tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post9052852565870683212..comments2023-09-29T05:32:04.308-07:00Comments on StrangePegs: The Importance of Liking Your Own Work -- Part Two (an Indie Life post)Andrew Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-25626158024170703532013-07-13T12:15:35.829-07:002013-07-13T12:15:35.829-07:00Rachel: It's not easy for me. I'm not a wo...Rachel: It's not easy for me. I'm not a word spewer, and I hate editing, so I will spend a lot of time to get it right the first time rather than have to spend a lot of time revising. Generally speaking, once I'm finished with a first draft, I'm mostly ready for proofing.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-26821032691985221082013-07-12T22:48:54.921-07:002013-07-12T22:48:54.921-07:00I know that for some writers, the actual act of wr...I know that for some writers, the actual act of writing is easy. It's easy for them to sit down every day and bang out thousands of words on a computer.<br />It isn't like that for me. It's HARD WORK, even though I enjoy it! So there is NO WAY that I could write an entire story that I didn't even really like. So I agree completely that each of us should be writing the story that WE like :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-61946020581015108212013-07-12T10:09:34.822-07:002013-07-12T10:09:34.822-07:00Okay, someone explain to me how it is that -my own...Okay, someone explain to me how it is that -my own- comment gets marked as spam on my own blog. Whattheheck?<br /><br />Rinelle: Comments can certainly be valid even if you have confidence in your story. Like when you haven't explained something well enough, which is common, but, then, the issue is with the communication, not the story. That's a huge difference.<br /><br />When you say "low reviews," do you mean negative reviews or that you don't have many?<br /><br />David: Pretty soon we'll all be cyborgs.<br /><br />Tina: It is! I mean, how horrible is it to start from 0? To come from "I think this is crap, would you please read it?" and really mean that.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-28771176002215736592013-07-12T08:44:16.997-07:002013-07-12T08:44:16.997-07:00Well argued. It's good to start with at least ...Well argued. It's good to start with at least ONE person who likes your story ;-) I have confidence in mine, just need to keep writing it.<br />Tina @ <a href="http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Life is Good</a>Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925730745204736744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-4670047104751298932013-07-12T02:04:43.324-07:002013-07-12T02:04:43.324-07:00err functionality
I hate that we can't edit ou...err functionality<br />I hate that we can't edit our comments!David Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260130060172457192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-70049361337312523032013-07-12T02:03:19.890-07:002013-07-12T02:03:19.890-07:00Jo,
I actually meant less functionally for me. I ...Jo,<br />I actually meant less functionally for me. I did not make that clear.<br /><br />Andrew,<br />As far as I'm concerned you are pretty much right about the tablet. I hate doing anything with it except connecting to the internet and reading. I has much more functionality which I use when I really need to but it's a pain.David Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260130060172457192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-48356397813588750582013-07-12T01:06:51.936-07:002013-07-12T01:06:51.936-07:00So much of this post resonated with me. Really wel...So much of this post resonated with me. Really well thought out and written. I think I'm mostly confident that my story is the way I want it to be. Yes, there are a couple of comments that people have made that I think have validity, but for the most part, my low reviews are about my story not being something it's not. <br /><br />Great post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05651744055513494283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-61582012158285079082013-07-11T20:47:04.801-07:002013-07-11T20:47:04.801-07:00Graciewilde: Oh, yeah, it totally does, which is w...Graciewilde: Oh, yeah, it totally does, which is why I started out talking about beliefs and knowing what you believe.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-10538809387367463302013-07-11T18:21:58.430-07:002013-07-11T18:21:58.430-07:00I like this post a lot! I actually think your com...I like this post a lot! I actually think your comments about criticism apply across the board in work/ life. If some part of my professional behavior is criticized, I am always inclined to review my behavior. It doesn't mean I accept the criticism but it does make me review my actions. Thank goodness, more often than not, I leave the review feeling confident in my behavior. And sometimes I learn some new strategy.Graciewildehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00142582724233027386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-60900522454463206472013-07-11T15:38:03.544-07:002013-07-11T15:38:03.544-07:00ABftS: It's also the impetus behind that whole...ABftS: It's also the impetus behind that whole starting at the climax and, then, telling the story as a flashback leading to the starting moment, and I HATE that. So lame. It's just poor story-telling ability if you have to start at the end to get people to be interested.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-33911805086273561962013-07-11T10:11:28.776-07:002013-07-11T10:11:28.776-07:00You know, it's funny you mention people compla...You know, it's funny you mention people complaining about House starting off too 'slow.' I hate the requirement of modern books to hook you INSTANTLY from the get go, and be nothing but action, otherwise it's just boring and no agent will touch it.