tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post9044210068325327258..comments2024-03-16T07:55:54.153-07:00Comments on Views From the Bald Patch: OriginsBotanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-42479622920139244402012-02-22T01:22:27.424-08:002012-02-22T01:22:27.424-08:00How wonderful that you're good at math AND Eng...How wonderful that you're good at math AND English! I never cared for the former, but I've always loved stringing words together. I just never thought I could be a "real" writer. :DJeremy Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00877532315856151843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-61664923739337686902012-02-19T14:09:08.956-08:002012-02-19T14:09:08.956-08:00Conversely, maths and music are supposed to go tog...Conversely, maths and music are supposed to go together, but I've never felt any aptitude for the latter. Let's face it, I'm just odd :DBotanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-9621416424279606822012-02-18T13:38:05.752-08:002012-02-18T13:38:05.752-08:00Usually people are either good at maths or English...Usually people are either good at maths or English, and seldom both. So, I think it's awesome you have both. Fascinating post!Ellie Garratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731071128348213067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-49370920520365735302012-02-16T19:26:20.734-08:002012-02-16T19:26:20.734-08:00Denise, maths is one of those great dividers - you...Denise, maths is one of those great dividers - you either get it, or you don't. I think it takes a particularly warped mind to enjoy it, but I'm OK with that :)<br /><br />Hi Squid, April will be on us all too soon, and will likely catch me unprepared!<br /><br />Lydia, that is so true.<br /><br />Miranda, it was a formative experience, to say the least. I think the biggest boost for me, though, was critiquing other folks' writing and seeing that I had thoughts of value to offer them.<br /><br />Lynn, I learned a lot from those early critiques!Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-62979711011130352012012-02-16T17:38:57.526-08:002012-02-16T17:38:57.526-08:00That first crit. YIKES. I remember that VERY Well...That first crit. YIKES. I remember that VERY Well. They didn't laugh or anything, but they sure tore into it. Of course it didn't help I didn't even know what POV was at the time. LOL!!!!! GREAT story. Thanks for sharing.LynnRushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07019358342291623619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-19535614107752648452012-02-16T16:58:33.263-08:002012-02-16T16:58:33.263-08:00I'm glad that online critique group encouraged...I'm glad that online critique group encouraged you to keep going. It's important to get our stories out, even if no one else will ever read them.Miranda Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17880449368013410349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-79489115234564512672012-02-16T13:01:23.710-08:002012-02-16T13:01:23.710-08:00It's the "I'm not a lost cause" ...It's the "I'm not a lost cause" feeling that is the best when you first start writing, isn't it? So glad you kept going!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-38873858425725811782012-02-16T03:22:17.450-08:002012-02-16T03:22:17.450-08:00Nice to meet you. Good luck with A-Z. I look for...Nice to meet you. Good luck with A-Z. I look forward to your posts.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10739833215220853127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-62796692296389927392012-02-15T21:06:22.346-08:002012-02-15T21:06:22.346-08:00Hi there! I was about to come visit again so you p...Hi there! I was about to come visit again so you prompted me! Great to read about your Origins in writing. Taking that first step and waiting for a critique of our writing is nerve wracking, but after doing it for awhile it gets a whole lot easier!<br /><br />Now maths, that's a mystery to me!<br /><br />DeniseDenise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-50394113865150827752012-02-15T18:56:32.529-08:002012-02-15T18:56:32.529-08:00bazza, I don't seem to have too much trouble w...bazza, I don't seem to have too much trouble with the mechanics of writing, or even telling the story - once I have something to say. It's the "have something to say" bit that I find most challenging.<br /><br />LOL, Marsha, isn't that ironic?<br /><br />Jennifer, yes that is so scary first time around! Now I've got some confidence though, I usually look forward to hearing what folks have to say.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-61726435487316074232012-02-15T18:53:05.999-08:002012-02-15T18:53:05.999-08:00Thanks Emily and Melissa, and welcome to this litt...Thanks Emily and Melissa, and welcome to this little corner of madness!<br /><br />LTM, your secret's safe with me :)<br /><br />Adrienne, it wasn't so difficult when I actually got around to it. You've hit on a couple of topics for future posts in one comment. More to follow...Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-24120742588379066342012-02-15T14:40:25.159-08:002012-02-15T14:40:25.159-08:00Nothing is scarier than the first time you wait fo...Nothing is scarier than the first time you wait for feedback. I remember my first workshop well - I didn't sleep for a week while I waited for critiques to come in!<br /><br />Great story.Jennifer Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783975547643539868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-39272262296950398982012-02-15T09:21:43.485-08:002012-02-15T09:21:43.485-08:00Ahhh, Math. How I hates it. I always sucked at it...Ahhh, Math. How I hates it. I always sucked at it and was far better in English and writing those essays. The funny thing? <br /><br />I'm an accountant. How the hell did this happen?