How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 12 "The PHASES of CREATING"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
45 total reviews
Comment from Ric Myworld
Well, my friend, after reading forty-plus books telling me everything that I have to accomplish before becoming an author, I read your short page that pretty much sums it up. Stop trying to be an author. Stop lying. Stop trying to write pretty, fancy, showoff crap. Be honest, and edit, revise, and polish until it's a joy to read. And even then don't expect it to sparkle. Thanks for another enjoyable read. :-)
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Well, my friend, after reading forty-plus books telling me everything that I have to accomplish before becoming an author, I read your short page that pretty much sums it up. Stop trying to be an author. Stop lying. Stop trying to write pretty, fancy, showoff crap. Be honest, and edit, revise, and polish until it's a joy to read. And even then don't expect it to sparkle. Thanks for another enjoyable read. :-)
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Keep on reading those books. I certainly do. You compliment me, though, by saying mine condenses the others. That's high praise. Thank you, Ric.
Jay
Comment from ravenblack
Having never attempted a novel, I still find your phases valid. Envisioning- for me, a poem starts with one verse, a kernel of musical thought. Phase two- block out time to give those kernels flesh. What I have found most helpful is the notes function on my I phone, allowing me to evolve a poem wherever I am at ( lately, most are done on my phone). Execution - read the poem aloud over and over. It is the best method to weed out the parts that Don't fit. Funny, but often the original kernel, that first verse, is cut. The big oh-oh- any seasoned poet will tell you that editing is a must. That piece you jot down in a rush, thinking it s masterpiece? Most often, it is not. Poems need to be hammered into shape. Excellent essay. Genius helps, but writing is mainly sweat.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Having never attempted a novel, I still find your phases valid. Envisioning- for me, a poem starts with one verse, a kernel of musical thought. Phase two- block out time to give those kernels flesh. What I have found most helpful is the notes function on my I phone, allowing me to evolve a poem wherever I am at ( lately, most are done on my phone). Execution - read the poem aloud over and over. It is the best method to weed out the parts that Don't fit. Funny, but often the original kernel, that first verse, is cut. The big oh-oh- any seasoned poet will tell you that editing is a must. That piece you jot down in a rush, thinking it s masterpiece? Most often, it is not. Poems need to be hammered into shape. Excellent essay. Genius helps, but writing is mainly sweat.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Ed. Oh, yes, I was referring to prose creativity, not poetry. I would never venture into that hallowed ground! (I'm serious, though it sounds sarcastic.)
How does it go: "The world is too much with us
Near and Far ...
Especially
If your poetry is created on your phone"
My phone is the old flip type, which was state of the art when I got it.
Thanks, friend Ed, for reading and taking the time to comment so completely.
Comment from lancellot
Yes, you make it all sound so easy, but then that's why you put them into steps. good explanation and you make us feel like we too can accomplish something. Maybe I can finish my book
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Yes, you make it all sound so easy, but then that's why you put them into steps. good explanation and you make us feel like we too can accomplish something. Maybe I can finish my book
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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This was written more for the beginner, not someone with your skills. You certainly don't need that to finish your book. Thanks, Lance, for your comments and your six stars. I loves me sixes!
Comment from jpduck
If I were to divide this review into two parts (and why not), they would be titled Style and Content.
The style is still pure Jay Squires, even though this piece was written a year-and-a-half or so ago. Perhaps a tad less convoluted than its modern counterpart, but pure magic, just the same.
I have a bit more of a problem with the content, but this is nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me. For me, the process which you so clearly describe, feels a little too regimented and disciplined -- two qualities I'm rather short of. With my writing, I may go for several days telling myself, "No, you're not ready to write that chapter yet; you have not done enough thinking and feeling about it yet, nor enough not-thinking and not-feeling (they're the same thing, but in the unconscious). Then the day comes when I tell myself I am ready. I will sit down and maybe write for six or seven hours on the trot. And it will not normally be the same as what I had planned ... just better, somehow.
Adrian
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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If I were to divide this review into two parts (and why not), they would be titled Style and Content.
The style is still pure Jay Squires, even though this piece was written a year-and-a-half or so ago. Perhaps a tad less convoluted than its modern counterpart, but pure magic, just the same.
I have a bit more of a problem with the content, but this is nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me. For me, the process which you so clearly describe, feels a little too regimented and disciplined -- two qualities I'm rather short of. With my writing, I may go for several days telling myself, "No, you're not ready to write that chapter yet; you have not done enough thinking and feeling about it yet, nor enough not-thinking and not-feeling (they're the same thing, but in the unconscious). Then the day comes when I tell myself I am ready. I will sit down and maybe write for six or seven hours on the trot. And it will not normally be the same as what I had planned ... just better, somehow.
Adrian
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Oh, hell yes! You found what works for you. You SHOULD stick with it. All I was trying to show was that the writer needs to write. I need to do it consistently (that is our difference, I guess); And when I get into a schedule of 3 hours a day, the first hour, maybe two, will be a lot of "Jay Squires, Author" artsy stuff, but almost always during the three hours I arrive at a time of the "true" and "good" of my writing. And when I arrive at that moment in time it literally is like someone is whispering the words over my shoulder. I just type and keep up. I know that sounds hackneyed, but it's the God-honest truth!
Thanks for your in depth (as always) commentary.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Hello Jay,
so you are saying be a planer is better for one helps achieve their goal ( what ever art it is)
Question Jay what started you to write blogs
looks like or should I say your blogs are good.
