tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post3052822502770588141..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: 10 Steps to Success as a Novelist--Summer Rerun, sort ofBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-76228009097860926742010-09-07T09:31:48.238-07:002010-09-07T09:31:48.238-07:00Love this. Dabbler vs. writer. Oh, how I've ...Love this. Dabbler vs. writer. Oh, how I've struggled with this, wanting to be the latter but acting like the other.<br /><br />I find that LaTayne's suggestion works well, although scrubbing off all that adhesive makes for longer showers.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-63012235360068325822010-09-02T15:36:46.252-07:002010-09-02T15:36:46.252-07:00Wonderful!! I love the unique way you have present...Wonderful!! I love the unique way you have presented them--refreshing!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-15810639771456446262010-09-02T09:41:10.043-07:002010-09-02T09:41:10.043-07:00Great point, Meg. I find it especially true. In my...Great point, Meg. I find it especially true. In my years of learning who I am as a writer I tried several genres and found my niche in Women's Fiction. For me it was like arriving. And now I'm experimenting within my genre: different tenses (I love present tense!), different types of POV characters, etc. It's like splashing in the perfect pond.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-41431064377608952982010-09-02T09:17:40.733-07:002010-09-02T09:17:40.733-07:00Thanks for sharing your notes and asking for feedb...Thanks for sharing your notes and asking for feedback from us, Patti.<br /><br />There's one for you - <b>connect</b> with your writing peers, published authors, and industry professionals. Networking is a valuable resource. I did a whole workshop on this at a writers conference last month. This is how we can learn, be encouraged, make professional relationships, find mentors, help others, sharpen our skills, find opportunities and so much more.<br />(This can be done off and online.)<br /><br />I hope your speaking engagement goes well!Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-11243629409770971812010-09-02T09:07:37.527-07:002010-09-02T09:07:37.527-07:00I love the advice about reading poetry. I have a c...I love the advice about reading poetry. I have a couple of books of poetry already, but haven't read through them completely yet. The two I have are Dan Gioia and Emily Dicksinson, and I really want to get Amy Clampett's collection of poems as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-48556345356766846252010-09-02T04:51:03.104-07:002010-09-02T04:51:03.104-07:00These are all great steps to follow.
Thank you so ...These are all great steps to follow.<br />Thank you so much!<br /><br />Be authentic in your voice...... <br />Your words are God given, so don't try to change too much. Let your voice come from your heart and be yourself.Cynthia Schuerrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03975914802967433794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-72261617589756431462010-09-02T04:08:48.961-07:002010-09-02T04:08:48.961-07:00Those are all excellent points. I wish I'd see...Those are all excellent points. I wish I'd seen this list about fifteen years ago.<br /><br />I would add: Try new things in your reading and in your writing. Explore and experiment until you recognize your niche and your voice. If you don't know yourself as a writer, nobody else will know you, either.Meg Moseleyhttp://www.megmoseley.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-81788336464000561042010-09-01T19:58:58.439-07:002010-09-01T19:58:58.439-07:00Totally agree with the point about reading poetry....Totally agree with the point about reading poetry. Some writers treat words like house bricks - practical, necessary components to build the story they desire. Others (like you) love the medium itself as much as the end result. That's what distinguishes the labourers from those who are true artists with words. <br /><br />Also loving your point 3. You know, I hadn't really thought about it that way before. So very true.Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-9533214770649513592010-09-01T16:39:22.001-07:002010-09-01T16:39:22.001-07:00Eric and Samantha: Thanks for joining us. Apprecia...Eric and Samantha: Thanks for joining us. Appreciate your amens.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-12176106128373152342010-09-01T14:54:24.722-07:002010-09-01T14:54:24.722-07:00Love this post and all the comments! I especially ...Love this post and all the comments! I especially love your #2 step. Ah. Good for the soul.Samantha Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15712749844855298929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-63952732286093662602010-09-01T14:44:18.969-07:002010-09-01T14:44:18.969-07:00Stephanie NAILED your #10. I can't top that on...Stephanie NAILED your #10. I can't top that one.<br /><br />Believe.<br /><br />Isn't that little faith in ~ourselves~ what so many of us lack.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-55838339677910983032010-09-01T13:10:19.900-07:002010-09-01T13:10:19.900-07:00Kate: Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me wi...Kate: Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me with your words.<br /><br />Sarah: I keep baby carrots and dry roasted almonds around for nervous nibbling. I may turn orange.