tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post9092960585178289902..comments2023-07-06T11:50:15.086+01:00Comments on Just Keep Writing and Other Thoughts...: That Holiday FeelingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-13202077972069573652007-05-07T09:18:00.000+01:002007-05-07T09:18:00.000+01:00Thanks Jan. I'm learning!!!! Today I must sit an...Thanks Jan. I'm learning!!!! Today I must sit and read my own work while reading the craft books!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-55233489301612130122007-05-07T09:14:00.000+01:002007-05-07T09:14:00.000+01:00There's so much fabulous advice/knowledge here. I'...There's so much fabulous advice/knowledge here. <BR/>I'm returning later to take it all in properly.<BR/>Thankyou for all this, Liz. <BR/>It's a wonderful learning curve too.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627338108089464863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-66523806590354003412007-05-06T19:35:00.000+01:002007-05-06T19:35:00.000+01:00Zinnia, I'm sure your feed back will be good. Min...Zinnia, I'm sure your feed back will be good. Mine was, truthfully. I just need to fix the weeknesses. I am going back to Solutions for Writers which helped me so much the first time and also to Donald Maas. Then one from there......... :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-11788209632639606162007-05-06T18:05:00.000+01:002007-05-06T18:05:00.000+01:00I am reading your response to your feedback with a...I am reading your response to your feedback with a combination of vicarious thrill and anticipatory nausea, as I get mine in a week or two. As writers, we need to be able to use intelligent feedback, but it's soooo hard! I find reading 'how to' books really helpful, I've got about 20 on my shelf and I dip in and out of them regularly. I hope they help you too. Might be worth reading a couple of well-regarded YA novels as well, if only speculatively; you could ask your kids for their recommendations. Seems to me you're doing really well - it's great that you're aware of your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Best of luck.Zinnia Cyclamenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04841314997513292477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-64166417855154442482007-05-05T18:27:00.000+01:002007-05-05T18:27:00.000+01:00Thanks for the support, IsabllaM. It helps believ...Thanks for the support, IsabllaM. It helps believe me.<BR/><BR/>You are so right Lisa. Critism is tough to take some time....well it used to be. I really don't mind now which is probably because thus far no has told me to pack it in!<BR/><BR/>C.S. thanks for the encouraging words. Its good to know others have made it through the dark side. Off to read all I can about plotting. I know I can make it somehow :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-24679539188130395042007-05-05T17:51:00.000+01:002007-05-05T17:51:00.000+01:00I had three unpublished books when I asked a helpf...I had three unpublished books when I asked a helpful writer what she thought my weakness was. She said, "Plotting." I'll admit I was a bit miffed, but determined. I read everything I could on plotting, tightened my next book, and sold it. I then completely reworked the plot of my previous manuscript and sold it, too. Knowing what's wrong is a huge part of being able to fix it. (Knowing something is beyond fixing is also important--I never bothered to try to redo the first two books--I decided I'd rather spend the time on something fresh.)cs harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13708705800818667923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-49810217285251213672007-05-05T13:31:00.000+01:002007-05-05T13:31:00.000+01:00It's a tough one is criticism. I just had a story...It's a tough one is criticism. I just had a story pulled apart by the lovely Andrew Oldham, and it took me a few days to see past the negatives to find that there was actually a lot of positive stuff in there too! At the time, I took it graciously on the chin, and bit my tongue, tried not to argue with him. I'm glad I didn't now because his advice as an editor was invaluable. I'm going to rewrite it eventually but for now, am putting what he's taught me into the novel/collection instead.<BR/><BR/>I think we're lucky to have talented readers who can help us be editors when we're in the creative mode!<BR/><BR/>Well done, BTW, on completing your novel. I am in awe and it gives me the kick up the derriere I so need to see people reaching the end. *bows down repeatedly at your feet*hesitant scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11882920406681074895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-1519607106852007892007-05-05T12:03:00.000+01:002007-05-05T12:03:00.000+01:00Liz, you have such a balanced and thoughtful attit...Liz, you have such a balanced and thoughtful attitude here to your writing - I know you will fathom this crossroads and pick the right course - one of the best bits and scariest bits about writing is that everything can be undone, rewritten and redirected - it's being brave enough and having the faith to take the leap in the first place that is the critial part. You have written two novels which is an astounding achievement. I've no doubt you will resolve this to your satisfaction. I'm sitting here on sat morning not having written a word all week because I'm scared that I've hit a crossroads and I don't know which way to go. I'm just going to be brave, plunge oin and pick one direction and if it doesn't work - try the other one! Good luck Liz - look forward to hearing how you're doing with this.NoviceNovelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08033841321311240951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-57941257619577159932007-05-05T10:27:00.000+01:002007-05-05T10:27:00.000+01:00One can but hope :-)One can but hope :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-55298631755245859532007-05-05T10:20:00.000+01:002007-05-05T10:20:00.000+01:00*looks out of the window*I'm sure the weather will...*looks out of the window*<BR/><BR/>I'm sure the weather will pick up. It's been cloudy morning - sunny afternoon most of the week.Rachel Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13048590167153841615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-73755258118308664512007-05-05T08:07:00.000+01:002007-05-05T08:07:00.000+01:00Thanks Sheepish. It helps to have someone else ta...Thanks Sheepish. It helps to have someone else take a look at your thoughts and put a different spin on them :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34330113.post-89162614498461646582007-05-05T07:54:00.000+01:002007-05-05T07:54:00.000+01:00The fact that you can accept criticism and try to ...The fact that you can accept criticism and try to do something about it is in itself really positive. Maybe that film last night was just what you needed to show you a way forward. I am a great believer in fate and that somehow you will work out what needs to be done. The very fact of completing two novels is brilliant and you obviously realize that your work is improving. What more can any of us ask?<BR/>Be positive and keep on reading, the answers will appear. Good luck.sheepishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18252518055252342236noreply@blogger.com