Reviews from

I Am a Writer

a little understanding

33 total reviews 
Comment from debskatz
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi SE,

EXCELLENT essay! And I agree with you 100%, you ARE a writer! Though it does seem like some of your friends and family would pick up something of yours to read. I'm sure some do. Some of mine will, and some won't when it comes to mine. We'll see.

Okay, I've written enough! LOL THANKS so much for sharing you with us!

smiles,

deb

 Comment Written 04-May-2014


reply by the author on 04-May-2014
    Wow you are dazzling me with stars...and I really do like it. Thanks so very much.
Comment from jmdg1954
Excellent
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As writers, we first have to satisfy ourselves. We need to enjoy this craft, whether it becforcfun and hobby or trying to make it lucrative. Once we are happy, the readers will come.

I enjoyed your essay. I'm actually writing an all dialogue story between me and my 15 month old grandson telling me to get off my rump and start writing the book I've been wanting to for so long.

You just gave me a kick-start also.... Thanks. John

 Comment Written 03-May-2014


reply by the author on 03-May-2014
    John, you are a very good writer. You may not be one of the unfortunate people here who suffers domestic objections, but the relevance of tapping into your own vein and letting the words bleed on the page is.

    Just a thought on your great story idea...I once heard a comment how all of us are born with telepathic abilities, a sixth sense, but it's 'trained' to be dormant because of mixed messages.

    In the animal kingdom, a fox who is made at her kit, bites him. There's no confusion in the little fox. He knows his mom is angry. If he does it again--whatever 'it' happens to be, he knows she'll bite him again. In the human world, a mother may want to whallop her kid, but she grits her teeth and says the 'right' thing. The child can feel the anger, but learns to respond to the words. In time, the baby mistrusts his instincts.

    Consider that your grandson is an old soul and has not lost his instinct and has something profound to say. Just some thoughts to consider for your story.
reply by jmdg1954 on 03-May-2014
    Thank you so much. Your words are all meaningful and encouraging. John
Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin
Excellent
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Hi

You are so right about some people not understanding people who write. Some look at you as if you're wasting valuable time.

Like, they think I'm not being productive writing, though they have their eyes glued to the TV, and that is productive?! NOT!

So, we writers have to stick together!

Cheers
Keep Smilin'... Jax

 Comment Written 03-May-2014


reply by the author on 03-May-2014
    Knowing that we can tap into like-minded individuals who share similar frustrations, and the moment of absolute peace when we produce something significant, lets us continue. Thanks for reading.
Comment from w.j.debi
Excellent
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I can so relate to the "no one cares I'm a writer" feeling. It does seem to mystify everyone I know. They seem to love telling others that they know a writer, but to hand them something I've just written....well they will get to it later. .

You put it all in perspective by recognizing that they do care about you.
Best of luck on your new book and its release as a serial.

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    Maybe we should wear a uniform. I'm thinking a black turtle neck with a corduroy blaze, leather elbow pads and a pipe--definitely a pip. thanks for reading.
reply by w.j.debi on 02-May-2014
    Love it!
Comment from dreamin'
Excellent
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I read this last night before going to bed, and there was so much to think about, I just let it simmer all day. Your honesty in your words makes me want to be more honest with mine.

So many of us can relate to ...deeply engrossed with a character in her book. may suddenly find herself responding to situations differently. Contrary to what her closest people might think, it's not out of character at all. She's located some hidden desires or feelings that were dormant.

Often times I find myself speaking like a character, or displaying some mannerism. I think on some level we have to become our character in order to make them real on the page. I talk about them as if they are, and have to stop when I notice the person I'm talking to gets a strange look on their face.

"I've been published, but my own son shows no interest in walking two blocks to pick up a newspaper that is running my story. Though it's a big deal to me, my first novel, 'Measuring Time' will begin a chapter by chapter serialization in 'Page and Spine' tomorrow. I've sent out notices to past...

This was very disheartening to read. I don't understand why there is no interest in reading your stories, especially from your family. I cannot fathom how anyone could separate Ingrid the person from Ingrid the writer, as I have a hunch the roots of both are so intertwined, there's no determining one from the other. Perhaps one day they will step out of the shadow of who they knew you to be, and be reintroduced to who you are now.

I read the first chapter of Measuring Time today. I look forward to reading the entire book. One chapter at a time.

