Gems for writers - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T11:47:15Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:23808?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A24029&feed=yes&xn_auth=no"a) from the first published…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-11:537324:Comment:345342007-05-11T03:39:10.829ZPepper Smithhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Reefrunner
"a) from the first published writer I met, I learned: "write what you know"... which you hear everywhere but in retrospect, only seems to come from people who *teach* writing, instead of making it to the top themselves"<br />
<br />
Funny you should mention that--<br />
<br />
I took a creative writing course under a published author who told me 'write what you know', with the idea of writing things from my own life. I told him, "I can't write about myself," and he said, "I can't either." (And, oddly, he almost…
"a) from the first published writer I met, I learned: "write what you know"... which you hear everywhere but in retrospect, only seems to come from people who *teach* writing, instead of making it to the top themselves"<br />
<br />
Funny you should mention that--<br />
<br />
I took a creative writing course under a published author who told me 'write what you know', with the idea of writing things from my own life. I told him, "I can't write about myself," and he said, "I can't either." (And, oddly, he almost sounded relieved that I'd said that.) So while they give that advice, they don't necessarily believe in it themselves. Whats the best advice?
1. fro…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-10:537324:Comment:343552007-05-10T21:54:53.696ZKaryn J. Powershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/karyning
Whats the best advice?<br />
1. from a writer-be a good listener & write every day<br />
2. from a bookseller-be nice to me (the seller)<br />
3. a reader-tell me a story<br />
4. a reviewer-write whole characters warts & all<br />
5. an editor-proof, proof, proof<br />
6. an agent-be a professional<br />
<br />
I started my journey as a writer as a child. I started my journey as a published writer in trade journals in grad school and as a published poet in my late twenties.
Whats the best advice?<br />
1. from a writer-be a good listener & write every day<br />
2. from a bookseller-be nice to me (the seller)<br />
3. a reader-tell me a story<br />
4. a reviewer-write whole characters warts & all<br />
5. an editor-proof, proof, proof<br />
6. an agent-be a professional<br />
<br />
I started my journey as a writer as a child. I started my journey as a published writer in trade journals in grad school and as a published poet in my late twenties. Working as a reporter, I'm su…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-10:537324:Comment:343352007-05-10T21:25:14.791ZBethany K. Warnerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/bkwarner
Working as a reporter, I'm sure, has toughened me up as a writer. When you've had editors that chewed you out any time you turned in copy (even when it was decent, if not good or better), you learn pretty quickly how to to take criticism and not make it personal.
Working as a reporter, I'm sure, has toughened me up as a writer. When you've had editors that chewed you out any time you turned in copy (even when it was decent, if not good or better), you learn pretty quickly how to to take criticism and not make it personal. The most valuable advice/info…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-17:537324:Comment:255432007-04-17T06:03:14.360ZDee Savoyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/deesavoy
The most valuable advice/info I got from: <br />
1. a writer--get an agent <br />
2. a bookseller--smile (during my first book signing) <br />
3. a reader--don't use the word cupped so much <br />
4. a reviewer--don't pay attention to what anyone has to say about your book, including me <br />
5. an editor--yes, we'd love to publish your book <br />
6. an agent--your check is in the mail
The most valuable advice/info I got from: <br />
1. a writer--get an agent <br />
2. a bookseller--smile (during my first book signing) <br />
3. a reader--don't use the word cupped so much <br />
4. a reviewer--don't pay attention to what anyone has to say about your book, including me <br />
5. an editor--yes, we'd love to publish your book <br />
6. an agent--your check is in the mail Andrea,
I still think we mig…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:243772007-04-14T15:11:58.284ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Andrea,<br />
I still think we might have been sisters separated at birth. You're right. I'm still looking for more ideas because right now I'm in this weird place of feeling horridly audacious. How can I presume to tell someone else how to "Think Published?" What can I add to the conversation with newer writers to help them on this path -- to encourage them at the same time I'm realistic enough that they're not in for a horrid shock down the line?<br />
<br />
And, this workshop is supposed to be "dynamic"…
Andrea, <br />
I still think we might have been sisters separated at birth. You're right. I'm still looking for more ideas because right now I'm in this weird place of feeling horridly audacious. How can I presume to tell someone else how to "Think Published?" What can I add to the conversation with newer writers to help them on this path -- to encourage them at the same time I'm realistic enough that they're not in for a horrid shock down the line? <br />
<br />
And, this workshop is supposed to be "dynamic" with "hands-on" exercises. If I was doing something on straight marketing, it would be easy; I've got great workshops already created for that. <br />
<br />
But this one is more psychological -- IMHO -- and I'm stuck. I know I'll have a strong workshop by the time the day comes . . . I just want it to be really useful for the attendees. That matters to me. I'm going to do the same. tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:243752007-04-14T15:07:50.725ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
I'm going to do the same. thanks for your generosity in sharing them.
I'm going to do the same. thanks for your generosity in sharing them. Joy,
Sometimes the most obvi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:243712007-04-14T15:06:39.831ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
Joy, <br />
Sometimes the most obvious suggestion can be ignored. Thank you for this one. Your point about varying length and structure is valuable because I believe, like you, that reading creates a kind of music of its own. If everything is the same, we'll get bored.
Joy, <br />
Sometimes the most obvious suggestion can be ignored. Thank you for this one. Your point about varying length and structure is valuable because I believe, like you, that reading creates a kind of music of its own. If everything is the same, we'll get bored. oh, Eric,Thank you so much fo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:243702007-04-14T15:04:43.301ZPari Noskin Taicherthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PariNT
oh, Eric,<br/>Thank you so much for these. I think they're all gems.<br/><br/>I really wish I could print out this entire discussion and keep every single one of the comments. It's wonderful what people in this community have to share.
oh, Eric,<br/>Thank you so much for these. I think they're all gems.<br/><br/>I really wish I could print out this entire discussion and keep every single one of the comments. It's wonderful what people in this community have to share. I just entered my first blog…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:242822007-04-14T06:31:19.469ZEric Christophersonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/datahog
I just entered my first blog on my Crimespace page, Joy, with the complete set of quotes, broken out into a handful of categories. Help yourself ...
I just entered my first blog on my Crimespace page, Joy, with the complete set of quotes, broken out into a handful of categories. Help yourself ... Pari,
You must still be mi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-14:537324:Comment:242412007-04-14T04:49:54.532ZAndrea Campbellhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/primatepal
Pari,<br />
<br />
You must still be mining ideas for your talk. . .<br />
<br />
And I, like a dog who can't pass by a chicken bone, keep falling for your questions.<br />
<br />
The best thing a writer ever told me was to have persistence.<br />
<br />
Booksellers have only kissed up to me, but one said, "Park yourself by the door" and that turned out to be good advice.<br />
<br />
An agent once told me that "platform" was going to be the name of the game in the future.<br />
<br />
A reader (my husband) said: "When you showed me your story I was…
Pari, <br />
<br />
You must still be mining ideas for your talk. . . <br />
<br />
And I, like a dog who can't pass by a chicken bone, keep falling for your questions. <br />
<br />
The best thing a writer ever told me was to have persistence. <br />
<br />
Booksellers have only kissed up to me, but one said, "Park yourself by the door" and that turned out to be good advice. <br />
<br />
An agent once told me that "platform" was going to be the name of the game in the future. <br />
<br />
A reader (my husband) said: "When you showed me your story I was afraid it was going to be awful, but it's pretty good. He probably should have never encouraged me and may regret it today. <br />
<br />
I make friends of my editors so we always have like minds. (That's my advice.)