tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post8420552257895741145..comments2024-03-25T09:56:16.164+00:00Comments on An Awfully Big Blog Adventure: That Delicate Thing Called Confidence by Ellen RennerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-89451206767487559842012-06-20T10:46:47.933+01:002012-06-20T10:46:47.933+01:00I prefer to read books that are so far above my le...I prefer to read books that are so far above my level of competence that the thought of emulating them can't even cross my mind. It's when I find a book that I feel *almost* capable of writing that I start to get the Green-eyed monster.Nick Greenhttp://www.nickgreenbooks.webeden.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-44804049268366755332012-06-20T09:22:23.944+01:002012-06-20T09:22:23.944+01:00I've read 'Goblins' and felt, just lik...I've read 'Goblins' and felt, just like you, that I could never create anything so brilliant. But I also felt that when I read your books!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13912774665400125173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-72645881059120364522012-06-19T20:27:59.893+01:002012-06-19T20:27:59.893+01:00I wonder if the 'greats' have their insecu...I wonder if the 'greats' have their insecurities too and wouldn't it be fun to know what they are? The issue I have when writing is that when i have just finished a first draft or sent a book off i suddenly spot a similar idea doing the rounds. Often it is different enough but that cane a very off-putting experience. You have to stay true to your story, not be influenced and carry on - having the confidence to believe that your own work is worth reading ... It's important to just carry on regardless - there is an anonymous saying ... 'Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase - that's what wild geese are for.'<br /><br />Writing is very much like that ... chasing ideas, embracing them and loving them.<br />AlAlan Dapréhttp://www.alandapre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-32468284796521474922012-06-19T20:01:18.032+01:002012-06-19T20:01:18.032+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Emma Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02718171070716804800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-51712205178535886222012-06-19T19:32:04.965+01:002012-06-19T19:32:04.965+01:00Love the idea of the giant pixie of hate :)Love the idea of the giant pixie of hate :)Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-7497278837395407862012-06-19T19:30:52.935+01:002012-06-19T19:30:52.935+01:00My goblin is an absolute brute. Is also very shout...My goblin is an absolute brute. Is also very shouty. But I am able to read others when I'm writing. I snap instantly into reader mode in quite a childish way. There have been loads of times where I've started to read something, going, 'Right, book! I'm going to read you as a WRITER, ya hear!' and then I finish it in a daze and go, 'Doh!' I forgot to notice again!Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-85833584039433828702012-06-19T17:43:15.609+01:002012-06-19T17:43:15.609+01:00Yup. Got a goblin. Oh yes.Yup. Got a goblin. Oh yes.Joan Lennonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15763862159032836768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-90629488480658773212012-06-19T16:15:45.838+01:002012-06-19T16:15:45.838+01:00*sigh* I don't have a goblin, I have a GIANT ...*sigh* I don't have a goblin, I have a GIANT PIXIE OF HATE. And I read and read and read because I WANT to be influenced- I want to learn from those writers I love - and you're one of them. Feel blessed to have had a sneak peak at Tribute Ellen - it's going to be a smash - it's right up there with the best. My Pixie says he'll take your goblin any day....Kathryn Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16439670363289229014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-26048557417390209402012-06-19T15:57:52.934+01:002012-06-19T15:57:52.934+01:00I read as much as I can, whether I'm writing o...I read as much as I can, whether I'm writing or not, and I find other people's creativity feeds my own. I don't think I copy, well, not much, but actually copying is a good thing ... if it works for them ... for me the reading and writing thing go hand in hand. I have issues with confidence, but feeling better about my abilities these days thank goodness.Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00456086542084627953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-53073279830021641012012-06-19T15:42:41.252+01:002012-06-19T15:42:41.252+01:00As an unpublished writer, I think I have a differe...As an unpublished writer, I think I have a different take on this problem. One of the first things I was told when I started on my writing journey was to read, read, read. My own draft seemed woefully inadequate compared to what I was reading, but that didn't knock my confidence too much, as I was just a beginner. But what I found as I worked through my first draft was that almost every chapter was taking on the tone and style of what I was reading(subconsciously, I assure you). <br />And that was disheartening.<br />I've since started a second draft from scratch, and I plan to only read non-fiction until I've finished. If my draft ends up sounding like a David Starkey history lesson, I'll know my plan hasn't worked!Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14695589129968602716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-64275200009128972362012-06-19T14:17:48.671+01:002012-06-19T14:17:48.671+01:00I'm with Ann Turnbull on this! Never do stop r...I'm with Ann Turnbull on this! Never do stop reading, whatevs.<br />Very interesting post!adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15826710558292792068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-48499254320024905032012-06-19T14:13:42.117+01:002012-06-19T14:13:42.117+01:00I think goblins are vital. They keep us on our fe...I think goblins are vital. They keep us on our feet. If we didn't have them, we might not see room for improvement.<br /><br />And there is nothing better than meeting a writer you aspire to, one whose work you really admire. That means you don't think you've reached the top, where the only way is down.<br /><br />So, these are positive traits!! It's just normal for writers to feel a bit negative - it comes with the job.<br /><br />I never read what I'm writing. So I don't read fantasy if I'm writing it, don't read humour if I'm writing it. At the moment I'm avoiding all things space. But, once the WIP is done I will gobble them up because I love them.<br /><br />Good luck with everything, Ellen!Jackie Marchanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567038737470422449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-16085425917608673062012-06-19T14:07:10.751+01:002012-06-19T14:07:10.751+01:00I love reading fiction so much that I could never ...I love reading fiction so much that I could never stop for any length of time - it's like a drug! At the end of a hard day writing and struggling with an unworked-out plot it's such a treat to sit down and read someone else's work - something finished and polished and gripping. The better is is, the happier I am.Ann Turnbullhttp://www.annturnbull.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-84229037641947099572012-06-19T13:59:38.854+01:002012-06-19T13:59:38.854+01:00I recently read BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mant...I recently read BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel and felt like giving it all up! Such effortless storytelling and fantastic prose. I thought, What am I playing at????Anne Cassidynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-22451474805772655472012-06-19T13:59:30.600+01:002012-06-19T13:59:30.600+01:00What a wonderful post. I hope you slap that goblin...What a wonderful post. I hope you slap that goblin of yours around a bit. The new book sounds awesome - congratulations - can't wait to read it.Ness Harbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07370427313780759711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-57320898068328058822012-06-19T13:44:47.301+01:002012-06-19T13:44:47.301+01:00So comforting to hear that even published authors ...So comforting to hear that even published authors (of wonderful books too) have that 'I'll never be good enough' feeling. Diana Wynne-Jones, Margaret Mahy and Joan Aiken particularly seem to bring on deep, despondent feelings of depression. I'm not sure I could just stop reading though-horrors I could just as soon stop eating! Your new project sounds so intriguing-will look forward to it! <br />(sorry for repost-typo)jongleusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754014776263314905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780182174577095197.post-74856641308777975752012-06-19T13:43:52.292+01:002012-06-19T13:43:52.292+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.jongleusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754014776263314905noreply@blogger.com