tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post4546276963443304669..comments2023-06-26T07:09:15.225-06:00Comments on Love, Power & Fairytale Endings: Herons in the MistJeffe Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-24368137545877279382010-09-02T13:45:23.136-06:002010-09-02T13:45:23.136-06:00Aw, MM - you're so sweet! (And congrats on sel...Aw, MM - you're so sweet! (And congrats on selling the Christmas story!) Yes, I agree - we can be honest and open about the challenges, but also encouraging. Lots of pie to go around...Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-12629735429730283302010-09-02T11:25:21.035-06:002010-09-02T11:25:21.035-06:00I've never understood people who try to crush ...I've never understood people who try to crush others dreams. It's shameful and harmful. <br /><br />It's hard to tell new writers the difficult road of publishing but I think if they're asking, they truly want to know and it's up to us to give it the best light possible. We're all in this together, right?<br /><br />I love your posts. :)Michelle Mileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05442813530538808627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-16380489665141114772010-09-02T08:40:11.836-06:002010-09-02T08:40:11.836-06:00I hear you, Keena. That kind of conversation is ha...I hear you, Keena. That kind of conversation is hard to listen to and does make me impatient. Always working on the patience and kindness thing!Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-942090750846965682010-09-01T19:36:06.766-06:002010-09-01T19:36:06.766-06:00Sorry this happened to you, Jeffe. I've notice...Sorry this happened to you, Jeffe. I've noticed that I am sometimes not as encouraging as I could be/should be when others tell me they want to write. No, I don't snipe at strangers or children--and smack me if I ever do. However, when people like my brother or friends who have never attempted to write anything start talking about their book ideas and how they'll break into publishing, I find it hard to bite my tongue and be encouraging. I know that most of the time they are merely searching for a way to leave their mark or a new direction in life, but it's still tough to be patient and kind. This is a good reminder of why I need to be regardless of who it is.Keena Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-32353818063000302762010-09-01T16:59:26.466-06:002010-09-01T16:59:26.466-06:00LOL, Linda - I like your philosophy!
Thanks, Alli...LOL, Linda - I like your philosophy!<br /><br />Thanks, Allison. I guess we never know who people are on the inside. Neither the askers, nor the answerers.Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-86396793433111397102010-09-01T15:38:02.491-06:002010-09-01T15:38:02.491-06:00Brilliant post and a good reminder all around. May...Brilliant post and a good reminder all around. Maybe she just assumed you were one of those "Oh, I'd love to write a book someday. In my spare time." sorts of people. You know - the ones who assume you just sit down and fart the words on to the page and send it off. <br /><br />*shrugs*<br /><br />Maybe her pet cat died. <br /><br />Good lesson, though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810952821295312008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-21684498300839024052010-09-01T14:09:34.687-06:002010-09-01T14:09:34.687-06:00Really great post, Jeffe. I'm sorry you were h...Really great post, Jeffe. I'm sorry you were hurt, and I understand the feeling of being ambushed by tears you try desperately not to let fall. You might be right--perhaps she was having a bad day--but still. She could've been a tad more careful about taking it out on others. <br /><br />Or maybe she was just a b!tch. In which case, scr3w her. And, as Kristina said, thank goodness she didn't derail you. :)Linda G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576828490765434497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-11022046187754844412010-09-01T11:37:07.389-06:002010-09-01T11:37:07.389-06:00Aw - so sweet of you Kristina! That's another ...Aw - so sweet of you Kristina! That's another good lesson: never let another person derail you, especially with careless words!Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-67993322301662119912010-09-01T10:00:44.095-06:002010-09-01T10:00:44.095-06:00Such a human flaw -- the need to blow out another&...Such a human flaw -- the need to blow out another's candle in order to make our own burn brighter. And that "skill" which we learn as wee folk serves us too well throughout our lives. I too hope that something was "going on" for the mystery woman, as to excuse her, but also know how too easily people blithely hurt with words and never ever even notice. I guess the important thing here is that although she hurt you, she didn't derail you. And for that, we are so glad. :)kristinahttp://www.tenminutemissive.