Comments on: We have a winner! And facts about high-speed novel writing are reaffirmed

By: Cynthia Closkey

Cynthia Closkey — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:09:54 +0000

Rachel: I like writing groups, but only depending on the group. I’ve had the good fortune to be part of a few excellent groups — and enough not-excellent groups to know there’s a difference.

Carpetbagger: I’m not afraid of random Web denizens criticizing me. I’m afraid of me criticizing me. I agree wholeheartedly with Churchill on that entire description.

By: Carpetbagger

Carpetbagger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:23:00 +0000

Yeah, it’s one thing to be turned down or critiqued by an aloof publishing editor. You can always say they wouldn’t know a good novel if it bit them. It’s quite another thing to be dissected by the great Internetopia, with names like Uncle Scratchy from Oakmont, SteelerPete490, and the Carpetbagger. That’s gonna leave a mark.

Nevertheless, write on.

As Churchill said, “Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement; then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.”

By: rasager

rasager — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:52:53 +0000

My main aversion to writing groups is the idea that someone will be reading the first drafts, and let’s just say OH GOD NO.

Writing privately is still a grand and wonderful accomplishment. Good luck!