tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post6728107869593970793..comments2024-03-08T07:00:30.850-06:00Comments on Write From the Heart: Inadequacies of a WriterLinda O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-17532126246485825372010-09-27T20:23:23.480-05:002010-09-27T20:23:23.480-05:00I remember hearing once that the most important oc...I remember hearing once that the most important occupations in life get the least recognition...and I'm sure that's true of early childhood education. And about the writing, I'm with Lynn--when I have mentioned to people that I also write (I usually tag it on like that), I'm shocked at how often they say only, "Really?" Ouch.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141883867104777688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-68602836114011065712010-09-27T06:18:12.327-05:002010-09-27T06:18:12.327-05:00Lisa,
That pretty much sums it up. I usually say, ...Lisa,<br />That pretty much sums it up. I usually say, "I'm a multi-genre writer."<br />I read a Stephen King comment that Chicken Soup writers aren't really writers. Horrors! It set me off. Thanks for grounding me.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-17765104809604244482010-09-26T22:36:39.213-05:002010-09-26T22:36:39.213-05:00Hi Linda - I nodded through your post. Validation ...Hi Linda - I nodded through your post. Validation is hard to come by sometimes, even inside our own minds. When asked what I do I list it all: Writer, account manager, transcriptionist. The usual question then is, "What do you write?" To which I reply, "Absolutely everything." <br /><br />I love the new photo of you! What a great shot.Lisa Ricard Clarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05048410207952052295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-87196907871588148212010-09-26T20:10:23.682-05:002010-09-26T20:10:23.682-05:00Terri,
Great advice. It helps. Sometimes I guess I...Terri,<br />Great advice. It helps. Sometimes I guess I hit a wall, and then I ask myself, Who do you think you are? Certainly not a writer!Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-84147061392008816372010-09-26T18:39:52.718-05:002010-09-26T18:39:52.718-05:00I struggled with calling myself a write even with ...I struggled with calling myself a write even with publishing credits--now I tell people--even when they ask what books do I have out! I chalk it up to not understanding that it is a long journey to a book deal but I am working at it all the less:)Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-49898708930590877022010-09-26T15:14:03.723-05:002010-09-26T15:14:03.723-05:00Lynn,
You cracked me up. I don't know which is...Lynn,<br />You cracked me up. I don't know which is worse, saying, "Nothing" or "Writer". Thanks about the pciture. I was squinting, but these flowers are in a field across the street, and I love THEM, not the way I look. haLinda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-65552083732002404702010-09-26T08:43:50.643-05:002010-09-26T08:43:50.643-05:00Oh, and I love your new picture of you.Oh, and I love your new picture of you.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05296300032567383021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-76257311268206851692010-09-26T08:43:22.064-05:002010-09-26T08:43:22.064-05:00I vowed after an evening out at a hoity-toity fund...I vowed after an evening out at a hoity-toity fundraiser and was asked, so what do you do? And out of my mouth came, "Nothing" that I'd be better prepared. I'm getting better at saying, "I'm a writer." Although when someone comes back and says, "Really?" I wonder...Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05296300032567383021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-17075880963584998162010-09-24T06:20:27.920-05:002010-09-24T06:20:27.920-05:00Becky,
Yep, you understand! I read a comment by St...Becky,<br />Yep, you understand! I read a comment by Stephen King. He said that CS writers are not real writers, and it bugged me.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-56304262015006391072010-09-24T06:08:40.409-05:002010-09-24T06:08:40.409-05:00Gerry,
Thank you. Coming from the BEST writer I kn...Gerry,<br />Thank you. Coming from the BEST writer I know, your comments mean a lot. I'm stuck on the end of a short story and keep telling myself I'm not a writer. Don't know if it's, I can't write fiction well. Or Well, I can't write fiction.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-49575749340288436272010-09-24T06:01:36.240-05:002010-09-24T06:01:36.240-05:00Susan,
Your joy for life is contagious. You are an...Susan,<br />Your joy for life is contagious. You are an inspiration.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-86260139927240902612010-09-24T01:08:24.051-05:002010-09-24T01:08:24.051-05:00Well said, Linda. I like it when other people refe...Well said, Linda. I like it when other people refer to me as a writer. It feels like a badge of honor. However I usually back off from saying, "I'm a writer." Because the next question is usually, "What have you written?" And that's where it gets sticky. I think most writers, myself included, are always looking for validation. Something that confirms we are not wasting our time by pounding out these stories and articles and scripts. Writing for me is both a curse and a blessing. I love to write, I have to write, I'd love to get published a lot more, I'd love to have a best seller. I saw Jonathan Franzen Monday night at Christ Church Cathedral. An amazing writer; I'm halfway through "Freedom" and loving it. When I stepped up to have him sign my book, I said, "I guess the pressure is really on for your next book." He said, with no much of a smile, "The pressure was on for THIS book." Your accomplishments in being published, Linda, are the icing on the cake. You're a terrific writer. That's evidence enough. I had an instructor in short story writing at U. of Iowa who said being published has nothing to do with how good a writer you are. There are many days (and nights) when I firmly believe him.Gerry Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516124652849272879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-64251040787231197302010-09-24T00:08:32.900-05:002010-09-24T00:08:32.900-05:00Oh yeah, Linda, I know exactly what you mean! If w...Oh yeah, Linda, I know exactly what you mean! If we say that we are "writers", people expect to have heard of us before! What books have we written? Ooohh, we must be rich, right?! HA! When my first Chicken Soup for the Soul story was published, I found myself kind of putting myself down about it! "oh, it's JUST one story", etc. I've gotten much more confidence since then, but yes, even the Greatly Paid Writers feel insecure at times...!BECKYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15184458949017900541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-6047504207524914032010-09-23T21:54:40.896-05:002010-09-23T21:54:40.896-05:00Hello Linda. Yes, I am a writer because I write. I...Hello Linda. Yes, I am a writer because I write. If something I write gets published, great. I'm thrilled. But even not getting published, writing is pure joy to me. I just simply unable to refrain from writing. Life, itself, propels me on. There are so many wonderful things to write about. I just wish there were more hours in the day, or, that I didn't have to sleep! SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12358462881287190635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-68471594263497523982010-09-23T20:23:15.948-05:002010-09-23T20:23:15.948-05:00Pat,
I've read your work. I have confidence th...Pat,<br />I've read your work. I have confidence that you will write a best seller.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145825647751945760.post-73767076601641240892010-09-23T19:08:03.440-05:002010-09-23T19:08:03.440-05:00Because I'm only lightly published, writing se...Because I'm only lightly published, writing seems more a hobby to me than an occupation. I'd like to change that some day, if I'm able.<br /><br />Pat<br />www.critteralley.blogspot.comPat Wahlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01138619912065680084noreply@blogger.com