tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post6607190320396392976..comments2024-02-21T05:25:03.233-05:00Comments on Adventures in YA Publishing: WOW Wednesday: Rachel Harris Gives You Permission to be StubbornMartina Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-6094218709343224742012-02-28T15:33:02.379-05:002012-02-28T15:33:02.379-05:00Thanks so much. I need a Love List. As a matter of...Thanks so much. I need a Love List. As a matter of fact, that's the first thing I'll do tonight before I click away at the novel. This novel is my baby and I really want to get published, but sometimes I have bad days where I'm like, "What the heck am I doing this for?" Like when one of my friends decided to remind me that I'm not actually Japanese and I'm trying to write a Japanese-culture based story.<br /><br />I do have Asian blood - South Asian.<br /><br />So thanks so much for the advice! :)Kaye M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00317443755542376196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-91822583934698668252012-02-24T11:42:17.898-05:002012-02-24T11:42:17.898-05:00A love lsit. Actually, this is really good idea. I...A love lsit. Actually, this is really good idea. It's something I really need to do for my book at the moment, given the stage the revision is at when all I can see are the things I hate!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-31860944300330948162012-02-24T11:06:12.830-05:002012-02-24T11:06:12.830-05:00This is great advice, Rachel. While it's impor...This is great advice, Rachel. While it's important to be open to suggestions and make those changes, it's equally as important to remember you know your story and characters better than anyone. Good for you for sticking with the story you wanted to tell. I'm glad you found an agent who shared your vision!<br /><br />Have a great weekend!!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-41614225629084000102012-02-23T10:55:45.567-05:002012-02-23T10:55:45.567-05:00Needed to hear that today!Needed to hear that today!Lori Ann Freelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07475399413507876752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-14613400609714166982012-02-23T10:21:02.684-05:002012-02-23T10:21:02.684-05:00Yeah, just because Rachel is so fabulous!! *wavesYeah, just because Rachel is so fabulous!! *wavesS.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-89698682285631923192012-02-23T07:57:34.437-05:002012-02-23T07:57:34.437-05:00Awesome. Definitely a little stubbornness can be a...Awesome. Definitely a little stubbornness can be an asset. Good luck with your book!!Traci Kenworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336373871521363649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-59245514374798806082012-02-22T21:56:19.965-05:002012-02-22T21:56:19.965-05:00That sounds so familiar. I got so much conflicting...That sounds so familiar. I got so much conflicting feedback. Some agents said too dark; some said too light. I had to dig in again & decide what was the most important to me. Luckily I found an editor who got it. It's such a relief to get to keep my characters who I want them to be.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05352455116799457643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-71484215703013616282012-02-22T21:38:05.120-05:002012-02-22T21:38:05.120-05:00Thank you, Rachel!Thank you, Rachel!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-12217512348260531742012-02-22T19:29:51.941-05:002012-02-22T19:29:51.941-05:00Great post! I had all the same thoughts about my m...Great post! I had all the same thoughts about my manuscript. I didn't make a list, but I knew the things I would not budge on. Some critics told me I needed to make my story grittier and my characters needed to have more baggage, but I didn't want to lose the sweetness of my story and I loved my characters. I believed in them and myself, and I stuck with my instincts! <br /><br />I was fortunate like you that I found a publisher and an editor who "got" my story and made no major changes to it. I can feel proud now that the book I always dreamed of publishing is the book readers have in their hands :)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01039134485577549064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-10782723611199539102012-02-22T19:19:08.360-05:002012-02-22T19:19:08.360-05:00Hi Carol!!! Seeing your avatar on any blog just ma...Hi Carol!!! Seeing your avatar on any blog just makes me smile =)<br /><br />Thanks for liking my post (lol that sounds odd, huh?) and let me know if you decide to use a love list of your own in the future! Have a great night!Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-35451358125949187812012-02-22T19:17:32.178-05:002012-02-22T19:17:32.178-05:00Oh yay, another list maker! I'd definitely pos...Oh yay, another list maker! I'd definitely post that baby next to your monitor just so you can keep the happy thoughts there and remember what you love about your story. Even if it has nothing to do with revision suggestions, it just helps to remember what we love about our stories during the sometimes stressful and depressing search for our agents. Good luck, and I'd LOVE to know how it goes!Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-76051741943836916802012-02-22T19:15:40.156-05:002012-02-22T19:15:40.156-05:00Thanks Nicefrom9to5 (love that name, btw!)
