tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3762274149659744523..comments2024-03-28T13:46:02.547-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: What I Know for SureJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32085376201251328492015-05-30T13:54:52.734-04:002015-05-30T13:54:52.734-04:00I didn't get to see this until today, and oh, ...I didn't get to see this until today, and oh, Rachel, thank you! I plan to print out this blog post.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57332124637066105592015-05-30T13:26:32.221-04:002015-05-30T13:26:32.221-04:00Your beautifully crafted words have motivated me t...Your beautifully crafted words have motivated me to find your books. Thanks for the work and wisdom!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1377379851941360572015-05-29T20:56:39.146-04:002015-05-29T20:56:39.146-04:00Spectacular, Rachel. Thank you for making me laugh...Spectacular, Rachel. Thank you for making me laugh and making me remember I just freaking love words. Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01033264133869966636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86638697152362959802015-05-29T18:03:26.884-04:002015-05-29T18:03:26.884-04:00All I can say ----- is --- I agree with ALL of the...All I can say ----- is --- I agree with ALL of the comments and hope we can all take a lesson from this wonderful author and be more frank and open in our own writing!!! Thelma Straw in Manhattan - where you have to be somewhat open and frank just to exist 24 hours any day!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41410981476575972902015-05-29T17:36:12.256-04:002015-05-29T17:36:12.256-04:00I was just at lunch with Rachel's editor--and ...I was just at lunch with Rachel's editor--and mine!--she's swooning over Ramona's cheerleader for the damned. Swooning! And it may go on the cover... :-)Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32037947234359597852015-05-29T14:24:14.416-04:002015-05-29T14:24:14.416-04:00This is a fabulous post, Rachel. Thank you, thank ...This is a fabulous post, Rachel. Thank you, thank you. I needed to read and internalize a bunch of this stuff today.<br /><br />I absolutely am going to get my hands on your books. <br /><br />BrendaBrenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85949331208081440572015-05-29T13:45:21.947-04:002015-05-29T13:45:21.947-04:00Loved reading this post after a morning from hell ...Loved reading this post after a morning from hell doing my other job, which is the best reality check I have to motivate my writing. One thing popped out at me. It is so comforting to know others share this affliction called writing. #9 reminds me that there are others out there who would prefer a shopping trip at Staples to one at Sephoria. We may all be weird, but we are kindred.Michele Dorseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04121333580268107053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90045213100937103402015-05-29T12:27:38.321-04:002015-05-29T12:27:38.321-04:00Oh, hell yes! If this post doesn't fire you u...Oh, hell yes! If this post doesn't fire you up and get you shouting hallelujah, then you must be devoid of breath or brain activity. Rachel Howzell Hall, I have officially fallen in love with you. The only possible next step is to order your books and read them. Oh, and I will be joining Kristi in stalking you at Bouchercon this fall. I have already begun my stalking by checking the Bouchercon attendee list, and I'm not worried that your name is listed yet, because there is no way that you are going to disappoint me and other by not attending. Powering up my super will ray. I think that the number of people here, including me, who want to print out this post today indicates what an effective writer and personality you are, Rachel. Heck, I'm even going to go out and finally buy the new printer I need just to be able to keep this post close. <br /><br />The snippet that Hank offers up to us is one of those moments in reading that you just have to stop and marvel at the perfection of words, their beauty and power. As Hank says, "Ah." It's a reaction that expresses the supreme satisfaction of a reader, the same reaction I had at the end of your post, Rachel. <br /><br />A lesson learned in life? Life's teachers often come in the guise of the seemingly most ordinary of individuals in the most ordinary of situations. Writing lesson for me is to write honestly, being myself and not someone I think I should be. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11644305291247834702015-05-29T12:16:16.352-04:002015-05-29T12:16:16.352-04:00Rachel, you had me at "Resentments are quiet,...Rachel, you had me at "Resentments are quiet, evil things--like snails in a vegetable garden." Fabulous. And isn't it great that reading someone else's perfect sentence can make us want to jump up and down with delight???<br /><br />Your whole list is fabulous. Printing it, putting it next to the computer. (And let me tell you about my whole box of Pentel EnerGel VIOLET liquid gel pens...)<br /><br />AND ordering your book!<br /><br />Just one life thing, Hank? That's so hard. But--read books. Reading makes bad days bearable, and good days fabulous. Books are always your friends. You can meet new ones, and you can go back to old ones. And books keep us human.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23710011235500837352015-05-29T12:08:22.444-04:002015-05-29T12:08:22.444-04:00Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful post. Thanks to Ra...Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful post. Thanks to Rachel, whose books I will now go order, and thanks to Reds for bringing it to us. What have I learned? In the writing life, it's the one Rachel and everyone else knows: books get written by gluing fingers to keyboard and butt to desk chair. There is no other way. IN life? I'd go with never pass up a chance to celebrate, to do something that makes you happy, to do something kind. Because the time when you can't comes along no matter what.Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15366369834723169142015-05-29T11:42:08.625-04:002015-05-29T11:42:08.625-04:00"Cheerleader for the damned".... Ramona,..."Cheerleader for the damned".... Ramona, that's fantastic!Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75505477621257829532015-05-29T11:37:34.550-04:002015-05-29T11:37:34.550-04:00What a great commentary on writing. I am going to...What a great commentary on writing. I am going to print it off and re-read it whenever I get blue. Thanks, Rachel. Time to check out your books!