Just stuff today...
Guilt and Fear.
I struggle with them all the time. Like say, guilt over not blogging enough :-) The more time that passes that I don't get a blog up, the more I think I should write a really good blog to make up for it. But then I can't think of a good blog and the cycle goes on.
Fear works the same way in my work. Writing is a career for self-starters. We have to be disciplined and focused to develop the stories and make deadlines. I actually like the structure very much and the upside is that I walk to work, choose my own hours and I love working with my editor, agent and various publishing professionals. The fans are awesome. So what breaks my focus?
Fear.
I'm dealing with that right now. In this case, it's fear of getting this all important scene in a project that I'm working on. I've probably written this scene ten times. I don't like it. I like the idea of the scene, but on paper, it's flat and the emotions of the characters aren't there. Then I start doubting myself, fear sets in and the cycle starts.
I've noticed this pattern with lots of writers. I don't have a sure what to break this cycle. I try to remove myself, go to the gym, and bake cookies— the cookies usually work. I don't know why baking chocolate chip cookies does it for me. BUT I AM NOT BAKING COOKIES THIS TIME! I am not given into my Inner Diabetes who has already been we fed over Easter. But today I am determined to break through the fear and get this scene down.
Shifting the topic a little bit, Allison Brennan over at Romancing the Blog talks about how she chooses to buy books these days. After reading her blog, I realized that my buying habits have changed significantly. When I go to a bookstore now, I already know what I want. I have authors or specific titles that I want because I'm doing market research, my agent has suggested I read it or I'm buying friends' books. It used to be that I'd go into a bookstore and browse until titles and first lines caught my eye.
I still buy books based on word of mouth. If I keep hearing from various places about a book, I'll run out and get it because I don't want to miss out.
How about you? How do you pick the books you buy?
posted by Jennifer at 8:56 AM
11 Comments:
J just discussed this on her blog and it made me realise that I've definately changed how I select a book. I've always had jobs where I can read at work...okay in the last 28 years that holds true. I use to devour everything. Now I've become jaded. I tend towards new writers whose work has either been recommended or whose blogs have really drawn me in.
Blogs and recommends do it for me these days.
And I have definately steared clear of big name writers (especially those who've fallen into Big Six formulated repetition.)
Jen, I was just there: “written this scene ten times...I like the idea of the scene, but on paper, it's flat and the emotions of the characters aren't there.”
I got past it the same way. Re-writing it a bunch of different ways until it came out right. Good luck. I hate to be a bad influence, but ice cream and reality TV at midnight always seems to help too. :)
And about how I buy my books?
I used to buy them by cover and back cover blurb.
Now that I'm in the industry, I’m usually researching an editor or imprint or buying to support an author I know and like or one I’m researching for an interview. I've found some wonderful new favorites that way...too many to mention here.
I still auto-buy old favorites, though, like Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd and Jude Devereaux.
:) d
Hey, Cele, who is J? I should know this, right? I just know I'm going to feel stupid when I find out who J is...
My list of authors I buy changes, but I like giving newer authors a chance. I've been delighted with some new authors I've discovered this year!
Dana, thank God it's not just me writing the same scene over and over! I feel like I should know how to craft a scene now, but my characters just laugh at me :-) Glad you conquered yours, I think I beat mine today, but we'll see tomorrow if I think it's any good.
I really enjoy your interviews (go to http://www.danadiamond.blogspot.com/ to see some of Dana's great interviews!)
J. Carson - Black. I'm sorry Jen in my own little mind I knew who I meant (DOESN'T EVERYONE?) :)
Everyone refers to her as Jake, but I dont' personally know her so I don't feel free with Jake. that really sounds weird.
Thanks for that about the interviews. It’ll be cool when we start putting full interviews up on A Slice of Orange. Aside from the more flexible deadline, which you know I love(!), it’ll be so nice to give more people access to them.
And I’m sure it turned out wonderful. If not, I can always make a Ben & Jerry’s house call. Just say the word.
:) d
Cele, that's funny you write that about J. I was just feeling the same way about you.
I see you here and there and I've been wanting to tell you how much I love your witch, but we haven't been formally e-introduced yet.
So...um...It's nice to meet you. I love your witch.
:) d
Cele, of course it's Jake! (J. Carson Black). Shoot, I should have gotten that. And you're right, everyone should know exactly what you mean! Here's Jake's blog for anyone that wants to hop over http://www.jcarsonblack.com/index.php
And Cele's friends and poetry page. http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/celebrindal/index.html
Dana, you are now on my speed dial for making Ben and Jerry's house calls! All I have to do is just think about how much fun that would be and it cheers me up, LOL!
Cele does have a cool witch, doesn't she?
I stole my witch a few years ago from some silly email thing. Visiting several blogs, I was envious of those with some sort of photo - strangely of landscape - and thought I can do that. I can send you my witch if you like it. I'm an equal opportunity share and steal type person. :)
Greetings Dana. And Jen thank you for the link, how extremely kind of you.
Cele, I'd love to steal your witch, except that now I identify her with you (in a good way!) so I will just have to go on with no icon to call my own.
You're very welcome for the link, but it was my pleasure. I enjoyed browsing through your site and your poetry.
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