The Business of Writing
A visit with my muse26 total reviews
Comment from Green Lake Girl
Loved your response to this contest. You have my vote. Interesting and entertaining parallels between your muse and a romantic relationship. It seems "the muse" serves as an inspiration as well as a task master. You show that very well.
A number of the other entries also portrayed their muse as a disciplinarian. You happened to present it the best.
Love this passage:
"Jake left me that night holding a piece of thread and I was reassured the other end was knotted around his heart. We were connected."
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2015
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Loved your response to this contest. You have my vote. Interesting and entertaining parallels between your muse and a romantic relationship. It seems "the muse" serves as an inspiration as well as a task master. You show that very well.
A number of the other entries also portrayed their muse as a disciplinarian. You happened to present it the best.
Love this passage:
"Jake left me that night holding a piece of thread and I was reassured the other end was knotted around his heart. We were connected."
Comment Written 04-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2015
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I thank you for your kind words and your vote. As you read my posts from time to time, watch for Jake. I have an EXTREMELY hard time naming my characters ANYTHING BUT Jake. Sometimes he's insistent and 'Jake,' the name, make it into print.
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I love it! Your Jake is a pushy guy--just the kind I like. You know you've gone over the edge when you start wearing shirts with the name "Jake" embroidered over the pocket!
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Do they need to be ironed?
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Not if you buy the "no iron" cotton. Well worth the extra $$.
Comment from mshirachot
What attracted me the most about this entry was the back and forth dialogue. I really appreciated the use of italics to determine who was whom.
Thanks for sharing this! Best wishes in the contest entry!
Blessings and shalom!
Marsha
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2015
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What attracted me the most about this entry was the back and forth dialogue. I really appreciated the use of italics to determine who was whom.
Thanks for sharing this! Best wishes in the contest entry!
Blessings and shalom!
Marsha
Comment Written 04-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2015
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You must know that Jake is my alter personality. I have a very hard time not naming all my male characters Jake. Italics can be used for internal thoughts and I didn't use quotation marks deliberately. I left it to the readers to decide whether he was a visiting spirit. He does pop up in my writing--a lot.
Comment from Drew Delaney
This is so awesome, Spiritual Echo. You write like a master. Keep up the incredible work. You are reaching for the stars, and I hope you make it. Such a great imagination with skills to boot. I wish you luck in the contest. Drew xx
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2015
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This is so awesome, Spiritual Echo. You write like a master. Keep up the incredible work. You are reaching for the stars, and I hope you make it. Such a great imagination with skills to boot. I wish you luck in the contest. Drew xx
Comment Written 02-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2015
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Thanks so much, Drew.
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Excellent. But I would expect nothing else from you. Jake, eh? Hmm. I love the way you describe and build a picture of the relationship shared. You make it sound so real, which it is, I suppose. Our muses are probably the most intimate partners we have.
Well done. Hope you win. You got my vote.
Av
x
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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Excellent. But I would expect nothing else from you. Jake, eh? Hmm. I love the way you describe and build a picture of the relationship shared. You make it sound so real, which it is, I suppose. Our muses are probably the most intimate partners we have.
Well done. Hope you win. You got my vote.
Av
x
Comment Written 01-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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Are you still in alien territory and have you basked in sunlight? I know Jake is me...a part of me that holds knowledge and love and a guiding force that expects me to surrender to instincts, Happy New Year, friend.
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Yes, still down south. Heading back Saturday - will be home Sunday.
