tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post8542696173623376870..comments2024-03-28T23:20:45.447-04:00Comments on Girlfriends Book Club: The Writing Journey: Are We There Yet?Writer Wenchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730769794553260336noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-76601652291700854622010-12-21T11:46:34.735-05:002010-12-21T11:46:34.735-05:00Ellen, Actually, I enjoy revision, good thing, too...Ellen, Actually, I enjoy revision, good thing, too. For me, revision is easier than invention and the results are immediate. <br /><br />Msisobel, If you are writing, you are out to sea, my dear. The harbor is for those who've yet to begin and for those who stop in for a writer's conference, agent queries, or ms submission. Enjoy those long stretches of solitude with only your creative spirit to guide you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-19614220375943699472010-12-19T11:52:36.803-05:002010-12-19T11:52:36.803-05:00As someone still trying to get out of the harbour,...As someone still trying to get out of the harbour, thank you for this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-35470420271867194072010-12-19T11:34:01.447-05:002010-12-19T11:34:01.447-05:00Another thought: Dear Cindy,
I'm a little sl...Another thought: Dear Cindy,<br /><br />I'm a little slow (with all I do) but here now. I was moved by your story. Trollope wrote for many years before he was able to get anything published. He did so through his mother on the first book. It was damned and ridiculed by the critics, but also had a success d'estime among a few choice people and he was able to get Novel2 published. It did a little better (not much), 3 fell dead from the press. It was 10 years before he made any money to compensate for the time. The first general respect was for _The Warden_; the first hit the next book, Barchester Towers, and the first serious money (to him) for Dr Thorne.<br /><br />Ellen MoodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-35771987344465159232010-12-19T11:30:13.112-05:002010-12-19T11:30:13.112-05:00Revision is the hardest work of all. I find very f...Revision is the hardest work of all. I find very few students are willing to do it: you have to keep what you have and somehow transcend and restitch it. The computer has at least made the physical part of the arduous process easier.<br /><br />EllenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-47421823829322390442010-12-16T07:26:44.144-05:002010-12-16T07:26:44.144-05:00And the winner is...Lauren at Faith Fuel! (Chosen...And the winner is...Lauren at Faith Fuel! (Chosen by Random.org). Lauren please contact me: author cindy jones AT gmail DOT com and let me know where to send the book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-43706473506605592012010-12-15T22:33:08.476-05:002010-12-15T22:33:08.476-05:00Ernessa--Thank you for the support!
Kellye--Just ...Ernessa--Thank you for the support!<br /><br />Kellye--Just think of this hard work as creating material for the post you will eventually write for a blog like this one! I have met very few fiction authors who don't have a harrowing story to tell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-22983886560064495512010-12-15T18:12:53.259-05:002010-12-15T18:12:53.259-05:00Oh, Cindy! I love this kind of story! This is part...Oh, Cindy! I love this kind of story! This is particularly inspiring for me right now: I thought my novel would be ready for the agent-querying process when I got my MFA in the summer of 2006, but it wasn't. That was okay. But then, well, I threw it all out and kept just the main character (after some difficult to hear but good advice). Finally finished a first draft of this (new) project last December (with a break in there to write a completely different thing). I've spent the last year revising--lots of serious revising--the kind you spoke of. And I kept thinking I was nearing that querying phase. And then, recently, I changed a huge plot point that, of course, changes everything else. I had a very close (I thought) nearly polished manuscript, that now has messy, ugly first-draft stuff spilling out all over. And that's just the way it is. I don't regret making those changes--they're needed. But now I'm looking at more cutting (lots) and polishing and then back to readers...I know this is a familiar story for many (most?) writers. I just appreciate hearing about your willingness and bravery to revise and revise beyond what you thought you could.<br /><br />Congrats on your book and the auction! <br /><br />I'm eager to find out more about your book (and would love to win it!).<br /><br />kellye at kelcrocker (at) mchsi (dot) comkellyehttp://www.twitter.com/kelcrockernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-4737555627518160462010-12-15T15:19:46.823-05:002010-12-15T15:19:46.823-05:00What a wonderful story. SO inspiring. I would love...What a wonderful story. SO inspiring. I would love to read this book and I hope I win.Ernessa T. Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765310225042942524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-64756109954461448352010-12-15T15:15:02.826-05:002010-12-15T15:15:02.826-05:00Laura--You don't get to this point without a n...Laura--You don't get to this point without a near-death story, do you?<br />Marilyn--THANK YOU! Still counting on redemption...<br />Jess--Thanks for the support!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-6916928599006200342010-12-15T14:33:40.000-05:002010-12-15T14:33:40.000-05:00Yay, Cindy!!! What a fabulous backstory. So glad y...Yay, Cindy!!! What a fabulous backstory. So glad you persevered, and I can't wait to read it!Jess Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06987689969282168406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-57344223428651789752010-12-15T13:25:21.861-05:002010-12-15T13:25:21.861-05:00Cindy, having had the privilege of reading My Jane...Cindy, having had the privilege of reading My Jane Austen Summer early, I can objectively say, there is no sagging middle now ;). Wonderful book! <br /><br />And this line from your post made me LOL: "The sale of my manuscript was the only thing that could redeem me with the PTA..." Hee!!Marilyn Branthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05303846770348840645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-55307761209630854302010-12-15T13:21:24.854-05:002010-12-15T13:21:24.854-05:00LOL, I partially take back my parallel lives comme...LOL, I partially take back my parallel lives comment! I just reread your post. The writing part, yes! The camping... never in a million years!! You're a tougher breed than me! BTW, it is an intriuging and pretty cover!Laura Spinellahttp://www.lauraspinella.