Thursday, July 21, 2011

Writing Talk



The Questions
 
I have loose ends floating about, so thought I'd share some questions
and a few links to close out the week.

How much do you talk about writing? 

Do you discuss it with family, or reserve 
those conversations for writer friends?


The Links
 
The Write to Ignite Summer Conference, entitled A Day Apart, is July 30, 2011 
in NC. Christian YA/Children's writers invited.

Florida's Sanibel Island Writer's Conference, November 3-6, 2011, is for writers 
of all levels and genres.

Flathead River Writer's Conference, Kalispell, MT, October 1-2, 2011, 
all writers are invited.


So, how much writing talk floats about your home?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Karen




Image credit: Stock Exchange

38 comments :

  1. I hardly ever talk about writing to family and friends. They try to be interested but I can see them glaze over as I start getting into POV's and comparing syntax. Best to save it for people who are as into the technical stuff as much as I am.

    mood
    Moody Writing
    @mooderino

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  2. I don't write much, but I do think about the things I may one day write . . . and I talk to my husband about those someday/maybe dream projects fairly often. He's such a good sport about hearing me babble.

    But . . .sometimes I think that talking about writing actually interferes with writing. It's so much easier to read about something you want to do or talk about something you want to do than to actually, um, just do it. Maybe those ten minutes I day I spend yapping about writing projects with my husband would be better spent actually sitting at my computer and actually writing.

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  3. I don't discuss it much. Mostly only with other writers.

    Hope your week is going great and can't wait to see what you and Susan are working on. :O)

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  4. I usually only discuss it with my wife and she has no trouble telling me "Well, that's dumb!" She's usually right.

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  5. I try not to overdo it, but it's hard b/c I pulse with such a passion for it. Yesterday I brainstormed a YA idea with my daughter. That was a blast!

    ~ Wendy

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  6. I talk about writing A LOT! With my writer friends mostly, and with my husband. He's so good to listen about, or read something I've just written. He's a pretty good critiquer, too. (is that a word?) Some of my friends "get it" and I mention it once in a while to them. Most of my family doesn't "get it", though.

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  7. Mood,
    I hear you. Some of my family get it - one son and my daughter both like to write, so they understand to some degree. My daughter acts as a crit partner sometimes, which is nice.

    Nihara,
    It's nice that your husband is such a good sport! I see your point too, that instead of chatting, writing is more productive. There's a balance I suppose. :)

    Diane,
    I'm so thankful for other writers such as yourself to discuss things with. Our project is going well. :)

    Alex,
    We need some loving honesty to keep us in the game, don't you think?

    Wendy,
    I know what you mean, it is a big part of life. So glad you get to brainstorm with your daughter!

    Becky,
    Writing just seems to be a popular topic with us writers, doesn't it? It's nice your hubby is a good "critiquer" (yes, we'll say that's a word!). That's wonderful for you!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  8. Interesting, thought provoking question. Worthy of consideration. Thanks for this...

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  9. Some days I wonder if my husband gets tired of me talking about my projects. But I know he doesn't cause I listen to all his ramblings. :-)

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  10. Good question! I talk about writing every now and again only to my husband and my writing friends. I'm glad to have them! :-)

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  11. Jennifer,
    Glad to provide food for thought. Sometimes I have so many things rolling around in my brain I need to toss them out and share them! :)

    Carol,
    LOL! Yes, I do the same thing. It is nice to have a sounding board, and even better when the listener "gets" it.

    Janette,
    I know, it's a blessing, isn't it? I've met so many writing friends like you all through blogging.

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  12. Interesting question!

    I talk about it quite a bit, because Mr TR also writes screenplays and is ace when it comes to plotting!

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  13. Hi Karen -

    You and I talk about writing a lot. I try to share bits and pieces with non-writers as well. Many of them enjoy learning about a variety of subjects.

    The whole idea is to give them a taste and not a 10-course meal. :)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  14. I do talk about writing with friends, but not as much as I talk about it with writers via social networking, LOL!

    Nice links!

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  15. Now that I've published two novels, I'm starting to get questions from family and friends. It's a bit disconcerting and I'm almost embarrassed. I'm sure that'll pass. Actually, your question made me realize this.

    Hope you're not in the heatwave, Karen, but are enjoying a lovely July.

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  16. Talli,
    Thanks! I like to make us think, can you tell? Hope you had a great outing with your gang!

    Susan,
    Yes, we do! This is a good thing, and I am thankful that we can. :) I like the meal analogy. :)

    Laura,
    I hear you! I'd have to say that this is me too. :) What would we do without our writing friends?

    Joylene,
    I think maybe we go through various stages depending on where our writing careers are, don't you think? I am sure it will pass for you; you are a great writer and should be proud of that! Heat wave - yes, we are in it. Heat index has been hovering around 106 this week. Thinking about moving to Canada, do you have room at your place? :P

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  17. I don't talk about writing as much as stories read. My son and I share a love of reading and often while traveling we'll have a book on tape or I'll read to us all. My husband enjoys this as well. All this to say I talk more about books read than what I'm working on.

