To answer Dru’s question, I don’t know what the final word count will be. Before, I would write to a certain format, like category for example, but this time I’m just going to let it be what it will be. A short story, category, stand alone – I have no idea.
I was watching American Idol tonight, shaking my head at the terrible singers and their families who continue to tell them how good they are. It got me to thinking about writing. We write something and our friends, family, CP’s, etc tell us that it’s good, great even. Then we send it in and the editor, judge, whatever, tears it apart. It’s one of the worse pieces of writing they’ve ever read. Do we believe them, or do we continue to write in a world of delusion? Just something to think about.
Not a lot to blog about. My sinus infection is better, but it’s really making my gums hurt, which is setting off this bad tooth that I have, so I’m in constant pain. I’m swigging liquid Orajel like there’s no tomorrow and it only takes the edge off. Until I get the money or insurance, I’m going to have to deal with it.
Y’all have a great Wednesday.
20 comments:
*blinks behind rose colored glasses* You mean I'm not the next Nora Roberts??? *gasps*
That's the best way to write, without having to worry about length and guidelines. :o) Hope the writing's going well and your feeling better soon.
I'm thinking you're second guessing yourself. Don't. As for the length of your wtd, take it as it comes. I think you're doing wonderfully.
Hating to hear of you in pain, I'll be thinking of you and saying a prayer for you. Oh, and sending hugs, too!
LOL, Lis!! :)
You know, I think if you read enough, you know in your gut if you have something that matches up. Or not. I honestly think you have to trust your gut/heart on this one.
Hope you get rid of ALL those aches and pains, soon, Bailey.
{{{hugs}}} on the infection, tooth, etc. Been there, done that. Hope you feel better.
As for the American Writing Idol idea, lol--yeah, that comparison's been around the blogosphere. Worried about it a time or two myself.
The answer? I think good, honest crit partners, contests with qualified judges, trying to develope an objective eye (as much as possible), and putting it out there to GET objective opinions.
My 2 cents.
I agree with Raine, Brandy, well, everyone.
As for the tooth, Been there, Doing that. I'm going for a Root Canal next Tuesday. **shudder**
At this moment, I'ma thinkin' that getting into the "habit" of writing every day is just as important than word count. Perhaps more,because evenutally whatever the word count goal, writing every day guarantees you'll reach it.
See?
Feel 100% soon.
TTFN
We have to remind ourselves it's partly subjective.
But it's a strange piece of writing that doesn't have SOME shiny bits in it.
Great progress on your writing. As for critques, I think you need to find a person who is willing to tell you that it isn't working. They don't have to cut you to ribbons; there is an art to it after all. There are no favors done by telling an author their work is good when it isn't. You just get blind sided by buyers of your work (or the non-buyers).
Nice philosophy. I need to stop tying to pigronhole my writing too.
Are you snowed in too?
Actually Devon, I'm sort of doing that - the clove part, not the Vodka. I'm boiling cloves in water and swishing the warm mixture around my mouth (and spitting it out). It's helping. I plan to get some clove oil when I can get out, but we're iced in again. The entire gum area is inflamed and swollen around the tooth, and it is killing me.
Ugh. Sinus infection and tooth pain. Not a good combination. Hope you feel better soon.
OH, what a double whammy. Sinus infections hurt so bad but oral pain is the worst. Get some ambesol, it is stronger than orajel. Try to get any swelling down.
Just don't let any rejections or critiques get you down, use them constructively. I could wall paper a bathroom with my rejection and critiques, and I'm multi-published. Just pick yourself back up and learn if you can, and keep going.
Feel better!!!
AI - I feel bad for those folks... so much delusion...
hope you feel better soon...
I think you should not worry too much about it...I think that those of us who are not editors will read differently...of course I think the same goes for AI too...although there are some that I have heard that should never have made it on the show...but you have to wonder then...why would they be on the show if they are that bad???? Oh I know!! RATINGS!!! somthing you don't have to worry about at this moment...
Sorry to read you're still not tickety boo. Bonjela is good for the gums. Can you get that in your corner of the world?
Oh, Bailey, feel better soon! And the writing? Whatever you do, enjoy it. If you don't love what you're doing your audience will know.
People who just tell you it is great aren't the best critiquers. You want someone to point out your weaknesses AND strengths--and even Nora has some weaknesses LOL.
Judges aren't great either. Often they are thinking about all the rules and not feeling the work... like everything it is great if you win contests but it doesn't mean you are guaranteed publication.
Really there is only one person you actually need to convince aside from yourself (and I don't always think the author is objective enough to really know). An editor who will buy your work. And Even if they say 'no' you just have to keep going... honest.
Sorry about the tooth - is there no way a family dentist would let you pay it off slowly?
My family knows if asked (and sometimes even if not) I'm going to tell them the truth. As long as it's constructive criticism. My daughter who is into art knows I will tell her the truth. She says she much prefers it to just being told everything is wonderful.
I would think that if someone asks that they want the truth (unfortunately that's not always true and some just want stroked).
I only write authors whose books I've really enjoyed :)
You should write as you're doing without worrying how it will be judged. You are your best critic, trust yourself.
Bailey,
I've got sinus trouble too. It's terrible. I get an infection about once a month. It WON'T go away!
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