tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post1296308255478540565..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: INVESTING IN YOUR WRITINGNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-7722117929337039722010-12-02T22:24:10.911+00:002010-12-02T22:24:10.911+00:00A really interesting discussion and lots of sound ...A really interesting discussion and lots of sound advice. For me, it's so reassuring to read other aspiring writers feel as wobbly (as Sarah put it) as I do.<br />I stumbled in here by chance, but will have to make it a regular port of call!Sam Penningtonhttp://www.talesofveryordinarymadness.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-27774854218162574742010-12-02T19:01:37.453+00:002010-12-02T19:01:37.453+00:00Interesting post by Emma Darwin about Nicola's...Interesting post by Emma Darwin about Nicola's post http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/2010/11/are-you-a-course-junkie.htmlTasmanian Devilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-32852921434193097352010-12-01T03:38:01.810+00:002010-12-01T03:38:01.810+00:00thank you for the suggestions...I happened upon yo...thank you for the suggestions...I happened upon your site and look forward to learning vital information!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12795817810030681267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-30448349149293346492010-12-01T01:15:40.251+00:002010-12-01T01:15:40.251+00:00I looked at your pictures of Carlton Hill, Nicola,...I looked at your pictures of Carlton Hill, Nicola, posted on 18th April this year. News channels in Australia are showing photos of it covered in a thick layer of snow. Our summer is underway and it's so cold, it feels like it should be snowing too. Anyway, back to the 16th of March, which had the post I was looking for. Conflicting advice. There's a lot of it about isn't there? The Tasmanian Devilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-28799058084375961102010-11-29T21:54:30.101+00:002010-11-29T21:54:30.101+00:00Great post, Nicola.
It is possible to become a co...Great post, Nicola.<br /><br />It is possible to become a course junkie, a how-to-book junkie, even an editorial report junkie. I think this: <br /><br />"I would spend far more time practising what I'd been taught than I'd spent on receiving the teaching."<br /><br />is crucial. A course or whatever is a jump-start for your confidence or your technical skill or both, a bit of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-78152510920171940122010-11-29T17:52:59.670+00:002010-11-29T17:52:59.670+00:00I feel like seminars and course may be very helpfu...I feel like seminars and course may be very helpful, but I've never had the money or time (meaning I can't take several days to go somewhere) to invest that way. but it seems to me the very best thing I've found to improve my writing is to hone friendships with other writers--to exchange works and offer each other feedback. They help you, you help them... in the end, I learn as much Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-14566725588663711052010-11-29T15:14:06.785+00:002010-11-29T15:14:06.785+00:00As I read this blog I continually thought to mysel...As I read this blog I continually thought to myself, this is me!!<br />I too attended a couple of conferences and have purchased many "how to" books, but still question myself and my ability. <br />This must be a common insecurity amongst aspiring writers as Crabbit commented.<br />Thank you for making me feel like I am not alone!!<br />Kindest regardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-34515521029834736802010-11-29T11:45:22.450+00:002010-11-29T11:45:22.450+00:00Great question, Sarah, and an equally great answer...Great question, Sarah, and an equally great answer from Nicola.<br /><br />I don't get many opportunities to attend writing events and so have to choose very carefully. York last year was great in many ways and I enjoyed myself but also very tiring and a bit scary. Someone remarked that you could 'smell the desperation' in the air! Looking back on it, I am very happy to go again this Sally Zigmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520579251842006765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-36361861140770322742010-11-29T11:13:33.380+00:002010-11-29T11:13:33.380+00:00An agent recently told me that she is impressed wh...An agent recently told me that she is impressed when writers mention the courses, workshops, and events they have attended. This sort of investment demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and learning.<br /><br />That said, I always do my research on the event, the person, and the topic before committing any cash. And like Julie, I keep all records for my self-employment tax. There's a Kristin Pedrojahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12908889616491914001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-59329067951181294302010-11-29T10:33:31.147+00:002010-11-29T10:33:31.147+00:00this is such a helpful way of looking at it. It&#...this is such a helpful way of looking at it. It's obviously impossible to be prescriptive, as writers' needs change over time - one's year's confidence can be the next year's wobbles.<br />And I would like to underline your comment about practising - I know it can feel as if churning out exercises can be non-productive, when we really want to be getting on with something thatJOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03127111575563904349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-55172838451904374112010-11-29T10:10:37.949+00:002010-11-29T10:10:37.949+00:00I went to the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime W...I went to the Theakston's Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival this year and it was so, so worth it. Not only did I have loads of fun, I also got some work out of it (interviewing writers for a magazine I do some bits and pieces for) and made contacts who I have no doubt will be very valuable to me in the future (like the retired detective who said I should call him any time I needed to Rinhttp://www.nowiamthirty.journoblog.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-86478551576230653042010-11-29T09:19:08.891+00:002010-11-29T09:19:08.891+00:00A really good answer, Nicola, to a question that e...A really good answer, Nicola, to a question that everyone who, like me, is trying to get published must have asked themselves at some point.<br /><br />I look upon all of the conferences and workshops that I've attended as invaluable stepping stones along my path towards becoming a published author, in terms of both the things I've learnt and the contacts I've made.<br /><br />Once Liz Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01322513174593505885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-9123788472075208612010-11-29T08:54:24.654+00:002010-11-29T08:54:24.654+00:00That is a hugely difficult question of course - an...That is a hugely difficult question of course - and a great answer.<br />I have sometimes been able to go to what we call "Writers' Week" at the Adelaide Festival of Arts - a bit like the Edinburgh Festival event. That is also a way of learning a lot - although not specifically about your own writing. If I get the chance to go I choose the sessions carefully and try to learn from catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-42403824812230045912010-11-29T08:35:01.421+00:002010-11-29T08:35:01.421+00:00That's a great answer, Nicola. One thing to a...That's a great answer, Nicola. One thing to add: keep all your receipts, and investigate how to file a tax return as a self-employed writer. You can claim these expenses off the income from your PAYE or other self-employed job, as long as you can prove that you are writing with the goal of publication and payment. And it can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run, if you treat Julie Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15548233186449498920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-27716919567107464952010-11-29T08:23:51.330+00:002010-11-29T08:23:51.330+00:00Each workshop and conference has brought me someth...Each workshop and conference has brought me something different and all equally valuable. I think each has probably moved me along different hurdles a little sooner than I might have jumped them on my own. But the most important thing I have gained is connection with other writers (more advanced and still struggling) and in the long run I think that is probably the most important because the Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744937536946299450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-20092296336869063762010-11-29T08:12:07.916+00:002010-11-29T08:12:07.916+00:00Thank you for clarifying this extensively.
This ye...Thank you for clarifying this extensively.<br />This year I've been to a writing conference and a course as well as reading dozens of blogs on writing, and the first two entailed a lot of money (by my standards, even if reasonable prices) but I came away with invaluable personal advice aimed specifically at my writing, so the investment was well worth it. <br /><br />As a novice writer, I Sarah Callejohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00170538674915115980noreply@blogger.com