tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post4625697044202011000..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: DELUSIONS OF ABILITYNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-32113965807785748442009-05-04T22:28:00.000+01:002009-05-04T22:28:00.000+01:00Leigh - re why we are desperate to be published:...Leigh - re why we are desperate to be published: because being a writer isn't about the words on the page but about communicating them and connecting with readers. If we write just for the act of writing, we might as well shout in the void, but a real writer writes to be heard, which means publication. I agree, there is a stage of writing and an element of it which is about expression but Nicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-40057511735147691552009-05-04T22:08:00.000+01:002009-05-04T22:08:00.000+01:00Thanks for the list, Nicola - a great start... How...Thanks for the list, Nicola - a great start... How do you know so much off the top of your head about a genre that isn't even yours? I'd better get rid of the kids and coursework marking and do some quality reading!Garethhttp://www.jasonwillow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-63544179286101610502009-05-04T17:07:00.000+01:002009-05-04T17:07:00.000+01:00Isn't Wiltshire in England? *headscritch*It...Isn't Wiltshire in England? *headscritch*<br><br>It's impossible not to be close to your own work, although I'm sure all intelligent writers suspect that what they've done could be written off as hopeless. It's impossible to be objective ENOUGH. I don't have my mother read my work; I've seen the rubbish she enjoys, bless her! Besides, she'll figure out I've hadFawn Neunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03430266551248332700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-2724535661684420972009-05-04T16:43:00.000+01:002009-05-04T16:43:00.000+01:00Great post, Nicola and so, so true. I've seen ...Great post, Nicola and so, so true. I've seen it too many times. It also shows that good writers such as yourself (see? I got that bit in early), even when suffering a holiday from Hell, can turn it to their advantage.<br><br>I think you should name and shame...Sally Zigmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520579251842006765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-9580065579050458342009-05-03T22:56:00.000+01:002009-05-03T22:56:00.000+01:00So what are you really trying to say about my writ...So what are you really trying to say about my writing?<br><br>But seriously, aren't the Deluded an expected part of the whole process. What would happen if every manuscript in the slushpile was a polished gem with a signicant-sized prospective audience?Melinda Szymanikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10202080805759494767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31335470383956517072009-05-03T22:13:00.000+01:002009-05-03T22:13:00.000+01:00I should add, you're welcome to visit my blog ...I should add, you're welcome to visit my blog about my rollercoaster journey from first picking up a pen two years ago to becoming a published author - it happened to me, it could happen to you! I'll be hosting a Virtual Book Launch in June and you're welcome to come over and join in.Leigh Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-5646446033609572802009-05-03T22:08:00.000+01:002009-05-03T22:08:00.000+01:00I don't understand why so many people are so d...I don't understand why so many people are so desperate to be published. It sounds wonderful to be so successful that you can give up your day job and write full time, but the reality isn't quite like that. As a full-time author, you spend so much time touring round promoting your work, that you don't have any more time for writing than before. It's fun being published, and the Leigh Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-25994664339522095372009-05-03T17:37:00.000+01:002009-05-03T17:37:00.000+01:00Nicola, I'm new to your blog too and love it b...Nicola, I'm new to your blog too and love it but it's a bit scary! I'll be worrying for the next few days just how bad I am at writing. All I know is, four months ago I couldn't run as fast as my nose and now I can run five kilometres and CHAT AT THE SAME TIME. Which is my way of agreeing with you: practise, practise and practise some more until you're half way decent at what Helen Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765832070235249081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-365009431537785502009-05-03T17:29:00.000+01:002009-05-03T17:29:00.000+01:00Gareth - ah, good question, but one I can't ...Gareth - ah, good question, but one I can't answer very well, as it's not my genre, or at least horror isn't. As for award-winners, unfortunately supernatural, horror and action are also not well represented on award lists. So, I suppose that rather than judging it with the word "good", let's be more objective and say "successful". Obviously Anthony HorowitzNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-46378148327562372622009-05-03T15:39:00.000+01:002009-05-03T15:39:00.000+01:00Gorgeous photos. A question - where can I find a l...Gorgeous photos. <br><br>A question - where can I find a list of "good" fiction in my genre (Y/A supernatural/horror/action etc) I've read perhaps 20 or so such novels and the quality varies to say the least but they're all properly published - even the "tell - don't - show then sumarise with a lot of adjectives/adverbs and emotions word" ones.