tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post6851650730402907803..comments2024-03-20T02:49:17.606-07:00Comments on Between Fact and Fiction: 10 Things I Wish I Would Have Done DifferentlyNatalie Whipplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09978251567306345129noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-78277691484750176012012-06-23T07:49:34.440-07:002012-06-23T07:49:34.440-07:00I have done everything you also experienced, the m...I have done everything you also experienced, the main one though was my obsession in getting published,querying to every agent although I got request they soon led to rejections and it was after 100+ I realized that I had to work really hard to get the attention of the right agents.<br /><br /> In regards to editing I also learned that researching a great editor is also beneficial because if I don't have a clue how to edit and revise then having a editor that also cannot objectively help me edit my novel is a wasted investment, in addition, being online is okay but I realize I have to tear myself away, twitter is so addicting but I believe every new writer needs to go through some of these experience to grow, in closing I must say I love to read, and not just YA novels since I write both adult and YA I try to expand reading many books I normally may not like to read, the best thing that I know for sure is that I love to write.Keisha Martin Romance Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04075320694648296594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-54440648932291063112012-03-15T14:39:01.742-07:002012-03-15T14:39:01.742-07:00Wow. Every aspiring author needs to read this. It&...Wow. Every aspiring author needs to read this. It's so true. I see newbies worrying about "branding" themselves before they've even got a book in rough draft. Learn to write first. And do some living! Brava!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-91847239835495350872012-03-12T18:13:09.522-07:002012-03-12T18:13:09.522-07:00I am bookmarking this page!I am bookmarking this page!Jessie Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096043821002254348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-22650113365308202712012-03-07T08:40:12.331-08:002012-03-07T08:40:12.331-08:00I think we might share the same brain. Thanks for ...I think we might share the same brain. Thanks for this! :) eElizabeth O Dulembahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255495706124193452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-53380564521552492082012-03-06T10:35:17.401-08:002012-03-06T10:35:17.401-08:00I think if I had a regret related to my novel it i...I think if I had a regret related to my novel it is that I was listening to a lot of people saying, "You just need to get it out there. It is good, and so it will find its audience once it is available." This is not necessarily true and having the support of a publisher in the appropriate genre, which is big enough to get reviewed by more traditional media might have served the book. It might have been useful for me to be more patient, but after a decade working on it, I was ready to have it read.Laura Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13227145023299742137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-158526853518188762012-03-06T01:52:58.191-08:002012-03-06T01:52:58.191-08:00Great post.
My biggest regret is that I didn'...Great post.<br /><br />My biggest regret is that I didn't start my writing career years ago, but maybe I just wasn't ready then. The publishing industry has changed a lot since then, and it's much harder to get a deal now.karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06998367118103951092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-47956786666989062302012-03-06T01:04:23.625-08:002012-03-06T01:04:23.625-08:00What a great post, thanks for sharing, apart from ...What a great post, thanks for sharing, apart from the wishing to read a lot more it could be me talking. It's so reassuring to know that other people go through the same things that I do.Heather Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00305294685543785711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-13859894098562166142012-03-05T22:02:09.864-08:002012-03-05T22:02:09.864-08:00Wow, Natalie--what an honest, insightful post. Tha...Wow, Natalie--what an honest, insightful post. Thank you for sharing it. I'm going to bookmark it for the future, too, whenever I need a little about reminder about priorities.Tara Dairmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02553180762608936696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-50228251139633225652012-03-05T16:17:50.027-08:002012-03-05T16:17:50.027-08:00#2 and #6: I'm so glad I started this writing ...#2 and #6: I'm so glad I started this writing thing before the blog era. I was blissfully unaware of so many things that would have caused me angst.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-32453443944050813652012-03-05T15:37:08.368-08:002012-03-05T15:37:08.368-08:00Natalie,
Thanks for such a great list. Wow, I'...Natalie,<br />Thanks for such a great list. Wow, I've done all of these things. A big "been there, done that." We should never lose sight of the writing. We're writers first. Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-45251166024376363632012-03-05T14:57:12.631-08:002012-03-05T14:57:12.631-08:00This is a wonderful post, Natalie.
