tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4399032419040473308..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: If you're a writer, read this.Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71879340918373975612011-05-03T06:29:36.309-04:002011-05-03T06:29:36.309-04:00I cannot begin to tell you how timely this post is...I cannot begin to tell you how timely this post is for me. After writing,let's face it, s**t for the past three years (albeit learning from said s**t), I have at last found MY story. I am now at the point of 'filling in the details' and have been struggling with what I call AIS syndrome (Ass in seat). Thank you for the motivation I needed to finish.Jill Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16336227232690745889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32056858786502581252011-05-02T14:02:47.678-04:002011-05-02T14:02:47.678-04:00An absolutely fresh take on why you need to write,...An absolutely fresh take on why you need to write, write, write in order to get good. I LOVE the point about good taste. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.Julie Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477115458570906449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43475033691843608292011-04-30T21:26:26.943-04:002011-04-30T21:26:26.943-04:00I could so hug you for posting this...makes me fee...I could so hug you for posting this...makes me feel like there's still hope!!<br /><br />BIG SMILE and a thanks!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07909811517213604525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90515505612196131592011-04-30T14:31:01.234-04:002011-04-30T14:31:01.234-04:00Aww, love this.
However, some of us go through a ...Aww, love this.<br /><br />However, some of us go through a period of churning out crap that we think is brilliant and sparkling. The things we do badly are, by definition, our blind spots. It takes a step forward in one's understanding of craft to spot those weaknesses.<br /><br />Which is nice, because it means every time you feel like an incompetent hack, that's really just an indication you've recently improved as a writer.jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28520705814304354802011-04-30T13:20:41.765-04:002011-04-30T13:20:41.765-04:00Thank you for sharing this insight. So kind of you...Thank you for sharing this insight. So kind of you to share. The comments were another reason to smile. SCBWI is a truly kind community, and why wouldn't it be, given that it's members are dedicated to entertaining or helping children.<br />Thanks again!<br />Gilliangillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15301294908033313954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5796803370901740792011-04-30T12:49:24.654-04:002011-04-30T12:49:24.654-04:00I'm a writer, so I read this. If you're a ...I'm a writer, so I read this. If you're a shark, read this. You status is being challenged by cows! http://www.eileencook.com/blog/?p=2721Joellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04345209675431505161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34736329667233820972011-04-30T11:31:47.124-04:002011-04-30T11:31:47.124-04:00Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
You can't se...Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.<br /><br />You can't see me, but I'm standing and applauding right now. <br /><br />I'm also not wearing pants.<br /><br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9525832198423940572011-04-30T06:34:49.042-04:002011-04-30T06:34:49.042-04:00How fabulous - what great timing!How fabulous - what great timing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80928286133101242952011-04-30T05:39:06.358-04:002011-04-30T05:39:06.358-04:00Are writers born or made?
I used-to think "...Are writers born or made? <br /><br />I used-to think "born", due to the huge volume of writing that I loved but never felt I may be able to emulate. A great writer makes it seem so effortless, your eyes just glide across the sentences and paragraphs. Now having read widely across many writers' blogs around, I believe they can be "made". Like most skills, its practice, practice and practice.<br /><br />If I read something that I've written a few years ago and now cringe, I feel elated, because it means that my ability (and taste) has grown. It means that I'm now a step closer to writing something that may be appreciated by others!Jo-Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15705983780352542190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66840681031952192732011-04-29T22:08:47.174-04:002011-04-29T22:08:47.174-04:00Good points. Thanks for posting this. I keep some ...Good points. Thanks for posting this. I keep some of my earliest work so I can read it now and then and say, "Whew, I'm so glad that I practices enough to get it right."Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59510939614620362942011-04-29T20:20:53.685-04:002011-04-29T20:20:53.685-04:00Well put. As a former designer/ architect, I can ...Well put. As a former designer/ architect, I can lay claim to an early portfolio of good ideas rendered horribly. Same with writing. The development of thick skin, combined with a good 'inner critic' that isn't afraid to remind you that you're nowhere as good as you think you are, is key. Mixed liberally with perseverance (or in my case, the sheer stupidity of knowing when to quit), can have surprising results.shtrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17757335700089113559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5413858456321984042011-04-29T19:21:00.827-04:002011-04-29T19:21:00.827-04:00Once, when I needed it most, a mentor told me that...Once, when I needed it most, a mentor told me that "no one at Harvard thinks they deserve to be there." This, like that, makes me realize that I'm not alone. Thanks, this was very much appreciated.The Foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10399127326894886664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14166655794161920012011-04-29T18:34:31.443-04:002011-04-29T18:34:31.443-04:00I'm with Flo. I go through