tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post6611885263987069874..comments2023-09-06T06:58:32.684-07:00Comments on TO WRITE IS TO BREATHE, TO LIVE, TO DANCE: I Used to Be Indecisive...Now I'm Not Sure...C. Zampahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-37002084494078071232012-04-29T14:24:31.745-07:002012-04-29T14:24:31.745-07:00Dearest C!
Thanks for sharing. I do hate it when ...Dearest C!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. I do hate it when people criticize unbelievable parts of my stories...especially when they're things that really happened! Or when an editor insists on changing something only to have another change it back! In the end, so much is simply opinion, isn't it? Best luck with your self-publishing venture. Can't wait to hear how it goes!Erik Orrantiahttp://erikorrnatia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-6703222071299716482012-04-26T04:02:55.232-07:002012-04-26T04:02:55.232-07:00Joylene, that is SO interesting and inspiring abou...Joylene, that is SO interesting and inspiring about Fitzgerald! Not inspiring because he was insecure...but inspiring because one would never have known it without having been told. So there IS hope after all. LOL..<br />And damn computers for eating letters! LOL...<br /><br />((Hugs)))C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-84850863728729506472012-04-25T17:48:14.892-07:002012-04-25T17:48:14.892-07:00Honestly, the net ate some of my words. Really! Wo...Honestly, the net ate some of my words. Really! Words like "say" and "are". Nasty net!Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-86032525982300183462012-04-25T17:47:10.431-07:002012-04-25T17:47:10.431-07:00I want to we the new generation and being full of ...I want to we the new generation and being full of doubt is our destiny. But that ain't the case. Fitzgerald worked as a report in either Montreal or Toronto, and centuries later one of his co-workers said the kid was a pain in the butt because he needed constant reassurance. When I read that it made me laugh. You are in good company, Carol.Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-4794494709760782242012-04-25T04:16:53.496-07:002012-04-25T04:16:53.496-07:00Hey, Cassie!
You know what, I never thought of it ...Hey, Cassie!<br />You know what, I never thought of it like that! Puzzle pieces. And when you DO try to put a piece that doesn't belong, it just doesn't fit and it stops the puzzle from flowing and ever being finished. <br /><br />That is a very good way to think of it. I like that. Thank you!<br /><br />((Hugs))C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-49765185371134234702012-04-25T03:34:48.687-07:002012-04-25T03:34:48.687-07:00Sorry to be so late, but had to comment. I found e...Sorry to be so late, but had to comment. I found early on that I had to stick to my gut, to what my instincts told me or my writing suffered. <br /><br />Hope this makes sense, but when I stuck to "my" way, the story came together like pieces to a puzzle, when I listened to someone else or swayed off course, the story feel apart. <br /><br />You're an awesome writer and will find your way. As someone else said, experience will help, the more you submit, the easier it will become. HugsCassie Exlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032720662086516954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-18854895554080191612012-04-24T11:17:55.733-07:002012-04-24T11:17:55.733-07:00Hey, Sweet Sis, Sarah! Yes, we are a lot alike, gi...Hey, Sweet Sis, Sarah! Yes, we are a lot alike, girl!<br /><br />Ad we both need more confidence, and I think we will get it in time. <br /><br />Thanks for being there for me in those times when I WAS feeling so unsure.<br /><br />Love you.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-33751945375012725812012-04-24T11:16:38.126-07:002012-04-24T11:16:38.126-07:00No, Harlie, so many things are not in our control....No, Harlie, so many things are not in our control. And sometimes, even though it is hard, letting go really is the best answer. Doesn't seem so at the time, but somehow turns out to be the best thing in the long run.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-54042844586668595392012-04-24T11:15:15.514-07:002012-04-24T11:15:15.514-07:00Yep, Molly, it is so frustrating when someone argu...Yep, Molly, it is so frustrating when someone argues something that is REAL. LOL...<br /><br />I had a friend who wrote her cat into a book. He had a most unsual name (can't mention it here in front of polite folk..lol).<br /><br />A reader argued...'No one would ever name their cat such a name.' <br /><br />My friend argue, 'But that IS his name! That WAS my cat's real name! In real life!'<br /><br />And the reader refused to accept it. So...well...sometimes they just are not right, eh? LOL...<br /><br />I'm glad you found strength and confidence through your writing!C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-69770176538243399392012-04-24T11:12:38.113-07:002012-04-24T11:12:38.113-07:00Sue, then you do know the feeling, don't you?
