tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post4367064149161412183..comments2023-10-25T03:45:03.077-04:00Comments on Confessions of a Watery Tart: The Good PushHart Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-47526810991326257992011-08-03T01:49:15.876-04:002011-08-03T01:49:15.876-04:00great experiencegreat experiencetaiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08913965787724038457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-31347088250097836512011-08-02T22:56:17.365-04:002011-08-02T22:56:17.365-04:00It can be a good thing when others make us see thi...It can be a good thing when others make us see things from another point of view.<br /><br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-17897432132976990852011-08-02T20:39:27.994-04:002011-08-02T20:39:27.994-04:00I've heard enough about the tough love of edit...I've heard enough about the tough love of editors from Mur at I Should Be Writing (podcast) that I hope that I can take criticism like a rown-up, but we'll see. I think I'll sulk in my beer for a night, then trust the pros.Will Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158149526658590324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-68693986712032543542011-08-02T18:41:11.670-04:002011-08-02T18:41:11.670-04:00Marie-I LOVE long comments! And I do think taking...Marie-I LOVE long comments! And I do think taking the criticism takes practice. Thankfully, I started the peer review process in grad school and get editor and reviewer stuff in the day job, so I quit taking stuff personally before it was creative stuff. (I think had this come first, it might have been harder)<br /><br />RaShelle-you'll get a chance, I'm sure--it's been pretty great.<br /><br />Helena-Too funny on Pat Conroy. I do keep all the drafts just in case, because even if the agent likes the change, the editor may say "But I want to know this person better' and ask me to add... I think though, I love the problem solving process.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-89790746181463468932011-08-02T17:38:36.973-04:002011-08-02T17:38:36.973-04:00You love the challenge? Now there's the mark ...You love the challenge? Now there's the mark of a true writer!<br />The suggestions for Kahlotus sounded viable, but I can tell you that I loved the excerpt I read.<br />All the suggestions reminds me of how Pat Conroy's editor once thought he should change the whole narration of his manuscript from something like third person to first. He did it. Then she apologized and said it was better his way. From what I hear, he's still friends with the editor. (It was a BIG manuscript)Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14967821142796562697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-11171692237796595052011-08-02T16:25:10.091-04:002011-08-02T16:25:10.091-04:00Hart - That's exciting. No, I haven't work...Hart - That's exciting. No, I haven't worked with an agent... yet. It sounds like your experience has been amazing. <br /><br />You go girl!!RaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-55958012514119702482011-08-02T15:20:20.672-04:002011-08-02T15:20:20.672-04:00Apologizing in advance for a really long comment.....Apologizing in advance for a really long comment.....<br />I love it when you post on my blog because your comments are always so genuine and I know you actually READ my post. Makes my day! I can't wait to read your books if they're what I'm looking for...I'd read them even if they weren't just coz you're awesome lol. And I thought that might be the case with series from the library...also, I check my library's website frequently to reserve books and a lot of them say 'lost' or 'claimed returned' and one day when I asked about it, the librarian told me that for some reason anything supernatural tends to gets stolen or people say they've lost or returned them and probably just end up keeping them. Sad, since the library has such limited funding. I guess we both luck out though with a great lending system - my library does inter-library loans with all the libraries in my province, so if there's something I really, really want, chances are I can get it eventually!<br />As for this post, I love that the challenge inspired you and made you think and turned into a good thing rather than a negative. I know that as writers, we want feedback but then tend to go on the offensive about it..people always say 'it's your work that's being criticized, not you', but my work is so much a part of me that I can't help but feel like it IS me who's being criticized. I guess it shows that I'm maturing that I take people's suggestions, might stew about them for a bit, but then given time, I realize they're often right and that their suggestions will just make my work better, and that's what we want, right? Some of my best ideas have come from suggestions that I've taken, tweaked a bit and then fleshed out.SweetMarie83https://www.blogger.com/profile/12518239232924662332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-32722792798287466182011-08-02T15:07:20.814-04:002011-08-02T15:07:20.814-04:00Clarissa-definitely agree that other writers are F...Clarissa-definitely agree that other writers are FAR superior to friends and family who love us, and so by extension love pretty much anything we do.<br /><br />Alison-thank you! And yes--like somebody helping you stretch, eh? It hurts a little, but you can get farther!<br /><br />Jan-You will find it! And we can all do it for each other, some, too, eh?<br /><br />Vicki-thank you! And while it's disappointing if they don't accept it after the changes were for THEM, if the MS is better, it is worth it anyway.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-67634740860276152712011-08-02T14:56:55.668-04:002011-08-02T14:56:55.668-04:00How awesome! You know I loved the Kahlotus ABNA e...How awesome! You know I loved the Kahlotus ABNA excerpt, so I'm excited to see it get closer and closer to...ya know...being out there for real.<br /><br />I had feedback from an agent inspire some pretty major changes that I think worked out great. Unfortunately, the agent didn't agree and didn't accept the revisions. Oh well. I still think it's a better ms for having gone through that experience.<br /><br />-VickiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-64638887809901846622011-08-02T14:29:10.630-04:002011-08-02T14:29:10.630-04:00uh...I so long for this. I want to be miffed and h...uh...I so long for this. I want to be miffed and have my nose out of joint and then get back at it and give them what they want. I do. And I'll get there some day and then I'll probably bemoan my fate. Not that you do, you absolutely don't! I just want to be pushed by someone other than my own conscience. yep. I do.Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-38707084823850152842011-08-02T14:13:10.510-04:002011-08-02T14:13:10.510-04:00Ooh, interesting concept of friendship - congratul...Ooh, interesting concept of friendship - congratulations! I just love, love, love the amazing things people come up with while they are creating - and sometimes we do need that push to get there ...Alison DeLucahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979026382091362305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-58778928149884132072011-08-02T13:26:02.352-04:002011-08-02T13:26:02.352-04:00I have some really wonderful critique partners who...I have some really wonderful critique partners who push me. I think it's so important to challenge yourself. That's why I don't like just my family reading my work, they don't challenge me enough.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-39625321001362835412011-08-02T12:01:25.674-04:002011-08-02T12:01:25.674-04:00Deb-absolutely!
