tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post2730176831753889595..comments2024-02-21T05:25:03.233-05:00Comments on Adventures in YA Publishing: WOW Wednesday: Johanna Harness on Writing HappinessMartina Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-73409269276002335912011-11-22T21:32:23.034-05:002011-11-22T21:32:23.034-05:00Thankyou for sharingThankyou for sharingdevil2k66https://www.blogger.com/profile/03953957243002939126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-49885589710435870842011-11-19T07:41:52.262-05:002011-11-19T07:41:52.262-05:00Deb--It really is! Thank you. :)
mariasmcdonald...Deb--It really is! Thank you. :)<br /><br />mariasmcdonald--And all the little achievements together turn into huge progress. It's really wonderful.<br /><br />anonymeet--I hadn't thought about my happiness as a writer influencing the content of my writing, but I think you're right. Thanks for pointing that out.<br /><br />Beth--You've encapsulated this so well. Yes! Loving the process of writing makes all the difference.<br /><br />Michele--Hooray! That kind of feedback is thrilling. <br /><br />Gail--Yes. I feel very lucky to be where I am right now.JHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10786972630390815103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-80555575713294857932011-11-18T08:12:08.086-05:002011-11-18T08:12:08.086-05:00It has to be so great to have an agent give you d...It has to be so great to have an agent give you detailed feedback like this -- it's the next level of critique we all hope for (after the critique partners, the fiction workshops, the beta readers). And a great reminder to be "in the moment" and treasure process. Thanks for this lovely post.Gail Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998497900316232330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-24837835746901957612011-11-17T22:34:50.215-05:002011-11-17T22:34:50.215-05:00Thank you, Johanna. Writing, rewriting, subbing......Thank you, Johanna. Writing, rewriting, subbing...it can be daunting. And tiring and frustrating and eveything. Your attitude is an inspiration! I always feel like my mss can be better, and just this week I received feedback from an editor that really started that frenxy for me. I was in a slump, but it has propelled me back to the keyboard!Michele Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768815750264631798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-43608451481720990672011-11-16T23:13:13.781-05:002011-11-16T23:13:13.781-05:00Great post, Johanna. I think you've shown the ...Great post, Johanna. I think you've shown the difference between loving what you've written and loving the process of writing. If you love the process and give yourself to it, it won't hurt when you have to change the product to make it better. (And the product will take care of itself.)Beth MacKinneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14510201092365855223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-42612252302729972902011-11-16T20:47:55.374-05:002011-11-16T20:47:55.374-05:00I loved your post and find your happiness so inspi...I loved your post and find your happiness so inspirational. Such a healthy, and one that I'm sure only benefits your writing! Thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-71324977960648528382011-11-16T19:53:13.855-05:002011-11-16T19:53:13.855-05:00Oh wow Joanna you've put it so poignantly! I l...Oh wow Joanna you've put it so poignantly! I love the concept of forward progress :) Every little achievements help in making you a better writer. <br />Thank you so much for this uplifting post :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-32506304193931375982011-11-16T19:26:28.396-05:002011-11-16T19:26:28.396-05:00Yes, this is truly what it's all about, isn...Yes, this is truly what it's all about, isn't? Thanks for the reminders... And best wishes.Deb Lundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711335889376269993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-70575692914274114842011-11-16T18:28:11.189-05:002011-11-16T18:28:11.189-05:00Kendra--Thank you! And yes--the opportunities to g...Kendra--Thank you! And yes--the opportunities to grow mean everything.<br /><br />Christina--I can't wait to read your new book. Yours is a message more writers need to hear.<br /><br />Kerry--Exactly. If we lose the joy of writing, we lose the soul of our dreams.<br /><br />Carol--Isn't it rewarding? I love that!<br /><br />Deborah--Aren't we lucky to have great critique partners? I wouldn't trade mine for anything.<br /><br />Julie--Yes! I am completely with you. And really? Life is too short to wait for happiness. Why not be happy along the way? :)<br /><br />LM--Thanks so much!<br /><br />Natalie--Thank you. I'll take all the luck I can get. :)<br /><br />Jason--very true. There are certainly other paths. I know you're great and I adore Elizabeth Lyon (quick plug for Manuscript Makeover, which is amazing). I'm sure Stephen and the Girl Friday group are great too. So much depends on story-smarts and good rapport.<br /><br />Bluestocking--Absolutely. It's so rewarding to see the story getting better.JHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10786972630390815103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-26101686621307665292011-11-16T16:18:31.859-05:002011-11-16T16:18:31.859-05:00I too have found the value in being able to see my...I too have found the value in being able to see my forward progress and use it as momentum in my writing. Some days it's enough to know that if I keep making strides, keep moving forward, one day I will reach my goals. So glad this attitude has worked for you!Bluestockinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01225973854788421827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-17977723906013752162011-11-16T15:30:26.710-05:002011-11-16T15:30:26.710-05:00Great post. It's wonderful that you've fou...Great post. It's wonderful that you've found an agent to work with, and moreso, that you've found someone with the right balance of literary analysis/insight skills and constructive feedback skills to help take you to the next level in your writing.<br /><br />I don't want readers thinking that this is the only way to get that kind of support, though. That's exactly the same service that book doctors--folks like me, Stephen Parolini, Elizabeth Lyon, the whole gang at Girl Friday Productions, and many others--provide to their clients. Yeah, you have to pay for it up front rather than out of future advances and royalties (because, hey, book doctors have to eat too), but it is at least an avenue you can seek for in-depth, professional feedback on your work before you have an agent in hand.Jason Blackhttp://www.plottopunctuation.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-54552222962404396422011-11-16T14:24:35.293-05:002011-11-16T14:24:35.293-05:00You hae a great perspective on the writing journey...You hae a great perspective on the writing journey that we all need to have. Thanks so much for sharing your journey. Good luck with the next round of revisions.