<br /><br />Hell, we've had one reviewer tell us that zombies started too slow. You know, the book that starts off on page 1 with a man turning into a full blown zombie and ripping an entire room full of waitresses to shreds. THAT was too slow for them.<br /><br />This is what we get when people have the attention span of a goldfish. :(A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-30683876305694914622013-07-11T09:37:51.980-07:002013-07-11T09:37:51.980-07:00J.R.: Yeah, it does. It goes for everything, actua...J.R.: Yeah, it does. It goes for everything, actually.<br /><br />David: Yeah, I don't have any experience with tablets, so I have nothing to offer. I think I'm bypassing the "tablet" stage of things and waiting for them to have the stuff that plugs directly into our heads.<br /><br />Jo: Thanks for the update, Jo. Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-81392388648446148242013-07-11T04:40:29.836-07:002013-07-11T04:40:29.836-07:00Had to just add another comment here, David Oliver...Had to just add another comment here, David Oliver said the Kindle would have less functionality. I own an original Kindle and an android tablet. The original Kindles don't have the functionality of the Kindle Fire, but one thing they do have is the paperwhite technology which means you can read them anywhere, i.e. in the full sunshine you can still read your book. As far as I know, no-one else has this technology.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-22160101485439179322013-07-11T02:36:43.583-07:002013-07-11T02:36:43.583-07:00Thanks Andrew. I don't have a Kindle. I have...Thanks Andrew. I don't have a Kindle. I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet which also serves as my wireless connection to the internet. I see no reason to buy a Kindle which would have less functionality.<br /><br />I am a fan of amazon and it's good to hear they are paying you guys decently. I'm thinking this problem with the tablets is temporary.David Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260130060172457192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-77395861870159164552013-07-10T21:55:04.282-07:002013-07-10T21:55:04.282-07:00Sage advice, Andrew. You're spot on.
As an e...Sage advice, Andrew. You're spot on. <br /><br />As an editor at my day job, I work with many different writers, about 40 in total, in an economic research environment. The best authors are those who understand that when I set fresh eyes on their article or report, I do so to add value. I don't criticize unnecessarily, and it's certainly never personal. My goal is that our readers will understand the information being conveyed, and be interested enough to continue reading. The worst authors are those who are defensive as soon as they hear my voice, because they're sure I'm telling them their work is the worst ever….before I ever say a word. It is about confidence, and it's also about putting the work in and valuing your work. The same goes for writing fiction.J.R. Pearse Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00163199989017556255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-7883219833329211532013-07-10T19:53:55.273-07:002013-07-10T19:53:55.273-07:00Jo: That's almost true, except, at that point,...Jo: That's almost true, except, at that point, it's kind of like trying a new food. Many people (like my son) will just assume that they don't like anything new without ever trying it.<br /><br />David: I don't know what to tell you about the technical issue with your Kindle; I don't own one. But I do use the Kindle app on my computer and have never had a problem with it.<br /><br />As far as paying authors goes, Amazon, through Kindle, offers the best royalties available, up to 70%. Even their 35% rate is head, shoulders, and torso above what traditional publishers offer. The cut on the physical books is not as much, but it still matches, at least, what you get through traditional publishing.<br /><br />Your book should be on the way tomorrow.<br /><br />Jeanne: Pointing out things that are confusing is a very good thing to do. When you know what's in your head, you can often forget all the details to make it clear to someone who does not have the story in his head.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-42775239703410042932013-07-10T19:12:27.128-07:002013-07-10T19:12:27.128-07:00Critiquing can be so nerve wracking, whether getti...Critiquing can be so nerve wracking, whether getting or giving. I always try to point out things that confuse me or strike me funny, but sometimes I have a hard time explaining why. I'm just glad I never provoked a meltdown.<br /><br />I think you make a very good point about people being sensitive to critiques when they don't like the story. If you know it isn't right but you still pushed it out there...well, it's a lot easier to lash out than it is to admit you were wrong.J E Oneilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09780097298061829471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-47974266101950854882013-07-10T18:41:48.111-07:002013-07-10T18:41:48.111-07:00Andrew, I just ordered your book "House...&qu...Andrew, I just ordered your book "House..." Sign it however you like...if you only want to do your name that is okay.<br /><br />My problem with amazon.com and I want to be clear here, is only with their books. I buy other things from them all the time. I really don't know where to begin with all the things I dislike and the troubles I've had with their books. I don't know that Kindle is the problem but I suspect it is part of the problem because they are in the business of selling both devices and books. I have still not been able to download or read "A Beer in the Shower's book" on my tablet. The only way I can read the book is to search through my e-mails, find the one where I bought the book and follow a link.