My only critique area: I wasn't sure about the use of layer three times: "...a writer must shed layers and layer upon layer of habitual and social protocol."

But I also wondered if it would work to do it like this:"... must shed layers: layer upon layer of habitual....

Thank you,
Debbie

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    The repetition was very deliberate, but your suggestion for the punctuation works better. I'll change it.

    For thirty years my son--I really have no other family except an older sister who lives 3K miles away, defined me a jewellery sales executive. Though he always knew I wrote, it seemed small against the backdrop of old and diamonds. But hey, he didn't take that much interest in that industry either.

    I'm just Mom, or 'soccer grandma,' the free chauffeur who runs the kids around to sports and classes.

    My nine-year-old grandson was duly impressed when he had to move the one inch print out of my book. "Grandma, did you really write all this?" Of course, he then adjusted the computer, laid the paper aside and began to play one of his games.

    Thanks for checking out P&S and reading my chapter. It means a great deal to me that you've shown off-site interest in what I did.
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is what we all are. This explains everyone of us perfectly. I can get away from here for awhile but I find myself going through withdrawal. Will has said things before but writing is who I am and it's a hard thing to put aside a couple days. Great job with this

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    I am humbled by your six stars--they go with my roses perfectly--Thanks so much. Yes, those of us that have punctuation marks rippling in our veins understand the feeling.
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Excellent
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When you think about it, the computer is a good spouse. He keeps you occupied, holds intelligent conversation, can show you some naughty moments, sings to you, talks to you, tells you how to fix your car and wash your windows.

Bloody hell.


I just told Bill to get out.


Seriously (I'll try) - your son will show great interest when the big royalty cheques start rolling in. As will mine. For now, he kind of pats me on the head and says "Cool, Mom," when I tell him I sold seven books this week and now have enough to order a pizza.

Medium. Two toppings.


And of course they care about you. They love you.

As do I.

Av

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    Wow, give Bill and extra hugs for that love you sent me. Man from a person! Thank you, I love you too girl. You're a treasure.
Comment from judiverse
Excellent
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Interesting insights about writing. I don't have much trouble with my husband about the time I spend on the computer--he's on his a lot too. His main worry is that somehow I will fall victim to some Internet scam, which I never have. He usually reads my articles for the Historical Society that appear in our newspaper and my monthly newsletter articles. Writing is a personal thing, kind of lonely. I remember hearing someone talk about meeting Mary Higgins Clark at some literary function. He said she played the piano and was the life of the party, apparently glad to be away form the solitude of writing. Interesting article. judi

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    I get that way some times. Went from sales to solitude and the characters keep me company, but hell, they say everything I make them! Sometimes I need debates.
reply by judiverse on 03-May-2014
    I had a few one-act plays performed at the college where I taught, and was it great to see the characters saying and doing what I wrote. They even dressed the way I wanted. Such power. judi
Comment from adewpearl
Excellent
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An insightful and thought-provoking look at the way the dynamics of relationships are impacted by something like the "mom" turning some of her attention to being a writer. One often discovers that to a child or spouse one is pretty much what one can do for that person in the relationship, the cook, the chauffeur, the cleaner of laundry, the dryer of tears...but the person who didn't get one of those things done on any given day because of time spent at the computer?? LOL Of course, I've also seen members here admit that they become enamored of their new-found talent/interest to the point they are withdrawing from relationships, just as an alcoholic turns away from his family. Balance is nice :-) Brooke

 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    So many people get grief for spending time away from the 'responsibilities' that it's always soothing to know they're not the only ones. I suppose I am obsessed as well, but I don't take time away from anyone so it's hard to judge. Thanks for the kind words and support.
Comment from Green Lake Girl
Excellent
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A very interesting essay you've penned here. Ah, yes, the writing thing . . . such a solitary endeavor. That is the downside. The upside is the amazing stuff your brain can produce.

I read a number of your reviews before writing my own. Interesting that children don't seem to care to read their parents' creations. I blame that on the unbelievable self-centered nature of today's youth.

Congratulations on your novel! I will seek it out on Page and Spine. FanStory provides an amazing amount of support for people writing at all different levels. I'm so grateful to be part of this community. We will always care about your writing! Keep poundin' that keyboard.


 Comment Written 02-May-2014


reply by the author on 02-May-2014
    There are some wonderful writers here who are very generous with their knowledge and time.