How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 12 "The PHASES of CREATING"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
45 total reviews
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
My 32 page children's book has taken me 6 months longer than I expected due to constant revision. I hope to have it done by August 24th. I'll write more about that later. Another great post, my friend~Debbie
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2015
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My 32 page children's book has taken me 6 months longer than I expected due to constant revision. I hope to have it done by August 24th. I'll write more about that later. Another great post, my friend~Debbie
Comment Written 29-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Debbie. Will be looking for that notice!
Comment from Dashjianta
An informative and entertaining read, Jay. Though I tend to hit the crisis in confidence stage a lot sooner in the process, when I reach the beginning of the end and start to doubt I'll be able to tie all the knots together.
It's interesting to see how different yet similar our approaches are. Phase One is ongoing for me--I can't stop envisioning the new stuff whether I want to or not. It's having the discipline not to race off after each new one without finishing the one before that's tough.
Phase one and a half. Err...planning? What's that? I don't set any sort of time frame for myself--it's a sure way to make my brain seize up. But I do get annoyed with myself if I don't have a decent writing session each day, so in that sense I do try to write every day. So for me phase two is more ensuring I write everything in order and don't just focus on the fun to write scenes whilst skipping everything else. That's the only way I know I'll get to write The End.
And then the fun of the edit, something I can only do in 2-3 week bursts most times. But once I get into it I tend to spend a lot more time doing the actual work than when I write, because so much of the writing is done inside my head, replaying the words over and over, ditto with the actions, then building up the scene with the tough opening lines, then away it flows.
Err...that was more of a reply than a review. Sorry about that. I enjoyed the read. No SPAG that I spied and nothing to criticise either.
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2015
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An informative and entertaining read, Jay. Though I tend to hit the crisis in confidence stage a lot sooner in the process, when I reach the beginning of the end and start to doubt I'll be able to tie all the knots together.
It's interesting to see how different yet similar our approaches are. Phase One is ongoing for me--I can't stop envisioning the new stuff whether I want to or not. It's having the discipline not to race off after each new one without finishing the one before that's tough.
Phase one and a half. Err...planning? What's that? I don't set any sort of time frame for myself--it's a sure way to make my brain seize up. But I do get annoyed with myself if I don't have a decent writing session each day, so in that sense I do try to write every day. So for me phase two is more ensuring I write everything in order and don't just focus on the fun to write scenes whilst skipping everything else. That's the only way I know I'll get to write The End.
And then the fun of the edit, something I can only do in 2-3 week bursts most times. But once I get into it I tend to spend a lot more time doing the actual work than when I write, because so much of the writing is done inside my head, replaying the words over and over, ditto with the actions, then building up the scene with the tough opening lines, then away it flows.
Err...that was more of a reply than a review. Sorry about that. I enjoyed the read. No SPAG that I spied and nothing to criticise either.
Comment Written 28-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2015
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I loved your reply, Alex. I enjoyed seeing how you operate. This was designed more with the beginner in mind. I'm glad it got you thinking about your process ... more glad that you shared it with me.
Comment from Judgement Dave
Enjoyed your look at the stages of creation, and what you say contains quite a few truths (such as the amount of 'work' each day/session that is gold and the amount that is hack warm-up...) but I'm not sure if there's a kind of disjoint between the start of the piece and what it goes on to do.
The start establishes that you're going to deal with avoiding the crisis in confidence or self-faith, prompted in part by a friend's post about another year without enjoying emotional/financial rewards that her work ought to be giving her.
The rest of the piece talks about how to make sure you get a piece finished and how to make sure that the finished piece is a 'good' piece, but (from my interpretation of the start) doesn't that get you to the place where your friend is? i.e. you say she has created an intelligent, well-written and helpful book. She has created a good 'end' product.
Isn't a big part of the emotional and pretty-much all of the financial reward after you've created that product? It's when other people, be they friends/editors/the buying public acknowledge that you've created something worthwhile and you get some form of pay because of it.
i.e. a big part of the creative's self-image and self-belief is necessarily from how they perceive other people to receive their works. Think about all the famous examples in music, literature, comedy where someone has been repeatedly turned down or struggling, and then become an over-night success with the same 'product' they'd had for years. It is probable that many of these felt low and wondered if their art (and, by extension, themselves as artists) actually had any merit when they were facing rejection letters or empty theatres, but then feel great and full of self-belief when they make it. In reality, their artistic worth may be essentially the same.
Hope this makes sense.
