tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post8259098480316474571..comments2024-03-27T12:41:31.596-06:00Comments on Book Dreaming: From an Almond to a PeachShannon O'Donnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-24856776351273269952010-04-14T10:44:25.310-06:002010-04-14T10:44:25.310-06:00Classes have been invaluable for me, not only for ...Classes have been invaluable for me, not only for the knowledge the teacher has to impart, but for meeting other writers. Invaluable.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-64798752462795741012010-04-09T20:12:48.853-06:002010-04-09T20:12:48.853-06:00I think this is great advice, and I think the quot...I think this is great advice, and I think the quote from Twain is both funny and apt. Your posts can be so succinct and informative at the same time. Love it.Heather Zundelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16621649337908358313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-54405353141577407762010-04-09T18:22:13.465-06:002010-04-09T18:22:13.465-06:00Conferences, blog writers, writer friends, a few b...Conferences, blog writers, writer friends, a few books on the craft, and real people and their stories. I love listening to people tell stories.<br /><br />Thanks, You're a peach!<br />M.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-4589788482262449912010-04-09T15:05:45.369-06:002010-04-09T15:05:45.369-06:00Other writers have been my best resource. Also, w...Other writers have been my best resource. Also, writing-related books (Bird by Bird, Writing down the bones, etc).<br /><br />Love that Twain quote, too!!*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-1156319561408889252010-04-09T07:28:11.378-06:002010-04-09T07:28:11.378-06:00Experts who give of their time to help me get the ...Experts who give of their time to help me get the words sounding "right"<br />So if a nurse reads my ER scene, she will say, "Aha. This woman knows nursing."Patti Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687666130404407814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-68411133816054403112010-04-09T04:41:56.699-06:002010-04-09T04:41:56.699-06:00Agent blogs have been very helpful. I paid for a t...Agent blogs have been very helpful. I paid for a two professional critiques, which were worth their weight in gold!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-41682317736358520402010-04-08T22:52:19.201-06:002010-04-08T22:52:19.201-06:00Thanks for the linkage, Shannon. You are too kind....Thanks for the linkage, Shannon. You are too kind. And look at all these people who love QT! I'm so humbled and I'm going to tell Pat how awesome he is.<br /><br />For me, the biggest thing that helps me in my writing is my critique partners. They tell me where I've fallen short and provide the encouragement to pick myself up and try again.<br /><br />They are awesomesauce.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-36748752341239696932010-04-08T20:11:23.182-06:002010-04-08T20:11:23.182-06:00My critic group is priceless. Plus, the internet i...My critic group is priceless. Plus, the internet is pretty awesome. Always love the pictures you use.Kathi Oram Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11959149321213743448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-44987134906456667332010-04-08T18:49:56.995-06:002010-04-08T18:49:56.995-06:00I found Agent Query Connect about a year ago. Amaz...I found Agent Query Connect about a year ago. Amazing group of writers who are very willing to help writers of all levels. Great place.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-11607089074406156292010-04-08T18:21:52.744-06:002010-04-08T18:21:52.744-06:00I think my writing buddies have been such a great ...I think my writing buddies have been such a great resource. Not just because they give me honest critiques, but because they're such an encouragement and push me to better myself. I wouldn't have a blog if it weren't for the encouragement of a close group of writing friends we lovingly call "The Wad."Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-87421678503025838742010-04-08T17:55:35.366-06:002010-04-08T17:55:35.366-06:00sorry Shannon didn't mean to be such a downer....sorry Shannon didn't mean to be such a downer. You're sweet to be concerned about me. I'm really alright - just frustrated that I didn't get the chance to write yesterday or today yet. I'm hoping for some time later, but I'm worried it's not going to happen. Guess I need to make it happen - thank you for the blue skies reminder.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-89288827246915403692010-04-08T17:26:43.905-06:002010-04-08T17:26:43.905-06:00Great post! And so true. I took a webinar today th...Great post! And so true. I took a webinar today that was awesome- I'm going to highlight the info in my blog tomorrow.<br />I've been to regional conferences, but I'm planning to attend the BIG one this summer- SCBWI in LA- for the first time and I'm so excited!<br /><br />New to your blog, love it, I'm a follower now!<br />Gail<br />www.writefromthesoulvisualeyes.blogspot.comGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00031330729309997361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-70834162606580439222010-04-08T16:56:57.653-06:002010-04-08T16:56:57.653-06:00It is hard to let people read our stuff, but it is...It is hard to let people read our stuff, but it is so worth it. I'm grateful to everyone who has read my work and found something they liked and also pointed out the things they didn't - I'm a better writer for it. Hard work is the key - and sometimes I'm afraid I don't have it in me.