tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post4049944256928901104..comments2024-03-19T04:31:58.308-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: cockeyed OptimistJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54480814028799819022010-08-21T17:19:57.521-04:002010-08-21T17:19:57.521-04:00I have a friend who always expects to find a parki...I have a friend who always expects to find a parking space, and she does! I have tried to emulate her optimism whenever possible (with mixed results). But yes, it definitely helps to be an optimist in this business...Meredith Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00694011653129019961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87369950654554044102010-08-21T10:39:50.102-04:002010-08-21T10:39:50.102-04:00The strange thing is that you get what you expect....The strange thing is that you get what you expect. I used to be a horrible pessimist in high school. I used to be a good tennis player but was my own worst enemy. I used to think "I've lost this game. I've blown it." And I did lose.<br />Later in life I used to tell myself, "It's just one game. My chances on winning the next are fifty-fifty and I often came back."<br />The irony, of course, is that as my optimism rose, my physical skills diminished. Not fair! I coulda been a contenter!<br /><br />Oh, and thank you, Melissa. I'm so glad you love the Georgie books!Rhys Bowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663634889908752121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43264514336695544292010-08-21T08:35:58.804-04:002010-08-21T08:35:58.804-04:00Interesting question, Rhys. Laughed out loud when ...Interesting question, Rhys. Laughed out loud when I saw Donna's comment - Indeed to that!<br /><br />I'm definitely a pessimist - because if you always expect the worse, you can never be disappointed...But my pessimism never keeps me from trying - just defends me well when I strike out.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29367778228451515302010-08-20T22:24:00.635-04:002010-08-20T22:24:00.635-04:00Optimist here, as well. Lynn and Hank, I have the ...Optimist here, as well. Lynn and Hank, I have the same paperweight/quote. Honestly? It's what got me to finish my manuscript. I kept looking at it and answering, "write a book, darn it!" And I finally did.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01033264133869966636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31096661542379882702010-08-20T21:51:16.348-04:002010-08-20T21:51:16.348-04:00Great subject! I would say I am an optimist hidden...Great subject! I would say I am an optimist hidden inside a pessimist. Sometimes the glass looks pretty darn empty, but I am confident it will be filled to the brim tomorrow. I also have the phrase "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" on a paperweight on my desk and refer to it daily.Lynnhttp://www.lynnsheene.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49319230842124613332010-08-20T17:05:29.856-04:002010-08-20T17:05:29.856-04:00Optimist! You can't control the events and cr...Optimist! You can't control the events and crises that overtake you, but you can control how you react to them.<br /><br />Rhys, I'm with you: why immerse yourself in a dark, twisted world filled with hateful and/or brooding characters doing sickening, depressing things?Laura DiSilverionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11198953056628438862010-08-20T14:08:54.303-04:002010-08-20T14:08:54.303-04:00I've tried twisted, tormented characters and I...I've tried twisted, tormented characters and I just make myself depressed. I guess I identify with my characters too much. I don't want to carry around all that baggage.Rhys Bowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663634889908752121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23058211977163923472010-08-20T11:51:27.906-04:002010-08-20T11:51:27.906-04:00I'm with Melissa--we have to be optimists to r...I'm with Melissa--we have to be optimists to remain in this business because truly, truly the odds are so long at every step! On the other hand, I'm pretty practical and believe that a lot of success has to do with how hard you work at something.<br /><br />Unlike Rhys, though, my characters have a gloomy side which comes from their complicated pasts and usually means they SHOULD find a shrink:). Can't help it, it's in my training...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91786317977595098392010-08-20T10:32:44.648-04:002010-08-20T10:32:44.648-04:00Rhys, I love the image of "delightful" b...Rhys, I love the image of "delightful" body parts. Tied up with ribbons, perhaps?<br /><br />I'm definitely an optimist. If I tried to write noir, I'd probably end up telling my protagonist to find a good therapist and/or medication for clinical depression.Sheila Connollyhttp://www.sheilaconnolly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38075109955448010522010-08-20T09:48:01.830-04:002010-08-20T09:48:01.830-04:00Hey, Donna, Hey Melissa! Wonderful to see you here...Hey, Donna, Hey Melissa! Wonderful to see you here!<br /><br />Melissa, you are too funny. ANd right on target. YOu;ve gotta believe.<br /><br />I mean, I think you can fear the worst, and understand it might happen, but looking on the bright side can never hurt. I've spent thirty yers as a reporter, LOOKING for bad stuff, right? Rhys, I think this is such a powerful subject...Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64628846430978516572010-08-20T08:53:10.870-04:002010-08-20T08:53:10.870-04:00Optimist? Guilty. If I was a pessimist, I would ...Optimist? Guilty. If I was a pessimist, I would never write. <br /><br />Rhys, I love the Georgie books. Looking forward to the new one.Melissa Robbinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54303392174845341352010-08-20T00:59:16.302-04:002010-08-20T00:59:16.302-04:00I guess, like Jan, I'm a bit of both and belie...I guess, like Jan, I'm a bit of both and believe most people are. It also depends who you are comparing yourself or that person to. Set against some I'm a regular ray of sunshine, against others I'm the harbinger of the black death. (Ok maybe not to those extremes but. . .)<br /><br />LOL "Satanism, canibalism and strewn body parts." I'm glad you went with what's really inside you. I also like noir. I just finished Farewell my Lovely - Raymond Chandler. Great writing.Donna Coe-Vellemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03531285547959108447noreply@blogger.com