<br /><br />Stephanie: I start the class offering a wider definition for success. Publication isn't always the destination. Every piece I've written has forced me to think harder about faith, love, and who I serve. Trust me, I wouldn't think this hard if I didn't have to.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-71086192062042807942010-09-01T11:47:46.484-07:002010-09-01T11:47:46.484-07:00Very nice. I especially like the poetry point. I r...Very nice. I especially like the poetry point. I read Emily Dickinson. Children's classics are good, too. If you haven't read Old Yeller in a while, you're missing out. It's a masterpiece.<br /><br />How do you define success in publishing? Just getting published? Or is it based on sales? Something to think about.<br /><br />#10<br />Believe. <br /><br />Mark 9:23 says, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."<br /><br />Yes, edit others and belong to critique groups. Learn the publishing biz and check your manuscript for the errors that make editors cringe. But if you want to be successful in publishing, you have to really, really believe you can do it (with God's help). If you don't believe it's possible, no one else will.Stephanie Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09455149588554471056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-45059935599481106642010-09-01T11:40:48.140-07:002010-09-01T11:40:48.140-07:00Great list! I especially like the description of w...Great list! I especially like the description of writers versus dabblers. I've been known to miss a meal or two. Or, unfortunately for my waistline, I sometimes do the opposite...Pace around my kitchen munching on chips and candy until the perfect word pops into my head. :)Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-11698512755942149662010-09-01T11:30:05.046-07:002010-09-01T11:30:05.046-07:00Thanks for sharing these great ideas. It is helpf...Thanks for sharing these great ideas. It is helpful for the beginners(me) to have a few points to ponder!<br />Blessings and joy!<br />KateKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247391603889367885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-13675913968661335802010-09-01T11:05:02.942-07:002010-09-01T11:05:02.942-07:00Nicole, bring 'em on! I'll add your ideas ...Nicole, bring 'em on! I'll add your ideas to the handout and give credit to anyone who submits.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-62037584348346097562010-09-01T09:32:20.633-07:002010-09-01T09:32:20.633-07:00How about retitling the speech to 101 Steps to Suc...How about retitling the speech to 101 Steps to Success? I think we can all contribute many more truths to writing, beefing your list up.<br /><br />:^)Nicole Amslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16750415400799986476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-48137037671956388162010-09-01T09:07:17.083-07:002010-09-01T09:07:17.083-07:00Nicole: Wonderful advice. Anything that drives you...Nicole: Wonderful advice. Anything that drives you crazy in other people's writing is probably in your own to one degree or another. Also, editing the work of others gives you the emotional distance to get the job done.<br /><br />Kathleen: Yes! Oh boy, picking #10 is going to be tough. I'll include an addendum to the addendum in my handout.<br /><br />Wendy: Ah, the dance. Very tricky. Very necessary. I understand exactly what you're saying.<br /><br />Laura: I can't write without a critique group, either. It's great practice for working with an editor, although my editors have never laughed at me.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-62748486195193559992010-09-01T07:58:41.210-07:002010-09-01T07:58:41.210-07:00I agree with Nicole. I've learned a lot about ...I agree with Nicole. I've learned a lot about my own writing from critiquing others' work in my creative writing classes. For example, I'd point out something that wasn't quite working and discover I was doing the same thing in my own story. It's very helpful to be part of a critique group!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-92173593909623712422010-09-01T07:56:19.150-07:002010-09-01T07:56:19.150-07:00Tweeting this as soon as I'm done sharing my 4...Tweeting this as soon as I'm done sharing my 400 cents. ;)<br /><br />Loved what Nicole and Kathleen added.<br /><br />There's a certain dance that needs to happen with your work. You need to develop keen sensory skills with knowing when to draw close to it and when to create some distance. I'm learning so much about this right now.<br /><br />Hope I expressed it well enough, but my gut says you know what I'm getting at.<br /><br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-74991300105858898002010-09-01T07:49:59.349-07:002010-09-01T07:49:59.349-07:00Be gentle with yourself. Everything doesn't de...Be gentle with yourself. Everything doesn't depend on you. It actually depends on God, and he is good.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-27171280619634100272010-09-01T07:43:29.547-07:002010-09-01T07:43:29.547-07:00Edit others.
It can be constructive criticism in...Edit others. <br /><br />It can be constructive criticism in a writer's workshop group or the silent red-lining you do in your head when you read published books. Editing others helps identify the same errors I am blind to in my own work.<br /><br />I absolutely agree with 1-9. Thanks!Nicole Amslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16750415400799986476noreply@blogger.com