I think I have...This is a wonderful post, Natalie.<br /><br />I think I have some re-prioritizing to do - or maybe I need to re-prioritize a little, and also figure out how to be more efficient with my internet time so that I can have more time overall to focus on my writing. The networking is important, but without a great manuscript, what good is it?<br /><br />And revising - truly revising. This is something I find I have to remember to do every time I write a new manuscript. Every new first draft represents another conscious choice to really dig deep and revise, rather than just edit.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts.Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-3489552597390917062012-03-03T03:32:31.350-08:002012-03-03T03:32:31.350-08:00I think we all have our regrets, some I'm just...I think we all have our regrets, some I'm just learning about for myself. I'm glad you've taken stock of things and realized the areas you need to work in. It has given me a jumping point in my own life to look at as well. Thanks!!Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336373871521363649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-25975924680034541762012-03-02T13:25:50.546-08:002012-03-02T13:25:50.546-08:00Me too!!! I'm literally prepping an email for...Me too!!! I'm literally prepping an email for another pitch contest but I'm not even sure anymore that I want to put it out there.<br /><br />Natalie, I've been doing all of the above for the last year. I'm STILL doing some of them.<br /><br />I need to go into my cave and reprioritize things.Sophia Changhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10946233873722107937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-24498779258557739432012-03-02T12:47:16.640-08:002012-03-02T12:47:16.640-08:00This did strike a chord - I was at a writing retre...This did strike a chord - I was at a writing retreat last week (I do a day retreat once a year as a birthday thing) and mentioned at lunch to a few people that I enjoyed my writing but I also recognised how tiny the odds of ever doing this professionally are, especially writing the rather niche bit of the fantasy genre that I do, so I wasn't counting on being published as the be-all and end-all. <br /><br /> I got a lot of disapproving reactions for being so negative, which I thought was a little sad - being realistic about the industry, and the process, makes me happier writing what I do. I write to keep myself amused, and because I can't find anyone writing quite what I want to read (I also switch between 5 completely different WIPs, which helps when you have my short attention span...!). I am serious enough about my writing to go on retreats and study the process and the industry, but my very rambling point is that there are other reasons to do this beside obsessing over getting into print, I hope :-)jencathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06760127090293409589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-26100073673924396262012-03-02T11:10:27.130-08:002012-03-02T11:10:27.130-08:00Man, I'm in this spot of regret right now. I&...Man, I'm in this spot of regret right now. I'm doing all of these things. Mostly, it just emphasizes how hard it is to do this job in the midst of so many distractions. I'm going to leave notes everywhere for myself so I don't forget: WRITE.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607291218714097810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-175668609134610362012-03-02T08:00:41.241-08:002012-03-02T08:00:41.241-08:00It's a learning process for sure. And I know I...It's a learning process for sure. And I know I've done some of the things that you've mentioned. Thank you for being candid and sharing your thoughts on your journey.Anita Saxenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12444339735834716979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-66702224067704674352012-03-01T02:30:11.421-08:002012-03-01T02:30:11.421-08:00Thanks for sharing this list, Natalie. I think I e...Thanks for sharing this list, Natalie. I think I err more on the side of lack of commitment, but it's a good reminder to check my priorities every once in a while and enjoy every moment. Thanks!lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16524291742541007382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-5824465362122564452012-02-29T20:08:51.230-08:002012-02-29T20:08:51.230-08:00Thank you so much for your honesty. I used to not ...Thank you so much for your honesty. I used to not allow myself to network online until my writing was done. Now I waste time online often. And I continue to be upset with myself for thinking "this stage of editing" is more important than family activities, etc. This post just kicked my rear into gear! Thank you!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12870655070026853342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-4102795944257373892012-02-29T16:09:53.024-08:002012-02-29T16:09:53.024-08:00Thanks so much for sharing. I can so identify. I d...Thanks so much for sharing. I can so identify. I did wait for a long while before querying and did anyway to show my husband I was serious. Totally wrong reason. I still had (have) so much to learn.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />AmyAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16390320233818480615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-28185482909979267262012-02-29T12:17:27.487-08:002012-02-29T12:17:27.487-08:00This has been my problem as well. A confidante poi...This has been my problem as well. A confidante pointed out that she noticed the change in me because I went from the joy of writing to the angst of trying to publish. I wished I'd noticed it sooner...but it's never too late.Durango Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14854000354374970070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-40618668891946159672012-02-29T10:10:24.429-08:002012-02-29T10:10:24.429-08:00I love these wishes. Because I'm in the midst ...I love these wishes. Because I'm in the midst of it right now and I struggle with all the things your talking about. The online thing really gets my time, and then I feel bad because I'm not spending time with the family. I'm seriously taking this to heart! Thanks.i'm erin.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13729541389129887477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-48122032920046541322012-02-28T22:12:46.525-08:002012-02-28T22:12:46.525-08:00Tobi, I feel you on this. I see conferences and cr...Tobi, I feel you on this. I see conferences and critique opportunities, and I'm always like, just a little more. It's not just a little. I know that, but I'm also a little afraid that when it is ready, I won't know. I'm a fraid I'll be the type to wait too long to query.Claire Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354840714847021685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-72050652554680148832012-02-28T19:05:11.294-08:002012-02-28T19:05:11.294-08:00Wonderful post, Natalie, thanks for sharing it wit...Wonderful post, Natalie, thanks for sharing it with us. I especially like #3 and I have to agree--it's far more important to work at becoming a better writer than becoming a published one. As you said, they go hand-in-hand, anyway.Gabe (Ava Jae)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-7922688309563602492012-02-28T17:43:14.860-08:002012-02-28T17:43:14.860-08:00You know, I am totally a "learn it the hard w...You know, I am totally a "learn it the hard way" type and it sounds like you are too. Thanks for sharing this. It's part of your appeal--your ability to learn from your mistakes, and admit that you made them. That takes guts, girl, and you got 'em in spades. Your book release will be all the better for it, and so will your future novels.Shell Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127004188099765270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774363178370829558.post-86692884909312213652012-02-28T17:19:19.042-08:002012-02-28T17:19:19.042-08:00Thanks, Natalie. This really helps me as aspiring-...Thanks, Natalie. This really helps me as aspiring-to-be-published writer remember what it's really all about.Kathryn Purdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18337488365098780737noreply@blogger.com