Comments on: Wrapping Up http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:06:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Christophe Desmecht http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4242 Christophe Desmecht Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:11:12 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4242 Thanks Randy. I wasn't expecting an instant-just-add-water solution, but you managed to lift my spirits. It's true that this busy life I'm leading only started recently, and it's sure to quiet down in a few months. So I'll just sit it out and hope to find some quiet time to write once in a while. Thanks Randy.
I wasn’t expecting an instant-just-add-water solution, but you managed to lift my spirits. It’s true that this busy life I’m leading only started recently, and it’s sure to quiet down in a few months. So I’ll just sit it out and hope to find some quiet time to write once in a while.

]]> By: Debra http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4244 Debra Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:49:05 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4244 I've been following your blog, Randy but haven't felt able to make comments, for similar reasons to Christophe. I have struggled to find the physical energy to just sit at the computer. At one stage, I cut my hours and struggled financially, then I did put all the extra time into my book but circumstances forced me to accept extra work again this week and I haven't written for the last few days. Come on Lottery win! Today, I have arranged my hours so that I don't work any more than 7 hours a day. I counted my actual hours I was on the job, including travel between jobs which doesn't have a travel allowance attached to it and decided the extra hours weren't worth it. I probably won't feel the benefits of that change until next week. I’ve been following your blog, Randy but haven’t felt able to make comments, for similar reasons to Christophe. I have struggled to find the physical energy to just sit at the computer. At one stage, I cut my hours and struggled financially, then I did put all the extra time into my book but circumstances forced me to accept extra work again this week and I haven’t written for the last few days. Come on Lottery win! Today, I have arranged my hours so that I don’t work any more than 7 hours a day. I counted my actual hours I was on the job, including travel between jobs which doesn’t have a travel allowance attached to it and decided the extra hours weren’t worth it. I probably won’t feel the benefits of that change until next week.

]]> By: Charlotte Babb http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4245 Charlotte Babb Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:24:35 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4245 The concept of focus means that there is only one thing and the rest is on the side. The only way I can see to have time for writing is to stop doing so much of the other things that I do. Spacing out is not an option. I go to bed by 10 pm, which gives me early morning quiet time to do what I do...and writing time is still hard to manage. The concept of focus means that there is only one thing and the rest is on the side. The only way I can see to have time for writing is to stop doing so much of the other things that I do. Spacing out is not an option. I go to bed by 10 pm, which gives me early morning quiet time to do what I do…and writing time is still hard to manage.

]]> By: Kristi Holl http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4247 Kristi Holl Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:42:17 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4247 I would suggest something rather than "waiting it out" when trying to find time to write while life is busy. Even during the worst of times, you can find ten minutes to journal, or fifteen minutes to do a writing exercise (there are many excellent books of fun writing prompts), or something similar. Do it on your lunch break maybe. But keep the mind thinking "writer," even during the busiest times. And you'd be amazed how much writing you can do in ten-minute segments. My first five or six books were written that way, with many babies and toddlers underfoot and a teaching job and health issues. Do a bit of writing every day. Otherwise, when you finally get back to it months later, you'll be so rusty it will be hard to get back into the swing of things. I would suggest something rather than “waiting it out” when trying to find time to write while life is busy. Even during the worst of times, you can find ten minutes to journal, or fifteen minutes to do a writing exercise (there are many excellent books of fun writing prompts), or something similar. Do it on your lunch break maybe. But keep the mind thinking “writer,” even during the busiest times. And you’d be amazed how much writing you can do in ten-minute segments. My first five or six books were written that way, with many babies and toddlers underfoot and a teaching job and health issues. Do a bit of writing every day. Otherwise, when you finally get back to it months later, you’ll be so rusty it will be hard to get back into the swing of things.

