I understood her point and I did get that she was already published. I just don't agree with "by whatever means necessary" to produce a MS. It sounds sloppy to me and it hit a nerve so I'm being needlessly defensive over something I essentially agree with. I think I didn't like her tone really--or maybe I read it incorrectly because I don't know her at all.

Also "I'm published" doesn't really mean much. There are a lot of bad books--and many of them sell quite well.

I think maybe the difference here is that I was trained to write literary fiction and process can be very important. Craft is essential. And those rules are kind of important and reitirated for a reason. But I think there are ALWAYS exceptions and other ways. And everyone has to find his or her own way.

Writing books that people like is a wonderful thing and I should be so lucky. I know.