tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post5595849040616333981..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: From Changing of the Hats to Changing of the Guard – Part 2Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-69780145942757740912013-07-15T10:14:03.867-06:002013-07-15T10:14:03.867-06:00(posted for S. K. Randolph)
I love writing groups...(posted for S. K. Randolph) <br />I love writing groups! My discovery that I might want to write more than an occasional poem was in a writers' group in Traverse City, MI, called Writing from the Inside Out. It was through the urging of its members that I began my writer's journey. When I moved to Concord, NH, my jobs, Director of Dance, Artistic Director of St. Paul's School Ballet Company, and Dormitory Head, precluded almost all outside activities. Now in Alaska, my nomadic lifestyle is an inhibitor. There is nothing like the support of other writers. Lucky you! <br /><br />Although I can write almost anywhere, I consider my lifestyle at this moment perfect. I am very lucky to have a partner who is willing to be the captain of our home on board 'Finback' and who loves exploring Southeast Alaska as much as I do.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5587488541348501642013-07-14T19:04:15.815-06:002013-07-14T19:04:15.815-06:00Everyone assumes a writer's life is solitary, ...Everyone assumes a writer's life is solitary, so I'll just put out there that some of my most productive writing is done in the company of other writers! I meet a small group of women at Wegman's, a grocery store with a café area, and we write together, each on her own project, as witnesses. I host writing retreats for women as well, and it's amazing how much you can get done if you shove everything else off the table for a few days. But...the boat in the cove sounds awesome!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-11468774817373046182013-07-14T13:07:45.012-06:002013-07-14T13:07:45.012-06:00(posted for S. K. Randolph) Maryann, I have defini...(posted for S. K. Randolph) Maryann, I have definitely found that separating my business and personal stuff on the computer from my writing has been a positive. The lack of distraction allows me to drop into what I call "my writing zone" and stay there for substantial periods of time. Glad you discovered something worthwhile to try!Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68897689538333814382013-07-14T07:26:46.490-06:002013-07-14T07:26:46.490-06:00This has been an interesting and helpful two-part ...This has been an interesting and helpful two-part series. I do struggle with staying focused on the task at hand and your comment that you have one computer that is for writing only struck a chord with me. If I make my main computer just for writing and save my social media things for later on my iPad, that might help me be more productive.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-87858293304973846082013-07-13T21:33:13.453-06:002013-07-13T21:33:13.453-06:00(posted for S. K. Randolph) Heidiwriter,
I know th...(posted for S. K. Randolph) Heidiwriter,<br />I know that panic mode well. When I was younger, that was my MO. Hmm. Couldn't be the "getting older thing" that has instituted the change...could it? No Way!Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71923035170642364122013-07-13T21:29:21.616-06:002013-07-13T21:29:21.616-06:00(posted for S. K. Randolph) Helen, I love the boat...(posted for S. K. Randolph) Helen, I love the boat too. I spent years in a world peopled by students and colleagues and parents. The quiet of a cove is more amazing than I can express. For me, it is the perfect writer's nest.<br />Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-50004954825234841032013-07-13T15:13:29.941-06:002013-07-13T15:13:29.941-06:00Great post! I can write in quiet or with music or ...Great post! I can write in quiet or with music or with noise. I also seem to thrive on the panic-mode of a deadline. Must be from my newspaper days, when we still had typewriters and sometimes after covering a late-evening meeting, I would type a few paragraphs and the copy editor would rip the paper from the machine and I'd go on with the next few, etc. It's a terrible way to write, but sometimes I need that adrenaline kick, I guess.<br /><br />Christopher, you are too funny! Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6532769671223913682013-07-13T15:06:41.909-06:002013-07-13T15:06:41.909-06:00When I write, I need quiet. If there are other thi...When I write, I need quiet. If there are other things going on, like the TV or people in the house, I get distracted.<br /><br />I love that you have a boat you go to. Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-29656099496047430362013-07-13T14:06:15.064-06:002013-07-13T14:06:15.064-06:00(posted for S. K. Randolph) Thank you, Blood Red P...(posted for S. K. Randolph) Thank you, Blood Red Pencil, for all the good information you provide those of <br />us who are working hard to become the best writers we can be. It has been my <br />pleasure to contribute. Thank you, Linda, for your comment and for helping me bring this together. Writing it highlighted for me some of the things I need to remember in those moments when frustration hits. Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4882439853683184492013-07-13T12:15:39.225-06:002013-07-13T12:15:39.225-06:00Years ago, when I first sat down to write a novel,...Years ago, when I first sat down to write a novel, I had no idea what was involved in getting a marketable story "on paper" or in finding an agent or in selling my manuscript or my published book. The word "self-publish" didn't exist in my vocabulary. To say the least, the fast and furious wake-up calls provided a quick (and somewhat harsh) education. I wish I'd read this two-part piece back then; it would have saved me a lot of discouragement and a lot of grief.<br /><br />Several points in this post struck me as worthy of serious thought. I've learned firsthand that a team is a necessity for almost all writers who want to produce a book that can hold its own against the best out there. Also, persistence cannot be overrated. Like S. K. Randolph, I'm in this for the long haul. Next, I think the timing issue deserves careful consideration. Depending on genre and content, a book may be ahead of or behind its time — or opportunities may not present themselves when we would like them to — so a savvy marketing person is an essential team member. In addition, patience does not come naturally to me, so this one needs some work. Finally, I, too, like to run my show. This doesn't mean I don't need a team; it just means I want to make the final call after reviewing all the facts and the input from my experts.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing the lessons learned your experience, Sharon. This is valuable information for all of us. :-) <br />Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-72325890997989246552013-07-13T10:08:25.381-06:002013-07-13T10:08:25.381-06:00"Being at the right place at the right time&q..."Being at the right place at the right time" ... see, there's my problem. Let me give you and example of how timing has worked in my life: Once, I was bent over, tying my shoe laces when I heard a WOOOOSH over my head ... I sat up and said, "What was that?" I later learned that it was the 'secret to life' passing by ... and that it only passes each one of us once ... and, well, guess who missed it?Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.com