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14080938779828043023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76180526163623739872015-05-29T10:14:02.784-04:002015-05-29T10:14:02.784-04:00Ah, Rachel, this post makes me love you even more ...Ah, Rachel, this post makes me love you even more than I already do. I am printing it out and hanging it on my bulletin board. Loved Lou the first time around, and I'm champing at the bit to read SKIES OF ASH, which is sitting on my bedside table. Wishing you a lifetime full of terrific book deals!!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38821806034493670572015-05-29T10:13:34.869-04:002015-05-29T10:13:34.869-04:00Wow, it's like you've read my mind! I'...Wow, it's like you've read my mind! I'm heading straight to Amazon to look up your books! What have I learned about life? Remember the good parts and forget the rest. Going over and over something that made you angry/sad/unhappy will only ruin the moment you could be enjoying right now.Peg Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319534671560625590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85950967146272220492015-05-29T10:11:14.827-04:002015-05-29T10:11:14.827-04:00Thanks for reading, y'all, and for sharing thi...Thanks for reading, y'all, and for sharing things you also know. We always hear how writing is a solo thing, introverts, and all the rest. While this is true, I've started to notice that writing is also like the Great Barrier Reef. We all learn and share and take what we've learned and shared to build these incredible things called Books.Rachel Howzell Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00024968013102962506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28459066144634450572015-05-29T09:18:40.221-04:002015-05-29T09:18:40.221-04:00What a great list, Rachel. And Ramona: cheerleader...What a great list, Rachel. And Ramona: cheerleader for the damned. Is that a good thing, or not? <br /><br />The most important thing I've learned is "let it be". Things, even really bad things, happen for a reason. We may not know or understand the reason right now, but it will eventually come clear, and if we are open to it we'll see that the Higher Power knows better than we do. Trying to force our square peg lives into round holes is an exercise in futility.Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91352491102683638522015-05-29T09:03:10.735-04:002015-05-29T09:03:10.735-04:00Sometimes it's like the Jungle Reds can read m...Sometimes it's like the Jungle Reds can read my mind. <br /><br />I am in the middle of Rachel's first book right now, and let me tell you, you all want to read this book. It's so very good. <br /><br />As for life lessons: Life is a journey, not a destination. Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14354860813347114332015-05-29T08:29:02.127-04:002015-05-29T08:29:02.127-04:00I love this with the heat of a thousand suns (yes,...I love this with the heat of a thousand suns (yes, Ramona - I'm still using that phrase). Pardon me for a second while I go off to add you to my TBR pile. That snippet alone is enough.<br /><br />This is such great advice. All of it. I will definitely save it for those "fraud" moments when I think I suck and no one will ever read anything I wrote.<br /><br />I've picked up "If not now, when?" and "Just hold your nose and write" from Hank and Hallie. And I'm a firm believer in "if you want to do it, you'll find the time." What have I learned? Every day that I wake up and get to write is a gift. Don't waste it!Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41389857376307834672015-05-29T08:17:44.259-04:002015-05-29T08:17:44.259-04:00Awesome post! You're like the cheerleader for ...Awesome post! You're like the cheerleader for the damned. <br /><br />I'm sharing this everywhere.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57118691694414220082015-05-29T08:17:04.107-04:002015-05-29T08:17:04.107-04:00Welcome, Rachel! That post is the best — I'm g...Welcome, Rachel! That post is the best — I'm going to bookmark it and come back to it often. Now off to get Land of Shadows!Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65035251129170029052015-05-29T08:15:53.906-04:002015-05-29T08:15:53.906-04:00Oh I love this sooo much, Rachel and Hank. I just ...Oh I love this sooo much, Rachel and Hank. I just shared it on my FB page (with a warning that I may stalk you at Bouchercon until Hank introduces us!) Just kidding. Well sort of. Would love to meet you and have you sign one of your books if you go to B'con this year.<br />Like Kaye, I'm tempted to print this out and carry it around with me!<br /><br />Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01724127668983231150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17498125682945310022015-05-29T07:46:12.523-04:002015-05-29T07:46:12.523-04:00Rachel, thank you.
What a wise woman you are, and ...Rachel, thank you.<br />What a wise woman you are, and I appreciate you sharing your wisdom with us.<br /><br />I'm printing this out and intend to keep it close by. Like in the very front of the notebook I use to jot down ideas and information about my characters.<br /><br />A life's lesson I've learned and try very hard to live by - "Take time to do what makes your soul happy."<br /><br />A writing lesson I've learned - you're not going to please everyone, don't try. Write for yourself first, foremost and always.<br /><br />I cannot wait to "meet" Detective Elouise Norton, so I'm off to order Land of Shadows.<br />Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23063025844864918662015-05-29T07:40:56.328-04:002015-05-29T07:40:56.328-04:00Wise words, Rachel. Posting this on my fridge for ...Wise words, Rachel. Posting this on my fridge for whenever I take myself too seriously or fall into the pit of despond. Right now feels like I'm flying without, not sure what the book will end up being. And my advice is always the same: just hold your nose and write.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40382344999394423302015-05-29T07:24:05.824-04:002015-05-29T07:24:05.824-04:00Wonderful Rachel, thanks for visiting to let us sh...Wonderful Rachel, thanks for visiting to let us share what you've learned!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57992622925709930422015-05-29T07:00:18.735-04:002015-05-29T07:00:18.735-04:00Wow, Rachel. Great tips, great writing. Thank you....Wow, Rachel. Great tips, great writing. Thank you. I clearly need to add your books to my TBR pile. What I've learned? Corollary to Joan's: don't be a jerk. Also, live with no regrets. I took a big risk to leave my day job two years ago to write crime fiction full time - and now I have three multi-book contracts and am loving it. But it was scary!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.com