tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post2081764847768436995..comments2023-08-27T04:22:55.468-07:00Comments on The Literary Lab: Whatchaaa! Easing Up Our ExpectationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-89887441408228834162010-08-15T18:59:20.833-07:002010-08-15T18:59:20.833-07:00I totally know what you mean. I ask very little o...I totally know what you mean. I ask very little of a movie except that it entertains me, so I'm usually much happier exiting a film than my brother, a film buff who asks a lot of films.<br />On my last draft of the Thief Book, I gave up trying to add a romantic flair that hadn't been working in previous drafts. It feels much more real now that I've stopped forcing it.<br />Good post.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-33324582304854587672010-08-13T05:58:33.987-07:002010-08-13T05:58:33.987-07:00Nevets: Niiiice.
Taryn: Such a great, great point...<b>Nevets:</b> Niiiice.<br /><br /><b>Taryn:</b> Such a great, great point about loving and hating your work at the same time! I think it's important to feel that, though, because it fosters good ground for growing. <br /><br /><b>words:</b> I haven't even heard of that! I'll have to go check it out. :)<br /><br /><b>Jolene:</b> Glad you enjoyed!<br /><br /><b>Misha:</b> Sounds like you've found a great process that works for you! I can over-self-edit, as well, but I am getting better at just letting myself write and trusting in my instincts more.<br /><br /><b>Tara:</b> I'm laughing so hard I can't even read your other comment!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />HAHAHA!<br /><br />Uncalled for, yes, but still very funny. Hehehe. Okay, onward...<br /><br />That's exactly what I was pointing out, yes. Don't read any more negative reviews, and if the point of your story is that your character is a whiny whimp, well, so what. If he/she grows and changes by the end, then it won't matter! Either way, don't beat yourself up. Please. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-71072749926933380142010-08-13T01:55:28.758-07:002010-08-13T01:55:28.758-07:00Sorry. That previous comment was really uncalled f...Sorry. That previous comment was really uncalled for. <br /><br />What I meant to say was that I am completely manic-depressive on this matter. Yesterday, I loved my book. Today, I read a negative review -- of a completely different book, which I have never read -- but it made me feel down on my book anyway. The reviewer said the mc was a whiny wimp. <br /><br />In the alternate universe that is my brain, the reviewer was somehow talking to me about <i>my</i> character and I had a panic attack. <i>No one is going to like my book because the main character is a whiny wimp.</i> <br /><br />I believe this is the kind of mental self-flagellation Michelle meant to point out was nonsense.<br /><br />Ohgods, but what if my character <i>is</i> a whiny wimp?!Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-11000096947720873952010-08-13T01:50:14.945-07:002010-08-13T01:50:14.945-07:00Boat. Boat, boat, boat. Boat. Boat. Boat. Boat, bo...Boat. Boat, boat, boat. Boat. Boat. Boat. Boat, boat, boat, boat.<br /><br />I HATE MY COMMENT.Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-42181109576636995202010-08-13T00:51:55.134-07:002010-08-13T00:51:55.134-07:00I kind of fall in the middle. I think that one sho...I kind of fall in the middle. I think that one should apply standards soon in the book to prevent time consuming rewrites later.<br /><br />I ended up self-editing so much that it killed my productivity. Finally I lost patience, stopped the book and started it again from scratch - using pen and paper.<br /><br />Now I have to stick with what I have written (strikthroughs aren't allowed) while the story flows along with or without me. Basically I'm writing everything that comes to mind, checking that I don't make plotholes. The quality just improved by itself.<br /><br />So basically I'm all about just letting go and enjoying the process, but I need to see at least potential of quality in my writing...Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-56710198318855322322010-08-12T21:16:14.988-07:002010-08-12T21:16:14.988-07:00Well said. Thanks.Well said. Thanks.Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04630744737142051232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-32347608023395131862010-08-12T18:19:44.033-07:002010-08-12T18:19:44.033-07:00You have to read Tomorrow When The War Began - one...You have to read Tomorrow When The War Began - one of the best YA series around!wordsareforwritinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11236493803322451842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-51777846590883687902010-08-12T16:32:40.865-07:002010-08-12T16:32:40.865-07:00I think I agree with you Michelle. I like to see t...I think I agree with you Michelle. I like to see things done to the best of their ability and when I see a book or a movie that could have been so much better it frusterates me but I also know people who can't enjoy anything because they always think they could have done something better and they won't let anyone around them just enjoy things. That is also frusterating. For my own work I try not to ask myself whether I love it or hate it. (because of course I love it and hate it equally which is so much better than appathy but gives me a headache to think about). Asking a writer whether they like their work is a bit like asking a teenage girl if she thinks she's pretty. There is't a right answer. I just do the best I can and let readers draw their own conclustions. Sometimes I'm surprised how easily they are pleased but I don't argue with them. Sometimes I think they just didn't get it. I don't argue with them then either. Neither response is going to make me change the work itslef.