...Sue, then you do know the feeling, don't you?<br /><br />But that kind of makes me feel better. Because if a writer of your calibre can feel the insecurites, then it's maybe just normal.<br /><br />Thanks, sweetie.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-82073772750477619452012-04-24T09:07:38.100-07:002012-04-24T09:07:38.100-07:00I'm right there with you, sweet sis. I've ...I'm right there with you, sweet sis. I've had so many drawbacks to my writing, and the same contradictions affect me. I've never been a confident person, not in any aspect. You and I are so much alike it's scary. LOL!<br /><br />I think that, like the first person to comment said, experience helps, but there are always doubts, no matter how experienced. Somebody will say 'that's not the way things are in real life', and you doubt your own judgment, even if you've lived through the exact scene.<br /><br />In my experience, I once wrote a scene that came from real life, and an editor told me 'this never happens. It's too unrealistic and needs to be taken out'. LOL! Fiction seems to work much better for most people. <br /><br />I'm so happy Purly Gates is on its way to getting published! Now I'm anxious for you to get back to Honor! ((((Hugs!))))by Sarah Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09263351875850896047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-17254488580613002742012-04-24T08:30:59.887-07:002012-04-24T08:30:59.887-07:00Sometimes the hardest part of life is letting go o...Sometimes the hardest part of life is letting go of something. I'm going through some really tough times right now and I'm having to learn that not everything is in my control. Its hard, I know but its the unknown for me. I can be a natural worrier and that's not good, either.<br /><br />Great blog and congratulations on getting your new book out.<br /><br />MarikaHarlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-85546686307084984252012-04-24T06:22:41.206-07:002012-04-24T06:22:41.206-07:00In some strange way, I echo Karenna's view. I...In some strange way, I echo Karenna's view. I grew up thinking nothing i did or said was ever 'right', so in my stories, it was the one area I WAS in control, and what I wrote was 'right', even when others criticized it (mainly my descriptive parts and the 'wandering', lol!)<br /><br />But after a few years, I latched onto something I was good at, and when I began letting others read my stories, I realized 'normal people' like the basic storylines; it was the 'other stuff' (POV, description) which needed work. And so I kept trying.<br /><br />Keep writing; get it down on paper/word doc first, and then let your internal editor take over. The best advice I ever saw/heard was 'don't get it RIGHT, get it WRITTEN'.<br /><br />And like you, some of my description/dialogue has been taken right out of LIFE. And when people have said 'That conversation would never take place'...umm....yes it did! So go with your gut. This is the one time we get to play God:)<br /><br />(((((HUGS))))))Molly Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01488325587798390008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-31074097015808803612012-04-24T06:15:57.043-07:002012-04-24T06:15:57.043-07:00I cannot write without constant reassurance that, ...I cannot write without constant reassurance that, in Lisa Worrall's terminology, it doesn't suck donkey balls.<br /><br />However the feeling of inadequacy is something I always live with, so it isn't that odd that it carries over in my writing.<br /><br />You had a hell of a year, love. No wonder everything slowed down.Sue Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17387224663998322405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-85454906320799304682012-04-24T05:29:06.003-07:002012-04-24T05:29:06.003-07:00Karenna, I hate that you've had that experienc...Karenna, I hate that you've had that experience. But, I am SO glad it has not affected your writing confidence. Indeed, your writing has been the strength for you to face the insecurity, and in time will hopefully weave its way into your daily life as well. Isnt' it beautiful how writing can do that?<br /><br />I, myself, can't say I ever had reasons to doubt myself in real life. I've met with some discouragement from others, sure...we all do. But, for the most part, I've always had support around me, in all areas of my life.