I defi...Thanks Nicefrom9to5 (love that name, btw!)<br /><br />I definitely find it helpful, and hope you will, too. Happy Wednesday!Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-27479438112463823432012-02-22T19:14:40.224-05:002012-02-22T19:14:40.224-05:00Hey Beth! Yay! Not for going insane, but for makin...Hey Beth! Yay! Not for going insane, but for making a list of your own. I hope it helps-Please let me know if it does =)<br /><br />Good Luck!Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-31387717507885588842012-02-22T19:13:22.880-05:002012-02-22T19:13:22.880-05:00Thanks Michele! It can be a hard balance to strike...Thanks Michele! It can be a hard balance to strike, which is why I find it helps to write that list before the critiques start (otherwise I could be tempted to throw everything on there LOL). It works for me at least. Thanks for visiting and commenting!!!Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-20028230190605098602012-02-22T19:12:01.388-05:002012-02-22T19:12:01.388-05:00Thanks Aubrie! Yeah, just looking at my list makes...Thanks Aubrie! Yeah, just looking at my list makes me smile LOL. <br /><br />And I can't wait for it to come out, either =)Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-2131272647218095762012-02-22T19:11:24.518-05:002012-02-22T19:11:24.518-05:00Hi Linda! So happy you found something I said insp...Hi Linda! So happy you found something I said inspiring =) <br /><br />I love the sound of your story! And that's almost exactly what I was dealing with, suggestions to take a lighter "comedy-of-errors" and make it into a dark, angsty story. I could see where it could work and be fun to write, as I can see the fun in writing about a scary funeral home. But I think there's room--and a need--in the market for happier books, lighter books, stories that can be uplifting or at the very least, not focus on the dark and twisted just because they could for shock value lol. I'll be keeping fingers and toes crossed that your stubbornness works out for you . . . it sounds like a story I'd love to read with my girls <3Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-78260488290225268612012-02-22T19:04:53.027-05:002012-02-22T19:04:53.027-05:00I love it! Good for you, for being stubborn--about...I love it! Good for you, for being stubborn--about the right things. I'd never heard of a Love List. But those core things ARE important, and worth hanging onto. Thanks for the illumination! Fun to hear your success story.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-84435997037732230822012-02-22T19:01:22.463-05:002012-02-22T19:01:22.463-05:00Thanks Chloe!! And exactly--I was so afraid people...Thanks Chloe!! And exactly--I was so afraid people would think I was saying not to change anything ever or ignore critique and good advice . . . but there's a difference between being open and also holding onto a few things we really love and believe in =) You get it LOLRachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-23745004390764204342012-02-22T18:59:46.872-05:002012-02-22T18:59:46.872-05:00I love my Love List! I hope it works for you, too!...I love my Love List! I hope it works for you, too! =) And you're absolutely right, we need to write the book of our heart and at the end of the day be proud of what we put out there. Not obstinate about everything, but being willing to stay strong and hold onto what we love <3Rachel Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711443001167188505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-56564685172207536412012-02-22T15:45:42.460-05:002012-02-22T15:45:42.460-05:00Great post! I remember reading about Stephanie Per...Great post! I remember reading about Stephanie Perkin's love list a while back too, and made one for my WIP. I need to revisit and keep this in mind as I begin to query. :)Ghenet Myrthilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621168379560585094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-28065117999767860772012-02-22T13:39:50.974-05:002012-02-22T13:39:50.974-05:00Awesome post-so helpful about thinking of a novel ...Awesome post-so helpful about thinking of a novel in terms of a "Love List" :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-7860872968579017262012-02-22T13:33:10.738-05:002012-02-22T13:33:10.738-05:00I love the balance you've achieved - right on!...I love the balance you've achieved - right on! And because I'm neck-deep in revisions myself (and going insane) I'm going to make a Love List so I can stay true to the work. Thanks for this!Beth Hullhttp://bethhull.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-4133778013915663282012-02-22T12:49:18.377-05:002012-02-22T12:49:18.377-05:00Great to see someone standing by what THEY want to...Great to see someone standing by what THEY want to write and staying true to their story. And to do it will still being open to suggestions and being willing to make some changes is a perfect balance. Way to go and congratulations!Michele Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768815750264631798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-39682484059391272882012-02-22T11:19:18.469-05:002012-02-22T11:19:18.469-05:00Can't wait for My Super Sweet Sixteenth Centur...Can't wait for My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century! What a great list to work from!Aubriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884036126491922530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-48902647666327128252012-02-22T10:45:55.899-05:002012-02-22T10:45:55.899-05:00Thanks for the inspiration, Rachel. And you are ri...Thanks for the inspiration, Rachel. And you are right; it's good to know in advance what it is that you want your readers to get from the story. I am currently dealing with this on a manuscript that I have been querying for quite a while. It is a middle grade novel set in a funeral home. And I've had several people tell me, "You need to make it scary, then it will sell." Or, "You need to add ghosts, zombies, etc." But one of the take-aways of the story is that a funeral home is NOT a scary place filled with ghosts and zombies. It is a "home" that prepares dead bodies for their final destinations. So even though, it has been suggested several times that I turn this manuscript into a ghost story, I just can't. Because that's not what it is.<br /><br />I'm glad your stubbornness worked to your advantage. Maybe someday mine will too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com