he was doing to protest against the proposed closure of this library and others like it
I haven't slept in over 12 hours, I believe. I've watched this vid many years ago but I came to watch it again. His words are true. Sad he doesn't do this anymore.
As a writer for 17 years, I never had time to bag or boast about the quality of my writing. I had to write to make a living, to put money in my pocket and food on the table. Then again being a freelancer, you dont have time for the illusions of amateurs and wannabes, you have a job to do. Dreams of glory are for feckless dreamers. I was too busy doing, not dreaming.
@dujava I'm American too but it's not so much the accent, I always understand him. It just sounds really distant and fuzzy. The crowd laughter sounds clearer
Yeah it's the same thing. I guess what you could gauge from that is he doesn't write for the money, because money means nothing to him in terms of material possessions. He is happy to live like the majority and write to enrich the lives of those he lives with.
swamp thing should be considered one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time right beside old man and the sea or, the illiad. I just hope that Alan writes a prequel to the watchmen and focus more on the comedian and rorsach. maybe DC will make a swamp thing movie and maybe they will put in the folding into of the DC multiverse.
Taedrem he's still alive though he could come out of retirement. I found that the most interesting character was Rorschach because there was only good and bad and he told you about his beliefs.
This is all true and good to keep in mind---but there is no substitute for having one's books directly available in bookstores, and every other kind of promo to make your work available. Every square inch of a bookstore has to produce money every day and you will find it virtually impossible to get your works in there without some kind of push (bribe?) from major publishers. So serious writers live in the deserts between mountains of shit. Great system.
When he was talking about publishing yourself, what company was he talking about and what does it do. I want t publish my own books and any kind of help would be appreciated.
that just shows who he is...A LEGEND :p THANK U SO MUCH FOR THESE VIDEOS I MET HIM WAY BACK WHEN THE BLACK DOSSIER WAS SURROUNDED IN DARKNESS AND UNPUBLISHABILITY :p
I agree. Self-publishing is basically a costly gamble. My take is that a writer should not self-publish until he or she has been published by a house that put out couple of titles and thus built an audience for themselves. Then, you self-publish-if you wish. Otherwise its a foolish and costly gamble that may or may not work.
Amazon.com publishes anyone and I believe its free. Just send them an e-file and they'll sell it as either paper or electronic media. I'm sure that J.K. Rowling would be just as rich (if not more) if she'd done it that way.
Indeed, it is all about what you consider to be the measure of your success? If you are only in it for financial gain and not spiritual nourishment, then maybe you should just try selling houses!
+André Barbosa you're likely correct, I believe he's stated that H.P. Lovecraft has inspired him so it's not too far fetched to say H.P.'s most famous character would be in Alan's wardrobe.
Alan Moore lives in council housing? Isn't council housing kinda similar to public housing in the United States? I figure he could afford a mansion with all the royalties he gets from his works.
Very sound and advice and inspiring too....the only trouble is how are you going to know if your an Alan Moore or a Dan Brown? I daresay Dan Brown thinks he is a good author...wouldn;t it be terrible to heed an Alan Moore and end up a Dan Brown? With all his millions, women and cars...the horror the horror...ahem...actually I dfon;t think Dan Brown is that bad but I would rather be on Moore, or Neil Gaimans or Clive Barkers wave length...or maybe try and find a real wavelength of my own!
@UnbornChild You still have to get through his accent. Alan Moore needs to come with an interpreter because my ignorant American ears struggle to receive his wisdom.
I have been a writer for 17 years-I focused on freelancing articles. People have often asked why I havent written a book and my answer is that I have to write for a living and either dont have the time or the inclination. Self-publishing has made the publishing world worse in my view not better. You have steaming piles of shit titled "novels" or "nonfiction" being published by online or other self-publishing firms and quality control isnt thete. I have no interest in self-publishing at all.
I choose to believe that Alan Moore randomly walks into bookstores and starts giving inspirational speeches about being a writer to anyone that will listen.
everyone will listen. or at least they should.
