tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post6365412202578706027..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: I Want to Hug Francine RiversUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-17765406170205424552017-04-21T22:20:39.839+10:002017-04-21T22:20:39.839+10:00Wow Jenny! LOVE how God knows exactly what we need...Wow Jenny! LOVE how God knows exactly what we need when we need it. I totally empathise with you. I'll be contacting you soon about a book which has helped immensely in regards to writers' block. God bless you too, lovely lady :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-26841160136722295902017-04-21T22:16:47.657+10:002017-04-21T22:16:47.657+10:00Thanks so much Meredith. And I'm still working...Thanks so much Meredith. And I'm still working on the distraction issue. Getting there!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-55795854491152730742017-04-21T15:36:41.140+10:002017-04-21T15:36:41.140+10:00I've printed this out. I need it right here in...I've printed this out. I need it right here in front of my computer screen because I'm completely lost right now. What an encouragement you are! I love how God works, because I had even thought of contacting you and asking you advice about writers' block and how to improve my writing because I have a vague recollection of you talking about it at a conference years ago. And then here is this post. Thanks God! 'Old' post, but the words are still relevant because truth never dies - and today they are more relevant to me than they were back then. May God continue to use you and may you know His blessing on your writing today!Jenny Glazebrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709461499025091397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-20926445497396097232017-04-21T14:28:41.909+10:002017-04-21T14:28:41.909+10:00Don't fear! You're a fabulous writer. Keep...Don't fear! You're a fabulous writer. Keep churning them out, as I'll keep buying them. <br />I share your problem with getting distracted though...That's a tricky one to fix.Meredith Rescehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119649437940781847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-40372410898450214982014-11-13T16:29:28.994+11:002014-11-13T16:29:28.994+11:00Thanks Dale. I've definitely been encouraged :...Thanks Dale. I've definitely been encouraged :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-53440597147887933392014-11-11T07:40:20.456+11:002014-11-11T07:40:20.456+11:00I think one of the problems is that we compare our...I think one of the problems is that we compare ourselves with others like the author who writes four novels a year. I wish! But at least you could be encouraged by someone like Francine Rivers and know all writers have those fears and doubts. Lovely post Amanda.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-86150364410312914102014-11-08T00:38:05.516+11:002014-11-08T00:38:05.516+11:00The fear of success is an interesting one and no l...The fear of success is an interesting one and no less real. If we succeed in writing then so many unknown 'things' may take place. Fear is a sneaky thing! Still, if we're open about it then God can help us face and deal with it. Thanks for dropping by, Julia :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-38559208638700084842014-11-08T00:35:02.330+11:002014-11-08T00:35:02.330+11:00I agree, Charis - it's good to know so many of...I agree, Charis - it's good to know so many of us feel the same way. And what great community we have so we can encourage and support one another. Thanks again xoAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-37248006812101873822014-11-07T20:52:13.094+11:002014-11-07T20:52:13.094+11:00I think in my case it is fear that I will succeed....I think in my case it is fear that I will succeed. Silly really... great post Andrea...great to get some insight into how a writer's mind works.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08214211692143307829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-3040405101892907402014-11-07T18:32:22.939+11:002014-11-07T18:32:22.939+11:00Aawwwww! I feel so honored to know I was even the ...Aawwwww! I feel so honored to know I was even the slightest help. I know that article really encouraged me too. I'm glad it encouraged you as well. It's so nice to know others in the same boat. And fear! It needs to go. How much do we let it hold us back?! I know it's one of the things I struggle with the most. But hey, knowing is half the fight, right? ;) Thanks for the mention and HUGS back!Charis Joy Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15274372117691594529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-64013955218429614842014-11-07T18:07:43.276+11:002014-11-07T18:07:43.276+11:00I empathise with the struggles, Jeanette. All the ...I empathise with the struggles, Jeanette. All the best as you complete your trilogy :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-62933716974604255292014-11-07T18:06:45.021+11:002014-11-07T18:06:45.021+11:00I'm in awe of what you've done, Narelle! E...I'm in awe of what you've done, Narelle! Embracing fear is definitely a positive thing - it helps you to analyse and then strategise, doesn't it? And you're right; we also need to embrace our own writing journey. Thank you for your insightful comments :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-44114318568552949082014-11-07T18:00:27.420+11:002014-11-07T18:00:27.420+11:00Great post Andrea. So true about fear being the en...Great post Andrea. So true about fear being the enemy - paralyzing, undermining and causing us to doubt. It is an interesting idea it can get harder not easier as we write more. I found my first three WIPs relatively easy to write but am struggling with the fourth, partly because it is the third in a trilogy so that there are so many threads to bring together. Also, my characters had lives long before I tried to shape them into neat novel-sized and structured packages that sometimes it feels more like writing history or biography than fantasy fiction. Anyhow, thanks for a timely and inspiring post.