<br />I think I've gotten off topic. There must be a topic imp on this board today. . .Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11271149538259398956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-74956068330459213302010-08-12T16:24:48.387-07:002010-08-12T16:24:48.387-07:00There was a time I had a bit of a crush on T'P...There was a time I had a bit of a crush on T'Pring... <br /><br />http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/gallery/factfiles/tpring.jpg<br /><br />...before I was the author of dark, introspective, character-driven suspense fiction you know today, of course. Way before. Way way way before.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-62172677687899650442010-08-12T16:15:55.423-07:002010-08-12T16:15:55.423-07:00Carolyn: Yes, there are readers out there that do ...<b>Carolyn:</b> Yes, there are readers out there that do enjoy so many things, and it always makes me jealous! <br /><br /><b>Robin:</b> Great point about perceiving things. That's a good twist to this, for sure. I think many things like marketing can bias our perceptions, too, so it's good to be aware of all that and adjust accordingly.<br /><br /><b>Bru:</b> They are? But they have pointy ears!<br /><br /><b>dbalehane:</b> Haha, I'm in that category much too often, but that's a great, great point about loving your work too much. I think a good balance is to keep it real and understand that even if you dislike your writing at some point, you still realize that it can be better and that you will get it better.<br /><br /><b>Summer:</b> You're one of those I envy!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-30952255741621007082010-08-12T15:41:46.017-07:002010-08-12T15:41:46.017-07:00I'm pretty good and can read wide varieties, b...I'm pretty good and can read wide varieties, because well unless its really dry, I'm good or unless its really bad with misspellings and such then I usually walk away happy with what i read.Summer Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122694893668693244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-14264693754582118442010-08-12T14:39:33.876-07:002010-08-12T14:39:33.876-07:00I hate myself for saying it but I'm also a mem...I hate myself for saying it but I'm also a member of the I Hate My Story club...but then, I'm not sure I'd want to be a member of the I Love My Story group...they're generally the group that will fail in the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-47452361770077104782010-08-12T14:16:41.936-07:002010-08-12T14:16:41.936-07:00I for one have a very serious opinion to contribut...I for one have a very serious opinion to contribute here.<br /><br />Vulcans are overrated. <br /><br />(This will make absolutely no sense to anyone who didn't read all the comments but so be it...)<br /><br />~bruFebruary Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01078037856070486022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-22642011578135947452010-08-12T14:07:10.408-07:002010-08-12T14:07:10.408-07:00Great post and interesting comments. I don't ...Great post and interesting comments. I don't know if it is so much having high expectations versus how we perceive something. For the most part I read books and watch tv, expecting to be entertained. A way to escape from reality. If I'm not entertained, then yeah, I feel like it's been a waste of my time. <br /><br />I don't try to read into the story line, just take it as is. Whereas my husband looks for the meaning. We can watch the same show and while I find it entertaining, he'll see what he considers someone's agenda. Something political, etc. <br /><br />I don't ask myself - Is it the author's intent to entertain or is it to make a point? However, if there's a blatant, obvious bias to a story, I'll probably quit reading it. I don't mind politics or gender issues as long as it is part of the story. <br /><br />My reading has changed a bit since I started to write. Now when I don't like something, it isn't because of the writing, it's because I don't like the story line or find fault with the characters.Robin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07765229264945106765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-38141871365985031062010-08-12T13:52:59.651-07:002010-08-12T13:52:59.651-07:00I do need to sit and enjoy the things I read bette...I do need to sit and enjoy the things I read better and remember there are some things that are just fun. =)Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-10734037035843754652010-08-12T10:51:59.134-07:002010-08-12T10:51:59.134-07:00Jeannie: Yay! I'll package it up now. :)
Neve...<b>Jeannie:</b> Yay! I'll package it up now. :)<br /><br /><b>Nevets:</b> Good thing. I was about to kick you out of here! Ahem...Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-68166733426696085542010-08-12T10:50:02.503-07:002010-08-12T10:50:02.503-07:00Yeah, I don't want any green humor on the Mart...Yeah, I don't want any green humor on the Martha's Vineyard carpet. The yacht washes off cleanly, though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Okay, I'll stop contributing to the delinquency of the comments thread now. :)C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-53470717269895654442010-08-12T10:49:49.370-07:002010-08-12T10:49:49.370-07:00I will do no such thing.
