tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post2047283991186490197..comments2024-02-21T05:25:03.233-05:00Comments on Adventures in YA Publishing: Five Traits of Published Writers by Megan ShepherdMartina Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-87712287151200061632013-07-24T21:33:06.690-04:002013-07-24T21:33:06.690-04:00Great article - really enjoyed reading it. Writing...Great article - really enjoyed reading it. Writing is all consuming and as you've said Megan, even when you're not writing, you're thinking and creating. I've conducted quite a few courses for aspiring writers and I think it does become obvious fairly quickly which of the participants like the idea of writing more than the act. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience. Jacqueline Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11031920990081435794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-19739081179960227752013-07-06T23:45:42.360-04:002013-07-06T23:45:42.360-04:00Thanks so much for the wonderful tips! I agree 100...Thanks so much for the wonderful tips! I agree 100%!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-19174937047840050242013-07-05T18:08:30.691-04:002013-07-05T18:08:30.691-04:00I'm nodding in agreement at all of these! And ...I'm nodding in agreement at all of these! And I love the title of your book, its intriguing :)niamh boycehttp://niamhboyce.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-49657140159185982922013-07-05T17:03:41.998-04:002013-07-05T17:03:41.998-04:00Sorry. Meant to acknowledge Megan in my comment. :...Sorry. Meant to acknowledge Megan in my comment. :)Jolyse Barnetthttp://jolysebarnett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-25441690354735794232013-07-05T17:01:05.805-04:002013-07-05T17:01:05.805-04:00Great article, Martina. I've only been writing...Great article, Martina. I've only been writing seriously for three years now, but I've both the will and the passion for every part of the writing process. I happily spent Fourth of July writing away the day (in between dips in the pool with the kids). I'm not yet published, but I certainly intend to be. <br /><br />Your book trailer hooked me! Another to put in the TBR pile on my Kindle. Congrats on your success, and best wishes for future sales. :)Jolyse Barnetthttp://jolysebarnett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-59050160866219328282013-07-05T11:05:34.030-04:002013-07-05T11:05:34.030-04:00Love, love, love this. Yes, we only fail if we sto...Love, love, love this. Yes, we only fail if we stop trying and stop learning. Thanks so much for this. And by the way, LOVE the book blurb and cover.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-28256636264366195832013-07-05T10:44:15.962-04:002013-07-05T10:44:15.962-04:00Thank you, Megan! I often think you published auth...Thank you, Megan! I often think you published authors are cut from a totally different cloth. It's good to be reminded that with enough hard work, we can achieve success. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17973242728265092842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-22444966927400243882013-07-04T10:09:55.838-04:002013-07-04T10:09:55.838-04:00Which is why YOU are my hero. Seriously, Stina, yo...Which is why YOU are my hero. Seriously, Stina, you are a beacon of inspiration. I have learned so much from your posts and your example of determination to succeed!<br /><br />GREAT things are in store for you. Very, very soon! Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-35032045756596903332013-07-04T10:02:10.133-04:002013-07-04T10:02:10.133-04:00I heard about about Megan's professionalism an...I heard about about Megan's professionalism and talent from her agent before Madman's Daughter came out. She became an example and inspiration for me right at that moment! And wow, am I impressed you went to Chautauqua. I have heard such great things about it!Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-48669035597438117572013-07-04T09:37:04.482-04:002013-07-04T09:37:04.482-04:00Not being published doesn't diminish your desi...Not being published doesn't diminish your desire or determination! Like Megan, I suspect it's the determination to be published! hang in there!<br /><br />Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-44900074740461120632013-07-04T09:19:33.512-04:002013-07-04T09:19:33.512-04:00I love the way you phrased that, Angela! Loving to...I love the way you phrased that, Angela! Loving to tell stories is very different than loving to write words, or loving the idea of a being a writer, and I suspect it pretty much guarantees success. To me, storytelling automatically suggests a connection between the teller and the reader/listener. That's awesome in the original sense of the word! :)Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-48995526851436374482013-07-04T09:15:21.785-04:002013-07-04T09:15:21.785-04:00I am laughing with you about the stationary, too. ...I am laughing with you about the stationary, too. I have an entire chest of drawers devoted to stationary. You know, in case I suddenly get an itch to write someone a letter. I also frequently write notes to put in with giveaway books I am sending out, and then forget to put them in before I seal the envelope. Grr.Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-72336098517152460732013-07-04T09:11:20.589-04:002013-07-04T09:11:20.589-04:00Congratulations on being published! I'm a late...Congratulations on being published! I'm a late bloomer myself, so I totally understand the-having-the-writing-itch-but-not-giving-yourself-permission thing! Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-34642926188581236922013-07-04T04:42:38.545-04:002013-07-04T04:42:38.545-04:00obsessed...addicted...cursed...A writers life is t...obsessed...addicted...cursed...A writers life is totally blessed :) Lovely article Megan. It took me most of my life to come to terms with the fact that I was doomed to be a writer, now at the age of 50 something I am finally published. Nice to meet you both.