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-75519506076746995752010-12-15T12:54:55.940-05:002010-12-15T12:54:55.940-05:00Thank you! I love the cover, too! A little backs...Thank you! I love the cover, too! A little backstory on my blog: <br />http://cindysjones.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/the-art-department-read-my-book/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-54541171904777113592010-12-15T11:47:44.216-05:002010-12-15T11:47:44.216-05:00That cover is gorgeous! And I love stories related...That cover is gorgeous! And I love stories related to Jane Austen, so I'd love to read this.<br />MargayMargay Leah Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15490126898758440254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-3352982053597009182010-12-15T11:11:00.960-05:002010-12-15T11:11:00.960-05:00The deadline for the drawing is midnight tonight, ...The deadline for the drawing is midnight tonight, so everybody is in. Sorry for the confusion but I posted the blog yesterday to be on top of things...<br /><br />Heather--thanks for reading!<br />Lori--you're up next! Congratulations on your great persistance. It paid off!<br />Hi Kay!<br />kndnewport--My sister is doing a great job! Thanks for your enthusiasm!<br />Ruthie--Thanks for the support!<br />Kristen--I don't know...your comment packs a lot of humor, a great image, and a hint of conflict into just a few words. You might want to reconsider...just saying.<br />Sarah--Pacing, tension, emotions? I knew I was forgetting something! Shoot. (thank you!)<br />Saralee--Thank you. So much cruise metaphor, so little blogspace.<br />Lauren--We Janeites must stick together...and keep writing!<br />Laura--You are so close to your debut! I'm thinking about you!!<br />Brenda and Karin and Lauren--Thank you for the support, Girlfriends!<br />jpetroroy--Too much invested to turn back! Thanks for reading!<br />RivkaBelle--You are in for the drawing--midnight tonight. Thanks for commenting!<br />Greg--Thank you! (love your art)<br />pgpalettepirate--I'm sure there are choppy waters ahead...lots of stories to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-43820263828125653552010-12-15T10:24:03.751-05:002010-12-15T10:24:03.751-05:00Congratulations! Always go forward, never retreat...Congratulations! Always go forward, never retreat!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-53757543440674960552010-12-15T10:01:42.269-05:002010-12-15T10:01:42.269-05:00You are an inspiration. Congratulations.You are an inspiration. Congratulations.Greg Gutierrezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973153133523045553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-48287011347111589752010-12-15T09:34:46.223-05:002010-12-15T09:34:46.223-05:00aw man, not sure where the timezone is, but i thin...aw man, not sure where the timezone is, but i think i missed midnight by a longshot ... phooey.<br /><br />love the way you phrase it though: the cruise isn't over until you say it's over. that's something that can be applied to so many dreams/goals/plans ... love it, will remember that!!!RivkaBellehttp://awordsworth.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-73715759341921572582010-12-15T09:19:43.819-05:002010-12-15T09:19:43.819-05:00What persistence!
jpetroroy at gmail dot comWhat persistence!<br /><br />jpetroroy at gmail dot comjpetroroyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652079710462059513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-72511802170417608522010-12-15T09:15:13.743-05:002010-12-15T09:15:13.743-05:00Great writing-journey story, Cindy!Great writing-journey story, Cindy!Lauren Baratz-Logstedhttp://www.laurenbaratzlogsted.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-65224462390314916142010-12-15T09:08:21.094-05:002010-12-15T09:08:21.094-05:00Glad that your cruise ship finally reached a sunni...Glad that your cruise ship finally reached a sunnier destination. The book sounds fabulous!Karin Gillespiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526466399023966816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-22039676816100642622010-12-15T09:02:51.550-05:002010-12-15T09:02:51.550-05:00What a story!! It's so amazing that you were ...What a story!! It's so amazing that you were able to pick yourself up and dust yourself off-- such a hard thing to do.<br /><br />Can't wait to check out your book, Cindy!! Kudos to you!!Brenda Janowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02341902606434073240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-28514000163998878582010-12-15T08:53:16.140-05:002010-12-15T08:53:16.140-05:00Cindy, I believe we lead parallel lives. Fantastic...Cindy, I believe we lead parallel lives. Fantastic inspirational story. I'm sure you encouraged many a writer today! Can't wait to read your book!Laura Spinellahttp://www.lauraspinella.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-52123776691647157772010-12-15T08:47:26.753-05:002010-12-15T08:47:26.753-05:00I really needed to hear this. (And I would love to...I really needed to hear this. (And I would love to read your book, being the Jane Austen fanatic that I am!)Lauren at Faith Fuelhttp://championyourdreams.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037419790609319671.post-73556028275734406182010-12-15T08:39:27.692-05:002010-12-15T08:39:27.692-05:00You took to the high seas and didn't turn back...You took to the high seas and didn't turn back in spite of the stormy conditions Loved your story!!!! Continued smooth sailing.Saralee Rosenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01595673591577424238noreply@blogger.com