Stephen-ACK! I actually think I ...Deb-absolutely!<br /><br />Stephen-ACK! I actually think I did that to my first book because of 'writerly advice' i ran across... I also had to cut a ton of words and ended up cutting a lot of personality.<br /><br />Erica-AHA! I think part of that is it was my first YA and it totally didn't cross my mind an adult didn't work.<br /><br />VR-so interesting! I wonder if that is because you are writing mystery... though... Harry Dolan, as a best seller, breaks all the genre rules. I just know mystery is tighter for the most part.<br /><br />Dawn-it is!<br /><br />Michael-it's true... it's like YOU can know your baby looks like a little old man, but you want OTHER people to think he's cute! I have lots of practice, though, because of my day job.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-57497271882228040642011-08-02T11:07:13.126-04:002011-08-02T11:07:13.126-04:00That kind of feedback is awesome to get. I guess m...That kind of feedback is awesome to get. I guess maybe the real issue is falling in love with your novel and then someone points out the flaws and it's hard.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-26910489304811975482011-08-02T10:33:14.788-04:002011-08-02T10:33:14.788-04:00Sounds like a great experience!Sounds like a great experience!Dawn Iushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546425873531022196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-86219312999437004452011-08-02T10:26:45.929-04:002011-08-02T10:26:45.929-04:00Actually, no. Most of the pro advice I've rece...Actually, no. Most of the pro advice I've received has been to make my work "more marketable." In other words, soften it up and add formulaic elements. Have I heeded the advice? Absolutely. But if I were ever to self-publish, all the emotion and dark stuff that makes readers feel something would get added back in. Just sayin'...VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-16457056947358845292011-08-02T09:57:35.694-04:002011-08-02T09:57:35.694-04:00I only read your ABNA excerpt, but well, um......I...I only read your ABNA excerpt, but well, um......I didn't think the teacher pov worked, either. Sorry. Glad you're happy with the changes! (and I always like to think I look like Sigourney Weaver. You know, I'm tall, brunette, (that's where it ends, unofortunately)).erica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-52238115898920991022011-08-02T09:22:07.683-04:002011-08-02T09:22:07.683-04:00I edited my perfect ABNA entry (out at the pitch s...I edited my perfect ABNA entry (out at the pitch stage) back and forth following suggestions of excerpt readers until it was a mere shadow of its original self: passionless, wasted, stripped of color and flavor, plain boring, boiled down to a "deviant sex fantasy" and thus barely more than a crude outline, a sun-baked skeleton burned beyond all recognition, devoid of everything that makes a good novel...and still it did not please anyone!DeConstruction of the Sekuatean Empirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652207370325098073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-63735930135737368092011-08-02T09:13:07.668-04:002011-08-02T09:13:07.668-04:00You are inspired again! That is the wonderful part...You are inspired again! That is the wonderful part of the story. Good luck with it.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17041122116481448321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-5838744803270206462011-08-02T08:47:13.325-04:002011-08-02T08:47:13.325-04:00Andrew-teehee--because they hurt, or are you avoid...Andrew-teehee--because they hurt, or are you avoiding them?<br /><br />Christine-definitely!<br /><br />CaH-you WILL. I know you will!<br /><br />Denise-I like multiples, too (serial--not omniscient), but I think in YA, the single is far more common. One of the PoVs, too, was an adult, so that wasn't flying.<br /><br />Jenny-thank you!<br /><br />Katie-yup--very excited! Though I confess this one has never fallen out of grace.<br /><br />Alex-I AM!<br /><br />Elizabeth-I keep all my drafts! At the end of a project i burn 'em to a CD and only the latest stays on the computer... erm... or that's the plan, if anything ever is DONE DONE... I have had visions of a publishing editor saying 'you know, I'd like one of these other PoVs too...) *snort* It's happened more than once at work... take it out, put it in... but I am pretty sure this is right.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-57347512588655943992011-08-02T08:28:49.780-04:002011-08-02T08:28:49.780-04:00I love it when I have a light bulb moment that'...I love it when I have a light bulb moment that's generated by an editor or agent! Sounds like that's happened for you. I always keep a copy of the old draft, but the new one always seems to be better...Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-76671385076944388672011-08-02T07:26:32.661-04:002011-08-02T07:26:32.661-04:00At least you're excited about it!At least you're excited about it!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-19870184692003879432011-08-02T06:59:03.655-04:002011-08-02T06:59:03.655-04:00wow, it's so great when feedback not only spea...wow, it's so great when feedback not only speaks to you but gets you excited about the project again as though it's the first time! That's awesome!Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-2403939500963242392011-08-02T06:08:44.938-04:002011-08-02T06:08:44.938-04:00Yay!! Good for being pushed to be more NAKED!!!! L...Yay!! Good for being pushed to be more NAKED!!!! Love it!!<br /><br />Good luck with your re-writes and may you develop even more bigger and NAKEDer ideas!! Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-91531063751174883912011-08-02T06:01:47.390-04:002011-08-02T06:01:47.390-04:00I love your reference to THE GATE. You hear storie...I love your reference to THE GATE. You hear stories about months of revisions being demanded then still no contract.Scary. Moving from 3 POVs to 1 is a big ask. I wonder why? Most of my fave authors use multiple POVs. I'll be interested in hearing more of your journey. Alas, I haven't edited enough to reach the query stage yet.<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.com