<br /><br />So where this writing insecurity comes from, I haven't a clue. But I'm bound and determined it's not going to be around forever. LOL...<br /><br />Thank you, my friend.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-78006744617605004692012-04-24T05:26:27.936-07:002012-04-24T05:26:27.936-07:00Dorien, thank you for your thoughts. I like your a...Dorien, thank you for your thoughts. I like your approach..both the swinger and the catcher. That takes confidence to trust your other self. I hope to get just that secure one day.<br /><br />Again, thank you.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-10110236698925627902012-04-24T05:25:19.459-07:002012-04-24T05:25:19.459-07:00Thank you, Talismania. I'd never thought about...Thank you, Talismania. I'd never thought about it from the other perspective...the instant success and then having to face your doubt. Thank you for sharing that!<br />And I'm counting on your words being true...that time and practice will build confidence.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-91988360637888403292012-04-24T04:07:41.384-07:002012-04-24T04:07:41.384-07:00I'm glad you recognized the problem, Carol. Th...I'm glad you recognized the problem, Carol. That's the first step in figuring out how to address it.<br /><br />For most of my life, I lived with constant correction from others. "You're wrong, you're lying, you don't know what you're talking about. You're stupid. You're making me look bad. You're making me feel bad. It's all your fault." And on and on. I doubted--and often still doubt--everything I said, everything I did. I'm constantly worried that people are angry with me or that someone's going to be angry with me because I'm too incompetent in life not to say or do the wrong thing.<br /><br />Strangely, that never carried over into my writing. My stories are the one part of my life that I've always done and stood up for what I believed was right, even when people told me I was wrong. Sometimes I think it would be easier if I could live the rest of my life the way I live my writing life...<br /><br />You're an amazing writer, Carol. I hope you know that, and I hope that as you continue writing and growing, it will become easier for you to follow your instincts. And good for you for sticking to your description of the garage apartment!Karenna Colcrofthttp://www.karennacolcroft.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-69225823195930498762012-04-23T20:36:28.458-07:002012-04-23T20:36:28.458-07:00I don't know if this would work for you, Carol...I don't know if this would work for you, Carol, but it is sometimes very nice to split yourself into two people as I have done. Roger sits at the computer, and lets Dorien write the stories. (I suppose I am, therefore, in essence, both the trapeze artist and the catcher.) I also avoid much of the indecision you suffer by just letting Dorien do his thing with only an occasional nudge or suggestion from Roger. <br /><br />I don't know of a writer who doesn't have some occasional doubt or indecsion. But writing is a game, nothing more, and the rules are not set in stone. Your head and heart know what to say. Just let them.Dorien Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02368404433503621343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718751493806122087.post-77727665186155623482012-04-23T18:59:17.730-07:002012-04-23T18:59:17.730-07:00Experience helps. It helps a lot. You have to be t...Experience helps. It helps a lot. You have to be the ultimate judge of your work, the Three Fates of your work's life: you weave it, you measure it, you cut the thread--and there it is. Done.<br /><br />The best thing that ever happened to me as a writer was early success. It was also the worst thing. I lacked a compass, didn't trust my success; I hadn't yet learned to trust my craft. Every critical comment destroyed me. I obsessed about being "better" or "worthy." Then I realized I was the one letting people do that to me, and to my writing. <br /><br />It's easy to say don't care what other people might think (because unless they tell you, you don't really know), but hard to do. But you will get there. As you build your stories and receive feedback on them, you learn to trust they are well-constructed, that they can weather storms, reach port safely. Just keep weaving your stories, building your ships. :DTali Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01580510151991448014noreply@blogger.com