<br /><br />Great origin story, thanks for sharing!Marsha Sigmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095210839900479297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-7914219509506463982012-02-15T09:11:26.889-08:002012-02-15T09:11:26.889-08:00Hi. I think it's about having something to say...Hi. I think it's about having something to say. I don't think the best writers are necessarily 'good' at grammar,, spelling or the act of actually writing; they are good at storytelling, saying something and adding to the sum of human knowledge and experience. What you seem to be good at, if I may say so, is being creative!<br /><a href="http://todiscoverice.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’</a>bazzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794010156639774028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-34839936018844181432012-02-15T07:05:26.850-08:002012-02-15T07:05:26.850-08:00Wow! I went to art school to avoid math! I really ...Wow! I went to art school to avoid math! I really admire your drive to write despite finding it difficult. I would never devote that kind of brain power to Calculus! And the online writing community is AMAZING. So supportive and helpful. This was a great story!Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07258263307771178398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-2525231486044805452012-02-15T06:29:43.849-08:002012-02-15T06:29:43.849-08:00How wonderful that you're good at math AND Eng...How wonderful that you're good at math AND English! I never cared for the former, but I've always loved stringing words together. I just never thought I could be a "real" writer. :D (don't tell anyone my secret identity. ;o)LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-85193815150518885552012-02-14T21:33:59.412-08:002012-02-14T21:33:59.412-08:00I love how the ideas came to you and you were comp...I love how the ideas came to you and you were compelled to put them on paper. It's so magical.<br /><br />We all come to this crazy life in varied and unique ways. I am glad you are in the life to stay.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04443736284850057306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-21396078543084802102012-02-14T19:32:49.745-08:002012-02-14T19:32:49.745-08:00Oh, and I'm following you now!Oh, and I'm following you now!Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-72684697547248275692012-02-14T19:32:25.741-08:002012-02-14T19:32:25.741-08:00This is a wonderful story. You took a chance writi...This is a wonderful story. You took a chance writing a book, it wasn't a best-seller, but there was promise. It's great that you could recognize your weaknesses and strengths in your work and that you were willing to stick with it.<br />Thanks for sharing!Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-45285841982450062252012-02-14T17:32:14.291-08:002012-02-14T17:32:14.291-08:00DL, thank you also for hosting - and I believe the...DL, thank you also for hosting - and I believe the idea was originally yours too? This blogfest has been a real eye-opener.<br /><br />Bob, I think online forums have made a vast difference. They manage to take personalities out of it to a large extent and allow you to focus on the words.<br /><br />Hey, Tara, the mathematicians are crawling out of the woodwork today. I am pleased to meet you!<br /><br />Caitlin, it was touch & go at first. That blank page on the screen can be so intimidating!<br /><br />Nutschell, ain't that the truth? Pleased to meet you too.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-20653526853807503352012-02-14T17:27:28.224-08:002012-02-14T17:27:28.224-08:00Scarlett, I don't think the label applies to t...Scarlett, I don't think the label applies to those lucky authors whose books grace the bookstores and best-seller lists. They are in the very serious business of entertainment. It's us unpublished masses who have to fight the accusation of self-indulgence, and I was most afraid of finding that I had nothing to offer that anyone would take seriously. I'd already trodden that path with my visual arts, but that's a whole 'nuther post :)<br /><br />Julie/Empty Nest, it still amazes me how this kinda snuck up on me!<br /><br />Sarah, it was a difficult step indeed, but I've developed a lot more confidence in myself as a result.<br /><br />Tonja, it's strange how that came about. Not so surprising in retrospect, but again that's another post.<br /><br />Matt, hello and welcome, and thanks so much for co-hosting!Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-48190607442845545882012-02-14T11:29:29.837-08:002012-02-14T11:29:29.837-08:00That writing but sure is a sneaky little creature!...That writing but sure is a sneaky little creature!<br />great to meet you through this blogfest. <br /><br />your newest follower,<br />Nutschell<br />www.thewritingnut.comnutschellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10967710710805174781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-31348782761101070942012-02-14T11:23:20.454-08:002012-02-14T11:23:20.454-08:00It sounds like you've got some really wonderfu...It sounds like you've got some really wonderful people in your life who didn't laugh or give you a hard time about writing. I think it's awesome that you stuck through writing those first few novels when sitting down to the computer could seem so difficult!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146136846875431598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-62475585397366199822012-02-14T09:49:53.592-08:002012-02-14T09:49:53.592-08:00we have startlingly similar stories, fellow mathem...we have startlingly similar stories, fellow mathematician =)<br />yay! great beginning!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-81585296069375136742012-02-14T05:44:39.847-08:002012-02-14T05:44:39.847-08:00Like you said when you stopped by, it's like l...Like you said when you stopped by, it's like looking in a mirror. I only wish there'd been more online accessibility during my early years writing. Having to look somebody in the face as you let those precious words out of your grasp can be terrifying - much better to blindly send them on their way and then await the results.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02998502637742703857noreply@blogger.com