tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post5009516616599540651..comments2023-09-28T10:59:26.381+01:00Comments on Living, writing and other stuff: Luck and lazinessBill Kirtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-27164763611301962082010-05-29T10:10:05.600+01:002010-05-29T10:10:05.600+01:00I agree, Marley, and even though it's hard wor...I agree, Marley, and even though it's hard work, there are those moments when you suddenly see why something didn't work before and the solution jumps out of nowhere. That's often happened to me and made me wonder why the hell I didn't see the solution in the first place. It certainly beats the deadening effect of the 9 to 5 job. (On the other hand, the 9 to 5 may be tediously predictable but then so is the money it generates.)Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-2856504505582349202010-05-29T01:15:27.967+01:002010-05-29T01:15:27.967+01:00You must have seen my post last week. Sorry I didn...You must have seen my post last week. Sorry I didn't see this earlier, my slow internet was at a stand still until Wednesday afternoon. You deserve the wonderful weekend and good things happening. How - HOW can you possibly call yourself lazy? (I saved Scary's quote, too. Marvelous.)<br /><br />I'm so glad you posted this. I had a hard but rewarding week reworking one of my previous manuscripts. It convinced me it's worth salvaging. I had given up too soon on it. Writing and rewriting are hard but to keep persevering is the toughest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-51328951830924758862010-05-28T09:10:06.354+01:002010-05-28T09:10:06.354+01:00Good point, Linda. Even hearing just one person sa...Good point, Linda. Even hearing just one person say they enjoyed one of your books is a bonus - as long as they did actually read it and they're not just saying it. I'm lucky - my glass has always been half-full.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-33051328579963159872010-05-28T03:07:40.754+01:002010-05-28T03:07:40.754+01:00Bill, Isn't "yet" a beautiful word? ...Bill, Isn't "yet" a beautiful word? I so love hope and the power of positive thinking.<br /><br />Scary, What a wonderful quote! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Jean, I don't think any award or recognition lacks prestige because it's not the NYT bestseller list, although that is the ultimate. Just think, if someone gave you an award, that means several someones thought your work made a difference in their lives. Which means you're a success as a writer. Isn't making a difference the goal of all writers?LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-81114703326360741862010-05-27T08:50:03.549+01:002010-05-27T08:50:03.549+01:00Great quote, Scary, and I'm flattered you asso...Great quote, Scary, and I'm flattered you associate it with this posting.<br /><br />Jean, when Spielberg phones me and we've finished our negotiations, I'll give him your contact details.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-75154088726023989992010-05-26T18:55:33.505+01:002010-05-26T18:55:33.505+01:00I like the quote you posted, Scary. May I borrow i...I like the quote you posted, Scary. May I borrow it for my Facebook page?: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-Jean-Henry-Mead/334147262834?filter=3Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-71649805437346283802010-05-26T18:53:59.177+01:002010-05-26T18:53:59.177+01:00I know nothing about being on the bestseller list...I know nothing about being on the bestseller list or receiving prestigious awards, either, Bill. My only experiences with awards have come from state writers groups and press women journalism awards. Nothing to brag about. But some writers do dream about the big ones, which I know I'll never win. The joy is in the writing!Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-71759872982969787572010-05-26T18:19:20.749+01:002010-05-26T18:19:20.749+01:00I've just read somewhere else a great quote, w...I've just read somewhere else a great quote, which I thought suited this posting beautifully:<br /><br />“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs,” said Howard Thurman. “Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”<br /><br />If writing is what makes us come alive, we simply have no choice. :)scaryazerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08209595384194222929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-5485540462847254112010-05-26T17:24:03.516+01:002010-05-26T17:24:03.516+01:00Thanks Jean. Yes, I read your piece on the 'ho...Thanks Jean. Yes, I read your piece on the 'how to' books. Mine does have chapters on writing but it's about many other student skills, too, so it wouldn't really have been right for your list. But I do appreciate you thinking you might have recommended it.<br /><br />As for your remarks about awards, best-seller lists, etc. - I'll have to take your word for that; it's not part of my experience.<br /><br />Yet.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-43295314059454247302010-05-26T16:54:44.632+01:002010-05-26T16:54:44.632+01:00Congratulations on the new book. I wish it had com...Congratulations on the new book. I wish it had come out sooner. I just wrote an article about good how-to writing books last week for Murderous Musings. <br /><br />All the great "Highs" you mention that keep a writer writing are only surpassed by receiving prestigious awards, making the bestseller's list or having one of your books rated number one on both your publisher's ratings and sales charts. Pretty heady stuff and the carrots that lure us on. :)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-42471840017841513512010-05-26T08:49:30.112+01:002010-05-26T08:49:30.112+01:00Linda, I agree. It's always struck me how frie...Linda, I agree. It's always struck me how friendly and helpful most other writers are, even though in theory they're competitors in a market that keeps getting harder.<br /><br />Solipsism is, basically, extreme egoism and self-absorption. It's a philosophy that suggests that the only thing that exists is the self.<br /><br />It's also the sort of word that you can drop into conversations as if you said it every day - all part of the Nonsense Generator process.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-2587257724680162182010-05-26T02:40:35.340+01:002010-05-26T02:40:35.340+01:00Oh, forgot to mention I like the cover!Oh, forgot to mention I like the cover!LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-50560934104822966912010-05-26T02:39:17.516+01:002010-05-26T02:39:17.516+01:00Bill, Sharing your success isn't boasting--it...Bill, Sharing your success isn't boasting--it's a way of sharing positive news and giving encouragement. I'm always pleased to hear about another writer's successes: thanks for your inspiration.<br /><br />(P.S. What does "solipsistic" mean, anyway? Maybe when I'm as successful as you, I'll have a better vocabulary!)LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-72409686772468564882010-05-25T17:14:52.024+01:002010-05-25T17:14:52.024+01:00That was awfy kind of you, Bill, thank you!That was awfy kind of you, Bill, thank you!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-25405764403160390642010-05-25T09:36:24.101+01:002010-05-25T09:36:24.101+01:00Rosemary, I had your blog and your recent successe...Rosemary, I had your blog and your recent successes in mind as I wrote the last bit. You're a perfect example of a writer who makes it happen. I don't know how to put a link to your site in this comment but for those who want to hear about market opportunities and other writing tips, you can visit Rosemary at http://www.ros-readingandwriting.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Sheila, Great news. Congratulations on the win and the contract. As for parents making kids laugh - most of them are suckers for funny voices and total absurdity. And you could always threaten them - 'If you don't laugh, you'll go straight to your room' - that sort of thing.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-17219078508111397082010-05-25T00:33:05.420+01:002010-05-25T00:33:05.420+01:00Sounds like a great week, but thank you for turnin...Sounds like a great week, but thank you for turning it into encouragement for your readers. I'm still in shock at winning a competition and getting a contract for an e-book. Wonder if I can make my sons laugh - no grandsons yet.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-31679654406767234202010-05-24T19:15:34.566+01:002010-05-24T19:15:34.566+01:00A fantastic week indeed, Bill. But you deserve it....A fantastic week indeed, Bill. But you deserve it. And I so agree with your final paragraph. No work gets published by languishing in a computer file. More power to your pen, or keyboard.Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.com