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i'll give anyone a chance. but be warned, i WILL be honest. if i just looooove the book, i'll let you know, and if i think it can be better, i'll let you know. i just fell in love with deb lauman's book, I. Jospeh Kellerman, and i'm looking forward to her next one. (How's it going, deb?) as i told her before, that book will sell itself. the only things i refuse to read are child prono, anything that discriminates against race, religion, gender,etc. or something just plan nasty.
kim
kim
Sunset, a couple things while I've got a minute.
First, a children's book is not "just" a children's book. Tell AK Rowling she "just" writes children's books, or for that matter RL Stine or any other successful writer. I don't particularly like Harry Potter books, they're not well written from my point of view, but give credit where it's due!
Second, it's not just a book, it's your book. You know I'll buy it and Kim probably will too. The rest of the world, who knows? But appropos of that, please know that honest criticism is the highest pinnacle of praise from a writer. They are taking the time and the effort and going to the trouble of telling you what they really think, in an effort to help you. Sofi does that from time to time. Someone she was helping the other day, a pretty dim bulb with a hackneyed writing style, called her "pretentious" for some correct English usage she employed. Pretentious it was not. Apparently he just wanted her to tell him how good he was, when he wasn't. Not fun to deal with people like that -- you are not one, by the way -- but she puts herself out there anyway, just to help. When you get reactions from people like Kim and Sofi and Jim, know that their honesty is not meant to be hurtful to you at all. They want you to grow and succeed, and see this as the best way to help you do that. As sweet as I am to you, I'll do that too. Why? Because it is the best way to help. So, I've seen you be defensive before. Remember, the world is a tough place but there are good people as well as meanies out here, and if you just keep on rollin' like the Mississippi (AJ can tell you about this), you'll get through fine. Listen to your heart.
Two more nights in Paris, then it's off to Cairo. I am sitting in an incredible bookstore, a worldwide crossways for writers great and small, called "Shakespeare's." We can have coffee here sometime to celebrate your twentieth release, or just meet for pasta in Walnut Creek California at a certain someone's home! Yo Mamma!
First, a children's book is not "just" a children's book. Tell AK Rowling she "just" writes children's books, or for that matter RL Stine or any other successful writer. I don't particularly like Harry Potter books, they're not well written from my point of view, but give credit where it's due!
Second, it's not just a book, it's your book. You know I'll buy it and Kim probably will too. The rest of the world, who knows? But appropos of that, please know that honest criticism is the highest pinnacle of praise from a writer. They are taking the time and the effort and going to the trouble of telling you what they really think, in an effort to help you. Sofi does that from time to time. Someone she was helping the other day, a pretty dim bulb with a hackneyed writing style, called her "pretentious" for some correct English usage she employed. Pretentious it was not. Apparently he just wanted her to tell him how good he was, when he wasn't. Not fun to deal with people like that -- you are not one, by the way -- but she puts herself out there anyway, just to help. When you get reactions from people like Kim and Sofi and Jim, know that their honesty is not meant to be hurtful to you at all. They want you to grow and succeed, and see this as the best way to help you do that. As sweet as I am to you, I'll do that too. Why? Because it is the best way to help. So, I've seen you be defensive before. Remember, the world is a tough place but there are good people as well as meanies out here, and if you just keep on rollin' like the Mississippi (AJ can tell you about this), you'll get through fine. Listen to your heart.
Two more nights in Paris, then it's off to Cairo. I am sitting in an incredible bookstore, a worldwide crossways for writers great and small, called "Shakespeare's." We can have coffee here sometime to celebrate your twentieth release, or just meet for pasta in Walnut Creek California at a certain someone's home! Yo Mamma!
I think the only thing I would really worry about is...like say about the
guy... now since he's writing to many is considered...well crummy, later on, would you consider buying he's work...maybe not...if someone say, messes up at first but has improved greatly...would the person be given another chance, would you perhaps buy it...pre judging someone from their first piece of work is what I would be most afraid of :nerd
Re: Going public
Hi, Laura.
I'm at the Folies Bergiere ... the late show ... intermission ... likin' those legs! No, not lickin' the legs, just likin' em!
Hmm, is this you getting a little stage fright? Ms. Bravery-is-my-middle-name?
I was just abusing that other guy because he made an uncalled for remark that I didn't like about a certain person, not you. I was wrong to do that though what I said was, I thought, true.
Shows you how easily people can hurt other people's feelings.
So be careful, and be more grown up than me, and let any comments slide like water off your well-brushed feathers.
