tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post7908576231264967417..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Daydreams of Being an Author -- A Novel Matters RoundtableBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-41771509836647997002012-03-20T13:19:46.829-07:002012-03-20T13:19:46.829-07:00Thanks, ladies - you're so encouraging! :-)Thanks, ladies - you're so encouraging! :-)Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-50160020493928794372012-03-20T07:54:35.950-07:002012-03-20T07:54:35.950-07:00Karen, I agree with Sharon. Keep at it! Ten years ...Karen, I agree with Sharon. Keep at it! Ten years IS a long time and I totally sympathize, but it's not unusual. When people ask questions they don't understand (can't possibly) the learning curve for writing a novel, the complexity, and subjectivity of the industry. <br /><br />Authors who have been published and later found they couldn't get published again--that happens more often then we'd like to acknowledge.<br /><br />It's hard. There are no short cuts. No easy way. And that's why you need your daydreams. Keep writing, keep improving, keep at it, keep dreaming!Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-85985708053536956362012-03-20T07:35:45.105-07:002012-03-20T07:35:45.105-07:00Karen, hang onto your dreams. They're what kee...Karen, hang onto your dreams. They're what keep you going. People mean well when they ask their questions, but after a while you want to head the other way when you see them coming. Publication is validating, that's true, but we're validated in other ways too. Keep at it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-22638496501848135962012-03-19T21:18:46.473-07:002012-03-19T21:18:46.473-07:00I've always been a daydreamer. I think at hear...I've always been a daydreamer. I think at heart I'm quite an impractical person - I know my childhood fantasies of bestsellerdom have faint chance of ever coming true, but hey... it's fun to dream! <br /><br />Along the way, though, my dreams have downsized somewhat.I now daydream most about no longer feeling humiliated when people ask me, "So why isn't your book published yet?" with an expression somewhere between bafflement and pity. The implication makes me squirm. ("Ten years of effort and she's still not published? Mustn't be a very good writer.")Oh, I know, they're possibly not thinking any such thing - but I still have to work hard not to become defensive whenever this question is asked.<br /><br />I've heard a thousand times over that being published will not validate me. My mind accepts the truth of that, but I guess my heart still stubbornly believes otherwise.:-)<br /><br />Loved these personal glimpses of the tension for each of you between dreams and reality.Karen @ a house full of sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17787916466155321686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-17530719803589724612012-03-19T18:46:49.945-07:002012-03-19T18:46:49.945-07:00I helped hold up the group. Bonnie fixed everythin...I helped hold up the group. Bonnie fixed everything. Yay, Bonnie!Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-9305789775513742792012-03-19T18:09:26.850-07:002012-03-19T18:09:26.850-07:00Sorry, my bad. I got home very late from a weekend...Sorry, my bad. I got home very late from a weekend retreat and held up the group.<br />I have to add that the unexpected joys that happen more than make up for the 'hmmmm' moments. : )Debbie Fuller Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174333267329587740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-63200805075237598702012-03-19T17:38:06.560-07:002012-03-19T17:38:06.560-07:00What a great reality check! I agree with all the d...What a great reality check! I agree with all the dreams, and can say, "BTDT" to most of the outcomes.<br />In addition, I have had polarized responses to working another job and writing (which of course, is necessary if I want to eat, pay rent, etc.) Some think I must not be qualified for my day job if I am really a writer. Others think I am not qualified to write if I have a day job. And, regretfully, others thought I must not be giving enough time and effort to my full time job since I had enough leisure to write, proof, re-read (x 5), edit, and pay for publish on demand. <br />I had three relatives that bought the book. I had 350 students who thanked me heartily for the bookmarks I gave, said they loved to read, and wondered expectantly if I was going to give them my book for Christmas. After self publishing, I really couldn't even afford a candy cane for each of them. <br />Sigh. It was a really good book. I am glad I wrote it. I also like my current WIP(s). I get so much out of writing and rereading, in terms of emotional, spiritual, mental and physical health.Cherry Odelberghttp://einefeistyberg.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-86687406068144519692012-03-19T15:23:39.200-07:002012-03-19T15:23:39.200-07:00Loved these responses, everyone!Loved these responses, everyone!Latayne C Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06133535124591010838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-23965915467028011512012-03-19T15:07:17.556-07:002012-03-19T15:07:17.556-07:00Susie, yes, that's another hated question: &qu...Susie, yes, that's another hated question: "How much did you make?" A bit like asking the mother of a newborn baby, "has he got a job yet?" <br /><br />Henrietta, why can't we be like Emily Dickenson, and lower baskets of muffins out the window to the children in the streets? Oh, and keep our writing a secret till we're dead? <br /><br />Sadie, come back!!<br /><br />Virginia, yes, that's the best thing to say. <br /><br />Bonnie, no, writing doesn't make much sense, does it? I'm glad you do it anyway.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-66195989325064071572012-03-19T14:55:50.565-07:002012-03-19T14:55:50.565-07:00Every journey is unique, but it's clear that w...Every journey is unique, but it's clear that writing novels isn't the easiest job out there (but probably not the most dangerous or smelly). <br /><br />Time and absolute dedication are called for. Especially when it makes no sense to give either.Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-63567600988148698772012-03-19T09:11:04.721-07:002012-03-19T09:11:04.721-07:00Thank you! I appreciated your insights.Thank you! I appreciated your insights.Valerie Comerhttp://valeriecomer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-64949220009184714912012-03-19T08:47:09.213-07:002012-03-19T08:47:09.213-07:00Loved this!! I knew not much would change on the h...Loved this!! I knew not much would change on the home front because my kids are all under 12. BUT I did think that my parents might brag a little more. :P No such luck! Anyway, for silly questions, I've gotten the question 'how much did you pay to get your book published' and 'how did you choose your publisher'. Hm. <br /><br /> And ditto on the free books! My favorite response when I say I've got a book coming out? "I get the first copy and make it signed!"Mary Jane Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996627730074514978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-9916785628027873952012-03-19T07:31:39.527-07:002012-03-19T07:31:39.527-07:00Sadie, check back. I believe that Debbie, Kathleen...Sadie, check back. I believe that Debbie, Kathleen, and Patti will contribute later today. They ran headlong into scheduling issues. :)Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-22451009302947554492012-03-19T06:45:19.164-07:002012-03-19T06:45:19.164-07:00Fascinating post. Thank you all for your honesty. ...Fascinating post. Thank you all for your honesty. I wish Debbie and Kathleen had participated too though ...sadie crandlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875955246435415795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-55663122025376258422012-03-19T06:36:28.714-07:002012-03-19T06:36:28.714-07:00My reason for publishing would be to share somethi...My reason for publishing would be to share something I love, this story. Interviews and fame would be nightmares to me. I already owe the money to an orphanage and I regret they will likely never see it because I am so shy. <br />My writing craft does improve and I pour it all into this one story. Perhaps my descendants will have no fear of second hand fame.Henrietta Frankenseenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-10861473792413989602012-03-19T05:15:43.580-07:002012-03-19T05:15:43.580-07:00This was a great round-table! Thank you, Ladies.
...This was a great round-table! Thank you, Ladies. <br /><br />The closest I can come to a story like this was when I found out that a play I'd written was going to be published. I was a new mom and working in a church. The number one question people asked...seriously..."How much did you make?"<br /><br />Ugh.<br /><br />When I told them, they all said, "Is that all?"<br /><br />{sigh}Susie Finkbeinerhttp://www.susiefinkbeiner.comnoreply@blogger.com