tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post885482470121928862..comments2024-03-28T23:05:51.705-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: ON THE MONEYJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91785819171970476312008-06-22T21:12:00.000-04:002008-06-22T21:12:00.000-04:00Karen, I can't confirm the bunny thing, but if you...Karen, I can't confirm the bunny thing, but if you ever need to borrow a pair of large ears...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87614324383141019572008-06-21T14:49:00.000-04:002008-06-21T14:49:00.000-04:00It's so great to see Patty over here! And while I...It's so great to see Patty over here! And while I've spent some good quality time with her, I'm not sure whether the bunny story is true or not.<BR/><BR/>As for writers groups, I was in Roberta's group for years but it's really hard when your kid starts needing to get chauffeured all over creation for violin lessons, choir rehearsals and whatnot. I had to make a choice, and unfortunately the group had to take a backseat. I still miss it, the comraderie of it, but I still see my writer buddies occasionally and a couple still read my WIPs.Karen Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05867709664100997228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58581055348714382752008-06-21T09:37:00.000-04:002008-06-21T09:37:00.000-04:00Mike, I agree that Hank's joy is contagious. She's...Mike, I agree that Hank's joy is contagious. She's truly amazing. And I don't think there's a right answer for critique groups. I loved being in a community of writers. It was like channeling Dorothy Parker. I miss that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58823164150506168322008-06-21T08:31:00.000-04:002008-06-21T08:31:00.000-04:00Hank - thanks for admitting to also being a writin...Hank - thanks for admitting to also being a writing loner. I wasn't sure there were many more out there. I've always had the vague feeling that I'm lacking in this department somehow. I should WANT to join a critique group, right? But in fact I really don't want anyone to see my writing until I'm completely done with it.<BR/><BR/>Maybe we should form a support group for people who shy away from support groups.G.M. Malliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13805971625496094303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49976602565194669362008-06-20T23:46:00.000-04:002008-06-20T23:46:00.000-04:00Hank - For you, I can understand that totally! I h...Hank - <BR/><BR/>For you, I can understand that totally! I have never met anyone who enjoys all that they do so thoroughly. And, I have learned much from the gratitude you show for everything. I know I've said that privately.. but given your response... I'm just as happy to say it here.Mike Vecchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016079615702702269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18612772150645176962008-06-20T22:12:00.000-04:002008-06-20T22:12:00.000-04:00Patty--My answer? Both both both.Patty--<BR/>My answer? Both both both.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-92198697378014123662008-06-20T19:59:00.000-04:002008-06-20T19:59:00.000-04:00Very astute and insightful response, Mike. My writ...Very astute and insightful response, Mike. My writing routine is always to sit on my writing overnight. It's amazing how much more I see in the work the following morning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55528737121132616612008-06-20T19:34:00.000-04:002008-06-20T19:34:00.000-04:00Patty -You definitely strike me as someone who has...Patty -<BR/><BR/>You definitely strike me as someone who has the penetrating insight to ask that question!<BR/><BR/>That truly is an amazing question that fleshes out being.<BR/><BR/>It forced me to probe my motivations deeply.<BR/><BR/>Best Answer: Neither<BR/><BR/>I enjoy creating a context for people to see themselves in. Then make choices that move them in their journey in much the same way that your question forced me to come to terms with my journey. If writing is the medium, then that works for me. For me life is all about context. I like writing and story because I can create parables that address context for people and yet be entertaining. The question I "struggle with" is whether I have hit the heart of the situation - created the context that can forward a person in their life and whether that context is broad enough to be useful to the many.<BR/><BR/>I see many successful people, like everyone on this blog for instance, and then ask - how do they see their life from the inside. Of course life itself is a tenuous medium and very personal, but it is useful to put yourself in another's shoes. What I have discovered so far - we're all very similar.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Patty, what a great question. I will sit with it additionally, just in case I don't agree with myself in the morning :-)!!!<BR/><BR/>MikeMike Vecchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016079615702702269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40955229897182853442008-06-20T18:28:00.000-04:002008-06-20T18:28:00.000-04:00Hey, Mike. Great meeting you. I think it was Hemin...Hey, Mike. Great meeting you. I think it was Hemingway who asked this question: "Do you enjoy writing or do you enjoy having written?"<BR/><BR/>Think about it...<BR/><BR/>Then give us your answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50916601113627487392008-06-20T17:52:00.000-04:002008-06-20T17:52:00.000-04:00Patty does that mean we can't call you Art Carney ...Patty does that mean we can't call you Art Carney either:-)!??? <BR/><BR/>Mike cast his head down, a look of disappointment slowly spreading, as he absorbed Patty's answer. <BR/><BR/>"So... no bunny this year, huh?" There was a tragic tightness to his voice.<BR/><BR/>Hi Patty - loved the post! Of course one part was shocking:<BR/><BR/>'A very successful author once told me this about writing books, “It’s your job; stop waiting for it to be fun.”'<BR/><BR/>What happened to "Do what you love and the money will follow?" (Marsha Sinetar)<BR/><BR/>Of course, Marsha didn't say it would be fun - just that you loved to do it!<BR/><BR/>Hmm... What's a writer to do?<BR/><BR/>I have to say, I don't enjoy writing for writing sake, but I do enjoy creating story structure that supports the message I want to convey.