:)
Comment from Dom G Robles
This is a beautiful story, unique in its kind. I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. There is some kind of expression that is both containing figures of speech in words and in tone, the tone that it is conveying. For instance, that part alone where it says, "After the first meeting my motivation went overdrive." The connotation that I see here is that the subject is like a very inspired driver in a race--winning the race without faltering.... I found plenty of this kind which I consider very exceptional. Not only in the meaning of the line conveyed, but
in the thought. I realized that there could also a figures of speech not only in words but in the thought. And then of the description as they work as a team. How they paint together...The visiting of the muse at the same time of the year.. But last year was of a great concern because she was not sure of the visit there was some sort of formality with some kind of perplexity as to the kind of man who was visiting...There was a balance of danger--perplexity but she was there trapped, She wasn't sure if she is having a visitor that would endanger her own being...the muse asking for a visit in the middle of the night, New Year...she . Being the case, she asked her son to check her the following morning to find what had happen... And then on the second visit, it was more relaxed--the night they stayed together and enjoy the evening...Then the lapse of time--
Spring...winter...the waiting that the writer had all along. The bond between them...the laughter--seemingly demanding character of the muse that the writer painted...the sarcastic comments and all. Very nicely written piece--a mastery of written language by the writer. Hence the rating of six stars. My sincerest congratulations. You have made your point. Thank you for sharing....Dom
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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This is a beautiful story, unique in its kind. I enjoyed reading from beginning to end. There is some kind of expression that is both containing figures of speech in words and in tone, the tone that it is conveying. For instance, that part alone where it says, "After the first meeting my motivation went overdrive." The connotation that I see here is that the subject is like a very inspired driver in a race--winning the race without faltering.... I found plenty of this kind which I consider very exceptional. Not only in the meaning of the line conveyed, but
in the thought. I realized that there could also a figures of speech not only in words but in the thought. And then of the description as they work as a team. How they paint together...The visiting of the muse at the same time of the year.. But last year was of a great concern because she was not sure of the visit there was some sort of formality with some kind of perplexity as to the kind of man who was visiting...There was a balance of danger--perplexity but she was there trapped, She wasn't sure if she is having a visitor that would endanger her own being...the muse asking for a visit in the middle of the night, New Year...she . Being the case, she asked her son to check her the following morning to find what had happen... And then on the second visit, it was more relaxed--the night they stayed together and enjoy the evening...Then the lapse of time--
Spring...winter...the waiting that the writer had all along. The bond between them...the laughter--seemingly demanding character of the muse that the writer painted...the sarcastic comments and all. Very nicely written piece--a mastery of written language by the writer. Hence the rating of six stars. My sincerest congratulations. You have made your point. Thank you for sharing....Dom
Comment Written 01-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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My sweet dear man, thank you. I'll chat with you in PM.
Comment from DALLAS01
Sounds like the honeymoon is over. You already have the writing part. It seems to me that my vision of writers in the old days did not encompass the business side, which in reality is sales, and all the preparation that goes with it. That aspect of writing entails a different side of the brain; one I am always trying to escape, the editor function, that is not at all creative or serendipitous. No fun.
Marketing is that aspect of writing that many will never have to be bothered with. It is reserved for those writers, like yourself, who have honed their skills to such a degree that their work is both worthy and deserving of publication.
Sage advise there from a muse that has gotten it right so far. This shouldn't be a big obstacle for someone who spent their entire life in sales and marketing. You have a jump start.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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Sounds like the honeymoon is over. You already have the writing part. It seems to me that my vision of writers in the old days did not encompass the business side, which in reality is sales, and all the preparation that goes with it. That aspect of writing entails a different side of the brain; one I am always trying to escape, the editor function, that is not at all creative or serendipitous. No fun.
Marketing is that aspect of writing that many will never have to be bothered with. It is reserved for those writers, like yourself, who have honed their skills to such a degree that their work is both worthy and deserving of publication.
Sage advise there from a muse that has gotten it right so far. This shouldn't be a big obstacle for someone who spent their entire life in sales and marketing. You have a jump start.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2015
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2015
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In today's world, most submissions and interactions are anonymous, done on-line. My success in selling was really relationship-oriented, something that doesn't work very well on the screen. But the business side is possible for everyone--shy, nervous or otherwise, because it comes down to discipline. Send in the work, set goals--plan your work and work the plan.
Editing is brutal and not because it hurts to butcher ones own work. It just seems that every time I return to something I've written, it always needs more. Editing my book has taken ten times longer than writing it, and although Nancy is publishing it, I'm still finding errors when I see it on Page and Spine. It is the one thing I will damn well finish and take that book to print this year, but I damn well know it will take even more sweaty effort.
Thanks for the stars--my first sixer and first review of 2015.
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Discipline takes a lot of practice.I have been thinking about putting together a chapbook of poetry, but unlike others who concentrate on one aspect, either spirituality, romance, horror, or humor, my work is all over the place. Would have a difficult time coming up with a theme, which seems to be required in a chapbook.
