Comments on: We’re All in This Together, Anecdotes from the Front Lines https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/ A Blog On Writing Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:40:49 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 By: James Preston https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161337 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 18:03:43 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161337 In reply to Denise.

Denise, I hope you're having a great time at the retreat. As for name-dropping, I know what you mean, since I had that debate with myself before writing the essay. How about this -- come back on Monday and tell us about the retreat. With or without names it would be interesting and of benefit to your fellow WITS readers/contributors.
Anyway, thanks for the comment!
Best,
James

]]> By: Denise https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161333 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 07:59:21 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161333 I could name drop, but I won't.

I will be attending a writing retreat with a bestselling author this coming weekend.

]]> By: James Preston https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161330 Sat, 02 Dec 2023 19:25:36 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161330 In reply to Lisa Norman.

Excellent comment, Lisa. That sort of effort -- volunteering -- can pay off in many ways, some direct, many indirect. For the latter I'm thinking of the agent who did not represent you, but whose advice was so important. I'm glad you liked the post and thanks for adding an important facet to the essay.

]]> By: Lisa Norman https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161329 Sat, 02 Dec 2023 18:44:19 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161329 I've had such delightful experiences meeting and working with authors. When I was helping out with Lawson Writer's Academy... you can bet I met quite a few big names. Some of them before and some after they became known. Margie once arranged for me to share a ride from the airport with my dream agent - who didn't represent my work and whose advice has shaped the rest of my career. Meeting that agent and so many other writers has taught me exactly what you're saying: we're all in this together. Even big names feel angst! Even big names fight with their website. LOL Thanks for a great post!

]]> By: James Preston https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161328 Sat, 02 Dec 2023 03:56:33 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161328 In reply to Lynette M Burrows.

That's great, Lynette! SF conventions are some of the friendliest I've ever attended; a terrific place to mingle with writers and fans. (Ok, ok, you may encounter people dressed as Jabba the Hut.) Many of them will have opportunities to get your work, at least a chapter of it, read.
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
James

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161327 Sat, 02 Dec 2023 02:08:33 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161327 In reply to Lynette M Burrows.

WOW! That's amazing, Lynette!

]]> By: James Preston https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161325 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 22:20:00 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161325 In reply to Diana Stout.

Wow, Diana, I'm impressed. One of my favorite movies, for structure and twists it can't be beat. How did you happen to meet an Oscar winner? Were you at the ceremony?

]]> By: James Preston https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161324 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 22:18:15 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161324 In reply to Jenny Hansen.

I agree, Jenny. However, I have read that none other than Barbara Tuchman did respond to negative reviews.

]]> By: Lynette M Burrows https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161323 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 21:29:55 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161323 Yes, yes, and yes! I have had the opportunity to meet a number of famous authors at science fiction conventions. It is quite refreshing to talk with the various authors and you are right, we are all in this together. Talking about their struggles and their hobbies and interests is an endlessly fascinating look at how we are all the same. My favorite famous author meeting was when I was a newbie writer and went to my first out-of-state writing conference. I had the opportunity to have my YA manuscript reviewed by Madeline L'Engle. She was charming and gave me a lot of encouragement. I'll treasure that memory forever.

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2023/12/were-all-in-this-together-anecdotes-from-the-front-lines/#comment-161322 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 20:09:49 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=49006#comment-161322 In reply to James Preston.

Jane Anne Krentz was memorable for both her spirit and her wisdom. She and Susan Elizabeth Phillips would do workshops together at RWA and they were so down to earth.

One thing she said that I never forgot was about bad reviews. She told SEP, " You can read it once, but then GET IT OUT OF YOUR HOUSE." That means if it's electronic, you don't look at it again. Print it up if you want to so you can burn it or shred it to make you feel better, but get it physically gone from you. Never spend your energy that you need for your writing on bad reviews.

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