tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post7562290590511876071..comments2024-03-26T05:19:32.342-04:00Comments on Out on a Limb: Measured StepsRuth Schiffmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-20225408144065891202011-11-18T22:09:33.539-05:002011-11-18T22:09:33.539-05:00Karen - While things are percolating I can get imp...Karen - While things are percolating I can get impatient. It's always a relief when the words begin to flow.<br /><br />Sara - How lovely to find your spark in so many things!<br /><br />Medeia - Sometimes we have to try everything at least once before finding what works best for us.<br /><br />Jen - Glad you found it helpful. It's always hard if we fall into the comparison trap.<br /><br />Joanne - Thanks for stopping by. you have a lovely blog. Very inspiring.<br /><br />Marcia - I'm with you!<br /><br />Sarah - Thanks for dropping by.<br /><br />Courtney - So glad you're enjoying NaNo. I have a good friend who is absolutely energized by the challenge of it, and it obviously works for a lot of people.<br /><br />Elizabeth - Thanks for stopping by.Ruth Schiffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-73950860041700440132011-11-18T20:48:05.389-05:002011-11-18T20:48:05.389-05:00Awesome photos...great blog background.
NEW FOLLO...Awesome photos...great blog background.<br /><br />NEW FOLLOWER.<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><br />http://silversolara.blogspot.comElizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522861943931628690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-89829541520204238852011-11-18T11:04:58.804-05:002011-11-18T11:04:58.804-05:00Hey Ruth :) I thrive on deadlines (I was a journal...Hey Ruth :) I thrive on deadlines (I was a journalist for years). I am doing NaNo this year. I spent a few months preparing beforehand. I had a detailed outline, research, and character worksheets. I'm in love with my characters and the story. The words are flowing out of me, and I'm projected to "finish" my 50k words by next week. Does that mean it's ready? Of course not. Will I spend months revising? You bet. But I'll have the ideas on the page :) <br /><br />The thing I love most about writing is there is no right or wrong way to do it. Everyone's process is different, and what works for one person may not work for the next. <br /><br />Great post, and great pictures!Courtney Koschelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04064959888350185505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-60870405868861261262011-11-17T14:25:55.410-05:002011-11-17T14:25:55.410-05:00Hi Ruth, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog sp...Hi Ruth, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog space this morning. Like you, I'm not Nano'ing, and quite frankly it intimidates me like crazy. I tend to let things "stew" like you, but I'm cheering on my friends who are cranking out the word count. (And secretly I'm a tinge jealous.) :)Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-30684779741111953612011-11-17T10:27:01.217-05:002011-11-17T10:27:01.217-05:00I'm also a slow writer who would freeze up or ...I'm also a slow writer who would freeze up or churn out nothing but tripe if I entered the race that is NaNo. I'm glad it works for a lot of people, but I'm not them. :)Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-56999215786262122812011-11-17T06:43:06.161-05:002011-11-17T06:43:06.161-05:00I find that real life sparks my work. My stories ...I find that real life sparks my work. My stories have started from a snippet of an experience that I've expanded in words, and my blog posts are all inspired by photos I take in my everyday travels. Life is the best muse :)Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-51220631418567684122011-11-16T18:52:38.522-05:002011-11-16T18:52:38.522-05:00I'm a slow writer too and seeing so many doing...I'm a slow writer too and seeing so many doing Nano has made me feel quite inadequate. This helped. Thank you.Super Happy Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15322495551769344674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-71995315800844236102011-11-16T18:37:05.553-05:002011-11-16T18:37:05.553-05:00I used to be a fast writer, and that speed yielded...I used to be a fast writer, and that speed yielded many drawer manuscripts. I enjoy being a slow writer nowadays. But once those ideas are ready, I'm raring to go. <br /><br />I find sparks in so many places. Right now I'm motivated by ROW80. I love posting my updates once or twice a week on my blog, which makes me eager to share my progress on the next post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-19263347473415099762011-11-16T18:18:18.029-05:002011-11-16T18:18:18.029-05:00What a nice post :) You know, I find sparks in dif...What a nice post :) You know, I find sparks in different things at different times. In books. In nature. In the shower. In NaNo. In writing sprints with my friends. Retreats. Late nights. Caffeine...Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos}https://www.blogger.com/profile/09824996048264979275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-1858535947418856832011-11-16T10:07:54.724-05:002011-11-16T10:07:54.724-05:00That sounds like a fantastic book. Thanks so much ...That sounds like a fantastic book. Thanks so much for sharing. <br /><br />I'm a "slow" writer as well. I do need to time for things to percolate in my brain but once it's done, I can write up a storm. :)Karen Stronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697785820907711723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-70083327293721407262011-11-15T19:44:27.801-05:002011-11-15T19:44:27.801-05:00Abby - I'm glad you like the pictures. I alway...Abby - I'm glad you like the pictures. I always enjoy picking them out =DRuth Schiffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-27997437560152865092011-11-15T18:39:01.414-05:002011-11-15T18:39:01.414-05:00Trisha - The fact that the process is different fo...Trisha - The fact that the process is different for all of us keeps it interesting ;) Glad you're enjoying NaNo!<br /><br />Claudine - That's an admirable spark: wanting to help others. (We all have a little bit of the vanity, as well.) Hope you get the bookshop by the sea someday!<br /><br />Pamela Jo - Glad you're out of the hospital. Hope you're feeling better. Life happens. There's always the next campaign.<br /><br />Kelly - Who needs Nano when you can draft an entire novel in thirteen days? Whew! I can't even comprehend that.<br /><br />Stephanie - I understand that. I find the deeper, more emotional stuff exhausting as well. Sometimes I only eek out a sentence or two before I have to leave the keyboard and take a break.<br /><br />Susanna - PiBoldMo sounds interesting. I'll have to look into that. Glad you're enjoying it!<br /><br />Vijaya - Finding joy in the process is a must!<br /><br />C.Lee - Glad to hear from so many other "slow" writers. I often feel like things are never really going to gel - and then the magic happens and I'm so relieved that it hasn't all been for nothing.<br /><br />Rosalind - There are definately deadlines I can work with but Nano isn't one of them.<br /><br />Lisa - Best of luck with it!<br /><br />Janet - Yes, music is a big motivator for me too.<br /><br />Robyn - Oooo another PiBoldMo mention. I really need to check this out.<br /><br />Mirka - Great attitude. This is something I constantly have to remind myself.<br /><br />Patricia - Oh, I love those nights too. I'm due for another.<br /><br />Melissa - Wow! Working with Martha Alderson must be amazing. She's such a great teacher. Her YouTube series really helped me with my current WIP.<br /><br />Talli - Thanks for stopping by. It's interesting to hear what does and doesn't work for others, but you're right, in the end we only have to focus on what works for us.<br /><br />Chipper Muse - That would make a great slogan: What matters more than word count is words that count." I like it =D<br /><br />Sheri - Island inspiring music - that sounds relaxing. Sounds like a great project to get you through the long winter.Ruth Schiffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-17478681766272360272011-11-15T18:35:05.521-05:002011-11-15T18:35:05.521-05:00This is a WONDERFUL post! I love it. And the pictu...This is a WONDERFUL post! I love it. And the pictures you used are so beautiful. I get inspired just by "living life." And whenever I read a really good book, I automatically want to get back to work on mine!Abby Fowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567978659174723198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-43977800430410597182011-11-15T13:54:22.366-05:002011-11-15T13:54:22.366-05:00I'm right there with you Ruth! I need a slowe...I'm right there with you Ruth! I need a slower pace to create. Since I'm currently writing about Islands, I'm listening to a lot of Island inspiring music! Lol! Even though I'm a little chilled right now, I'm dreaming of warm sand, sun and surf! ; )Sheri L. Swift, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08585820531737824211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-6099508787262880242011-11-15T13:38:36.732-05:002011-11-15T13:38:36.732-05:00Great post! I am doing Nano, largely because I lik...Great post! I am doing Nano, largely because I like the challenge of it, and I like hanging out and writing with my local Nano group. But I am also a slower writer, like you, and I think that what matters more than word count is words that count. It doesn't do much good to write fast but be unable to use what you wrote for anything.