Lmao
i like to believe after inspirational speeches he hands them cult invitations
nah, he's a recluse. Surprised to see him outside
I love thinking it's a random book store and the baby in the background is just absorbing all the advice.
it's impressive how he's giving this talk while floating three feet above the floor.
Cthulhu helps :)
Lmfao
We’ll he IS a wizard
After hearing "you're a writer even before you're published" triggered a sigh of relief in me.
I have always said I would love to meet Alan Moore as he is a huge inspiration for me, but I would want to meet him as a writerly "peer." To know that he basically considers me a fellow writer already?
"you know how good or bad you are" Thank you I needed to hear that
Alan Moore seems a genuinely clever and down to earth guy, who never bullshits you.
I love that man. I wish he is happiness, health and tranquility as long as he is with us.
Alan Moore, a classic example of Northamptonshire unpretentious-ness. Great advice too. :)
One of the greatest creative geniuses of our living age. Loved this humble, human talk. As a writer and performer and someone persistently hoping to evolve, all of this is great advice and lovely to hear. Thank you for your art, your brilliant mind and indefatigable work ethic and passion.
Just watched a Frank Miler Interview then this - writers seem much more "down to earth" than movie stars and musicians. Far less narcissistic at least.
imagine : an Alan moore and Neil gaimen collaboration Batman :-)
Kenneth Matthew Mmm... Yes.
Christian Schaefer True, although there are always exceptions. It's probably a byproduct of not being a performer.
it depends on a person after all, just writers tend to be more real them and they are satisfied with them who they are they are satisfied with the creative expression, the ones who are usually narcissistic just lack creative expression, however there are humble musicians as well like dave gilmour or mark knopfler.
Kenneth Matthew Neil Gaiman is a wanker though
Every time I watch a clip of Alan Moore, I think "I can't possibly admire and respect this guy any more than I do now." And then I watch another clip and he proves me wrong...
I love when artists share their wisdom. Thank you for this
Him and Neil Gaiman inspire me to write, it's rare to see him giving motivational speeches for the young crowd such as me.
What a top bloke and what top advice. Bang on.
imagine having a dinner with this guy, grant morrison, and neil gaiman. would be magic
Okay, swap out Grant and bring in Warren Ellis. Wizard glaring-battle averted!
@Monkey_Feyerabend oh, well damn, that sucks.
This hit my recommended in what tommorow would be 11 years after it was originally posted, I'm a writer, and I hope to publish my work someday, I have plenty of time, I'm only 20, and I know I'm very good at what I do, so I'm chilling.
Wise words from a wise man..
beautiful. What a wonderful chap. THANK YOU for posting... truly inspiring...
Knowing how good or bad you are is the most important thing: Even if you never make something better, seeing where it goes wrong is most of the battle.
one of the sweetest things ever.
This is great advice that applies to most things
Thank you to 'scattah' for uploading this Alan Moore talk. It is always inspiring to listen to him.
he's such a talented guy, he's inspired me to continue work on my projects
One tip Moore doesn't mention: read widely and seriously. If you look at your bookshelf and the majority of your books are Neil Gaiman and Edward Gorey, you'll never be a great writer because you read what everyone else does.
I got most of my writing tips from tv shows, animation, comics and movies
Quit reading like a goth.
this is great advice for people in any creative field
Publishing is indeed a mess right now. And reader apathy is a big hurdle. The very best book ever written has never been read. No, I don't know who wrote that book, but I'm willing to bet it's never been read.
Dammyl1971 the scariest thing is that the best book probably hasn't been written, and we may never get the chance to read that book
Writing it now
Leonidas XVII , exactly matthew burrill wrote it
Good point. Confederacy of Dunces was almost never read.
I nearly got my first book published when I was 14. But they wanted $85,000 in printing fees (if I was to sign on with them) so they could produce copies.
At the time; nobody in my family could even afford bread, so that was not an option. But even so, I'm somewhat glad that it wasn't published.
Just having it sitting unpublished in a cardboard box there inspires me to write all sorts of stuff and just shove it away in a different box, then I'll open them every odd occasion and I'll either be really dissapointed in myself of really proud of myself: But I'm always surprised.
And yes, thinking about The Market has been a massive creativity killer for me.
