tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post49555645362890520..comments2023-05-21T08:24:34.549-07:00Comments on Dennis Sharpe's - Words from a WitlessLackey: "They're not going to like it."Dennis Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06604314771809942797noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-6701559017838452822012-12-10T15:29:34.359-08:002012-12-10T15:29:34.359-08:00Awesome post, Dennis! So far I think the most surp...Awesome post, Dennis! So far I think the most surprising question I've had from people with a manuscript in their drawer centers around your question number three. And you're absolutely right that there are so many different answers for different writers. It's daunting to start the search and the path you follow is going to depend so much on your personality, your time available for marketing, your personal and professional goals long term and short term, etc... But I've come across a surprising number who are completely unaware the vast resources on the web to help them find that for themselves. Granted, there's a ton of BS out there, but there are also some great sites with hugely helpful forums. As much as people want an easy answer that says 'Follow this path, this is your yellow brick road,' the best advice I can give them is Get to Virtual Digging and point them to some of the sites that I found most helpful.Ashley Chappellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10111538335871215137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-49149865156564069642012-12-10T14:48:18.984-08:002012-12-10T14:48:18.984-08:00I'm not saying a story shouldn't be writte... I'm not saying a story shouldn't be written if you have a desire to tell it. I'm saying that today's popular fiction market is in as bad a shape now grammatically as it was when we were scribbling buffalo on cave walls. Just because you're a bored housewife with a fantasy man that far exceeds the physical or emotional prowess of your husband does not mean you have the skill to flesh out characters in a world. Using keywords and story flow that other bored housewives find both familiar and erotic (I'm not going to debase my working female friends by going into the psychology of someone who lives, works, and screws in the same place having a sexuality that breeds to familiarity with fantasy) to make people buy a book that is weak and regurgitated. Stop making hind-brain masturbation material and write engaging fiction. If you can't, do the future of the human race a favor and try knitting. It is a noble and time-honored tradition that has physical and emotional longevity without detracting from the receiver's mental acuity. RA2https://www.blogger.com/profile/08816563127532153668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-2249925706870886902012-06-20T06:40:31.398-07:002012-06-20T06:40:31.398-07:00I think most writers are their own biggest critics...I think most writers are their own biggest critics... well, until they do publish... then someone out there is going to be bigger critic. ;)<br /><br />The trick really is to just keep writing. You're never defeated until you quit.Dennis Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06604314771809942797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-3772395383490282862012-06-19T21:53:44.910-07:002012-06-19T21:53:44.910-07:00That is really good advice. I tend to be very crit...That is really good advice. I tend to be very critical of my work and would never have published without the encouragement of others who had read it. Also, I have started trying to be more disciplined with my writing by setting a goal everyday as you suggested whether it is my book, blog or blah blah at least I am writing.M. E. Francohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12879665164475479116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-28156355757865955342012-06-19T17:24:26.562-07:002012-06-19T17:24:26.562-07:00I agree with you Jean!
Earlier today Wendy Niels...I agree with you Jean! <br /><br />Earlier today Wendy Nielson said: "The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can’t help it." - Leo Rosten. <br /><br />My thoughts are... You can't help being a writer... You can let writing remain your passion... only others can make it your profession...Dennis Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06604314771809942797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-1811091660067632782012-06-19T16:31:10.808-07:002012-06-19T16:31:10.808-07:00I've found myself saying and asking these same...I've found myself saying and asking these same questions. lol. Writing and publishing is very nerve wracking, especially if you're shy to begin with. The best advice I could ever give someone, is just do it. Do the thing you're scared of doing and find out what happens. As a writer you will get rejections, you will get the bad review, but you will also touch someone you didn't expect to with your words. If it's something you love, follow your heart and do it. :)Jean Boothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18083206571788440035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-85495682961089612672012-06-19T13:47:31.328-07:002012-06-19T13:47:31.328-07:00Thanks, Zoe!Thanks, Zoe!Dennis Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06604314771809942797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-51268941079053362152012-06-19T13:39:08.178-07:002012-06-19T13:39:08.178-07:00Great advice! :-)Great advice! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-26299907681476765602012-03-13T21:24:26.756-07:002012-03-13T21:24:26.756-07:00Absolutely! You are correct!Absolutely! You are correct!Dennis Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06604314771809942797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-20058547233605911762012-03-11T19:57:59.347-07:002012-03-11T19:57:59.347-07:00A fiction workshop professor once told me to submi...A fiction workshop professor once told me to submit my work rabidly, to every contest, magazine, workshop/retreat, and publisher that would have me. She said that even if my work did not deserve it, there was a good chance a bunch of other jerks thought their work didn't either. The only difference will be that you submitted, which actually makes ALL the difference. Remember that most of the people who reap the rewards aren't good enough, either.R A Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04018224952211534705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-28307265232566985612011-05-28T08:35:29.660-07:002011-05-28T08:35:29.660-07:00If anyone ever said those comments to me, I'd ...If anyone ever said those comments to me, I'd give them an earful. Never pick on yourself. There are plenty of people who will doubt you enough for the both of you. Stay positive.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03201253760335983590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-21463523674702331892011-05-23T14:17:56.949-07:002011-05-23T14:17:56.949-07:00This is great stuff. What's particularly grea...This is great stuff. What's particularly great for ME is knowing I'm not the only one out there feeling *everything* you just stated above. <br /><br />It was nice virtually meeting you last night, Dennis. I look forward to reading more of your work. =DDaezarkian13https://www.blogger.com/profile/08839083029518977312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-76820203072195443462011-05-23T14:12:22.400-07:002011-05-23T14:12:22.400-07:00Oh my gosh, we're like brain buddies!Oh my gosh, we're like brain buddies!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-26307413492512603752011-05-23T07:34:08.930-07:002011-05-23T07:34:08.930-07:00Very well said, and words we all need to remember....Very well said, and words we all need to remember. Thanks for the encouragement!Michaela Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461947253415097927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-14177772304281391962011-05-23T07:21:15.725-07:002011-05-23T07:21:15.725-07:00Thanks, Dennis. There go all my excuses. Now I got...Thanks, Dennis. There go all my excuses. Now I gotta be productive again. <br /><br />Seriously, though, how many times have I said at least half of those things? Way too many, and it's really hard to know what to do to fix them unless you're asking around for help from, or talking regularly to, other writers. I'm beginning to see why the Inklings gathered so often to share their stories, and why there are mounds of Lovecraftian correspondence with other writers. We tend to (culturally) think of authors as half-lonely, half-friendless loners that live in the middle of nowhere and work in solitude, and that just doesn't cut it. Just like every other group, we need networking.<br /><br />Thanks for providing that.M..https://www.blogger.com/profile/01062766781413736418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204238760351439341.post-29387513250501657682011-05-23T00:53:06.785-07:002011-05-23T00:53:06.785-07:00Very good advice, and it works for other areas as ...Very good advice, and it works for other areas as well (like my drawing)Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14982268464744042281noreply@blogger.com