tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post1407157924861553862..comments2024-02-12T02:28:12.317-05:00Comments on The Writers' Group: Being CritiquedLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-41701532574231815462008-04-16T21:04:00.000-04:002008-04-16T21:04:00.000-04:00That and a dress, and then you'll be complete. I ...That and a dress, and then you'll be complete. I wish I could share them with you all.<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-69228004519012692642008-04-16T17:14:00.000-04:002008-04-16T17:14:00.000-04:00i need these kind of unrelenting writer's for a gr...i need these kind of unrelenting writer's for a group. i will start working on that.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716215892504806470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-57177926496046431702008-04-16T08:31:00.000-04:002008-04-16T08:31:00.000-04:00Eileen, I appreciate that. BTW, not only did I la...Eileen, I appreciate that. BTW, not only did I laugh long into the night reading UNPREDICATBLE, I bought it for a friend who desperately need a laugh. What power you have to spread good cheer.<BR/><BR/>Usman,earning your respect means quite a bit to me. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-79538402483110736312008-04-16T03:11:00.000-04:002008-04-16T03:11:00.000-04:00Amy,Your post tells me you are not fighting with t...Amy,<BR/>Your post tells me you are not fighting with the world but yourself, for satisfying that creative urge.<BR/>Something I respect, more than NYT lists and the rest.<BR/>I do envy your group. Bravo to the lot of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-30996653014306129222008-04-16T00:30:00.000-04:002008-04-16T00:30:00.000-04:00Your desire to be better and better is all the rec...Your desire to be better and better is all the recommendation I need. I can't wait to read your book.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07967828178034612278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-62153485315324241692008-04-15T19:47:00.000-04:002008-04-15T19:47:00.000-04:00Allison, that pressure can be paralyzing, so many ...Allison, that pressure can be paralyzing, so many expectations. You found your groove and then some. Just look at that cover for TIME OF MY LIFE. It goes on sale in October, right?<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-62328156588192276582008-04-15T18:57:00.000-04:002008-04-15T18:57:00.000-04:00Amy, I, too, felt the pressure of delivering my se...Amy, I, too, felt the pressure of delivering my second novel. I found it much more difficult to write than the first, which is silly in some ways because I'd already proven that I was an okay writer. But with those expectations came higher expectations, and I found it almost paralyzing. Fortunately, like you, I eventually found my groove and then cruised along. It's finding that groove that matters, and I'm glad to hear that it sounds like you did!Allison Winn Scotchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-31371905263576445852008-04-15T16:09:00.000-04:002008-04-15T16:09:00.000-04:00Joanne, my writing is certainly stronger for it. ...Joanne, my writing is certainly stronger for it. I'm still weak as a kitten when it's time to share.<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-90200831488896189702008-04-15T15:22:00.000-04:002008-04-15T15:22:00.000-04:00I like this post, Amy. It shows a certain vulnera...I like this post, Amy. It shows a certain vulnerability inherent to writing, especially fiction writing. We question so much, it's a wonder we move forward sometimes! But I think in the end, we (and the writing) are stronger for it.<BR/>~JoanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-72683940438228307762008-04-15T14:37:00.000-04:002008-04-15T14:37:00.000-04:00Carleen, another Shay? I don't think so. She's h...Carleen, another Shay? I don't think so. She's her own person in ORANGE MINT & HONEY. A fine debut (Target pick,no less). I don't think your next effort will read like the first. As for themes, my books will always explore the same themes -- the forgotten people of this world -- but I'll try my damnedest to ensure they read differently.<BR/><BR/>Larramie, you are always a safe harbor. When the reviews come in and I need to hide myself away from them, mind if I duck over and wait it out at your place?<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-78810290659134320392008-04-15T13:04:00.000-04:002008-04-15T13:04:00.000-04:00It's difficult to imagine the challenge of "bestin...It's difficult to imagine the challenge of "besting" a first novel that has already received such early praise, Amy. Yet there's no doubt that you -- with the guidance and encouragement of Lisa, Hannah and Lynne -- will succeed.<BR/><BR/>What I can't imagine, though, is this: "...we hope to facilitate multiple births when we do the panel at Grub's writing conference." If you succeed, ladies, start franchising!Larramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788910637361812265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-34419948205554801302008-04-15T12:05:00.000-04:002008-04-15T12:05:00.000-04:00I too tried to change it up for novel 2. I went f...I too tried to change it up for novel 2. I went from 1st person to 3rd person, from 1 POV to 2 POVs. But I've been surprised to see how many of the same themes are present in my 2nd novel. I didn't plan it that way, but there they are. Hopefully, it doesn't read like a retread of the last novel.<BR/><BR/>Wishing you continued grace and success with your book 2!Carleen Bricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433203126527081458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-82175445504236428372008-04-15T10:50:00.000-04:002008-04-15T10:50:00.000-04:00I appreciate that, Judy. And I agree that we have...I appreciate that, Judy. And I agree that we have something pretty terrific here. I have everything crossed for you and your sophmore effort. That angst never goes away, doesit.<BR/><BR/>Lisa, a huge journey you're about to embark on, no? I wish you the best with that, I wish for everyone who wants a writers' group that they find a constructive one. We were just saying last night that thereare so many variables necessary to construct a productive group -- personality, a certain level of craft, trust -- that it's a wonder people ever do. We hope to facilitate multiple births when we do the panel at Grub's writing conference.<BR/><BR/>AmyLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-5525476484710562522008-04-15T10:37:00.000-04:002008-04-15T10:37:00.000-04:00I've been studying all of you -- holding you up as...I've been studying all of you -- holding you up as the ideal writing group -- and I've learned there seem to be a few things that are crucial to a good critique relationship. <BR/><BR/>I think the group needs to "get you" and your work and understand what you're trying to do (competence to give you constructive input goes without saying). And I think that if you trust your group and know that they care enough to be as hard on your work as you are, you have it made. <BR/><BR/>This isn't an easy dynamic to establish. I've just accepted an invitation to join a newly forming critique group. I'll be turning pages in next week for our very first critique session...<BR/><BR/>Wish me luck on the first Saturday in May!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-25797714283342398472008-04-15T08:49:00.000-04:002008-04-15T08:49:00.000-04:00Oh, Amy, I'm even more envious of your group now t...Oh, Amy, I'm even more envious of your group now than ever. And I know the worry about a sophomore effort--I want it to be better, to show growth, to show range.<BR/><BR/>And, it sounds as though you are well on your way.<BR/><BR/>Feel free to bounce things off of me, too, okay?Judy Merrill Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06675069484490433295noreply@blogger.com