tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post7027282271190360084..comments2024-03-27T12:41:31.596-06:00Comments on Book Dreaming: A Punch in the GutShannon O'Donnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-39879205135281044282010-05-22T13:36:12.942-06:002010-05-22T13:36:12.942-06:00BTW, Shannon. Thanks for bringing this book to my ...BTW, Shannon. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I'm reading it now and it's already making me question some stuff. ;D Also, thank you for dropping in, commenting, and being personable, Les. I've done enough reviews and interviews by now to know how rare it is to have the author pop in!Victoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-83455208297769849562010-05-12T11:55:36.088-06:002010-05-12T11:55:36.088-06:00That's so true. The books that resonate with m...That's so true. The books that resonate with me more are always in first person or their third person view is so focused, I can't help but become entranced.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915603693944523761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-49883272648967187002010-05-12T08:19:28.422-06:002010-05-12T08:19:28.422-06:00Patti, your character needs to be likeable.
Wow. ...Patti, your character needs to be likeable.<br /><br />Wow. I hadn't realized that. Truly.<br />B/c I read for good writing.<br />But most readers want good plot...and LIKEABLE characters.<br /><br />LOVE LOVE this blog.Patti Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687666130404407814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-89865418243626367542010-05-11T12:29:50.073-06:002010-05-11T12:29:50.073-06:00The best is when I think of something for my own f...The best is when I think of something for my own fiction that punches me in the gut. I have to sit there for a moment, and thinking, 'Man, that SUCKS for my characters. AWESOME!'<br /><br />I can't think of any writing advice offhand that punched me in the gut, but your example certainly is powerful. Nicely done, good lady.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-61935988976255721732010-05-11T09:58:47.975-06:002010-05-11T09:58:47.975-06:00Shannon, this is such a great reminder. You are so...Shannon, this is such a great reminder. You are so resourceful! Thanks for the punch back. I needed that. It is really true, though. I tend to complicate things and need constant reminders to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly)Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-52367965859246512952010-05-11T09:56:46.154-06:002010-05-11T09:56:46.154-06:00This is an excellent reminder that while our stori...This is an excellent reminder that while our stories may have deeper, underlying themes, in the end, they're about people and the affect those issues have on them.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-20967662716676743242010-05-11T09:21:46.041-06:002010-05-11T09:21:46.041-06:00I haven't been punched in the gut with a great...I haven't been punched in the gut with a great piece of writing lately. Looks like I need to go out and get this book!Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-17769649490934318562010-05-11T07:50:50.292-06:002010-05-11T07:50:50.292-06:00Once again I owe you a debt, Shannon. Thank you so...Once again I owe you a debt, Shannon. Thank you so much for the shout-out of Hooked--I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I'm just glad it's been of some help in your own writing. And I see a bunch of my friends on here (they have good taste!). Thanks for the nice words, Susan, Solvang, Theresa and Helen. You guys rock!<br /><br />Shannon, I always turn to your blog first thing in the morning. It's always great.<br /><br />Blue skies,<br />LesLes Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-67282030955308958872010-05-11T07:28:19.450-06:002010-05-11T07:28:19.450-06:00I really like this point, Shannon. I think it'...I really like this point, Shannon. I think it's just like when we add details to our story--it helps us to focus on what's truly important rather than trying to describe it all. The same thing is true of our story messages.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-35616123319164736142010-05-11T06:39:45.789-06:002010-05-11T06:39:45.789-06:00Amazing what one little woman, one little book and...Amazing what one little woman, one little book and one Big God can do to change a huge nation. <br /><br />What punched me in the gut? Less is more; find the one perfect word to replace five mediocre ones. <br /><br />You are a blessing, Shannon. You make a positive difference in your world!Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-72245660807979609302010-05-11T05:40:43.326-06:002010-05-11T05:40:43.326-06:00Ooh! I liked this. Makes tons of sense. I've b...Ooh! I liked this. Makes tons of sense. I've been trying to get a hold of this book and just can't ever catch a break:)Tina Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05914428134837892539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-2868832336313772532010-05-11T04:29:44.035-06:002010-05-11T04:29:44.035-06:00Oh gosh - so many things about writing sucker punc...Oh gosh - so many things about writing sucker punch me, but can I remember anything right now apart from the old adage 'write about what you know?' Of course not! But thanks for this, so true.Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11309191526500602452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-43321075799062433732010-05-10T22:42:42.892-06:002010-05-10T22:42:42.892-06:00Great advice! Big things come in small packages!Great advice! Big things come in small packages!Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-29132988211845484302010-05-10T22:20:31.980-06:002010-05-10T22:20:31.980-06:00love this - so true - you can give loads of inform...love this - so true - you can give loads of information or you can pull it in and give the full story of one - powerfulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-15815582255273376552010-05-10T21:13:37.014-06:002010-05-10T21:13:37.014-06:00Excellent advice! Thank you!Excellent advice! Thank you!ali crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13023009704454279645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-41582624618349515732010-05-10T21:11:59.148-06:002010-05-10T21:11:59.148-06:00Wow Shannon! That sounds like a great book! I thin...Wow Shannon! That sounds like a great book! I think it's true. Narrowing the story's problem can limit the focus (and move the story onward). Thanks so much!!!Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-5511622928516726842010-05-10T21:11:07.113-06:002010-05-10T21:11:07.113-06:00That is a great post. And I love Uncle Tom's ...That is a great post. And I love Uncle Tom's Cabin. In fact, I think I might have my students read part of it next year. I love teaching the Civil War!Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-19811292390723307152010-05-10T20:34:27.531-06:002010-05-10T20:34:27.531-06:00Just go ahead and write--don't wait!Just go ahead and write--don't wait!Bossy Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-22028386854243817702010-05-10T20:18:14.599-06:002010-05-10T20:18:14.599-06:00Oh, this is so true. I always believe that writers...Oh, this is so true. I always believe that writers who focus on topics actually lose readers in the topic. It is people we attach ourselves too, not topics. Love this post. Well said :)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-42951434391844430522010-05-10T19:46:32.290-06:002010-05-10T19:46:32.290-06:00Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of w...Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working. – Stephen DeStaebler<br /><br />AND<br /><br />Vision is always ahead of execution. – Art and FearMollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09737883086499020291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-31679200847202953512010-05-10T19:07:51.005-06:002010-05-10T19:07:51.005-06:00When you are happy in your life the writing comes!...When you are happy in your life the writing comes! <br /><br />Great post and that sounds like an awesome book!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-60229687902163373712010-05-10T19:07:00.839-06:002010-05-10T19:07:00.839-06:00Hm...I am not sure. I have had several 'aha&#...Hm...I am not sure. I have had several 'aha' moments listening to John Green and Maureen Johnson and others, but no gut punches yet. I'll keep an eye out though, my abs are not as toned as they once were.Jonathon Arntsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17366218140886892757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-19383906032430297532010-05-10T18:44:51.998-06:002010-05-10T18:44:51.998-06:00"Good and worthy story problems derive from t..."Good and worthy story problems derive from the small and the particular and the individual."<br /><br />This speaks to me! Because it's those little things in life I draw from, and try to capture.<br /><br />Thanks, Shannon!Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-30443913446484332442010-05-10T18:42:50.936-06:002010-05-10T18:42:50.936-06:00I think what you stated in your post really resona...I think what you stated in your post really resonates with me - especially as this makes sense to incorporate/focus on in my own work. So thank you - this post hit home for me today :)Jaydee Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01069805915071090479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945626570622121439.post-72715692953494997262010-05-10T17:16:56.149-06:002010-05-10T17:16:56.149-06:00That is exactly dead-on accurate. I've learne...That is exactly dead-on accurate. I've learned through writing for a local women's magazine that the topics that seem the most common and ordinary attract the most readers/responses. We see ourselves in the situation. It's real, touchable, us. I cried during my reading of Uncle Tom's Cabin, too. That's the power of a great storyteller.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.com