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-22135964631223412972010-09-01T09:44:30.109-06:002010-09-01T09:44:30.109-06:00Thanks, Sierra - I think you're right about th...Thanks, Sierra - I think you're right about the cerebral thing. A writer-friend of mine used to refer to it as "tail-sniffing," how writers circled each other asking what they wrote, what they'd published. All wanting to be top dog. <br /><br />I do wonder, Donna, if something else wasn't going on with her that day. I've sometimes wondered if she regretted that. I always thought maybe her mother said something to her about it!<br /><br />And, Marin, you're right on - this does happen in so many areas. Maybe it's just a human failing that we try to make ourselves shine more brightly by dimming others. Very sad.Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-67998523607607213332010-09-01T09:35:28.610-06:002010-09-01T09:35:28.610-06:00I've found a lot of this on my life's path...I've found a lot of this on my life's path... not just in writing. I'm generally struck by the idea that striking down enthusiasm seems to be rooted in a desire to be special. "I love this, I'm good at it, I've been successful... but if you love it, if you become good at it, If you grow your own success, then I'm just another snowflake in a blizzard."<br /><br />It used to really sting, but now when I encounter such a reaction, I just say to my detractor, "Wow, was that unnecessary."Marin (AntiM)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06169366794914669666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-5655273036545988452010-09-01T09:18:59.149-06:002010-09-01T09:18:59.149-06:00Some people have to crush others' dreams, beca...Some people have to crush others' dreams, because they can't bear for anyone to HAVE dreams, or even to be happy. I wonder how many people give up on their dreams because of these experiences -- too many, I suspect.<br /><br />I hope there was something else going on with that woman, because there was no reason for her to treat you that way -- especially after being a speaker at an event! Maybe she's been regretting that moment ever since. :)Donna Cummingshttp://www.allaboutthewriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-75335964168476117372010-09-01T09:14:36.033-06:002010-09-01T09:14:36.033-06:00Fantastic, fantastic post.
I wonder if it's ...Fantastic, fantastic post. <br /><br />I wonder if it's because writing is so cerebral that so many people use it as a way to put others down. Even in situations that are supposed to be supportive we see writers put others down as a way to make themselves feel superior.<br /><br />But anyway, who's laughing now? Who's a writer-- you. And you can't even remember the mean lady's name.Sierra Godfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552916038080341870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-6371774642036612272010-09-01T09:10:39.554-06:002010-09-01T09:10:39.554-06:00I think that's exactly right, Tawna. Writers a...I think that's exactly right, Tawna. Writers are humans, and can be particularly insecure ones,too. I like how you put that: "the length or difficulty of someone else's journey has zero impact on our own."<br /><br />Maybe it's good that my memory blocked out who she was - or I *would* have you go beat her up for me!Jeffe Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779020656676094853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570797399734382213.post-12572085325140112852010-09-01T09:01:40.294-06:002010-09-01T09:01:40.294-06:00Terrific post!
I think writers who've faced a...Terrific post!<br /><br />I think writers who've faced a long struggle to get where they are feel this strange compulsion to remind newer writers that it's HARD WORK and that they can't just waltz in and expect things to run smoothly. Hell, I'll admit I sometimes issue such warnings in hopes that newcomers aren't so crushed when the first rejections roll in.<br /><br />But I also think some established writers who issue such warnings are secretly worried it WILL come that easy for the newcomer. It does happen sometimes, and it can stick in the craw of those who had to struggle for years to get where they are.<br /><br />As writers, we need to just keep reminding ourselves that everyone's path is different, and the length or difficulty of someone else's journey has zero impact on our own.<br /><br />Sorry that bitch was mean, by the way. Want me to beat her up?<br /><br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.com