]]> By: Jonathan Greathead http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4248 Jonathan Greathead Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:48:58 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4248 Randy and Christophe - Thank you for addressing this. I have struggled with not being able to create for the past few months - and at times felt that the battle was being lost. I needed this 'pep talk' and will get back on track to finish the book that just won't leave my head. At this point the writing is more for my psyche than to crack into the world of those who wrote the '19' last year...Thanks - Jon Randy and Christophe - Thank you for addressing this. I have struggled with not being able to create for the past few months - and at times felt that the battle was being lost. I needed this ‘pep talk’ and will get back on track to finish the book that just won’t leave my head. At this point the writing is more for my psyche than to crack into the world of those who wrote the ‘19′ last year…Thanks - Jon

]]> By: Karla http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4249 Karla Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:24:27 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4249 I watched a fascinating program last night. It was called the "Agatha Christie Code." (Have you heard of it?) It was on the documentary channel and is supposed to air again on Tues. of next week. Anyway, Agatha started out writing anywhere and anytime she could. She was able to focus in little bits of time here and there. I have found this works for me, too. It's frustrating but it works. (Frustrating because I have to quit before I really want to.) I use my break time to write, and I use any time I'm able to sit with my laptop whether it's in the car (when someone else is driving) or in a waiting room at my kids' doctor's appointments (they have a lot of them). The "Agatha Christie Code" was fascinating for other reasons, too. I think it would be great if everyone could watch it. It analyzed her use of words, how she "hypnotizes" readers, etc. They said she worked with the same "formula" or "template" each time. Sort of reminds me of that snowflake guy... I watched a fascinating program last night. It was called the “Agatha Christie Code.” (Have you heard of it?) It was on the documentary channel and is supposed to air again on Tues. of next week. Anyway, Agatha started out writing anywhere and anytime she could. She was able to focus in little bits of time here and there. I have found this works for me, too. It’s frustrating but it works. (Frustrating because I have to quit before I really want to.) I use my break time to write, and I use any time I’m able to sit with my laptop whether it’s in the car (when someone else is driving) or in a waiting room at my kids’ doctor’s appointments (they have a lot of them).

The “Agatha Christie Code” was fascinating for other reasons, too. I think it would be great if everyone could watch it. It analyzed her use of words, how she “hypnotizes” readers, etc. They said she worked with the same “formula” or “template” each time. Sort of reminds me of that snowflake guy…

]]> By: ML Eqatin http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4250 ML Eqatin Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:05:57 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4250 This is not going to be a popular answer, but I have to say it --- "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Writing may not fit into the life that has happened for you, at least not now. That doesn't mean that the season will not come, or that you should not prepare for it in the corners of time you have. We in industrialized, urbanized society have forgotten that we can't always have it the way we want it, and you can't make corn grow by pulling on it. Ultimately, our lives are about other people and the rhythms of their lives impact us, as they should. Whether it's growing children, the need to keep a roof over your head, or ailing parents, there are things that must have priority over our literary ambitions. If those are honored, the writing will be richer in its time. This is not going to be a popular answer, but I have to say it — “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Writing may not fit into the life that has happened for you, at least not now. That doesn’t mean that the season will not come, or that you should not prepare for it in the corners of time you have. We in industrialized, urbanized society have forgotten that we can’t always have it the way we want it, and you can’t make corn grow by pulling on it.

Ultimately, our lives are about other people and the rhythms of their lives impact us, as they should. Whether it’s growing children, the need to keep a roof over your head, or ailing parents, there are things that must have priority over our literary ambitions. If those are honored, the writing will be richer in its time.

