[corrral]

> Some simple advice would be to read some Neal Stephenson, Paul Auster, and China Mieville for starters, not Michael Crichton.

I'd love for fiction writing to be better, generally, but if you're looking to make a career of writing—which of those made/makes the most money?

[EDIT] Incidentally, I'd put Stephenson on about the same level as Crichton. Worse in some respects, better in others.

[gizajob]

I wasn't recommending Tolstoy or Shakespeare for a reason...

Why does "making money" have anything to do with producing art or working on a craft you love? Virtually every fine artist we now regard as a genius didn't make real money in their lifetime. The people selling their art retroactively make the money.