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-66404155606448243432010-04-08T15:43:42.543-06:002010-04-08T15:43:42.543-06:00I want to hone my craft, and need to spend more ti...I want to hone my craft, and need to spend more time studying. My most indulgent resource is reading tons of books in my genre and trying to figure out what worked and what didn't. But I know I need to study more from mentor voices, so thanks for the resources! I love that Twain quote!Faith Prayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711135740295281493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-54212046093979025062010-04-08T15:21:09.115-06:002010-04-08T15:21:09.115-06:00A great reminder!! READING tons of YA, my critique...A great reminder!! READING tons of YA, my critique group, making on-line writer buddies, writing conferences, networking on twitter and through blogs all HELP!!!Christina Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01799776834213400246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-87058785387103600812010-04-08T14:56:30.300-06:002010-04-08T14:56:30.300-06:00Aw thanks. I'm glad to know my writing posts h...Aw thanks. I'm glad to know my writing posts help. I think for me, one of the key things I did to grow as a writer was reach out to others for knowledge. We can only get so far on our own, and I really feel writing is a community thing, not a solitary thing.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-57530366928652668002010-04-08T14:38:55.862-06:002010-04-08T14:38:55.862-06:00Conferences and my crit group have made a world of...Conferences and my crit group have made a world of difference for me. I also try to read a lot (both fiction and non-fiction about the craft) to improve myself. There's nothing like getting a reader/crit partner to help you see something more clearly. Thanks, Shannon! A great post. Again, you're so inspirational.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-32513475796673396392010-04-08T14:25:56.645-06:002010-04-08T14:25:56.645-06:00Having attended retreats and conferences I'm a...Having attended retreats and conferences I'm a huge believer in them. They can change your writing and your life. As for tips, there is a list of books and websites helpful to writers on my blog. Let's see if I can remember some: THE FIRST FIVE PAGES by Noah Lukeman and WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL by Donald Maass are must have books for writers!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-76184059657511888282010-04-08T13:44:32.344-06:002010-04-08T13:44:32.344-06:00Great links! thanks for them.
My undergrad was a ...Great links! thanks for them.<br /><br />My undergrad was a double major in English and creative writing, so of course, learned a lot there. Grad school in English, so learned a little more.<br /><br />But most of my writing improvement has come from experience. There's something to be said for writing more and more and more. It's truly the best way to improve. But CPs and betas and the occasional bloggie tip helps immensely as well. Publishing, however, is a whole other matter altogether. I don't think you could read, listen, and learn too much about publishing. You can be a brilliant writer and never publish if you don't know what you're doing.<br /><br />Great post.Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-15011866542283743382010-04-08T13:36:24.796-06:002010-04-08T13:36:24.796-06:00Such a true post! We do need each other in order ...Such a true post! We do need each other in order to grow. It all depends on how we take criticism -- if we choose to just ignore the words of our betas and peers, or if we can admit that we might not be at our greatest potential yet, and take their advice to improve our craft. Thanks for this great reminder.Shelley Slyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981620646634240160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-24324754071463213312010-04-08T13:22:35.985-06:002010-04-08T13:22:35.985-06:00Oh, you guys have some great ideas!
Query Tracker...Oh, you guys have some great ideas!<br /><br />Query Tracker (I should have included that one)<br />Institute of Children's Lit.<br />CJ Redwine<br />Verla Kay<br /><br />keep it coming! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-90615568641407077292010-04-08T13:20:28.956-06:002010-04-08T13:20:28.956-06:00First, love the food images. Could I possibly be h...First, love the food images. Could I possibly be hungry? Didn't I just have lunch? :) I'm with Storyqueen. Sometimes, the very best teacher is a great author, through his/her words. A beautiful children's author friend of mine, Lenore Look, suggested to me that before I head into the revision process, I take time to go back and read one of my favorite books in that genre to get into the mode of great literature. There is nothing to better inspire me in my own writing than a book full of well-chosen thoughts.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-56105768981668619102010-04-08T12:21:49.236-06:002010-04-08T12:21:49.236-06:00Great post! I would say my CPs and blogs. There is...Great post! I would say my CPs and blogs. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. It also helps me to know that I'm not alone in some of my struggles.Kelly Lymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773120663217816189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-39948547675352981792010-04-08T11:52:12.638-06:002010-04-08T11:52:12.638-06:00I would have to say the blogosphere has been the s...I would have to say the blogosphere has been the single most important tool in my development. Post such as this one with links to incredibly useful information have been awesome.<br /><br />I too see a writers conference in my future. Picking the right one at the right time will be important.DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-44599832784393490582010-04-08T11:28:31.023-06:002010-04-08T11:28:31.023-06:00Querytracker, my beta readers, and my blog readers...Querytracker, my beta readers, and my blog readers have been my greatest resources. I don't know what I'd do without them!Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.com