<br /><br />And thanks for stopping by my blog today. If you try Story Dam, let me know what you think of it!Chipper Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03500665992146450616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-70140066157040555512011-11-15T10:14:59.859-05:002011-11-15T10:14:59.859-05:00One of the biggest lessons I've learned is tha...One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you need to do what works for you. There's no right or wrong when it comes to writing, and you need to do what you need to do to enjoy it!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-90045782161549147172011-11-15T02:25:21.990-05:002011-11-15T02:25:21.990-05:00I wasn't sure about doing NaNo this year becau...I wasn't sure about doing NaNo this year because while I have finished before I have never produced any quality writing. I did it this year because I am working with Martha Alderson, "the plot whisperer" & author of the book, The Plot Whisperer. I think she can help me turn my words this year into something more than I have written the other times I participated. <br /><br />And deadlines tend to give me the kick in the pants I need.Melissa Sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16268333458796847721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-42657949941253834802011-11-14T23:33:32.959-05:002011-11-14T23:33:32.959-05:00NaNo is more than I can handle write now. I write ...NaNo is more than I can handle write now. I write PB. Maybe some day. I love it when an idea finally comes together and I sit up late at night writing, because I'm inspired and can't stop.Patricia TIltonhttp://www.childrensbooksheal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-69358187086040130832011-11-14T19:55:40.216-05:002011-11-14T19:55:40.216-05:00Some day, when the world is re-born, we'll all...Some day, when the world is re-born, we'll all stop thinking about word counts altogether. Because, literarily speaking, stories are not a word count contest.<br />Slow, steady and bottom-line good does it.<br /><br />Until then, I find that I do sometimes think about how to makes it longer, how to makes it shorter etc. I don’t like this word count business, but I am aware of it, and give myself challenges that take industry parameters into account.<br />But this never the magical writing that sometimes descends.Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-8007965106057939112011-11-14T16:35:59.115-05:002011-11-14T16:35:59.115-05:00I did NaNo one year. This year I decided to do PiB...I did NaNo one year. This year I decided to do PiBoIdMo. It is loads of fun coming up with all these ideas. I don't likey deadlines. They tend to make me nervous. And I'm a slow writer too. I have to let things fester. This was a fabulous post!Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-11446882120593384242011-11-14T16:34:09.538-05:002011-11-14T16:34:09.538-05:00Reading inspirational things motivates me . . . wh...Reading inspirational things motivates me . . . whether it's a quote, or a well-written book, or a piece of music. It makes me want to create something as beautiful. :)Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-35652444118304122892011-11-14T16:17:27.737-05:002011-11-14T16:17:27.737-05:00I'm strange. Deadlines work well for me. This ...I'm strange. Deadlines work well for me. This nano has been hard because of outside priorities, but I'm still trying!Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-64188940010908693182011-11-14T11:33:50.048-05:002011-11-14T11:33:50.048-05:00I normally work well when there's a deadline l...I normally work well when there's a deadline looming but the NaNo workload was just too much for me to contemplate this year. I thought about doing it but I'm now quite relieved that I didn't.Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-47811003779832016572011-11-14T11:11:03.381-05:002011-11-14T11:11:03.381-05:00I'm with you as to being a slow percolator of ...I'm with you as to being a slow percolator of ideas. I often just start with a list of words on paper, then sleep on whatever those words have generated in the way of character, setting, plot. When I'm in this mode, I sometimes think I'll never get a story started, but then something happens and I'm off and writing.<br /><br />Thanks for helping with the passionate energy!cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9068659764096530244.post-29364174176086302822011-11-14T10:43:25.180-05:002011-11-14T10:43:25.180-05:00Like you, Ruth, I'm a slow writer. I am blesse...Like you, Ruth, I'm a slow writer. I am blessed that I have a writing life -- it is integrated in the daily routine of cooking, cleaning, mothering, walking, etc. I feel called to write and share and that's what keeps me at it. There is joy. VijayaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com