tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post5140787423268830773..comments2024-03-19T09:19:45.353+00:00Comments on Dan's Adventures in Fiction: Writers, Give Yourselves a Break!Dan Purduehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-52740041461554548092011-12-19T19:07:33.483+00:002011-12-19T19:07:33.483+00:00Hi Lisa, and welcome.
Great to hear you've fo...Hi Lisa, and welcome.<br /><br />Great to hear you've found this a blog worth stumbling across - I'm pleased to "meet" you!<br /><br />Good luck with the MA - I've often thought about signing up for a course like that, it must be a real pleasure to be able to immerse yourself in your writing and the atmosphere of being surrounded by plenty of other like-minded souls.<br /><br />I think it's all a question of managing those doubts - pay enough attention to them so that you're always striving to do your best and improve with each story / poem / article, but don't let them get out of control and undermine your confidence. True, it's easier said than done, but it's well worth finding that balance.<br /><br />Glad to see you've also discovered Teresa Stenson - a writer to watch for the future. FACT.Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-5207779286654384632011-12-17T17:44:54.829+00:002011-12-17T17:44:54.829+00:00I discovered your blog today Dan, and am very much...I discovered your blog today Dan, and am very much enjoying your posts.<br /><br />This piece is particularly helpful and a timely read for me. The dreaded day job takes up most of my time (which is in fact, a fairly fun and interesting job, but my heart yearns to write full time!) so there are few hours left for writing. I'm studying part time for an MA in English and Creative Writing as I wanted the discipline of having to submit words by deadlines, and also to be surrounded by other writers. The course is fulfilling both wishes but I'm often plagued by thoughts of self-doubt. Am I writing as much/as well as I could, why am I sleeping when there's writing be done, am I actually any good at all, who do I think I am for believing I could be a full time writer...etcetera!<br /><br />It's quite difficult to be in a sort of limbo situation I think, when you're en route to where you'd ultimately like to be. I took from your post that humble belief is key. <br /><br />I can't imagine not writing. The writer's notebook is percieved as a cliche, but my world is in there. I feel as though it keeps me alive, gets me through the rigmarole of routine when I'm feeling a bit grumpy on the train, having to go to work at a dictated time again! In short, I'm in this for life, despite current distractions and demands on my time. So, you're absolutely right, we ought to give ourselves a break and fill our writerly journies with more kindness than criticality.<br /><br />Thank you for the inspiration and reassurance!<br /><br />Lisa.Lisa Derrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00551621188373328768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-7820838581399200862011-07-07T23:04:54.487+01:002011-07-07T23:04:54.487+01:00Ha - that's brilliant, Sarah. Why, indeed, wou...Ha - that's brilliant, Sarah. Why, indeed, would anybody enrol for a class if their work was already faultless?<br /><br />I can't help thinking that if I wrote even a sentence that I genuinely thought was "perfect" I'd never be able to pick up a pen again.Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-6955430424056175272011-07-07T16:42:04.939+01:002011-07-07T16:42:04.939+01:00As someone who has listened to hundreds if not tho...As someone who has listened to hundreds if not thousands of students read their work for workshopping I 100% agree with you - the more arrogant and self satisfied the writer, the worse the writing. <br /><br />My favourite comment - one student said when I suggested changing the sentence order: 'I am completely satisfied that my work is perfect.' Which did make me wonder why he bothered to come to a creative writing class in the first place.Sarah Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12530089356370140344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-51419411340055022162011-07-04T13:56:33.668+01:002011-07-04T13:56:33.668+01:00Cheers, Ric.
I'd say you've hit the nail ...Cheers, Ric.<br /><br />I'd say you've hit the nail squarely there - acceptance of the idea that you're never going to feel entirely sensible about your writing is a big step forward. Just ride out the mood swings and focus on lining up the words in the best way you can.<br /><br />I'm very pleased you liked the book - I really wasn't sure about including "Friends" because it's that much longer than the other stories and is a bit of a sudden lurch into science fiction. But from the feedback I've had, it's looking like the surprise hit of the anthology.<br /><br />You never can tell...Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-37994419171995290332011-07-02T00:10:21.998+01:002011-07-02T00:10:21.998+01:00Hi Dan,
A good bit of chest-beating, I think we c...Hi Dan,<br /><br />A good bit of chest-beating, I think we can all do with that sometimes. There's nothing better than coming away from something feeling like you do know what you're doing. <br /><br />I think it's true that there is an odd mindset - full of doublethinking and second-guessing, bursts of confidence and feelings of complete incompitence - required of anyone who is in the business of creating something from nothing.<br /><br />I tend to feel better about it now that I have resigned to it being a permanent state. And that as long as there is that feeling of moving vaguely in the right direction, then there is nothing to worry about. <br /><br />Well, there's always something to worry about... But not that.<br /><br />Anyway, also to say that I enjoyed your book - especially 'Are "Friends" Electric?' Good work.Ric Carterhttp://digestivepress.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-27267721117067577182011-06-30T08:48:37.550+01:002011-06-30T08:48:37.550+01:00Many thanks, Diane, and welcome to the blog.
Good...Many thanks, Diane, and welcome to the blog.<br /><br />Good to hear you're feeling motivated, too - even if it is just to leave the house!Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-2989309746666880892011-06-30T08:14:05.115+01:002011-06-30T08:14:05.115+01:00I enjoyed your post. You've made many good poi...I enjoyed your post. You've made many good points and I'm feeling a little more motivated now. Mmmm I do need to get out more. Thanks again.Diane Fordhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018013338268306704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-23459500684645397492011-06-27T21:55:40.386+01:002011-06-27T21:55:40.386+01:00Cheers, Tree. It's definitely an odd balancing...Cheers, Tree. It's definitely an odd balancing act we find ourselves doing, isn't it? I'm always surprised at people who enter competitions and say they don't expect to get anywhere. I don't think I could send an entry without being convinced on some level that I was going to win. That feeling lasts right up until I drop the envelope into the post box, or click 'send'.<br /><br />Thanks for revisiting the "Street Corner" (sorry, that sounds more dodgy than I intended). I live in fear that The Guardian will take that page down sometime. It's seen me through many a crisis of confidence, that one.Dan Purduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633271913854946500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942294427695379658.post-37687888371387430402011-06-24T19:08:19.541+01:002011-06-24T19:08:19.541+01:00You're right: I AM warm, and I DID have lashin...You're right: I AM warm, and I DID have lashings of wine.<br /><br />Seriously though, good post, good points. I've thought something similar before about how we kind of have to be a mix of big headed (sending our work out to be read/published/judged) and then ready for/accepting of the knocks and rejections, and then able to take and use criticism to make the work better, and ready to get our big heads on again to send it out. Even though, a lot of the time, we don't 'expect' it to get anywhere. What ARE we doing??? <br /><br />Oh but I followed the link to read your Guardian story again just after we got back, I remember it really well anyway, but after chatting about it felt like a re-visit. It's excellent. <br /><br />Oh yeah, we do it for those moments when The Guardian says 'YES' and likewise. <br /><br />That's very cool that you came away focused and that you've written new stuff. I felt a boost too.Teresa Stensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027879292470220383noreply@blogger.com