Comments on: The Journey of Discovery

By: Liz C

Liz C — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:43:17 +0000

Have you ever stopped mid-sentence like that and realized just how ridiculous you sound trying to describe something you were supposed to write? Wow - you nailed it! And here I thought it was just me. See, I'm getting ready for my first NaNo; in fact, my first fiction writing in over 30 years. I have a basic storyline figured out, kind of an oddball-fantasy/scifi-ish thing. I tried to explain it to my sister and I swear I could feel her blank stare through the stunned silence over the phone. That knocked me down enough so that I didn't touch my plot outline for two weeks. I finally reminded myself that no one is going to see this novel but me. I think I'm back on track now. p.s. I just found your blog and will be checking in on your often. Love your style! Liz C´s last blog post..Breaking new ground

By: Jamie Grove

Jamie Grove — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:27:16 +0000

@Lindlund Thanks so much and yes I have to finish it. When my son heard I was doing NaNoWriMo, he was very excited about me finishing Beastly John. He was a little let down that I’m not doing it, but he got excited again when I told him the story I was going to write would also be for kids. I told him that Beastly John would be the next book, so now I’m on the hook for both.

By: Lindlund

Lindlund — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:40:02 +0000

Wow, I really want to read that story. Maybe you’ll find that it’s next in line, after Nano this year. It’s Gaiman-ish and Pullman-ish in an enchanting way, I just have this feeling that I know you will finish it. And then maybe rewrite the peak and the end a few times (if you’re that kind of person), and then it’ll become your second best-selling novel. Please do!

By: Jamie Grove

Jamie Grove — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:47:51 +0000

@Laura You’re welcome, Laura. It’s good to know that my experience is helping others.

By: Laura Tamayo

Laura Tamayo — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:22:23 +0000

"Have you ever stopped mid-sentence like that and realized just how ridiculous you sound trying to describe something you were supposed to write? Describing a story you tried/wanted to tell is a lot like trying to explain a joke after you've already told it." This comment definitely resonates with me. I love the honesty in the way you share the experience of writing. Thanks for sharing the journey. It makes a difference for those of us that are also finding our way. Laura Tamayo´s last blog post..Blog Action Day: Poverty

By: Jamie Grove

Jamie Grove — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:30:20 +0000

@Elizabeth Thanks for stopping in! I believe that if you are going to write for children you need to get feedback from children about your work. They find things and ask questions that you would never even think of. I suppose this is true of most readers, but I’ve had more off the wall (yet completely reasonable) questions from kids than any adult reader. Thanks for the great comment!

By: Elizabeth Stark

Elizabeth Stark — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:52:11 +0000

Jamie--Your son is the perfect reader because he responds as a reader. In workshops, so often, people fancy themselves critics or mistake themselves for the writer of the piece and respond from there, when what we need most as writers is to know what the reader wonders when he or she reads our work. Thanks for a great post! Elizabeth Stark´s last blog post..On Being Anything: Chris Rock, Borges, and Raising White Boys

By: Jamie Grove

Jamie Grove — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:54:45 +0000

@Armen Glad you liked it!

@Meryl First, thanks for the link love. Next as for Heart of Darkness, I think it is one of those books you have to read slowly, in chunks. I did the same thing with East of Eden. I read it a bit at a time over 6 months. It takes time to grow on you… Either that or I’d read so much Graham Greene at the time that Conrad was like a breath of fresh air!

@Diane Thanks so much, but don’t sell writing from observation short. That’s the heart of all great writing. It just so happens that I tend to observe worlds that aren’t exactly there.

@Karen I’m glad it helps. That’s the whole purpose of this site and what I do here. helping others by helping myself. You’re welcome!!!!

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:43:01 +0000

Jamie, I love the bit of story you shared and as with so many great children's books I think I would rather enjoy it as an adult. It has been such a wonderful and inspiring thing to be part of your journey. By sharing it with us, you really are helping us to find our own way too. Thank you Jamie! Karen D. Swim´s last blog post..How Santa Busted My Recession Blues

By: Diane Penna

Diane Penna — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:01:42 +0000

I'm always amazed and inspired when I read your posts. You are so meant to be a fiction writer..you write from the imagination. Me? I write from what I observe, which is not that imaginative, but I guess still important. Anyway, thanks for always giving me a new perspective on things... Hey, I kept my reply short this time. Yay me. Diane Penna´s last blog post..Back to Writing!