a lot of days where...I'm with Flo. I go through a lot of days where I just want to quit, because no matter what I do the story just isn't right. But this post has given me hope that it will get better. Thanks Janet.Taymalinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894922480703350634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57416659170765207832011-04-29T16:36:23.963-04:002011-04-29T16:36:23.963-04:00This certainly describes my starts and stops. I st...This certainly describes my starts and stops. I stop when I realize I'm not doing it as well as I want to. I'm bad about comparing myself to others who have written for years. <br /><br />Thanks for this post. I'm only three followers away from a milestone and have a blogfest planned. Come see me at www.intheshadeofthecherrytree.blogspot.comZan Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00166450116524323462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15905662118943604692011-04-29T16:11:27.001-04:002011-04-29T16:11:27.001-04:00Definitely! And while in this phase, sometimes yo...Definitely! And while in this phase, sometimes you'll write something really great, and then your next work will suck. It takes a lot of time and practice to learn to write well consistently.Kristin Laughtinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536556357622503501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33259584906176615392011-04-29T16:11:01.306-04:002011-04-29T16:11:01.306-04:00There is a saying that if you want to be a good ar...There is a saying that if you want to be a good artist, you should draw 5,000 pictures. The same thing goes for an author - if you want to be a good writer, you must first write 5,000 pages. My first short story back in middle school was horrible, but it was still better than my peers, and by the same time next year I'd written five more that were marginally better. I like to think that my web drabbles and hundreds of short stories since them helped me along, but then I decided to try a novel for the first time and it went right back to square one. You're always a beginner when you try a new thing.Catherine Blakeneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17046895512014365604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55510660507667837452011-04-29T15:27:54.686-04:002011-04-29T15:27:54.686-04:00Yes! I saw this last summer and I was so inspired....Yes! I saw this last summer and I was so inspired. <br /><br />Loved reading it again.Elisabeth Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962421339750272755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4371527126111110572011-04-29T15:17:21.540-04:002011-04-29T15:17:21.540-04:00Thank you. Period and exclamation point.Thank you. Period and exclamation point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45028986572100380462011-04-29T14:56:15.984-04:002011-04-29T14:56:15.984-04:00Great advice! Not always the easiest thing in the...Great advice! Not always the easiest thing in the world to do, but still right. It's looking back on earlier work that really gets me going because I can see how very far I've come over the years.Jonathan Dalarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08001176878191347542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68270095466160458202011-04-29T13:31:23.758-04:002011-04-29T13:31:23.758-04:00It amazes me how this writing community provides s...It amazes me how this writing community provides support, giving time and expertise to help others.<br /><br />Is there another support group like this? I don’t know but I find my fellow writers and their selflessness truly humbling.Huntresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155372788872245758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85102578246140957402011-04-29T13:13:20.730-04:002011-04-29T13:13:20.730-04:00I look back at my first works and shudder. They&#...I look back at my first works and shudder. They're getting better, though.Scooter Carlylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06193754150220063430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20354131250304547172011-04-29T13:10:13.022-04:002011-04-29T13:10:13.022-04:00I write because it's the only legal way to bru...I write because it's the only legal way to brutally murder people and not get dragged away in handcuffs. <br /><br />I'll write even if I am the only person who ever reads it. (sort of like the blog I just started.) =PShannon Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06346078649346825497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58534292572324702052011-04-29T12:29:48.857-04:002011-04-29T12:29:48.857-04:00I feel this post is solid and right on target. It&...I feel this post is solid and right on target. It's also something I needed to hear. The only thing which pushes me to keep writing is this fire and excitement inside me which won't let me quit. <br />Making time is hard, and often your paying job and family occupies all your time. What keeps me going is that half- hour I have reserved everyday to my story. It's hard work, taking a paragraph and polishing it repeatedly till it shines. I'm glad to know others go through this as well.Sujahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16899054126546663789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87093895806280457862011-04-29T11:57:36.149-04:002011-04-29T11:57:36.149-04:00Yes, this is something every new writer should be ...Yes, this is something every new writer should be told. <br /><br />I was the rare breed who got upset at a rejection but, instead of venting or pouting, assumed there's stuff I still hadn't learned. Now I don't have to apologize to readers for what they may have read.therese patrick, authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624202282411832436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68225166240423421752011-04-29T11:38:52.589-04:002011-04-29T11:38:52.589-04:00Very cool. I never thought of it in terms of "...Very cool. I never thought of it in terms of "taste" versus "know-how" before. <br /><br />Great stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com