<br><br>Should I be Garethhttp://www.jasonwillow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-69440856325772194582009-05-03T14:44:00.000+01:002009-05-03T14:44:00.000+01:00Michael - Gillian is all talk. She doesn't s...Michael - Gillian is all talk. She doesn't stand a chance! Thanks for the comments re the blog and thanks for dropping by. Even if you are only trying to distract me from the nanowrimo to give that Highlander a chance ...Nicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-55967478760100547252009-05-03T14:31:00.000+01:002009-05-03T14:31:00.000+01:00Great post, Nicola. I'm new to your blog and l...Great post, Nicola. I'm new to your blog and loving it. Keep up the good work. And Gillian is gonna whup your ass with the nanowrimo. Or so she tells me.Michael Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13316263425112020638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-26750861258653561222009-05-03T05:21:00.000+01:002009-05-03T05:21:00.000+01:00Glad you liked the link! As far as the beating we...Glad you liked the link! <br><br>As far as the beating went, it wasn't a matter of taste or preference, but of doing a poor job with the main character. The beating was well deserved.<br><br>But I just discovered a quote that absolutely fits what you just said. Our blog interviewed Lisa Greenwald. (Her book, My Life in Pink and Green, debuted in March.) She said the best advice she read was Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-28706842036435431052009-05-03T04:32:00.000+01:002009-05-03T04:32:00.000+01:00I completely agree.But of course, you wouldn't...I completely agree.<br>But of course, you wouldn't be talking about me, would you, hahahaha<br><br>Nice pics too.Ebony McKenna.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02724727996270658767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-60583990395290029482009-05-02T20:44:00.001+01:002009-05-02T20:44:00.001+01:00Jane and Sarah - great links - thanks.Annamay ...Jane and Sarah - great links - thanks.<br><br>Annamay - anals! (and now I've put "sic" in, just so it's clear!) And you make a good point about "good enough" being good enough, cos it is, given the right story and hook and market.<br><br>Sarah - good for you for taking that beating. (Mind you, remember that lots of people will not like a published book too)<br>Nicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-66486888346577863172009-05-02T20:44:00.002+01:002009-05-02T20:44:00.002+01:00But I'm sure if I could just get Simon Cowell ...But I'm sure if I could just get Simon Cowell to look at my novel, I'd be in with a chance! No?<br><br>Thanks for another great post. I know I have a very long way to go, but you do make it seem possible!HelenMHunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16182100572365505905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-22298722865823540322009-05-02T20:01:00.000+01:002009-05-02T20:01:00.000+01:00Fantastic. I love this Blog for the honesty and g...Fantastic. I love this Blog for the honesty and great advice. There is nothing better than honest criticism of your work. So often people raise points that completely change your outlook on a piece.pinkgeckohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17447024987664991814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-22413448925290203952009-05-02T17:58:00.000+01:002009-05-02T17:58:00.000+01:00Beautiful pics, and wonderful advice.Beautiful pics, and wonderful advice.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06842712720778708758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-84085584120575653682009-05-02T16:07:00.001+01:002009-05-02T16:07:00.001+01:00Hi Nicola, loving your blog. It took me a long tim...Hi Nicola, loving your blog. It took me a long time to stop thinking that I had to be really good to get published - and that notion was a major inhibitor for me. Now I believe that I'm good enough, that's all, and it works for me.<br>Anna May x<br>www.annamaymangan.co.uk<br><br>ps: did you mean 'anals' or 'annals' ? It works either way....Anna Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14116772124748496194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-87124442429133143622009-05-02T16:07:00.002+01:002009-05-02T16:07:00.002+01:00Great post! Though I'm horribly jealous. I'...Great post! Though I'm horribly jealous. I've wanted to visit the Highlands for a while, perhaps hike the West HIghland Way. (And bless you for explaining about Wiltshire! I would've had to look that up.)<br><br>My latest submission to my critique group (go Slushbusters!) took a beating last meeting. They pointed out some key weaknesses ,comparing them to several very well written Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-13611982427504199242009-05-02T15:21:00.000+01:002009-05-02T15:21:00.000+01:00At least the mountain was locally sourced!I have f...At least the mountain was locally sourced!<br><br>I have found a trend in writers who are unaware of their failings to extensively show their work to family, friends and new writer critique groups. Not surprisingly the responses are all favourable, so what the writer has always suspected is true - they are a genius. The random person who knows what they are talking about rocks that view and, of Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11972925629235261913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-65014367187025575452009-05-02T14:13:00.000+01:002009-05-02T14:13:00.000+01:00Nicola, I blogged about some research which discus...Nicola, I blogged about some research which discussed this last summer. Here's a link:<br><br>http://howpublishingreallyworks.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-have-to-be-good-to-know-that-youre.html<br><br>The research shows that in order to appreciate how bad you are at something you need to develop a bit of skill at it first: otherwise you don't realise just how wide you are of the mark.<br><Jane Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.com