<BR/><BR/>Chocolate: I was amazed about the ins and outs of Chocolate. I was once at a sweet shop in Avalon on Catalina Island and was talking to the owner about how I liked Godiva chocolate, when suddenly the conversation halted. He looked sternly at me... and said, "Well... that's a little too waxy for my taste. I usually keep my melt point below 84 degrees F."<BR/><BR/>At that point I realized there was whole lot more to know about chocolate than just richness and taste. It's amazing how much information was conveyed in that one sentence. That taught me a lot about characterization. Ever since that time less is more for me in prose. <BR/><BR/>And, by the way, no pun intended, but you do have a great smile and your authenticity is very obvious.<BR/><BR/>Great post JRW and very insightful and helpful answers, Patty.<BR/><BR/>MikeMike Vecchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016079615702702269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20326085162651393182008-06-20T15:39:00.000-04:002008-06-20T15:39:00.000-04:00Don't start calling me Harvey just yet.Don't start calling me Harvey just yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10160962549189945502008-06-20T15:31:00.000-04:002008-06-20T15:31:00.000-04:00Well, no, I just WANT it to be true...Well, no, I just WANT it to be true...Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55745518147260347212008-06-20T15:29:00.000-04:002008-06-20T15:29:00.000-04:00Lurking is good. Joining the conversation is even ...Lurking is good. Joining the conversation is even better. Welcome, Ryan.<BR/><BR/>Are you sure that bunny business is the truth? Hmmmm?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1097962639760651292008-06-20T15:10:00.000-04:002008-06-20T15:10:00.000-04:00Lurking's good, Ryan!Terrific. ANd you can't have ...Lurking's good, Ryan!Terrific. ANd you can't have too many Ryans, I always say.<BR/><BR/>And hey, Lois! We want to hear about the Witches of Mayfair series. (I just saw that Lifetime TV.com calls you a star, and uses the words exceptional and spell-binding.)<BR/><BR/>And Patty, we're waaait-ing to hear about the bunny suit.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28795885702588254372008-06-20T14:50:00.000-04:002008-06-20T14:50:00.000-04:00Another great post...Glad Neil told me about this ...Another great post...Glad Neil told me about this blog yesterday. I'm going to lurk!!ryan fieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361694356025572544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69239419795651729142008-06-20T11:57:00.000-04:002008-06-20T11:57:00.000-04:00Lois!!!! Thanks for stopping by. I agree about get...Lois!!!! Thanks for stopping by. I agree about getting the right mix for the group. You can't have folks with hidden agendas.<BR/><BR/>How's your horse?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86102508744086551592008-06-20T11:31:00.000-04:002008-06-20T11:31:00.000-04:00Hi all, it's so good to talk to you. Have hardly h...Hi all, it's so good to talk to you. Have hardly had any time since RT and Malice. I'm missing you all.<BR/><BR/>I agree with all said...Patty is terrific fun.<BR/><BR/>And critigue groups?? I was a member of one for many years and it was very helpful, but you really have to get the right mix of people and I think that may fall in the luck category.lois greimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758677401591191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72494809146797073742008-06-20T11:13:00.000-04:002008-06-20T11:13:00.000-04:00Critique groups are not for everybody. The one imp...Critique groups are not for everybody. The one important thing I learned in the group was to accept criticism gracefully. Believe me, it was painful. Now I welcome criticism because if my early readers don't catch the errors, someone will. I love the editing process. It's creating that first draft that's difficult.<BR/><BR/>P.S. sending my latest manuscript your way :o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10669195965655441402008-06-20T10:38:00.000-04:002008-06-20T10:38:00.000-04:00Ah...ve haf our vays...This writing group discussi...Ah...ve haf our vays...<BR/><BR/>This writing group discussion is fascinating to me--I'm the biggest loner there is when it comes to my stuff. Going to a writers group would drive me crazy, may I admit that? I would begin to write for the group. Trying to make them happy. I'm certain I would.<BR/><BR/>I adore to read other people's work, though! But I'm the world's toughest editor. (Be very afraid if you ask me to read your ms!)Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50122160368588866362008-06-20T10:05:00.000-04:002008-06-20T10:05:00.000-04:00And Hank, how did you know about PJ/Muldoon? It's ...And Hank, how did you know about PJ/Muldoon? It's almost as if you were...oh, I don't know...an investigative journalist or something :o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24241766271130709612008-06-20T09:42:00.000-04:002008-06-20T09:42:00.000-04:00Sheesh! You two are waaaay to kind. It was just th...Sheesh! You two are waaaay to kind. It was just the best experience to hang out with you at RT and Malice. I've met a lot of wonderful people in this biz. You're at the top of the list.<BR/><BR/>Being in a writing group is glorious and painful. Our group ended when our fearless leader (and several other members) moved out of the area. Several of us still get together for lunch once a month and read pages and catch up. We call ourselves The Gang of Five.<BR/><BR/>What am I working on right now? At the moment, I'm in Minnesota visiting bookstores. Having fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9081067880139919732008-06-20T07:27:00.000-04:002008-06-20T07:27:00.000-04:00Hey Patty!! (BTW, I met Patty at the same conventi...Hey Patty!! (BTW, I met Patty at the same convention that Hank did, and she's just as lovely as Hank says!) We're so glad you're here.<BR/><BR/>My question is about the amazing weekly writers group you described. I've belonged to a group for almost ten years--couldn't do without them. Are you still attending and how are the other guys doing?<BR/><BR/>And what are you working on now?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.com