Comments on: This is Gonna Leave a Mark: What Makes a “Real” Writer?

By: #MotownWriters Article : This is Gonna Leave a Mark: What Makes a “Real” Writer? | Motown Writers Network . . . Michigan Literary Network

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 08:36:35 +0000

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By: Adam Gentry

Adam Gentry — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 04:51:20 +0000

It’s interesting how much this parallels my own thoughts of late. I’d recently received a rejection for a short story, and I paused to consider the reality that whether my story was accepted or rejected didn’t actually change the quality of my story or my writing. All it could ever do is potentially prove what is already true. I was struck by how often I think some version of the phrase “I’m a writer,” but while the words never change, the grammar does. Sometimes it’s an exclamation, sometimes it’s a period, and too often, it’s a question mark. There’s that desperate desire to silence my own doubts with “proof”, when the reality is I need to recognize that publication won’t “change anything” about my writing, it’ll only be proof of something that’s been true for a long time. But there’s also a saying (I forget where I heard it), that you have to forget and relearn something many times before you truly “learn it”.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As always you have a keen insight and a sharp voice that cuts to the heart of the matter.

By: Jeffrey McChesney

Jeffrey McChesney — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:01:20 +0000

I had stopped spending any time in writing over the last year and a half and I have missed it so, but working the job that paid the bills was required. I have missed reading your blog. Now I want to return with the fury of someone who really wants to do this for a career. This blog was just what I needed to see this morning. Thanks!

By: Gabriella L. Garlock

Gabriella L. Garlock — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 14:45:16 +0000

Please never stop sharing the Uncomfortable Truth as only you can!

By: Bethany Henry

Bethany Henry — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 03:52:34 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that we must be even more disciplined than ever before as writers. Not always easy, but worth it!

By: Lora

Lora — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 07:51:11 +0000

Yes! Thank you! Being an editor has made it blatantly obvious that there are zero standards now. It was upsetting at first when I got all kinds of horrible writing–that was “edited three times already” but was filled with every error imaginable, from grammar and basic punctuation to no plots and awful characters. No amount of money was worth wading through the mess. Now I only edit true professionals and turn down everyone else. I’m not wasting my life on anything or anyone less. To those chosen authors who work so hard and produce excellent books, I give my very best and will do anything to help them. We are a quality team, producing quality work, and we succeed.

By: Renee Wittman

Renee Wittman — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 01:58:34 +0000

Your posts are always the kick in the tail I need, and the ten page critique you did for me was a huge help. (Which I realized after much wailing and gnashing of teeth.) I really appreciate that you keep posting and sending out rays of snarky and sarcastic sunshine even when life bites you.

But having someone outright saying what the nervous voice in my head insists on being true helps me navigate all the conflicting messages! Thank you.

By: Natalie K.

Natalie K. — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 00:53:30 +0000

Hey Kristen, I LOVE this post. As a longtime reader (who also writes as a hobby for now and would love to maybe be published someday), I thought it was just me who noticed the decline in quality of writing. Granted, I’m not a professional editor and don’t have a whole lot of experience editing others’ work. But I do feel like a lot of the books being published as of late (say, the past 5-10 years?) are of lower quality. I include both indie and traditional. Not saying that ALL writers are bad nowadays—but it seems like I don’t want to finish a substantial amount of the books I start.

Or maybe I’m just getting old and curmudgeonly and have lower tolerance for the fiction I read. 😀

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 21:41:04 +0000

In reply to Anne.

Just go to http://www.wanatribe.com and sign up. I have to approve you, but other than that, we meet on the Chat page pretty much M-F (almost all day) and often Sat mornings. Have been for almost 4 years now.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 21:29:45 +0000

Thanks for another excellent kick in the rear to keep honing my writing craft! With school starting, I SHOULD end up with an hour to myself daily to do just that- wohoo!
Your WANA group sounds amazing. I checked out the link- before applying for membership, is there anywhere I could look up just what being a member of the group entails?