Michelle, I've been ...I will do no such thing.<br /><br />Michelle, I've been out of town, but I'll check my e-mail now and get back to you! Cinders in my mailbox, yes!Jean Michelle Miernikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08971882597502010124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-81569202982584375142010-08-12T10:45:04.027-07:002010-08-12T10:45:04.027-07:00It doesn't sound like I should be passing my g...It doesn't sound like I should be passing my green humor around to anyone...<br /><br />Don't mind us. Feel free to step around our little conversation and leave a comment actually pertaining to the post...Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-58891500845468933122010-08-12T10:35:33.254-07:002010-08-12T10:35:33.254-07:00Green humor recycles well.
My clarity ate my dog....Green humor recycles well.<br /><br />My clarity ate my dog.scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-17052977240464397312010-08-12T10:32:04.292-07:002010-08-12T10:32:04.292-07:00Green humor is only bad if it's also viscous.Green humor is only bad if it's also viscous.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-11327143607190478922010-08-12T10:29:55.106-07:002010-08-12T10:29:55.106-07:00Scott: You're always clear as a bell...unless ...<b>Scott:</b> You're always clear as a bell...unless you're as clear as mud and then we all believe it's pure genius, which oftentimes it is, but sometimes not, but sometimes it's hard to tell and this just proves your point above about intentions...<br /><br />Was the unclear enough?<br /><br />You don't have a dog.<br /><br /><b>Jeannie:</b> YOU ARE AROUND! I sent you an email asking for your address if you want me to send you <i>Cinders</i> anytime soon...did you not get the email?<br /><br />Anyway, yes, I love how you put this. I think some people are ahead of the game and they show up later as new groups of people discover their genius. It's interesting how we base "something good" on how many people or which specific groups of people define how good it is. This is delving into the "what is art" question I won't go there today.<br /><br /><b>The Rest of You:</b> I will gladly pass my hilarity around. I didn't know I had any. 100% of the time I think I'm being stupid and I just desperately hope someone will laugh. This is why I don't write humor. I have hazel eyes. Or green. They seem to change, but my D.L. says I have green so we'll go with that. Green humor. ;)<br /><br />See, I'm not funny.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-76961749139251157042010-08-12T10:19:10.164-07:002010-08-12T10:19:10.164-07:00Michelle won't share her hilarity because of h...Michelle won't share her hilarity because of her secret elitism.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-92055613562108903932010-08-12T10:18:01.445-07:002010-08-12T10:18:01.445-07:00Davin has the most hilarity, though Michelle's...Davin has the most hilarity, though Michelle's hilarity brings out the color of her eyes. My hilarity often hides under the couch, where it collects shiny things and cigarette butts to build a nest. Davin got his hilarity off a boat. Michelle built her own hilarity. I often ask to borrow it, but though she's willing to share, she won't let me take it out of her sight.scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-12923487049946413682010-08-12T10:15:02.871-07:002010-08-12T10:15:02.871-07:00Jeannie, we're known for our hilarity over her...Jeannie, we're known for our hilarity over here.Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.com