tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post2882575811197401426..comments2024-03-28T08:48:51.749-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: 4 Ways To Make Yourself Complete a BookJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84048595187955817732014-05-23T15:31:17.814-04:002014-05-23T15:31:17.814-04:00Wow! A new friend told me about your blog just tod...Wow! A new friend told me about your blog just today. I came to check it out and found something right away that will help me! Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-48821438066146348632011-04-20T14:41:17.420-04:002011-04-20T14:41:17.420-04:00dcollings,
Thanks! I appreciate your compliment! ...dcollings,<br /><br />Thanks! I appreciate your compliment! I understand what you're saying. And I firmly believe that we ought to use our blogs to give back to others and build relationships. When we do, the marketing will take care of itself (mostly!).Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-8022563287219676292011-04-20T13:48:12.251-04:002011-04-20T13:48:12.251-04:00Thank you for the quality posts. I appreciate you ...Thank you for the quality posts. I appreciate you taking time to share information that in sound and helpful. So many just post teasers so you will by a news letter or their most recent published materials. Posts like yours conveys a sense that you are a professional and committed to the career. Thank you for your knowledge and experience.dcollingshttp://dcollings@maxlp.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-50953337185634981502011-03-23T07:07:23.227-04:002011-03-23T07:07:23.227-04:00Hi Lorena,
That's a great way to work on fini...Hi Lorena,<br /><br />That's a great way to work on finishing a book, entering NaNoWriMo! It's motivating to know others are working alongside us, isn't it? I think that's why finding an accountability partner can be so helpful too. That's usually what I do. I'll ask around on Twitter and find someone else who's in first draft mode. Then we'll hold each other accountable<br />for our weekly goals, checking in on each other once a week.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-40033419930711985802011-03-22T16:33:22.383-04:002011-03-22T16:33:22.383-04:00I love this post, Jody!
Your daily word count go...I love this post, Jody! <br /><br />Your daily word count goal is very ambitious! (I wish I could be that consistent.) Some days I write pages and pages, but others, I can only get a couple of sentences in. What I did this year to finish a novel that was taking me FOREVER, was enter NaNoWriMo (just for the statistics graph, ha ha.) I didn't meet the 50,000-words-a-month goal, but I was motivated enough to finish the draft in January. :-)<br /><br />Now I have to set a similar goal for the revisions! (I hate them!!)Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-1854244778012113472011-03-21T07:53:35.503-04:002011-03-21T07:53:35.503-04:00I am in the middle of the revision of my first-eve...I am in the middle of the revision of my first-ever novel. I have another book half-finished, and ideas for two more that I am itching to outline. But I really need to finish that revision before I move on to the next thing. Thanks for the encouragement and the solid advice.Pam Asberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00700210661754783889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6637312280122209742011-03-20T23:59:59.153-04:002011-03-20T23:59:59.153-04:00Thanks for writing this post for me, Jody. :-)
I ...Thanks for writing this post for me, Jody. :-)<br /><br />I made a goal to finish my current draft by March 31. That was working for awhile, but last week I got really sick and lost my momentum. I'm determined to push through, though.Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67922636032953381722011-03-20T20:30:05.970-04:002011-03-20T20:30:05.970-04:00Thanks for your kind words, Rachel (and everyone e...Thanks for your kind words, Rachel (and everyone else!). The encouragement means a lot! :-)<br /><br />Wishing everyone all the best as you work on your WIPS and finish them! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69438274060329781282011-03-20T19:59:34.490-04:002011-03-20T19:59:34.490-04:00Great blog! And you're right about sticking t...Great blog! And you're right about sticking to a schedule. When I go back and read a manuscript, I can't tell which parts are written when I was "in the mood" from those sections written when I was just cranking it out according to schedule.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14546882686381428986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33868974631925336132011-03-20T19:17:44.936-04:002011-03-20T19:17:44.936-04:00Just a quick note to say how much I appreciate you...Just a quick note to say how much I appreciate your blog. Great job churning out interesting post after interesting post.RRigdonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478820442011978220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64005016499974140842011-03-20T18:09:55.232-04:002011-03-20T18:09:55.232-04:00Accountability is an excellent one. I work well wi...Accountability is an excellent one. I work well with deadlines. It's the reason I started my blogspot; it makes me feel like I have a deadline to make.Tressa https://www.blogger.com/profile/14597338496330997137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-54281040913544204682011-03-20T11:38:31.302-04:002011-03-20T11:38:31.302-04:00These are wonderful points - well said/written!These are wonderful points - well said/written!Kathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69621901484623098912011-03-19T23:30:02.494-04:002011-03-19T23:30:02.494-04:00Great points - I am on a novel writing break... bu...Great points - I am on a novel writing break... but can't wait to get back into it - 3.5 months.. and I'll be putting those tips into useAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10717851490956081852011-03-19T21:46:08.221-04:002011-03-19T21:46:08.221-04:00Hi Jody -