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  18. I don't talk about writing as much as stories read. My son and I share a love of reading and often while traveling we'll have a book on tape or I'll read to us all. My husband enjoys this as well. All this to say I talk more about books read than what I'm working on.

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  19. I talk very little about writing with family and friends. I discuss writing with my writer friends.

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  20. I can't add anything new to these comments, I hardly ever talk about my writing with anyone. Are we a strange bunch, or what?

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  21. Oh, great questions!

    I talk about writing like some people talk about their newest recipes,or their favorite sports team. Mostly to my husband, other writers, and work associate, whose husband is an artist, so she "gets" me. Occasionally to others, but since writing talk flies over their heads, why frustrate myself?

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  22. My husband is polite and allows me to yammer on and on and on about writing. If I bore him, he never lets on. :) Other than that, it is with my writer friends that I discuss writing. My pals who do not write appreciate my love of the craft but have no interest in discussing it.

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  23. I talk about it all.the.time with my husband, the nearly-famous Mr. Schrock! I talk about it some with my parents, or they talk about it with me on occasion. Just like this morning, my mother dialed me up from 850 miles away and delivered a column comment she'd heard just last night at the ballpark from a happy reader up here who was visiting down there. (Did I lose you?) Now that's just fun!

    I try not to yak The Mister to death about it, but if you're going to be the goose that lays the golden egg...(laughing!!), it's sure nice if he listens.

    It's sure hard not to talk too much about what you love. Those who don't so much? I don't talk about it with them.

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  24. Sally,
    I think that's a great idea! It's nice they enjoy your love of reading. Reading is a big part of the writer's life, don't you think?

    Rachna,
    So nice to know we have great writer friends, isn't it? :)

    Marja,
    :) Yes, I suppose you could say we are a strange and wonderful bunch!

    Jen,
    True, and this is why I choose carefully who I talk to about writing. Don't want to bore them and waste breath. :)

    Lisa,
    My hubby is the same way, although I try and discuss the technical stuff with writer friends. I have a few other friends who are mildly interested and will listen, but it's easier to fall back on my writing gang.

    Rhonda,
    What a blessing to have family that you can talk to about it! Like the golden egg thing - I say go for it!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  25. I will talk about writing with anyone who'll ask me, LOL

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  26. Well, since I'm sort of a closet writer there's precious little talk of it at home. My husband, an avowed non-reader type, has this blank stare (boredom?) whenever I bring up the subject.

    On the other hand, the Lord is such a great listener. Now there's someone I can REALLY talk to about Words ...

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  27. Lots of it in my home, considering my husband and I are co-writing the next book. Precious little with my sons, who have a hard time relating, and none with my family of origin for it seems I have revealed too much in my first book for their comfort.

    I don't talk too much with my friends who are not writers... I find there is an across-the-board pessimism about a writer's chance of "making it." I have to keep dreaming against all odds that it will work out -- so I cannot listen to the doubt, lest it will be reflected in my own mind.

    With the publishing industry in such turmoil, we have to be a pretty optimistic lot, us writers. Otherwise we'd turn tail and run...

    Thanks for the thought-provoking questions, as always.

    Saloma

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  28. If anyone is interested, i do have a first time story from a woman who joined the old order Mennonite church from the outside. She has stayed with it so far for about 15 years now. Her name is Martha so i invite everyone to read her story that i posted last week. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  29. Lydia,
    I wonder if some who ask us are sorry they did? Hopefully not, you know? :)

    Kathleen,
    Excellent point, my friend! And feel free to stop by and chat about writing anytime! :)

    Saloma,
    Yes, I guess there would be! That's nice for you. Yes, I know what you mean about running, but then, there will always be readers, so us writers need to write what they read, don't you think?

    Richard,
    Thanks for the info! I will check it out. It sounds interesting.

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  30. Thanks Karen for taking the time to stop by my little blog, and your very welcome back anytime. Richard from the Amish community of Lebanon,pa.

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  31. I discuss it almost exclusively with my husband. I mention my latest project in passing to others, but if I talk shop, it's with my husband. Yeah, lucky him!

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  32. All the time with my husband but not so much with anyone else.

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  33. Richard,
    You are welcome. I thought it was interesting and will be back again to visit!

    Diane,
    He must not mind all that much then, right? Nice to have family members on your team!

    Terri,
    It's nice you have him to talk to! Always enjoy the conversation you have going on your blog, too.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  34. My dogs aren't allowed to write yet so we don't bring up the subject. :) Happened to be in your neck of the woods today.
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  35. Karen:
    When I was in a writing group, the thought was 'no one understands a writer better than another writer.' I don't talk to my husband about it. I waited to show him a print out of my first column AFTER it was published.
    I have a friend at church who has been interested in writing for some time. I am putting together a letter for her with some blog addresses and information. Of course, I have included yours.

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  36. Jules,
    That's probably a good plan, who knows what your dogs might say about you. Although it should be nice things since you take care of them! :)

    Cecelia,
    I like that saying. I suppose it goes that way with other things too. Thanks for passing along my blog info!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  37. I don't talk about writing nearly as much as I should.

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  38. Wendy,
    Well, feel free to stop by here anytime and chat away! :) We're happy to listen.
    Happy Tuesday,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!