Comments on: How writers build courage http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/ A veteran publishing insider's views on how to get published in today's marketplace Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:53:12 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: On cover art, translation, literary drunks, and more — Ashland Press Blog http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-11126 On cover art, translation, literary drunks, and more — Ashland Press Blog Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:09:14 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-11126 [...] finally — and definitely inspiring — is this blog from Alan Rinzler on finding courage as a writer, with such advice as not being afraid to talk to yourself, to let things simmer, and to [...] [...] finally — and definitely inspiring — is this blog from Alan Rinzler on finding courage as a writer, with such advice as not being afraid to talk to yourself, to let things simmer, and to [...]

]]> By: Dina Noemy Santos http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6612 Dina Noemy Santos Tue, 25 May 2010 20:03:55 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6612 It's all in the music. When I cannot or do not have the guts to write, I simply turn on the music (usually classical or relaxation songs) and let it take me on a journey. I imagine myself within a forest, or I feel my feet sinking in the sand, or I smell the wet grass... Whatever! After I am back from my personal trip, my story flows to the tune of the music until my mind is unable to hold all those ideas in the air and I start writing again. It’s all in the music.

When I cannot or do not have the guts to write, I simply turn on the music (usually classical or relaxation songs) and let it take me on a journey. I imagine myself within a forest, or I feel my feet sinking in the sand, or I smell the wet grass… Whatever!
After I am back from my personal trip, my story flows to the tune of the music until my mind is unable to hold all those ideas in the air and I start writing again.

]]> By: David R. Slayton http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6558 David R. Slayton Tue, 18 May 2010 19:36:16 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6558 Yoga. I look foolish falling over when trying to balance on one foot, holding the other stretched out beside me. I'm constantly shown up by the more advanced practice of those around me. I get sweaty and slip on my mat. I have to give up from time to time and drop out of a pose, but it forces me to do something silly looking on a daily basis, and it help me remember that their practice is not mine. I'm where I'm at in the practice, and that's something I have to constantly relate back to my writing. I can't compare myself to others. I just have to grow and learn regardless of my age or current lack of publication. I write the best I can and strive to get better at it every day, even though I still fall over sometimes. Yoga. I look foolish falling over when trying to balance on one foot, holding the other stretched out beside me. I’m constantly shown up by the more advanced practice of those around me. I get sweaty and slip on my mat. I have to give up from time to time and drop out of a pose, but it forces me to do something silly looking on a daily basis, and it help me remember that their practice is not mine. I’m where I’m at in the practice, and that’s something I have to constantly relate back to my writing. I can’t compare myself to others. I just have to grow and learn regardless of my age or current lack of publication. I write the best I can and strive to get better at it every day, even though I still fall over sometimes.

]]> By: cb http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6463 cb Fri, 07 May 2010 17:51:12 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6463 Every ten years, if not every five years, I reread Rollo May's THE COURAGE TO CREATE. Being a regular part of a committed critique group helps too. It reminds me that helpful feedback makes me a better writer, not one who should just stay in the closet. It lets me know when my work affects people. (I get high on that!) It gives me an opportunity to critique others' work too so that it can also be the best it can be - which helps me to get more objective. I don't show WIPs to nay-sayers. Every ten years, if not every five years, I reread Rollo May’s THE COURAGE TO CREATE.

Being a regular part of a committed critique group helps too. It reminds me that helpful feedback makes me a better writer, not one who should just stay in the closet. It lets me know when my work affects people. (I get high on that!) It gives me an opportunity to critique others’ work too so that it can also be the best it can be – which helps me to get more objective.

I don’t show WIPs to nay-sayers.

]]> By: Katrina Williams http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6440 Katrina Williams Wed, 05 May 2010 04:32:50 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6440 I have written short stories based on incidents in my family's past. I hesitate sharing them for fear of hurting a family member's feelings. I get past this fear by changing the incidents and characters enough to still tell the story, but it not be so recognizable to the truth that I alienate my family. I allow the family member(s)involved to read the work, and if they cannot tell the story is based on them or an incident involving them, then I feel I am ready to share it with the world. I have written short stories based on incidents in my family’s past. I hesitate sharing them for fear of hurting a family member’s feelings. I get past this fear by changing the incidents and characters enough to still tell the story, but it not be so recognizable to the truth that I alienate my family. I allow the family member(s)involved to read the work, and if they cannot tell the story is based on them or an incident involving them, then I feel I am ready to share it with the world.

]]> By: J C Burnham http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6409 J C Burnham Sat, 01 May 2010 15:26:39 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6409 How true... I find myself considering how much of myself to reveal. Likewise, friends who have read my book ask me if my characters are based on real people. One person, who shared the same name as one of my more shady characters, even went as far as to think if she had done something to upset me. It was rather funny! How true… I find myself considering how much of myself to reveal. Likewise, friends who have read my book ask me if my characters are based on real people. One person, who shared the same name as one of my more shady characters, even went as far as to think if she had done something to upset me. It was rather funny!

]]> By: Pubmatch http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6402 Pubmatch Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:28:02 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6402 Your suggestions are really helpful. I will definitely follow all these. Thanks for sharing. Your suggestions are really helpful. I will definitely follow all these. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Author Becky Due http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6395 Author Becky Due Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:21:43 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6395 I just found your site. I love it! Thanks for taking the time. Stepping out of my office and getting around people is what helps/inspires me to write. Author Becky Due I just found your site. I love it! Thanks for taking the time.

Stepping out of my office and getting around people is what helps/inspires me to write.

Author Becky Due

]]> By: Katrina http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6380 Katrina Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:16:57 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6380 I try to take my project LESS seriously. If I don't feel like I have to produce the next great American novel, but treat it more like a newsroom assignment, then I'm much more likely to finish the project and not get hung up on perfection (or the lack thereof). I try to take my project LESS seriously. If I don’t feel like I have to produce the next great American novel, but treat it more like a newsroom assignment, then I’m much more likely to finish the project and not get hung up on perfection (or the lack thereof).

]]> By: Theresa Milstein http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/comment-page-1/#comment-6377 Theresa Milstein Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:26:07 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/04/19/how-writers-build-courage/#comment-6377 This is a helpful list, especially the part about doing things that take courage outside of the classroom. In the last couple of years I've been engaging in activities out of my comfort zone (taking martial arts and substitute teaching), which has helped me grow as a writer. An added bonus, listening to teenagers is great for helping me with authentic dialogue. On the writing front, I put myself out there. Often. I engage in manuscript swaps, enter contests, submit to agents and publishers. it gets a little easier each time. I came over from Sarahjayne's blog. This is a helpful list, especially the part about doing things that take courage outside of the classroom. In the last couple of years I’ve been engaging in activities out of my comfort zone (taking martial arts and substitute teaching), which has helped me grow as a writer. An added bonus, listening to teenagers is great for helping me with authentic dialogue.

On the writing front, I put myself out there. Often. I engage in manuscript swaps, enter contests, submit to agents and publishers. it gets a little easier each time.

I came over from Sarahjayne’s blog.

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