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-53394551794005560372014-11-07T17:51:11.596+11:002014-11-07T17:51:11.596+11:00Andrea, great post! There is a point in every book...Andrea, great post! There is a point in every book I've written where I've feared my writing is terrible, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to massively disappoint God, my editor and my readers. I've learned to embrace the fear as part of my process and see it as a positive thing. It means I'm striving to write the best book I can deliver and I'm not being complacent. I'm working toward an A rather than settling for a C, and I'm writing the book for God's glory, not my own.<br /><br />I signed a contract where I agreed to deliver between 270k-300k words (6 books) in 15 months. I had a head start with two completed mss that needed substantial revisions, a third ms with a completed first draft, and three proposals (first three chapters and synopsis). It's not easy to write fast and I worried that the quality of my books would suffer due to the tight deadlines.<br /><br />If your main writing goal is to make lots of money, then producing a large number of books as quickly as possible is a great plan for a whole bunch of reasons. Each of us have our own path, or own writing process, and I believe we need to embrace our unique journey rather than comparing ourselves to others. That frees us up to be happy for other people's success and not fall victim to professional jealousy. Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-64257633607137105952014-11-07T17:34:16.453+11:002014-11-07T17:34:16.453+11:00Thanks Nicki :)Thanks Nicki :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-82313189538511196072014-11-07T17:17:03.263+11:002014-11-07T17:17:03.263+11:00Thank you for your honesty. Awesome post. Bless yo...Thank you for your honesty. Awesome post. Bless you. XxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-13994761662459495092014-11-07T15:56:48.188+11:002014-11-07T15:56:48.188+11:00Well, they say the opening line is supposed to gra...Well, they say the opening line is supposed to grab the reader, Susanne, LOL. Very much over 50 (nearer 60 in fact, ) and quite happy to have started writing in the second half of my life. Lots of story fodder to draw on, you might say! I'm flattered and happy to be an inspiration. Thank you for the encouragement :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-14583919699956339302014-11-07T15:52:45.077+11:002014-11-07T15:52:45.077+11:00What would I do without you, Cat? You've kept ...What would I do without you, Cat? You've kept me sane and helped me laugh my fears away. Love the sound of trans-Tasman cheers ... going both ways! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-14722773652665551212014-11-07T15:50:33.063+11:002014-11-07T15:50:33.063+11:00Ian, it would be interesting to find out the stats...Ian, it would be interesting to find out the stats on Christian writers who produce 100k books that fast, wouldn't it? I have a feeling there's an expectation for established writers to have one new book annually, but not so much for two.<br /><br />And yes, I'm very aware the enemy does NOT want us to succeed. Makes me even more determined to keep on writing. Thanks for your encouragement, Ian.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-42385007548644549292014-11-07T15:44:54.104+11:002014-11-07T15:44:54.104+11:00Pretty sure I have a PhD in procrastination, Nola!...Pretty sure I have a PhD in procrastination, Nola!<br /><br />Totally agree about allowing time for a story to percolate, Nola. Once I've been thinking about it for several weeks (months are even better) those 'aha' moments swim to the surface and things start to tie in and make sense. I'm such a plotter!!!<br /><br />Love your sentence: 'I think there has to be a balance between writing fast and producing the best product we can.' Amen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-31976429476007037642014-11-07T15:33:48.628+11:002014-11-07T15:33:48.628+11:00Totally understand what you mean about the editing...Totally understand what you mean about the editing, Susan. It's a good thing, but it can become all-consuming - it's hard to know when to draw the line, isn't it? Mind you, that's where a critique partner can help out. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-56570258129767118242014-11-07T15:31:36.969+11:002014-11-07T15:31:36.969+11:00Glad there was some laughter along with the squirm...Glad there was some laughter along with the squirming, Dotti! Thank you for the hugs too :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-24046659259872301372014-11-07T15:30:01.247+11:002014-11-07T15:30:01.247+11:00Thanks for your insightful comments, Jo-Anne.
Gre...Thanks for your insightful comments, Jo-Anne.<br /><br />Great point about each book having different characters to explore, Jo-Anne. We have to know them inside out and back to front to make them come alive on the page. While that's my favourite part of writing I think it's also my greatest concern. Have I made them real enough for my readers to want to know them? You're spot on about the need to persevere too. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-52081935674287715752014-11-07T15:25:12.724+11:002014-11-07T15:25:12.724+11:00I suspect it is a very common affliction, Melissa!...I suspect it is a very common affliction, Melissa! You've made me feel better too :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-34528584637087894662014-11-07T15:24:21.655+11:002014-11-07T15:24:21.655+11:00Clearly, we're perversely normal, Iola. Love h...Clearly, we're perversely normal, Iola. Love how you 'get' me :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04449342827457837314noreply@blogger.com