tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7071217001205451302..comments2024-03-29T03:30:18.368-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Do Some Writers Deserve to Starve - FinaleDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30724263189287942712009-03-01T18:03:00.000-07:002009-03-01T18:03:00.000-07:00Maryann, your "life is too short" comment is dead ...Maryann, your "life is too short" comment is dead on, especially when we consider how difficult it is to even get into the publishing industry; dealing with trouble should be avoided at all costs.<BR/><BR/>Amy, I think most writers run into other writers who are very giving and should actually consider it a blessing that they do.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-11806809925071325082009-03-01T13:00:00.000-07:002009-03-01T13:00:00.000-07:00Great article, Shon, and I enjoyed all the comment...Great article, Shon, and I enjoyed all the comments. I have seen some of the extreme negative behavior by some writers, and, thankfully, it was only by a small fraction of the writers I've met in my career. I chose to not associate with them and focus on the writers who are willing to get on the "positive" track. Life is too short to waste time with those that create trouble.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15059742069248889692009-03-01T06:49:00.000-07:002009-03-01T06:49:00.000-07:00I've not had that experience at all. I'm well publ...I've not had that experience at all. I'm well published in newspapers, magazines, journals etc...and have found book authors to be very "giving" as I go forward in that realm as well. Of course some are more helpful than others, that's the nature of human beings. I think if that's the stereotype of writers, someone is not meeting the right writers!Amy Sue Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13854920309673361956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-11527182340871669072009-02-28T18:26:00.000-07:002009-02-28T18:26:00.000-07:00It's a definite good thing, Charlotte. Every writ...It's a definite good thing, Charlotte. Every writer should be trying to the best of his/her ability to learn as much as possible about writing and the industry and not expect to be given everything.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-77983256117259065042009-02-28T18:17:00.000-07:002009-02-28T18:17:00.000-07:00Shon,I, too, heard many rumors about negative beha...Shon,<BR/><BR/>I, too, heard many rumors about negative behavoir in the industry. I'm happy to report that I've found none of it from fellow writers. Every single writer I've talked to has been supportive in some way. <BR/><BR/>Most also expect me to do what I can for myself before seeking assistance. That's the other side of the coin. It is certainly easier to turn to an expert for a quick answer than to spend hours wading through reference material. But how would you feel if you were viewed as the expert, had met fifty peers over the course of the last year, and everyone of them felt you owed them the courtesy of personal mentoring? When would you have time for your own work?<BR/><BR/>So, while I've been quite pleased to find those nasty rumors to be false, or at least highly exagerated, I have also found that established folks expect me to monitor myself and not take advantage. This is a good thing.Charlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73666734790074509732009-02-28T16:17:00.000-07:002009-02-28T16:17:00.000-07:00That's very true about time, Morgan. You can give...That's very true about time, Morgan. You can give to the point of not having anything left to be the writer you're supposed to be.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-43687075596396151842009-02-28T15:56:00.000-07:002009-02-28T15:56:00.000-07:00People can get jealous, which is only human. Most ...People can get jealous, which is only human. Most writers I know are only too willing to share their knowledge with others if asked, but only so far. It depends how close you are. The problem is time. Who has enough of it?<BR/><BR/>Morgan Mandel<BR/>http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-82905355392150563452009-02-28T14:27:00.000-07:002009-02-28T14:27:00.000-07:00Hey there, Chelle and Lisa; thanks for responding....Hey there, Chelle and Lisa; thanks for responding.<BR/><BR/>The heading could rankle some people, and believe me, I would never say all writers are this way. I've been blessed to meet more writers willing to share than those who refuse.<BR/><BR/>Success in writing, like most entertainment fields, can come from the connections you make with others in the field (the whole "It's not what you know, but who you know"), so it's important to have that give and take.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73317386179760543772009-02-28T14:19:00.000-07:002009-02-28T14:19:00.000-07:00When I first looked at your heading, I got my &quo...When I first looked at your heading, I got my "hackles up" - however after reading this blog through (as well as parts 1 & 2), I really think you've made some really good points.<BR/><BR/>While I am published (4 books so far), I am certainly not self-sufficient. But at the level of publication that I am at, I find other writers very willing to share and help with both encouragement and tips.<BR/><BR/>I try to pass along the good karma by helping others who both aspire to publish and those who have already published (creative writing classes, a blog featuring other writers, communication, etc). So far I am finding the openess and help returned many times over.<BR/><BR/>We are involved in competition, not everyone can attain that top spot in sales or readers' polls. But being gracious to both those who "do better: and those who "do less" goes a long way in positive energy.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for a very insightful take on this.Chelle Corderohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15412268726863698528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-62715628680703851032009-02-28T13:23:00.000-07:002009-02-28T13:23:00.000-07:00This is a two-pointed pencil, because there IS tha...This is a two-pointed pencil, because there IS that friendly competition factor some fear, but also the benefit of being of service. <BR/><BR/>I personally prefer to put positive energy out in helping, in part because others were willing to do so for me, and part because positive breeds positive. If someone ends up with better sales, so what? I can then turn around and try to learn from THEM.Lisa Loganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18259624498661417075noreply@blogger.com