And as far as writing lousily, everyone but Homer (the real Homer) and Shakespeare did that, and I'm not so sure about Bill. It is an act of pure genius not to write badly once in a while. It's okay to write badly. Jim has already given you permission to do that. I give you permission too. I write badly most the time. Once in a while I revise well, and people like it. I'm hoping that will happen with the tiger, but there is no way to tell. Hard work is the key.
And as far as second chances, certain people will not give them to you, like trying to get Attila the Hun interested in Dell Romances -- good luck -- and certain people will give you all the chance you need, because you're already golden with them somehow or another. But more importantly, life itself will give you second chances more times than it won't. If your heart is good, and you listen to it, and you work hard to honor it, you will get lots more chances than otherwise.
At some point life may get in the way between you and someone you love deeply or really respect, or some goal you've cherished, or a big pot of cash, whatever. Life might say, "there are no second chances this time," and that will break your heart. But pls. know that when this happens, it is just life speaking. It is time to buckle up, learn your lessons, and move on towards the next mountain. There is always a new sunrise and there is always a fresh ridge over the horizon. Life itself is one huge second chance. As long as we're still living, we have not run out of them.
Please read the Coehlo book.
Your first book will probably not be a worldwide smash hit that will make you millions. It will undoubtedly be your first herd of sheep, something close to you that you can take pride in having and that teach you valuable lessons. If it is not all that and a bag of chips, know the next one will be better. Your friends will stick with you if you let them; mean people hopefully won't; you'll do better next time. Some people can be very unforgiving, and they'll be out the door; others are by nature more compassionate or "straight" in the good way, and they'll be there with you. Oh yeah, and there will be uncounted millions born after you who won't care about the quality of your first offering, because they weren't around then.
One last thing about bad writing. It is always the way to make good writing. Write and write and write, as James would say and has. Listen to him and your other friends.
Oops, the show is about to start. :hat
Hi, Laura.
I'm at the Folies Bergiere ... the late show ... intermission ... likin' those legs! No, not lickin' the legs, just likin' em!
Hmm, is this you getting a little stage fright? Ms. Bravery-is-my-middle-name?
I was just abusing that other guy because he made an uncalled for remark that I didn't like about a certain person, not you. I was wrong to do that though what I said was, I thought, true.
Shows you how easily people can hurt other people's feelings.
So be careful, and be more grown up than me, and let any comments slide like water off your well-brushed feathers.
And as far as writing lousily, everyone but Homer (the real Homer) and Shakespeare did that, and I'm not so sure about Bill. It is an act of pure genius not to write badly once in a while. It's okay to write badly. Jim has already given you permission to do that. I give you permission too. I write badly most the time. Once in a while I revise well, and people like it. I'm hoping that will happen with the tiger, but there is no way to tell. Hard work is the key.
And as far as second chances, certain people will not give them to you, like trying to get Attila the Hun interested in Dell Romances -- good luck -- and certain people will give you all the chance you need, because you're already golden with them somehow or another. But more importantly, life itself will give you second chances more times than it won't. If your heart is good, and you listen to it, and you work hard to honor it, you will get lots more chances than otherwise.
At some point life may get in the way between you and someone you love deeply or really respect, or some goal you've cherished, or a big pot of cash, whatever. Life might say, "there are no second chances this time," and that will break your heart. But pls. know that when this happens, it is just life speaking. It is time to buckle up, learn your lessons, and move on towards the next mountain. There is always a new sunrise and there is always a fresh ridge over the horizon. Life itself is one huge second chance. As long as we're still living, we have not run out of them.
Please read the Coehlo book.
Your first book will probably not be a worldwide smash hit that will make you millions. It will undoubtedly be your first herd of sheep, something close to you that you can take pride in having and that teach you valuable lessons. If it is not all that and a bag of chips, know the next one will be better. Your friends will stick with you if you let them; mean people hopefully won't; you'll do better next time. Some people can be very unforgiving, and they'll be out the door; others are by nature more compassionate or "straight" in the good way, and they'll be there with you. Oh yeah, and there will be uncounted millions born after you who won't care about the quality of your first offering, because they weren't around then.
One last thing about bad writing. It is always the way to make good writing. Write and write and write, as James would say and has. Listen to him and your other friends.