Cheers
JD
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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Enjoyed your look at the stages of creation, and what you say contains quite a few truths (such as the amount of 'work' each day/session that is gold and the amount that is hack warm-up...) but I'm not sure if there's a kind of disjoint between the start of the piece and what it goes on to do.
The start establishes that you're going to deal with avoiding the crisis in confidence or self-faith, prompted in part by a friend's post about another year without enjoying emotional/financial rewards that her work ought to be giving her.
The rest of the piece talks about how to make sure you get a piece finished and how to make sure that the finished piece is a 'good' piece, but (from my interpretation of the start) doesn't that get you to the place where your friend is? i.e. you say she has created an intelligent, well-written and helpful book. She has created a good 'end' product.
Isn't a big part of the emotional and pretty-much all of the financial reward after you've created that product? It's when other people, be they friends/editors/the buying public acknowledge that you've created something worthwhile and you get some form of pay because of it.
i.e. a big part of the creative's self-image and self-belief is necessarily from how they perceive other people to receive their works. Think about all the famous examples in music, literature, comedy where someone has been repeatedly turned down or struggling, and then become an over-night success with the same 'product' they'd had for years. It is probable that many of these felt low and wondered if their art (and, by extension, themselves as artists) actually had any merit when they were facing rejection letters or empty theatres, but then feel great and full of self-belief when they make it. In reality, their artistic worth may be essentially the same.
Hope this makes sense.
Cheers
JD
Comment Written 27-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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It makes total sense, JD. Fulfillment is never a guarantee. It's a sure thing, though, you'll never have even the possibility of it if it's never completed and edited to the best you are able. Take all the necessary steps, though, and you still may be standing on the street corner with no takers. Hey, but we have Fan Story, right?
Comment from boxergirl
I really needed to read this post, Jay. I have been living in lala land with my writing and have not been putting in the daily time that it takes to writable a novel or anything else for that matter. I really need to examine my vision.
Karen 8-)
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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I really needed to read this post, Jay. I have been living in lala land with my writing and have not been putting in the daily time that it takes to writable a novel or anything else for that matter. I really need to examine my vision.
Karen 8-)
Comment Written 26-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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I'm flattered that this helped you, Karen. Don't underestimate the calendar, my friend. It works. I just printed off a new one for me to use on the next phase of my writing. You set up your hourly perimeters and let nothing interfere with its completion. Within a week you'll find yourself right back in the groove.
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
This is a wonderful read and the blog you referred to was posted on my birthday LOL so of course I had to keep reading as I am always interested in the events which occur on such an auspicious day. I thought this full of helpful advice, but I wonder how many will follow this path or the one of miraculous intervention. I stay disciplined and follow my intuition in the hopes that one day maybe something I say will inspire more than those I work with daily - until then I continue my strict regimen of daily writing followed by getting out there and speaking to motivate those who need it most. Nicely done and I thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2015
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This is a wonderful read and the blog you referred to was posted on my birthday LOL so of course I had to keep reading as I am always interested in the events which occur on such an auspicious day. I thought this full of helpful advice, but I wonder how many will follow this path or the one of miraculous intervention. I stay disciplined and follow my intuition in the hopes that one day maybe something I say will inspire more than those I work with daily - until then I continue my strict regimen of daily writing followed by getting out there and speaking to motivate those who need it most. Nicely done and I thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2015
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Thank you, Mystic Angel. I think the fact that you write daily is battle won. As long as you have the patience to complete your projects. Ironically, I am trying to get back on track, after I stalled in my fantasy novel.
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My projects are a bit easier since I focus on the next support group meeting and how to inspire folks through the next round of chemo. What gets published as a result tends to be an accidental blessing.
Comment from rama devi
Thanks for sharing this...insightful tips. I liked the preamble--very conversational and authentic. Good pacing and tone to suit the theme. I love the closing note...of course...revisions are required...whittling out the unnecessary and polishing the voice to a clear essence portrayed. Sometimes a book needs multiple incarnations to reach it's potential.
NOTES
* I(,) for one(,) have been there ... I(I)n fact, I've visited frequently ... and recently.
I like this:
old, worn thoughts, hopefully all spiffed up with some new clothes.
*
The end is clearly in sight, within your grasp and you anticipate, you even romanticize, the difficulties you might face along the way to the end.
Slightly spaggy. Suggest tightening slightly, too.
Example edit:
The end is clearly in sight, within your grasp, and you anticipate--even romanticize--the difficulties you might face along the way to the end.
*Without it(,) the ball will simply roll out of the barrel and fall to the ground.
*(Free and downloadable, by the way!).
