tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post6013314951374648949..comments2024-03-27T01:07:03.944-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: Why I Write (It Sure Isn't the Money!) by Alison HendersonAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-71098086853336368892016-01-05T19:55:51.274-05:002016-01-05T19:55:51.274-05:00That's what it's all about, Mary.That's what it's all about, Mary.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-55961367704641443412016-01-05T19:13:16.306-05:002016-01-05T19:13:16.306-05:00Beautifully said, Alison. Validation is important....Beautifully said, Alison. Validation is important. As a writer, I already love my book, so to hear that another person likes/loves my story...yep, I've done my job as a bard. Mary Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11999861032120466782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-36863459831297335782016-01-05T17:19:48.272-05:002016-01-05T17:19:48.272-05:00Alicia, I read your plotting book and have no idea...Alicia, I read your plotting book and have no idea what that reviewer was talking about. Maybe s/he objected to the conversational tone. I thought that made it feel more like a one-on-one tutorial. I also have to do all the work when I write. That's probably why I'm not more productive - pure laziness.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-76439062545525340932016-01-05T17:16:47.790-05:002016-01-05T17:16:47.790-05:00Angelina, I can't imagine writing because I ha...Angelina, I can't imagine writing because I had to. I hate to think what the outcome would be.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-4752835501758187092016-01-05T17:15:55.620-05:002016-01-05T17:15:55.620-05:00Enjoyed your post, and as everyone else has alread...Enjoyed your post, and as everyone else has already said what I was thinking (isn't that great?!!), I'll just mention that I appreciate your honesty and insight.Ashantayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16122891967983778466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-52895989429354788352016-01-05T17:15:52.105-05:002016-01-05T17:15:52.105-05:00Judy, if we're not kind to ourselves it sucks ...Judy, if we're not kind to ourselves it sucks a lot of the fun out of writing.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-91755706979288976312016-01-05T15:44:49.074-05:002016-01-05T15:44:49.074-05:00As the others have said, great post. I totally get...As the others have said, great post. I totally get where you're coming from. Validation is wonderful. I am one of those weirdos who doesn't even mind the validation of a negative review, as long as it's honest (it still means someone read my stuff, right? :)). By honest, I mean, I recently had a review where the person trashed my plotting book saying it was riddled with errors and grammatical issues, etc, and they can't imagine why anyone would hire me as an editor. I went back through it thoroughly and found one typo. :/ Like you, I do not hear characters in my head who tell me their stories (I envy the authors who do. That sounds much easier than my method. In my process, I have to do all the work :)). I am, however, compelled to write and ideas do hammer me frequently. I am one of those authors who has wanted to write since I was a child. Yes, your post definitely struck a chord. Thanks for sharing! Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-15058743338932600322016-01-05T15:37:07.653-05:002016-01-05T15:37:07.653-05:00Lovely post. I think we all need some validation.:...Lovely post. I think we all need some validation.:) I also write because I love to. Angelina Jamesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116611874220200028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-49906303062706305132016-01-05T14:48:56.072-05:002016-01-05T14:48:56.072-05:00Great post and great insight. I, too, am not putti...Great post and great insight. I, too, am not putting myself on a daily word count or timetable this year. If I miss a self-imposed goal, I'm re-adjusting the time schedule to meet it!Judy Ann Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11933875283816712058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-62443812401365216822016-01-05T13:05:19.399-05:002016-01-05T13:05:19.399-05:00Andi, I only turned to self-publishing after 3 tra...Andi, I only turned to self-publishing after 3 traditionally-published books. I thought I might like it, and I do. I hope your anthology experience is a good one!Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-48631686083143950712016-01-05T12:38:52.906-05:002016-01-05T12:38:52.906-05:00I think I straddle two zones here: I need validat...I think I straddle two zones here: I need validation so, for instance, I couldn't self-publish, I needed someone to say I was good enough to publish. But I do hear the characters in my head--not always, but generally. Now having said that, I'm working on a book to join a self-published anthology. The thing is, someone ASKED me to join, so that was validation, and then the story came to me...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-55450551551236186152016-01-05T12:29:19.063-05:002016-01-05T12:29:19.063-05:00Wow, I obviously struck a nerve here, and I'm ...Wow, I obviously struck a nerve here, and I'm so glad! I've never felt alone as a writer because of friends like you, but I think the universal need to feel understood may be stronger in writers than in others. It's not that we're needier, but by putting ourselves out there we have more at risk.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-63976612171583030912016-01-05T10:21:38.509-05:002016-01-05T10:21:38.509-05:00Your books are great, and I'm willing to bet, ...Your books are great, and I'm willing to bet, uplift the spirits of everyone who reads them! What better justification for writing is there? Terrific post!Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728297429025804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-80697674846570285072016-01-05T10:19:22.448-05:002016-01-05T10:19:22.448-05:00As a Virgo, I totally get where you're coming ...As a Virgo, I totally get where you're coming from. We write for different reasons but in the end, I'm seeking that validation too. I totally understood Sally and understand you. Personally, I wish I could say I don't give a rat's a-- what anyone thinks of me. And I do to a certain degree...I've pretty much been a little "different" all my life. But in spite of that, yes, like me please. And be entertained by what I write. Nice post, Alison.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-71250452601527426372016-01-05T10:13:57.842-05:002016-01-05T10:13:57.842-05:00You smacked that nail, Alison, head on! Not only ...You smacked that nail, Alison, head on! Not only do I need validation, believing that my stories are good enough for readers to bury themselves in for a time, but I am a person who needs purpose. Like you, I don't hear characters in my head...they develop as I sit at the computer, which I find quite magical. I like the tangible evidence that I made a mark, however small, on this planet. Yes, I have thousands of students I taught and led (as a principal), but books could/should last forever.Rolynn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504770204968969467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-57976259719269856982016-01-05T09:40:53.250-05:002016-01-05T09:40:53.250-05:00Writing is a lot of work. You have to love it to d...Writing is a lot of work. You have to love it to do it, even though at times you're hating your story. I love the creative process, especially when I laugh like an idiot as I write a scene. Validation, oh yes!! I need that. I'd certainly like to leave the stress of deadlines and promotion behind.Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07360480832587538895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-74264026505863923552016-01-05T07:23:09.794-05:002016-01-05T07:23:09.794-05:00Wonderfully said, Alison, and I'm back here wi...Wonderfully said, Alison, and I'm back here with my arm waving saying, "Me, too! Me, too!"Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-7328803512428934032016-01-05T06:57:52.859-05:002016-01-05T06:57:52.859-05:00Great message, Alison. I always felt bad for Sally...Great message, Alison. I always felt bad for Sally Field after that speech. Like you, I didn't quite get it until I started putting my own stories out there. Sharing their world views is what writers do, regardless of the message, and it can be pretty lonely! Writing fun, light-hearted stories is a wonderful gift for readers. :-)Leah St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004006100786260893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-2072012031719119772016-01-05T05:39:32.529-05:002016-01-05T05:39:32.529-05:00Beautiful post, Alison. I think we all want to kno...Beautiful post, Alison. I think we all want to know that someone, somewhere hears what we say and really listens. Hugs are good. Here's mine. ;-)Margo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.com