Gert
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Hello Jay,
so you are saying be a planer is better for one helps achieve their goal ( what ever art it is)
Question Jay what started you to write blogs
looks like or should I say your blogs are good.
Gert
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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I started my blog about seven or eight years ago as a way of highlighting and promoting my writing. I have thousands of followers now and get them at the rate of about 8-10 a week, though I haven't added any new stuff in about a year.
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What a great idea Jay
Gert
Comment from alexisleech
All good advice, Jay, dolled out with your usual humour. Motivation to do anything, be it write, paint or knit is usually to see the finished 'article,'and whether it ends up good, bad or ill fitting, the pleasure of being able to say 'I did that!' is one of the greatest motivations of all.
Alexis xxx
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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All good advice, Jay, dolled out with your usual humour. Motivation to do anything, be it write, paint or knit is usually to see the finished 'article,'and whether it ends up good, bad or ill fitting, the pleasure of being able to say 'I did that!' is one of the greatest motivations of all.
Alexis xxx
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Couldn't agree with you more. Our immortality is found in every doily. Thanks, Alexis for your usual kindness and rating.
Comment from Adri7enne
Not an easy gig, this writing stuff! I guess it requires discipline and that's never been my strong suit. I have a hard time maintaining an exercise regime, much less writing for three hours a day. Where do you find the time?
Do you still have the blog? Do you have many followers? Is it satisfying? It doesn't replace publication, does it?
After three hours, you think the honest stuff finally comes out? For some of us, a lifetime is required. At least you make us think and wonder, Jay. Is this really what I want to do? Sounds like hard work to me. Well done!
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Not an easy gig, this writing stuff! I guess it requires discipline and that's never been my strong suit. I have a hard time maintaining an exercise regime, much less writing for three hours a day. Where do you find the time?
Do you still have the blog? Do you have many followers? Is it satisfying? It doesn't replace publication, does it?
After three hours, you think the honest stuff finally comes out? For some of us, a lifetime is required. At least you make us think and wonder, Jay. Is this really what I want to do? Sounds like hard work to me. Well done!
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Thank you so much, Adrienne. You are always so kine. Lotsa questions. Still have the blog; I don't know, thousands of followers. I haven't added to it for about a year, but still get followers (who don't know that). Not AFTER three hours. The good stuff generally comes out after about an hour of crap and artsy-fartsy stuff. It shouldn't take a lifetime. Hell, I'm still full of self-lying and other-lying, but life is in layers, like an onion. You can't kid me, Adrienne ... it is what you want to do. Only, sometimes you find that out after you've quit it for years. I know I did, and then discovered how much I'd lost by self-denial. That's what's sad. Yes it's hard, or it's not worthwhile.
Thank you, my good friend.
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You're one of the good guys, Jay. Always a kind word for everyone who reviews you. Thanks for the encouragement. Summers are so short and busy. Maybe when the snow flies again, I'll make time to write. Sigh! Where does the time go?
Comment from krprice
I'm giving you only four stars because I found an inordinate amount of things to comment on. However, otherwise, it is an excellent essay.
Check over all punctuation, particularly words in a series. I've pointed several out.
Phase One:...You start with. . . (whatever) no comma needed
That taste is raw, crisp,. . .
Without it,. . .
What I'm. . . delete of after all.
Delete unnecessary 'that's.
This is not. . .There are. . . sculptors,. . .
And to get. . . bad, and. . .
Hope this helps. Stay consistent with your punctuation too.
Karlene
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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I'm giving you only four stars because I found an inordinate amount of things to comment on. However, otherwise, it is an excellent essay.
Check over all punctuation, particularly words in a series. I've pointed several out.
Phase One:...You start with. . . (whatever) no comma needed
That taste is raw, crisp,. . .
Without it,. . .
What I'm. . . delete of after all.
Delete unnecessary 'that's.
This is not. . .There are. . . sculptors,. . .
And to get. . . bad, and. . .
Hope this helps. Stay consistent with your punctuation too.
Karlene
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Karlene. Will check it out.
Comment from Shirley McLain
You wrote out the steps very nicely and they were easy to understand. If you're struggling or have struggled with your writing this will be helpful to read. Great job. Shirley
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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You wrote out the steps very nicely and they were easy to understand. If you're struggling or have struggled with your writing this will be helpful to read. Great job. Shirley
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Many thanks, Shirley. I appreciate your comments.
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
For me, the envisioning, planning and
executing are a pleasure - my create
outlet. But then there's the dreaded editing,
which I find the hardest task of all.
I edit, edit and edit again, which takes
me an age as I tend to change things
around. I certainly don't enjoy it.
I'm fortunate in that experienced writers
such as yourself, Jay, guide and help
me so much, which is why I'm here on
FS. I've learnt so much and my confidence
has grown - thank you.
Margaret
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
|
For me, the envisioning, planning and
executing are a pleasure - my create
outlet. But then there's the dreaded editing,
which I find the hardest task of all.
I edit, edit and edit again, which takes
me an age as I tend to change things
around. I certainly don't enjoy it.
I'm fortunate in that experienced writers
such as yourself, Jay, guide and help
me so much, which is why I'm here on
FS. I've learnt so much and my confidence
has grown - thank you.
Margaret
Comment Written 24-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015
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Thank you, Margaret. You have always been a beacon here I've looked up to. I know what you mean about the endings. Seems like it should be the easiest thing ... but no!