Dude that was clearly a scam.
Same thing happened to me, I was going to be an astronaut but NASA wanted £4000 for rocket fuel.
thanks for posting this. very inspirational for me here in the states. love that man
The best Alan Moore video on UA-cam
@oconstanti I met him at St James library in Northampton at a talk he was doing to protest against the proposed closure of this library and others like it
This is not at all what I imagined his voice sounding like.
2:56, what the crap did he say? What website was he talking about?
I listed to the about 7 times until I gave up!
I haven't slept in over 12 hours, I believe. I've watched this vid many years ago but I came to watch it again. His words are true. Sad he doesn't do this anymore.
Great advice.
3:00 Did he say "call quick"?
As a writer for 17 years, I never had time to bag or boast about the quality of my writing.
I had to write to make a living, to put money in my pocket and food on the table.
Then again being a freelancer, you dont have time for the illusions of amateurs and wannabes, you have a job to do.
Dreams of glory are for feckless dreamers.
I was too busy doing, not dreaming.
Both inspirational and practical. Thank you for uploading this.
Kids should be listening to this.
Alan Moore is so sensible
I never realized that Alan Moore did the voice of the peasants in Warcraft!
Righto!
@dujava I'm American too but it's not so much the accent, I always understand him. It just sounds really distant and fuzzy. The crowd laughter sounds clearer
Yeah it's the same thing. I guess what you could gauge from that is he doesn't write for the money, because money means nothing to him in terms of material possessions. He is happy to live like the majority and write to enrich the lives of those he lives with.
Miracle Man will always be my favorite Alan Moore work - if you can find it
mo thesurfer I second your opinion, though swamp thing and LEG comes pretty close.
My Fav is Promethea so far but I'm gonna give swamp thing a go.
The voice of the fire is pretty fucking amazing too, and im trying to get my hands on jerusalem so cant wait to dive in
Good advice from a legend yes sir yes sir
He s right. Franz Kafka is the ultimate example. Jorge Luis Borges refered to him as the greatest writer of the 20th century.
Absolutely! I believe Mr Moore can judge himself pretty well (like a lot of good writers can) but that doesn't apply for everyone.
swamp thing should be considered one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time right beside old man and the sea or, the illiad.
I just hope that Alan writes a prequel to the watchmen and focus more on the comedian and rorsach.
maybe DC will make a swamp thing movie and maybe they will put in the folding into of the DC multiverse.
Kenneth Matthew Alan moore is retired
Taedrem he's still alive though he could come out of retirement.
I found that the most interesting character was Rorschach because there was only good and bad and he told you about his beliefs.
@@kennethmatthew9638 he hates movir adaptations and medium transfera
he's in a light retirement he said he may do an odd book here and there but for now no more new comics.
This is all true and good to keep in mind---but there is no substitute for having one's books directly available in bookstores, and every other kind of promo to make your work available. Every square inch of a bookstore has to produce money every day and you will find it virtually impossible to get your works in there without some kind of push (bribe?) from major publishers. So serious writers live in the deserts between mountains of shit. Great system.
the guy in the background picking his nails while one of the greatest writers of the age is answering a question.
At least that guy probably had a wash before leaving the house, bet the same cant be said for this fat old hippie.
Same advice given by Carlos Santana to any and all guitarist. Respect.
all hail to the king of comic writing!!!
What is name of the place mentioned to get your book printed? Sounded likecol quick thanks.
one of my favorite youtube comments ever
Wow, where did u meet him?
Intriguing man.
He's still based in Northampton right?
Thanks for this btw,
When he was talking about publishing yourself, what company was he talking about and what does it do. I want t publish my own books and any kind of help would be appreciated.
Yes I couldn't hear the name of the place either. Does anyone have any information ?
Roger Terry Kall Kwik
@@classicartfoundation639 thank you so much
this is so encouraging.
that just shows who he is...A LEGEND :p THANK U SO MUCH FOR THESE VIDEOS I MET HIM WAY BACK WHEN THE BLACK DOSSIER WAS SURROUNDED IN DARKNESS AND UNPUBLISHABILITY :p
I agree.