I've finished two books, have two p...Hi Jody -<br /><br />I've finished two books, have two partially done, and started a fifth. One of the partially done manuscripts is on hold as opposed to abandoned, while the other story wasn't working.<br /><br />Keeping an EXCEL spreadsheet motivates me as I see my word count going up.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71102241505172021402011-03-19T19:56:49.595-04:002011-03-19T19:56:49.595-04:00As always, I gleaned so much from your post and th...As always, I gleaned so much from your post and the follow up comments. Thanks for your insights!Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83595771502925118762011-03-19T15:01:26.828-04:002011-03-19T15:01:26.828-04:00Before something is finished it is full of potenti...Before something is finished it is full of potential - it could be great. I think fear of finishing for me can come from a fear of the finished project not matching my hopes for it. I'm really trying to push through that at the moment and get into a good writing routine.Áine Tierneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05583427035028105537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56069534613431063472011-03-19T11:28:17.948-04:002011-03-19T11:28:17.948-04:00Becky, I'm right there with ya. I have a finis...Becky, I'm right there with ya. I have a finished draft of my first novel, and am working on a revision. But I also have small children (well, one toddler and my others are older) and I know they are my first ministry. It's frustrating trying to write at the speed I'd like when I'm getting tugged on and naptime goes to fast, etc. But then it's like "What am I thinking? I'm gonna blink and he'll be in college. SLOW DOWN." <br /><br />I'll continue working on my book, <br />and I have other writerly things I'm involved with, but I have to release the timing of this novel and my dream of publication into God's hands. We each have our own journey to print and it won't look like anyone else's. Be encouraged! <br /><br />But next time you decide to pick up your pen, I'd encourage you to put it to one of your half-finished books instead of starting yet another from scratch. =)Michelle Massarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12841001797112425917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53161476127368292652011-03-19T11:24:49.549-04:002011-03-19T11:24:49.549-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17457597802241453733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39221506961412830682011-03-19T08:31:14.808-04:002011-03-19T08:31:14.808-04:00I needed this now, Jody, thank you!I needed this now, Jody, thank you!Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89497145622515392862011-03-18T23:42:45.199-04:002011-03-18T23:42:45.199-04:00Excellent. My writing is different, but at least 3...Excellent. My writing is different, but at least 3 of the 4 point apply (probably not #3). For story in #4 I can substitute "message." Very good! Book #2 on Proverbs was almost done, but I'm removing 6 chapters and putting 8 different ones in. So, a little delay. Then, more work on the introduction, and then editing.<br /><br />Cheryl and I bought your book today at Mardels in Amarillo. Got the last copy. Will send a couple of pics.<br /><br />wbWarren Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956713921509659993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-69606451187189366722011-03-18T17:14:43.951-04:002011-03-18T17:14:43.951-04:00Jody,
I appreciate this post probably more than an...Jody,<br />I appreciate this post probably more than anyone. I'm copying to read off line, print if I have to and put it in front of my nose.<br />I love to write novels. I have 4-5 or more half finished. Only one finished in my life time. I hope that in your advice there will be a glimmer of hope for me. Funny thing is I'm a writer who has written for years, mostly short stories and essays. I love novels though and that's my dream. To be published. To have a book on the library shelf. OR at Big Lots here in Ohio. LOL.<br />Thanks for listening and thanks for writing this one. Blessings, BarbB. WHITTINGTONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362600188243508446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45044009258400999942011-03-18T16:54:52.131-04:002011-03-18T16:54:52.131-04:00I have one unfinished book, but that's because...I have one unfinished book, but that's because it's on the back-burner to work on two other projects. I like to see my ideas through!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87480155393344679932011-03-18T16:49:26.018-04:002011-03-18T16:49:26.018-04:00Time. Sometimes that truly is the reason. In my ...Time. Sometimes that truly is the reason. In my case, I've done the things you recommend, but what I hadn't done was eliminate some things to free up time for writing. A number of things have conspired to finally hit me over the head to realize what I've been doing wrong.<br /><br />I'm in the processing of decluttering my schedule so that I can take your advice. I expect big things.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34396601925717104342011-03-18T15:06:51.342-04:002011-03-18T15:06:51.342-04:00Becky said: "I keep wondering if I'm just...Becky said: "I keep wondering if I'm just making excuses and should be making the time for it if I really want it, or if pursuing it now would be selfish and I just need to be patient."<br /><br />My response: We may indeed go through writing seasons. I did. I put my writing aside for about seven years when my children were much younger. I didn't write a single thing in all those years. And in hindsight, I can see it was exactly what I needed to be doing.<br /><br />Perhaps you will need to evaluate if this is a season in your life where your writing will take the back burner. <br /><br />However, with you saying you have 3 uncompleted manuscripts, I'm also inclined to think you might need to push yourself to finish one of them, even if it's just as simple as giving yourself the goal of 300 words a day. (Or giving yourself the goal of finishing one during the summer.) Just something to think about!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-75605399454429962202011-03-18T14:56:01.128-04:002011-03-18T14:56:01.128-04:00What great tips! Where I get all stopped up is aft...What great tips! Where I get all stopped up is after the rough draft is all written...the thought of re-reading it and editing it all is so overwhelming. The writing part is fun, the editing part, not so much. But I think these tips can be applied to that process as well, which helps a bit!Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13791249950444252618noreply@blogger.com