]]> By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4251 Camille Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:23:02 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4251 On the heels of ML on seasons, I've been in a season of hyperdrive this past year. I'm sure it won't last, and I'm prepared accept different speeds in this novel journey-marathon. But I can strike while the iron is hot, or the keys are clicking... Can I share something here that I shared with my critique group? I think we're a unique community, a collection of Great Artistes who I'm honored to rub cyber shoulders with. "About a year ago, I was thinking about writing a novel. I'd never heard of acfw, pov, mru, or storyworld or scene and sequel. Goal-Conflict-Disaster was just another name for parenting teens. Definitely never heard of making a novel out of a snowflake. Head hoppers and pantsers could have been slang for the people I quit hanging around after I got saved. A year ago the thought never entered my mind to quit making homestyle dinners and cleaning toilets, to join a critque group, to spend hours and hours into the night pounding at the keyboard, to sign up for feeds from writing blogs and leave posts everywhere like a puppy in training, to attend writing workshops, to read stacks of books on writing craft, to download a fiction writing course, to think about how to market myself, or to attend a writer's conference. Or to whine to you gracious, wise ones for extra help in getting it right. When I look at this bio (recently created for conference), I see someone who didn't exist a year ago. Pretty weird when I think about it. Lately I've been glued to a couple pages of a proposal and the first 20 of story that keeps shedding skin and emerging a tiny bit tighter each time and talking about little else besides pre-subbing and morning tracks and elevator pitches and agent panels and the one thing to never include on the business card when you're unpublished. A year ago, this would have been a foreign language. To family and friends, it still is. I wonder where I'd be today if a year ago someone told me what writing a novel actually takes. I'd like to think...I'd be right here, In a frenzy to get ready for Mt Hermon. Thanks for blessing me this year." I'd like to extend these thanks to Randy especially, and to all of you here at AFW blog. Blessings to you in your season of writing!! Camille On the heels of ML on seasons, I’ve been in a season of hyperdrive this past year. I’m sure it won’t last, and I’m prepared accept different speeds in this novel journey-marathon. But I can strike while the iron is hot, or the keys are clicking…

Can I share something here that I shared with my critique group? I think we’re a unique community, a collection of Great Artistes who I’m honored to rub cyber shoulders with.

“About a year ago, I was thinking about writing a novel. I’d never heard of acfw, pov, mru, or storyworld or scene and sequel. Goal-Conflict-Disaster was just another name for parenting teens. Definitely never heard of making a novel out of a snowflake. Head hoppers and pantsers could have been slang for the people I quit hanging around after I got saved.

A year ago the thought never entered my mind to quit making homestyle dinners and cleaning toilets, to join a critque group, to spend hours and hours into the night pounding at the keyboard, to sign up for feeds from writing blogs and leave posts everywhere like a puppy in training, to attend writing workshops, to read stacks of books on writing craft, to download a fiction writing course, to think about how to market myself, or to attend a writer’s conference. Or to whine to you gracious, wise ones for extra help in getting it right. When I look at this bio (recently created for conference), I see someone who didn’t exist a year ago. Pretty weird when I think about it.

Lately I’ve been glued to a couple pages of a proposal and the first 20 of story that keeps shedding skin and emerging a tiny bit tighter each time and talking about little else besides pre-subbing and morning tracks and elevator pitches and agent panels and the one thing to never include on the business card when you’re unpublished. A year ago, this would have been a foreign language. To family and friends, it still is.

I wonder where I’d be today if a year ago someone told me what writing a novel actually takes.

I’d like to think…I’d be right here, In a frenzy to get ready for Mt Hermon.

Thanks for blessing me this year.”

I’d like to extend these thanks to Randy especially, and to all of you here at AFW blog. Blessings to you in your season of writing!!

Camille

]]> By: Camille http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4252 Camille Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:25:22 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4252 PS: Welcome back Christophe! :+) PS: Welcome back Christophe! :+)

]]> By: Don http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4285 Don Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:43:02 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2008/02/26/wrapping-up/#comment-4285 Regarding unequal outcomes in the book publishing business: Take a read of N. N. Taleb's "The Black Swan" -- an extended discussion on uncertainty. Regarding unequal outcomes in the book publishing business: Take a read of N. N. Taleb’s “The Black Swan” — an extended discussion on uncertainty.

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