Oops, the show is about to start. :hat
Re: Going public
hehe stage fright...naw...I'm not even on stage
When my book's ready...I'm gonna stand tall and be proud of my book and I hope everyone else will like my style as well
hehe stage fright...naw...I'm not even on stage
I hadn't thought of it like that :whistle I thought about it and I know plenty of people that don't seem to like Harry Potter and I realized that, not everyone is going to like what you've written or who you are and that one person's opinion whether it's bad or good isn't necessarily going to hurt or help you. Maybe I should put a "send me feedback on the book" area. I will check out in the library Coehlo book at the beginning of the year...I'd do it now, but Christmas is so close and time is crunched.
When my book's ready...I'm gonna stand tall and be proud of my book and I hope everyone else will like my style as well
Re: Going public
I keep misspelling it, it's really
Paulo Coelho The Alchemist
"Taxi! My hotel is 'Le Dump' -- do you know it?"
:hat
I keep misspelling it, it's really
Paulo Coelho The Alchemist
"Taxi! My hotel is 'Le Dump' -- do you know it?"
:hat
Well, I said yes, but that doesn't mean I would buy any and all books by any and all authors I might meet online.
I buy books that interest me. I likely wouldn't purchase a kids' book, unless I really wanted to read it.
I would buy a book written by an author I met online...IF the book sounded good to me and something I would normally read. I believe in giving writers a chance and promoting their work but if I don't read books that include alot of forensics detail (which I don't) then I won't buy that book if it has it...just because the author says "You should read my book". I would however tell someone I knew who does like that kind fo book about the author, my impression of them, and what was said about the book and leave it up to them if they wanted to purchase it or not.
Reading is not an obligation.
AJ
Reading is not an obligation.
AJ
AJ- that's really nice of you to do for authors, helping get the word out... I personally wouldn't be interested in anything explict like they have now :ack A face looking like it was about to get sick would've been good here.
journal entries consolidated elsewhere.
I read some of your latest entries, Laura. The tiger book, the same one that is now probably too bloody for you, started out as a kind of children’s story actually. My guess is that the tiger will give you a headache just now, but later on when you can separate out style from writing more you may be able to tell which part of it you’ve influenced!
Likewise, I don’t know very much about your writing yet, but I’m already on your side because of the way you act from your heart. Polish can come later.
Whether someone likes your writing style may be quite different from whether they like your writing, or for that matter, you (and note these are all different subjects). I am not at all adverse to Harry Potter in concept, it’s just that I think Rowling is a little lazy in her execution. She can afford to be. I have no idea what she’s like as a person. Some children’s books, on the other hand, are just brilliant. The style is important, but execution is what matters.
:hat
I read some of your latest entries, Laura. The tiger book, the same one that is now probably too bloody for you, started out as a kind of children’s story actually. My guess is that the tiger will give you a headache just now, but later on when you can separate out style from writing more you may be able to tell which part of it you’ve influenced!
Likewise, I don’t know very much about your writing yet, but I’m already on your side because of the way you act from your heart. Polish can come later.
Whether someone likes your writing style may be quite different from whether they like your writing, or for that matter, you (and note these are all different subjects). I am not at all adverse to Harry Potter in concept, it’s just that I think Rowling is a little lazy in her execution. She can afford to be. I have no idea what she’s like as a person. Some children’s books, on the other hand, are just brilliant. The style is important, but execution is what matters.
:hat
Rowling from what I've seen on interviews is nice...I only have one of her books. You know what you should do (and this is only a suggestion)... go to this place and create a free journal...you could add it to your signature then on here for people to click on.
hmmm...
Okay, i meant heart. Was that Freudian? Talk to you about the journal later. Things are happening here now ...
:hat
:hat
journal entries are being consolidated elsewhere. Laura, you know I'd read your stuff in a second. Proust too, maybe Joyce. only you great ones ...
Oh, sorry Laura, did not see your suggestion about blogging. I am too tired to talk about it now but will get back to you.
:hat
:hat
I may just run out and buy one of Vicky's books. The "Guardian of the Stone" books sound interesting. Unfortunately these days I don't read much aside from the work of some fellow writers in a small private community to which I belong. When my book is ready for submission I may take a break and catch up on some reading, but not now.
Ill, avoid the temptation not to read when you write. Reading is a requirement as much as writing is. It's like breathing -- you can breathe out all you want, but breathing in has to be part of the process if you want to stay alive. Keep at it, old bean. :hat
Well, if his name is Stephen King or her name is Anne McCaffrey, maybe I would.
Otherwise, I'd have to be really interested in his/her book to even consider it.
Otherwise, I'd have to be really interested in his/her book to even consider it.
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