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218651886143284455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-6210364922289324282013-07-03T23:50:08.862-04:002013-07-03T23:50:08.862-04:00GREAT piece, Megan (and Martina). So Very True. :-...GREAT piece, Megan (and Martina). So Very True. :-) I started devouring books about the business of writing 30 years ago and have shelves full of titles about writing and the publishing business. It's like an addiction. Writers also tend to love stationary stores, too . . . :-) Kimberley Griffiths Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269829969442171522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-65651166307514156762013-07-03T21:13:30.708-04:002013-07-03T21:13:30.708-04:00Megan, I don't know you, but it seems you know...Megan, I don't know you, but it seems you know me lol! Okay, not really. But the traits you described are eerily familiar. Even when I've thought of ending the writing because of family of self-pubbing just seemed like so much...I couldn't not write. I just adore storytelling. So wow...just wow.Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-32518968974566367272013-07-03T20:36:43.642-04:002013-07-03T20:36:43.642-04:00Aww, thanks so much! :D Your blog is one of my abs...Aww, thanks so much! :D Your blog is one of my absolute favorites! (And your giveaways are AMAZING! I enter ever single one of them).The Magic Violinisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08889060820055920735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-61058930732476502862013-07-03T20:24:00.000-04:002013-07-03T20:24:00.000-04:00Obsession! There's a good word for it. I feel ...Obsession! There's a good word for it. I feel kind of self-conscious saying I recognize these traits in myself, not being published or anything. But I think a sixth trait might be "not giving up" or "stubborn" or "mulish" or a similar synonym. ;)<br /><br />Also, I love the cover -- very Ophelia.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15725049899131699912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-44312335992272523402013-07-03T18:43:22.162-04:002013-07-03T18:43:22.162-04:00I met Megan at Chautauqua a few summers ago and am...I met Megan at Chautauqua a few summers ago and am so thrilled to see her success - she's such an inspiration. And her list is definitely a wake-up call because I think I've been spending too much time on #5 and not enough on #1.Jocelyn Rishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18141176507423961390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-11518600139514348842013-07-03T18:40:28.792-04:002013-07-03T18:40:28.792-04:00Yay, I fit all of these criteria. I even get up at...Yay, I fit all of these criteria. I even get up at 5 am on Christmas morning to write. And pray my kids don't wake up too early due to their overwhelming excitement. Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-4576489701487116342013-07-03T15:31:02.113-04:002013-07-03T15:31:02.113-04:00I think it is hard for people who don't write ...I think it is hard for people who don't write to understand what we do. I can't tell you how many people have told me they had always intended to "write a novel" the minute I "came out of the closet" and said I was writing. Being online and seeing other people struggling to learn the craft and the business is a huge inspiration for me. Without that example, I might well have given up and decided I just didn't have the talent for it. Instead, I just realized I had to put in the hours/years and do what it took to learn. It's great that you are taking your lunch hour to do what you love! Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-80271498565330512432013-07-03T15:25:17.891-04:002013-07-03T15:25:17.891-04:00It seems like you are doing all the right things, ...It seems like you are doing all the right things, and I still can't get over the fact that you are only 13 years old! I wish I had been HALF as accomplished as you when I was TWICE your age! It's fantastic that you are pursuing writing so seriously and intelligently! Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-4030754906946698122013-07-03T15:16:31.748-04:002013-07-03T15:16:31.748-04:00Well said, Austin! I love your point about opening...Well said, Austin! I love your point about opening the door of opportunity!Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-17540115109475508932013-07-03T15:14:25.604-04:002013-07-03T15:14:25.604-04:00That's definitely true about timing! It's ...<br />That's definitely true about timing! It's funny because an author friend and I were just talking about this last night. There's that adage about things happening for a reason, and I think that's especially true of timing in publication. It can feel like a long road getting there, but I can look back on the journey now and see that I would have been unprepared if it had happened to me any sooner. The hard work I put in makes me look at the prospect of revisions and second books and all the myriad other things I have to look forward to with a foundation of knowledge I wouldn't have had a year or two ago. I found myself nodding the whole time I was reading Megan's post.<br /><br />Yes, we're obsessed. But that's a good thing, right? :)<br />Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-40497267456063147892013-07-03T13:56:58.511-04:002013-07-03T13:56:58.511-04:00So true.... It is our obsession!
I've ways be...So true.... It is our obsession!<br /><br />I've ways believed in hard work, and timing is everything!<br /><br />Nice to meet you Megan.<br /><br />Thanks for the interview Martina.Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.com