Guess I could keep that in mind this coming year as i am writing.
Comment from Writingfundimension
Wish I had a six left to give your for this superb essay, SO. I loved the dialogue between you and Jake, and could so appreciate his sassy attitude and flighty ways! I do hope you will be able to accomplish all your worthwhile goals in the New Year!
:)
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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Wish I had a six left to give your for this superb essay, SO. I loved the dialogue between you and Jake, and could so appreciate his sassy attitude and flighty ways! I do hope you will be able to accomplish all your worthwhile goals in the New Year!
:)
Comment Written 31-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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Me too, darling. I spent more than 30 years in the corporate world where part of my responsibilities was to write ad copy, taking tons of courses in creative writing and now and then writing a story...that sat in a drawer, doing nothing. The last five years here have been meaningful and I want to take it to its potential. Got a very nice big cheque today for the published chapters of my book on Page and Spine...huge incentive to keep ploughing ahead. Happy New Year.
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I'll have to check out that site. It's Nancy's correct?
Bev
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Yes, and she takes submissions. My book, 'Measuring time,' by Ingrid Thomson is running each week, a chapter at a time. All chapters are archived so you can start at the beginning. I's appreciate if you take a peak.
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I made it a favorite so I can remember to check in regularly. I will definitely take a look at your novel.
Comment from livelylinda
Spiritual Echo: since I don't believe in a muse as a separate entity, this was difficult to read with interest. Our fascinating brains filled with talents we don't always recognize, provide us with the words which have to escape our pens and transform into essays and poetry. That is my belief. I found this rather lengthy and not particularly interesting, could not relate at all. But, that is just me and I'm sure there are many who know exactly of what you speak. Maybe my embers are dying out as this year ends and can only be stoked back to flame in the new year . . . well, Happy New Year to you and yours and give "Jake" a hug for me. livelylinda
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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Spiritual Echo: since I don't believe in a muse as a separate entity, this was difficult to read with interest. Our fascinating brains filled with talents we don't always recognize, provide us with the words which have to escape our pens and transform into essays and poetry. That is my belief. I found this rather lengthy and not particularly interesting, could not relate at all. But, that is just me and I'm sure there are many who know exactly of what you speak. Maybe my embers are dying out as this year ends and can only be stoked back to flame in the new year . . . well, Happy New Year to you and yours and give "Jake" a hug for me. livelylinda
Comment Written 31-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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The word muse is not one I like or use. Jake is me--that part is true, and I don't believe inspiration comes from external forces, but is fed to us through our own experiences. There have definitely been times when I felt I was influenced by memories or spirits of people no longer with us, but they too are a part of me.
Not everything I or any writer pens has universal appeal and it's not a bad thing to not enjoy the subject. It's a prompt, after all and I need the FS bucks.
Comment from rjpurdy
Bravo! Your muse may be less forgiving than my own. This is a terrific storie Ingrid. Those personal encounters with my muse happen too infrequently for me. But the "magic" when it happens is better than sex...I think? It's too long between those time too. Thank you for the peek inside my friend. This is a wonderful way to knock out '14. Happy New Year. Rod
~Peace & Grace~
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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Bravo! Your muse may be less forgiving than my own. This is a terrific storie Ingrid. Those personal encounters with my muse happen too infrequently for me. But the "magic" when it happens is better than sex...I think? It's too long between those time too. Thank you for the peek inside my friend. This is a wonderful way to knock out '14. Happy New Year. Rod
~Peace & Grace~
Comment Written 31-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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And to you, may the year bring you good health--especially--love and laughter.
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Amen Sister!
Comment from Nosha17
Sometimes we need some positive encouragement from a familiar source to spur us on to write more. I liked the interplay between the character and the muse. Good use of descriptive language and good clear message. Good luck in the contest. Faye
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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Sometimes we need some positive encouragement from a familiar source to spur us on to write more. I liked the interplay between the character and the muse. Good use of descriptive language and good clear message. Good luck in the contest. Faye
Comment Written 31-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2014
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I just at my stats and I posted151 stories this year. I think Jake has been doing his job. Thanks.
