tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post8818062264126112704..comments2024-03-18T13:17:53.702-07:00Comments on Coming Down the Mountain: Deciding What to WriteKaren Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-81322536215133905222015-06-26T09:19:19.810-07:002015-06-26T09:19:19.810-07:00Diana, This is so very true and applies to decisio...Diana, This is so very true and applies to decisions in life generally and not just to writing. Wonderful insight!Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-20216388227317865052015-06-24T19:17:49.987-07:002015-06-24T19:17:49.987-07:00Hilary, As much as I'd love to dash out a nove...Hilary, As much as I'd love to dash out a novel or two or three, I just can't. They have to mature and fall into my hands like a piece of ripe and delicious fruit.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-56609074252832318462015-06-24T19:15:26.775-07:002015-06-24T19:15:26.775-07:00Jeff, I do best as a spontaneous writer as well. T...Jeff, I do best as a spontaneous writer as well. Then the idea that really excites me I can work with for the long haul.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-43077863541374245882015-06-24T19:13:59.037-07:002015-06-24T19:13:59.037-07:00Arlee, I hope you will. I have enjoyed your posts ...Arlee, I hope you will. I have enjoyed your posts on writing memoir. Since I'm looking at doing that down the road I've appreciated the tips and will revisit those posts.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-65891576532309122382015-06-24T19:12:45.651-07:002015-06-24T19:12:45.651-07:00I always enjoy your blog! And a blogger is a write...I always enjoy your blog! And a blogger is a writer.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-80367383886376008562015-06-24T19:12:00.988-07:002015-06-24T19:12:00.988-07:00Sheri, As writers we hear so much about marketing ...Sheri, As writers we hear so much about marketing and writing more books and getting the next one out without too much delay that I think we can forget why we are writing in the first place. And anyone who thinks it's for money should have their head examined.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-78777896036182892292015-06-24T19:09:48.304-07:002015-06-24T19:09:48.304-07:00Birgit, Yes, and it did feel like I was forcing my...Birgit, Yes, and it did feel like I was forcing myself to work on an unpleasant assignment. Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-51513989596290600852015-06-24T19:08:28.631-07:002015-06-24T19:08:28.631-07:00Simon, LOL, not much good indeed! Why else are we ...Simon, LOL, not much good indeed! Why else are we writing unless it's from excitement and enthusiasm for the story we want to tell?Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-11217640319336286402015-06-24T19:07:21.145-07:002015-06-24T19:07:21.145-07:00Susan, Is that ever the truth! It was getting so I...Susan, Is that ever the truth! It was getting so I dreaded my writing time. I felt like I was torn in half whenever I went to work on it.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-22761023293469640302015-06-24T19:06:14.879-07:002015-06-24T19:06:14.879-07:00Taryn, Really well said! It's kind of weird ho...Taryn, Really well said! It's kind of weird how I was thinking there was something wrong with me when actually it was just me trying to force a story out when it wasn't ready. Or maybe it was me who wasn't ready.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-77980875540661556052015-06-24T19:04:52.616-07:002015-06-24T19:04:52.616-07:00Carol, Isn't it fun how these things come to u...Carol, Isn't it fun how these things come to us? When I fell in love with the concept of Afraid of Everything, it was the title and the image of a woman curled up in a coma thinking "this isn't half bad."Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-38840814944970723052015-06-24T19:03:37.657-07:002015-06-24T19:03:37.657-07:00Alex, I don't know that space opera, sci fi wo...Alex, I don't know that space opera, sci fi won't sell. With ebooks, a lot of genres that seemed to be dying are getting new life and the old style sci fi is one of them. I think it's great that you're writing what you love and it's a genre that fills the need for those who love it too and may not be able to find it everywhere.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-10409502740561005362015-06-24T19:02:01.257-07:002015-06-24T19:02:01.257-07:00Terri, I totally am with you on this. It may sound...Terri, I totally am with you on this. It may sound cliched but true that just one reader who responds with a positive, genuine email or review about what the book meant to them, how it changed their life, -- wow, nothing better and makes it all worth it.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-91931215013747477312015-06-24T03:56:47.315-07:002015-06-24T03:56:47.315-07:00Hi Karen - yes ... our words are our words ... and...Hi Karen - yes ... our words are our words ... and if we can reach people - friends and bloggers ... then it's wonderful. However sometimes we need time - we can't 'dash' things out for the sake of it ... the next manuscript will come ... <br /><br />I'm so glad you're working on your next project - sounds intriguing ... and will fit you perfectly ... enjoy your process ... <br /><br />I have House of Diamonds to read ... it will be evocative I know ... and will make me think ... <br /><br />Cheers and enjoy your rains - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-28766577062826066292015-06-18T18:13:13.082-07:002015-06-18T18:13:13.082-07:00Isn't it wonderful when you find yourself doin...Isn't it wonderful when you find yourself doing the right thing? It's as though a piece of the puzzle has slid into place and now everything is balanced. And if you can hold to that feeling, remember it, it's both a wonderful memory and a sort of guide for the uncertain times.