No need for period
INSIGHTFUL and clearly articulated:
The one constant, though, is this: there is honest and dishonest, good and bad, true and false. And to get to the honest, good and true, you must work through the dishonest, bad and false.
Thanks. I enjoyed the way you shared this--with a combined sense of humor and seriousness.
Warmly, rd
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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Thanks for sharing this...insightful tips. I liked the preamble--very conversational and authentic. Good pacing and tone to suit the theme. I love the closing note...of course...revisions are required...whittling out the unnecessary and polishing the voice to a clear essence portrayed. Sometimes a book needs multiple incarnations to reach it's potential.
NOTES
* I(,) for one(,) have been there ... I(I)n fact, I've visited frequently ... and recently.
I like this:
old, worn thoughts, hopefully all spiffed up with some new clothes.
*
The end is clearly in sight, within your grasp and you anticipate, you even romanticize, the difficulties you might face along the way to the end.
Slightly spaggy. Suggest tightening slightly, too.
Example edit:
The end is clearly in sight, within your grasp, and you anticipate--even romanticize--the difficulties you might face along the way to the end.
*Without it(,) the ball will simply roll out of the barrel and fall to the ground.
*(Free and downloadable, by the way!).
No need for period
INSIGHTFUL and clearly articulated:
The one constant, though, is this: there is honest and dishonest, good and bad, true and false. And to get to the honest, good and true, you must work through the dishonest, bad and false.
Thanks. I enjoyed the way you shared this--with a combined sense of humor and seriousness.
Warmly, rd
Comment Written 26-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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Bless you, Rama, for your kind suggestions and your rating. Commas! They will be the death of me. I am pasting this in my folder and will make the changes when the post drops. I AM SO FAR BEHIND! I just want you to know, though, that I consider your experience valuable and I will go over every suggestion carefully.
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Thanks for your kind and gracious response, dear Jay. Totally understand being far behind! This place absorbs time like a sponge in the rain... Warmly, rd
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May I borrow that? LOL, you're right though. I literally have to force myself away from Fan Story sometimes.
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Yes--its a vortex. When my next poem expires its cert....I'm gone for a month, perhaps! ;)
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Jay. Brilliant job mate. From start to finish it resonated with me. I am a good planner and organisor, I had to be it was my job for 30 years and it is necessary in writing. I feel without it we may as well just doodle. Great stuff once again Sir. Cheers Fez
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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G'day Jay. Brilliant job mate. From start to finish it resonated with me. I am a good planner and organisor, I had to be it was my job for 30 years and it is necessary in writing. I feel without it we may as well just doodle. Great stuff once again Sir. Cheers Fez
Comment Written 26-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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You are so lucky to be a planner and organizer, Fez. It will take you far.
Comment from Eric1
Hi again Jay, ok , I get it, this is a general synopsis for the writer who may not be quite established but needs that extra shove to get the damn job finished.
Ok, I can live with that, but what about the likes of me, a half wit of a writer who hasn't got a clue on how to start a story, what about the unstarted writer?
Seriously my friend, this is a brilliant and generous way of sharing your many skills with the great unwashed, many thanks.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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Hi again Jay, ok , I get it, this is a general synopsis for the writer who may not be quite established but needs that extra shove to get the damn job finished.
Ok, I can live with that, but what about the likes of me, a half wit of a writer who hasn't got a clue on how to start a story, what about the unstarted writer?
Seriously my friend, this is a brilliant and generous way of sharing your many skills with the great unwashed, many thanks.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2015
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Thank you, Eric, for your support.
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You are welcome Jay
Comment from indigloaura
I'm fairly certain I got more for myself out of reviewing this than I can possibly give you as feedback. That's probably why you are a published author and I'm not...yet. But I'll get there. :) Thanks for this.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2015
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I'm fairly certain I got more for myself out of reviewing this than I can possibly give you as feedback. That's probably why you are a published author and I'm not...yet. But I'll get there. :) Thanks for this.
Comment Written 25-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2015
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You are so welcome, Indigloaura for what you got from it. I must thank you for the kind words and the lovely six I got from you!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
After I finish editing it, I send it to an editor, and then when it returns I make suggested changes, and then edit again. Oh my!!! My least favorite part of writing it editing and I seem to do it the most. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom with us.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2015
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After I finish editing it, I send it to an editor, and then when it returns I make suggested changes, and then edit again. Oh my!!! My least favorite part of writing it editing and I seem to do it the most. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom with us.
Comment Written 25-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2015
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Thank you, Barbara, for reading it. I can't afford an editor, so I have to do it the old-fashioned way.