<br /><br />I read just today that Apple has lost a law suit over price fixing with publishers. At least amazon has not tried to rip people off on pricing. I've no idea how much they pay the authors but I'm betting amazon's piece of the pie is pretty big.David Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260130060172457192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-41189708911300747342013-07-10T17:29:09.141-07:002013-07-10T17:29:09.141-07:00Surely if you like your own work that is the best ...Surely if you like your own work that is the best criteria of all. Then some of the best criticism would be whether people use their pocket books to purchase your work.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-70633676059092825662013-07-10T16:49:00.472-07:002013-07-10T16:49:00.472-07:00shelly: Well, good for her, then! When I clean up ...shelly: Well, good for her, then! When I clean up some of my stack, I'll take a look at it.<br /><br />L.G.: Agents, who often have no actual training other than liking to read, are no more likely to be right than anyone else you know who happens to read. I'm not sure why we put them up on the pedestal that we do, all things considered.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-2462423257755243782013-07-10T15:44:52.487-07:002013-07-10T15:44:52.487-07:00I always try to emphasize to people when I critiqu...I always try to emphasize to people when I critique their work that my suggestions are for them to keep or toss at their discretion. I feel it's my obligation to let them know what I have issues with, though, as a reader. But those issues might be specific only to me. Who knows? <br /><br />But, yeah, you have to know your story well enough to be able to sort through the feedback and know what to apply and what not to. And agents aren't always right either. I've had some feedback from them about how to improve a story that left me cold.Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-88379903044945015762013-07-10T13:57:24.107-07:002013-07-10T13:57:24.107-07:00Andrew:
The MC is 18 and very naive...but she lea...Andrew:<br /><br />The MC is 18 and very naive...but she learns all too quickly being naive gets you into trouble. By book 2 she got a Kickass attitude. shellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09596621767297173021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-30300467820954104352013-07-10T13:42:21.920-07:002013-07-10T13:42:21.920-07:00Pk: I am underwhelmed with the idea of everything ...Pk: I am underwhelmed with the idea of everything having to start knee-deep in action. Most of the stories I've read like that have left me disinterested in the outcome, because I have no connection with the characters. I do, however, believe in starting with the inciting incident; however, that thing is not always an action moment.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-52462383505918339402013-07-10T13:21:57.616-07:002013-07-10T13:21:57.616-07:00This is exactly where I am with my story. I like i...This is exactly where I am with my story. I like it the way it is, but have had some suggestions to start with more action. I could, but then the story doesnt make sense to me or my characters. And I wanna stay true to that. This is the problem with so many opinions--they'll all be different and your head will swim, but in the end we have to go with our gut and write teh story we want to tell. PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-43437326703388477902013-07-10T13:15:46.968-07:002013-07-10T13:15:46.968-07:00David: What is the Kindle thing that has you pisse...David: What is the Kindle thing that has you pissed off? I don't know about anything like that.<br />House is available for the Nook. If you don't want to buy from Amazon, the only other place is directly from me, but, hey, you can get a signed copy that way.<br />As far as suggestions, if you like character development, I would go with House. If you're more of a "get right into it" kind of guy, I would go with Spinner.<br /><br />Donna: Yeah, it is, which is why I think it's so important for the author to have a clear idea of the story s/he wants to tell. If you don't know that, you can't be sure of the validity of anything anyone says about it.<br /><br />Shannon: Fame and fortune? Oh, no, wait, that's "fortune and glory," right? I don't really know. Well, no, I do. Too many writers sit down to write with no plan in mind, so they end up with stuff they don't know what to do with.<br /><br />Alex: I don't think I ever accept anything without question. Nope, can't think of a single thing.<br /><br />JKIR,F!: Yeah, trying to please others sucks.<br /><br />Laura: Well, we have to at least believe in it. Its validity. Purpose. Whatever.<br /><br />PT: I think I saw that. If it's the same one I saw, I wasn't overly impressed with people.<br /><br />shelly: I don't know if I could actually write a story with a less than smart MC. I've thought about it and, so far, I just don't think I could pull it off. The last book I read with a MC that wasn't smart enough to figure out what was going on drove me crazy, because we were also supposed to believe that she was accomplished in her field. I never read any more of those books.<br /><br />Kimberly: Thank you!<br /><br />Janeal: There is so much more pleasure in writing something that you're happy with than writing something you think other people will be happy with.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.com