<br /><br />Diana.Diana Wilderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074083771067857127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-62427227433160575122015-06-18T08:14:14.646-07:002015-06-18T08:14:14.646-07:00Inger, Thank you and your posts of the last year h...Inger, Thank you and your posts of the last year have taught me that as well.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-32992365453449850812015-06-18T08:13:10.223-07:002015-06-18T08:13:10.223-07:00Michael, Maybe you needed to write it not just for...Michael, Maybe you needed to write it not just for yourself but for this reader as well. I hope one day you find the right publisher for your book. It sounds powerful.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-2628372031589113742015-06-18T07:57:29.337-07:002015-06-18T07:57:29.337-07:00Karen, this was a wonderful post. It almost made m...Karen, this was a wonderful post. It almost made me want to write a book! Your comment on my last post touched me deeply. You never know what life will bring though. My husband was more than six years younger than I, so I always thought he would be there to take care of me in my old age. Older than his old age. So you never know. Love your man every day you have together, is the lesson I learned this past year. Ingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924736131382149056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-83510851884848163142015-06-18T05:57:06.396-07:002015-06-18T05:57:06.396-07:00Hi, Karen,
I feel exactly the same way. Our stori...Hi, Karen,<br /><br />I feel exactly the same way. Our stories need to change our lives. If they don't, then how could they possible affect anyone else's. When I wrote my second novel about child abuse, a fellow blogger had read an excerpt I had posted from it. She had asked to read the whole manuscript. Since I had only edited it a few times, I was reluctant, but I was also very honored for the request.<br /><br />I had sent it to her. A few weeks had passed. Nothing. I sent her an email just to see if she had received it. A day later, she had written me back. I could feel the emotion and almost see the tears staining my computer screen. She was an abused child. She had relived so many of her past hurts. At times, she needed to stop reading to collect herself. <br /><br />Her words tore through me. I felt her pain. But then, her final words warmed my soul. I had helped her extract so many of those demons. She had lived with her secret for almost seventy years. Finally she was able to put them to rest. My job was done.<br /><br />To date, this novel has not been published. I am still looking for an agent/publisher. Even if it does't find a home, it had helped one person. That is enough for me.<br /><br />Good luck on your newest novel. I'm looking forward to reading more about it!Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-90228882139574061382015-06-17T17:12:01.367-07:002015-06-17T17:12:01.367-07:00Thanks for sharing this with us. Wishing you the b...Thanks for sharing this with us. Wishing you the best on your writing journey. Yes, write for ourselves, first, I agree.The Happy Whiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13438469476168485775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-23513245870621527552015-06-16T08:39:06.949-07:002015-06-16T08:39:06.949-07:00I have so many half completed novels that I despai...I have so many half completed novels that I despair of ever completing one but a different writing genre has 'found me' at the moment so, while the demand lasts, I'll continue to enjoy writing history books for children. As for blog posts, I find that the more personal posts receive fewer comments but I can't work out why.Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-78228084487218266482015-06-13T08:57:20.799-07:002015-06-13T08:57:20.799-07:00Karen, Your memoir was wonderful and I still think...Karen, Your memoir was wonderful and I still think about things you said in there now and again. Lessons you learned. I'm glad your recent book was a life transforming experience for you as well. In that case, I'm sure it will be for readers too.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-78046847172675205262015-06-13T08:55:08.691-07:002015-06-13T08:55:08.691-07:00Jan, "all my creative ventures and they all s...Jan, "all my creative ventures and they all share my purpose"<br /><br />That's such a profound phrase. I think of everything I do which is creative and which shares my purpose, and there's a lot more on the list than just writing.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-77949936763975096822015-06-13T08:53:29.833-07:002015-06-13T08:53:29.833-07:00Diane, It's nice to know I"m not the only...Diane, It's nice to know I"m not the only one! At first I thought it had something to do with my skill as a writer, but I don't feel that way any longer.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852800943772489474.post-20473536779416941732015-06-13T08:51:58.654-07:002015-06-13T08:51:58.654-07:00Mirka, Thank you! And I know I'll write the ne...Mirka, Thank you! And I know I'll write the next diamond book, but it has to be when I'm emotionally ready to face the difficulties our family went through at that time and write about them objectively.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com