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-30324283829925675582011-11-16T14:22:05.538-05:002011-11-16T14:22:05.538-05:00Hi Johanna I'm so happy you've shared your...Hi Johanna I'm so happy you've shared your story with us. You are an inspiration and proven show of the growth of a writer.LM Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624508396760965680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-26850558400007808522011-11-16T14:21:27.854-05:002011-11-16T14:21:27.854-05:00OMG, this was AWESOME! Yes, happiness in the journ...OMG, this was AWESOME! Yes, happiness in the journey. I love that attitude. Jonanna, you're happy where you are right now, which means happiness will follow you. And in my opinion, with that type of perspective, you've already won the game. Amazing.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-42193570215838875042011-11-16T13:13:08.078-05:002011-11-16T13:13:08.078-05:00Thanks for this honest and detailed insight into y...Thanks for this honest and detailed insight into your writing journey. My fellow writers' critiques have made my first novel at least 60 times better in scene and story flow. They helped me nail my clues in my first Dog Leader Mystery. <br /><br />I'm truly loving using these new insights, knowledge and skills in my second and third novel drafts. I see myself writing and reading my way toward books that will be published, and hopefully, treasured by young readers.Deborah Taylor-Frenchhttp://dogleadermysteries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-73260534034100960012011-11-16T13:06:31.855-05:002011-11-16T13:06:31.855-05:00Wow, excellent, and what a great attitude. You'...Wow, excellent, and what a great attitude. You're right--it's forward progress. I DO have to remember that when I begin to get antsy in this long process. Like you, I see my book getting better and better with my agent, in ways I never dreamed of. :)Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-49604960671613720672011-11-16T12:45:35.632-05:002011-11-16T12:45:35.632-05:00A great post, and a wonderful reminder about what&...A great post, and a wonderful reminder about what's important in this business: growing as writers. It's so easy to get caught up in publishing and forget that it all began with writing. And that it's still all about writing.Kerry Schaferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03821175497518362926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-27668973506336588212011-11-16T12:34:02.859-05:002011-11-16T12:34:02.859-05:00Brilliant, thoughtful post. Except for the part ab...Brilliant, thoughtful post. Except for the part about, "When people talk about writers paying their dues, learning their craft, putting in their years without getting paid, they never mention the thrill of forward progress." <br /><br />I do this in my work with writers every day and also in all of my books and articles. It's a primary theme in my new book, The Writer's Workout, as well. <br /><br />You are right, satisfaction and the innate sense that you are on the right track for your career is not spoken about enough. <br /><br />Some great, helpful work, Johanna. Thanks for sharing. :)Christina Katzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14877586168135936638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-11904386447247060142011-11-16T12:00:36.901-05:002011-11-16T12:00:36.901-05:00Johanna, what a wonderful, positive, inspiring pos...Johanna, what a wonderful, positive, inspiring post. The struggles, yes, but the happiness derived from the process--priceless! I love the line "my brain started lighting up in new patterns." For me that's what writing's all about, learning and growing and getting better. Good luck on all your writing, submissions, and future publication!Kenda Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972218446945404475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-90717908820903604162011-11-16T11:50:34.064-05:002011-11-16T11:50:34.064-05:00Teresa--Thank you! I often remind myself how bore...Teresa--Thank you! I often remind myself how bored I'd be with writing if I ever stopped growing. I love that there's always more to learn.<br /><br />Rachel--Yes. My published friends remind me that I have more time to perfect this book than I'll ever have in the future. It's good to enjoy where I am now rather than in retrospect.<br /><br />Kristina--I can't wait to read yours too! You're such a blessing in my life.<br /><br />Jennifer--Isn't it a great process? <br /><br />Sarah--Ooh! You should definitely follow up. No one leaves a door open without hope you'll come back.JHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10786972630390815103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-64972689507179049562011-11-16T11:36:43.310-05:002011-11-16T11:36:43.310-05:00I appreciate and adore this post. I find myself i...I appreciate and adore this post. I find myself in a similar position while querying. I've had five full requests in the past three months, which made my heart thump. While all have passed, I had one agent leave the door open for me--and she gave me some great advice for revising. I shouldn't be so excited about rejection, right? But it just took that one agent to ignite in me the writer's craft, and I look forward to making my story better.Sarah Wedgbrowhttp://foldingfields.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-14793139950404627872011-11-16T11:21:23.643-05:002011-11-16T11:21:23.643-05:00As a beginning writer myself, this post really hit...As a beginning writer myself, this post really hit home with me. Love it!Jennifer Kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06293887832778783632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-17017260429124236282011-11-16T11:16:24.054-05:002011-11-16T11:16:24.054-05:00Not only a wonderful perspective but an astute one...Not only a wonderful perspective but an astute one as well. I cannot wait until I get to read one of your book babies - I've met your human ones and am positive your book babies will be as charming because like your other babies, you have imbued them with a part of yourself. Thank you for all you have done for me over these months/years. You are wonderful!Kristina L. Martinhttp://www.tenminutemissive.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-74663029846147004212011-11-16T09:14:59.981-05:002011-11-16T09:14:59.981-05:00Way to stay positive and looking for the blessings...Way to stay positive and looking for the blessings in each stage! LOVE this post :-)Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-692494910892377452011-11-16T07:35:58.532-05:002011-11-16T07:35:58.532-05:00"The thrill of forward progress" does ma..."The thrill of forward progress" does matter. <br /><br />TeresaT. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.com