Self-publishing is basically a costly gamble.
My take is that a writer should not self-publish until he or she has been published by a house that put out couple of titles and thus built an audience for themselves.
Then, you self-publish-if you wish.
Otherwise its a foolish and costly gamble that may or may not work.
Cold-quick? What was the name of that self-publishing firm?
Kallkwik. www.kallkwik.co.uk/
Parrish Gore was an unpublished writer. He now has a few eBooks and his writing is really good, good stories too. www.parrishgore.com
Jack W something tells me you are parrish gore doing some self advertising
how many libraries are being closed? whats up with that?
Were I a writer, I'd write the story on a blog and take one of those internet marketting courses to make money off of the ads and that.
What is the name of the self publishing place he recommends ?
btw why isnt there a shrine there? we need to worship him
Thanks. Like your posts too.
and what got to number one?
When he speaks of self publishing, can anyone tell what printing business he speaks of? Hard to make out.
Amazon.com publishes anyone and I believe its free. Just send them an e-file and they'll sell it as either paper or electronic media. I'm sure that J.K. Rowling would be just as rich (if not more) if she'd done it that way.
Where's Mr. Moore's, watch?
I've learned a lot more from simply reading his book than from any of the advise he's give
I'd wish I was there :C
Indeed, it is all about what you consider to be the measure of your success?
If you are only in it for financial gain and not spiritual nourishment, then maybe you should just try selling houses!
Great man.
I like Alan Moore!
@OscarBaldwin haha ok, I see, although an animation using some of Alan Moores wealth of wisdom would be pretty cool I think
Nice shirt, Alan
Does Kall Kwik really publish books? 2:55 Has any one here done this?
What's on the front of his shirt?
Cthulu maybe...
+André Barbosa
you're likely correct, I believe he's stated that H.P. Lovecraft has inspired him so it's not too far fetched to say H.P.'s most famous character would be in Alan's wardrobe.
I hope it's a black metal band.
@blahnupunk1 Yes, but how do you get recognized amid the sea of crap that is their ebookstore? You need some way to garner publicity.
Alan Moore lives in council housing? Isn't council housing kinda similar to public housing in the United States? I figure he could afford a mansion with all the royalties he gets from his works.
@OscarBaldwin cool, would like to see this, post it as a video response to this video :)
IS HE WEARING A HP LOVECRAFT SHIRT WITH THAT OCTOPUS THING!?
legend
@AdamskiLawlerski - The Spice Girls
i want to live in your belief.
what got to number 1 did he say? :L
Dammit... I wish this guy was my father.
Very sound and advice and inspiring too....the only trouble is how are you going to know if your an Alan Moore or a Dan Brown? I daresay Dan Brown thinks he is a good author...wouldn;t it be terrible to heed an Alan Moore and end up a Dan Brown? With all his millions, women and cars...the horror the horror...ahem...actually I dfon;t think Dan Brown is that bad but I would rather be on Moore, or Neil Gaimans or Clive Barkers wave length...or maybe try and find a real wavelength of my own!
digging the shirt haha
Remember remember the fifth of November
@kabutops11 Amazon.com will publish your book free. Plus it's Amazon.com, where better to be?
woow nice cthulhu tee shirt! *_*
Detrás del pestillo está la Dialéctica de dios;)
@indarkness11 very true
No offense but I wish the sound was a little better, I want to laugh at his jokes too!
Oim prowud to be a roitah
BWAHAHA😂
@UnbornChild You still have to get through his accent. Alan Moore needs to come with an interpreter because my ignorant American ears struggle to receive his wisdom.
His accent is so fake. Just kidding, this is great.
jesus Christ, ever hear of dolby?
Roiters lol smart guy
I have been a writer for 17 years-I focused on freelancing articles.
People have often asked why I havent written a book and my answer is that I have to write for a living and either dont have the time or the inclination.
Self-publishing has made the publishing world worse in my view not better.
You have steaming piles of shit titled "novels" or "nonfiction" being published by online or other self-publishing firms and quality control isnt thete.
I have no interest in self-publishing at all.
Couldn't agree more
This was recorded with a moldy waffle.