tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post1716630977392649085..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: On the Outside: A Writer's PrerequisiteBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-60517964625907295572013-07-23T07:27:50.606-07:002013-07-23T07:27:50.606-07:00Can I reply at this late stage? Just wanted to sa...Can I reply at this late stage? Just wanted to say I have long blamed my odd upbringing for my weirdness. Now perhaps I should look at honouring the writer side absurdity. Henrietta Frankenseenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-13147112662468475722013-07-22T17:38:28.348-07:002013-07-22T17:38:28.348-07:00Yes. Thank you.Yes. Thank you.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539133854675715353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-1410420136024751352013-07-20T07:35:11.787-07:002013-07-20T07:35:11.787-07:00Lori: Lovely to hear from you. Yes, wistful and pa...Lori: Lovely to hear from you. Yes, wistful and painful but acceptance is key. It helps, and I've said this before, to be in the company of such beautiful compatriots.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210807015376289703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-76324248138141455942013-07-20T06:28:11.594-07:002013-07-20T06:28:11.594-07:00Yes. Very much so. For as far back as I can recall...Yes. Very much so. For as far back as I can recall (says the 4th grader who adored scientific books about wolves and just for fun wrote a novel based on one of them--what 4th grader does that?). It's only grown more profound since, and at times can still be wistful, if not downright painful, but I'm much farther along in the process of accepting it. Love this post, Patti. Thank you.Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-2676276502543326312013-07-19T20:45:52.497-07:002013-07-19T20:45:52.497-07:00Cherry: You are in very good company, but I do kno...Cherry: You are in very good company, but I do know it can be painful. It is such a joy to be known and appreciated (thank you, Jesus, for meeting that need so profoundly). Perhaps I should have called my blog, An Odd Duck Went a-Writing. Thinking too much is what we do! Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210807015376289703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-1124146663354462122013-07-19T19:35:32.685-07:002013-07-19T19:35:32.685-07:00"Writing, when all is said and done, is an at..."Writing, when all is said and done, is an attempt to understand one's own circumstance and to clarify the confusion of existence, including insecurities that do not torment normal people, only chronic nonconformist, many of whom end up as writers after having failed in other undertakings."<br /><br />Oh my, that is HUGE. This explains in a nutshell why my blog is subtitled, "They say I think too much."<br />Yes, those dearest relatives and friends - those who know me best -- say that. Wednesday, driving home from the second of my one day vacations, I threw up my hands (well, actually, I kept them on the steering wheel) and admitted, "I am odd. That's all there is to it and I might as well get used to it. I never fit and I never will fit (in any of the usual jobs or relationships)." Such a comfort to have it articulated so well!Cherry Odelberghttp://cherryodelberg.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-30341239253395717232013-07-19T08:04:06.641-07:002013-07-19T08:04:06.641-07:00Susie: Definitely, writers must run in packs. And ...Susie: Definitely, writers must run in packs. And you are ALWAYS welcome to howl at the moon, too.<br /><br />Jennifer: It's good that you don't want treatment. There isn't any. Just keep coming back where you're understood and appreciated.<br />Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210807015376289703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-67492928061215410122013-07-19T07:42:28.613-07:002013-07-19T07:42:28.613-07:00Oh.
MY
WORD.
Everything Megan said, and more!
I ...Oh.<br />MY<br />WORD.<br /><br />Everything Megan said, and more!<br /><br />I feel like I could scream!<br />Yes! This is ME!!<br />But now that I have a diagnoses, NO WAY do I want any treatment of any kind!!!<br />I feel like writers *get* me. <br /><br /><br /><br />I wish I'd known this 10 years ago.Jennifer Majorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12696261499182486196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-38882073008757959652013-07-19T06:40:53.364-07:002013-07-19T06:40:53.364-07:00My sister and I were discussing something similar ...My sister and I were discussing something similar to this the other day. We just didn't stick a finger on the writer/outsider thing. I had an interesting experience with a friend that left me upset and hurt. <br /><br />She said, "Why do people think they can be like that with you? They aren't like that with me."<br /><br />Well. I think it's because of this exact thing. I'm different.<br /><br />I have a harder time in close friendships (unless the other person happens to either be very understanding or a writer). I get downright anxious about parties because I'm afraid I'll say something weird (and I usually do). I'm realizing how really awkward I am. <br /><br />But I'm at ease when I get to go to my critique group or a writers conference. That's where I feel at home (well, I feel at home in my house...my hubby is VERY sweet to me).<br /><br />For the first time in my life, I'm realizing that it isn't only because of the hand full of warts I had in elementary school or that my parents were divorced. I'm a different breed. Woof. <br /><br />Let's run in a pack!Susie Finkbeinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134090068018561836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-18794118447772867792013-07-19T06:09:33.268-07:002013-07-19T06:09:33.268-07:00Megan: Thank you for being so emphatic. I have no ...Megan: Thank you for being so emphatic. I have no doubts that I'm not alone. Quite the contrary, I'm in great company.<br /><br />Shelley: You've hit upon the important point, keeping on. <br /><br />Wanderer: I should have said in my post that the world needs us to be on the outside, or our writing wouldn't hit the mark. Welcome to the fold.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01210807015376289703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-60325646160598719182013-07-19T04:19:09.024-07:002013-07-19T04:19:09.024-07:00...I so get this feeling of the stranger. Even wit...<i>...I so get this feeling of the stranger. Even with my family. Even with my best friends. Even with my church family.</i><br /><br />You said it for me. I don't have a dog. My husband looks at me weird sometimes but he's getting there. :)V. Gingerichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01615988080091167938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-57904874600755512052013-07-19T03:41:12.680-07:002013-07-19T03:41:12.680-07:00Such a relief to read this! I've learned to fi...Such a relief to read this! I've learned to find my own comfort zone because I've really fit in, even at church. This whole thing could have come from my own lips. It seems like it's taken failure to come to this point. <br /><br />This morning, I was beginning to doubt myself and my ability to be a successful writer. Of course, I'm just starting. Reading this has showed me I just need to keep going. Thank you so much!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753783217683635257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-69395424502916989222013-07-19T00:14:26.494-07:002013-07-19T00:14:26.494-07:00Yes. Yes yes yesyesyesyesyes YES. Oh my gosh, YES....Yes. Yes yes yesyesyesyesyes YES. Oh my gosh, YES. <br />Good heavens, did I write this? YES. <br />Until very recently I thought it was just me. Now, more recently still, I've found myself wondering whether I write because I was born (or shaped) that way, or whether I am that way because was born a writer. I'm not sure which idea I prefer. <br />I do know though, that I am a million times happier and more at peace with myself knowing now that I'm not alone. Thank you!Megan Sayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410068162701570057noreply@blogger.com