tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3625488990722392582..comments2024-03-19T03:17:32.228-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: The Mixed Emotions of the Writing LifeJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59819448808010914812010-10-03T17:37:55.037-04:002010-10-03T17:37:55.037-04:00Emotions? Oh, yeah.
Fear of failure, fear of suc...Emotions? Oh, yeah. <br /><br />Fear of failure, fear of success. <br /><br />I hope the agent wants a proposal.<br /><br />I hope he doesn't want a proposal. <br /><br />Where's the chocolate?Bonnie Doranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10438865207169596408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45220902520270753022010-10-01T02:40:59.644-04:002010-10-01T02:40:59.644-04:00Writing drives me nuts with the roller coaster rid...Writing drives me nuts with the roller coaster ride of emotions. But would I do anything else? Nope, because it's all worth it in the end.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81890371139024821282010-09-30T22:01:30.412-04:002010-09-30T22:01:30.412-04:00Jody,
I guess I'm a caboose comment here, bri...Jody,<br /><br />I guess I'm a caboose comment here, bringing up the rear. <br /><br />Writing is very hard on the writer in many ways. It helps us most if we truly love what we are doing for it's own sake.<br /><br />Even so, there will be ups and downs, sometimes all mixed together. And the ordinary life that goes on is a gift. We need that to keep us grounded.Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13230933951929594172010-09-30T14:15:07.711-04:002010-09-30T14:15:07.711-04:00Hi Jody -
I also get mixed emotions. The idea of ...Hi Jody -<br /><br />I also get mixed emotions. The idea of putting my work out there for all to see makes me go weak in the knees. At the same time, I know God has called me to write.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26002697477288378252010-09-30T13:38:40.727-04:002010-09-30T13:38:40.727-04:00Jody, mixed emotions is a part of a writer's ...Jody, mixed emotions is a part of a writer's life. It happens with me often I tend to feel the ups and downs of my character's life.<br /><br />Even when I am reading I experience mixed emotions as some characters really suck me into the story.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66292638626912077422010-09-30T12:01:30.509-04:002010-09-30T12:01:30.509-04:00Like you, I've spent all of my adult life writ...Like you, I've spent all of my adult life writing books, trying to get published, feeling elated when agents ask for the complete manuscript, then deflated when they reject it. From what I hear from even the most successful writers, the mixed feelings never go away. Every new book requires the discipline to sit down and write it, and every new book has to be sold once again to the public. The process may be bumpy, but how lucky we are to have something that every day gives our lives meaning, eh?<br /><br />Congratulations and good luck! You deserve it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32918415855016659312010-09-30T11:14:38.271-04:002010-09-30T11:14:38.271-04:00Jody, I'm so excited for you! Your honesty ab...Jody, I'm so excited for you! Your honesty about the mixed emotions you are feeling is so refreshing. I think that I fall into the trap of thinking that once I've found an agent, or once I've got a book deal I'll be "there" - and everything will be happy and perfect. I see by reading your blog and following your journey that it is a mix - a journey with ups and downs. I do hope you'll be able to enjoy and celebrate the ups of this amazing time in your writing journey!! I'm looking forward to reading the book :)demeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11750466778454023591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-8731521078745863852010-09-30T09:00:59.389-04:002010-09-30T09:00:59.389-04:00Oh, yes. Giddy one day that an agent chose to offe...Oh, yes. Giddy one day that an agent chose to offer me representation, sucking my thumb the next that ten editors have rejected my proposals. Dancing one day that I've sold two stories to a major publisher for anthologies; stuffing my face with dark chocolate the next when that same publisher rejects my next two stories. <br />Sometimes you have to tell your emotions to shut up, and just do your best. <br />BTW, I LOVE PB!!!! You are brilliant!!!!Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62601842953594483562010-09-30T08:20:46.259-04:002010-09-30T08:20:46.259-04:00Am I wasting my time...and the time of others?
~B...Am I wasting my time...and the time of others?<br /><br />~BrittBesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08397116071436885635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22430382602339110752010-09-29T19:25:02.012-04:002010-09-29T19:25:02.012-04:00As writers, I think we're just naturally fille...As writers, I think we're just naturally filled with doubt. The journey is a roller coaster ride, that's for sure. I love how we're all in the car on the tracks with you, through the ups and downs. <br /><br />I'm on chapter 8 of your book, and I'm loving it! I'm not just saying that, although I'd be thinking the same thing. Just know that you've done an amazing job, and I love Elizabeth!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34755446050542091352010-09-29T17:20:44.148-04:002010-09-29T17:20:44.148-04:00Thanks for being so open. I feel like I've be...Thanks for being so open. I feel like I've been given a window into the future (hopefully!).<br /><br />God blessAimeeLSalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17763596557256341788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61930880810100003662010-09-29T15:57:49.221-04:002010-09-29T15:57:49.221-04:00I'm still so new I think I have more doubts th...I'm still so new I think I have more doubts than confidences:) I don't trust myself yet, and maybe that's a good thing. I'm relying completely on the Divine direction. <br /><br />My critique partners do a job job of helping build my confidence that I am on the right track.<br /><br />Hearing about your successes is just the medicine I need:) I'm treating myself to your book on Friday, I can't wait!Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28501243843440899442010-09-29T15:37:52.614-04:002010-09-29T15:37:52.614-04:00Well, I can't wait to hold your book in my han...Well, I can't wait to hold your book in my hand and dig in!! Enjoy this time with your FIRST book--it happens only once!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70369019967157859702010-09-29T15:25:25.359-04:002010-09-29T15:25:25.359-04:00I just recently experienced the highs and lows...w...I just recently experienced the highs and lows...went from being runner-up in the Genesis to getting my final scores back. One judge was pretty harsh with their score and comments. I battled some big-time doubts but reminded myself that I got positive feedback from the others and that it's all very subjective. My husband brought up a good point, too. I just need ONE agent and/or publishing house to like it, not ALL of them.Sarah Forgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101753891967001104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33665552052780894852010-09-29T15:14:08.667-04:002010-09-29T15:14:08.667-04:00You've summed up my own feelings precisely, Jo...You've summed up my own feelings precisely, Jody. I've always been something of a private person, too.Janalyn Voigt, escape into creative worlds of fiction.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16233710536302581735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67121848710454375462010-09-29T15:00:16.770-04:002010-09-29T15:00:16.770-04:00It can be a roller coaster experience, but sometim...It can be a roller coaster experience, but sometimes the highs are higher and the lows are lower. I had a similar experience when I was teaching, riding a lot of highs and surviving a lot of lows.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12713884437284199572010-09-29T14:45:56.891-04:002010-09-29T14:45:56.891-04:00Oh yeah, those mixed emotions are always there. Bu...Oh yeah, those mixed emotions are always there. But it's nice to know that they affect all of us, from beginning to writers to published authors.<br /><br />I'm so excited about your book release! Congratulations!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3042363347061550132010-09-29T14:36:09.873-04:002010-09-29T14:36:09.873-04:00Aww... I loved this post! It shows you're stil...Aww... I loved this post! It shows you're still a real person and pub hasn't gone to your head. I say sit back and enjoy the sweet taste of the success you've earned so far!<br /><br />Kudos! Can't wait to read it!PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34887951238380751652010-09-29T14:22:24.628-04:002010-09-29T14:22:24.628-04:00Jody, since you just helped me through my Proposal...Jody, since you just helped me through my Proposal Panic, I don't have to tell you how I run the gamut of emotions. The writer's life is never dull. The way I see it, though, is that by experiencing the full range of feelings ourselves, we're better able to add them to our stories and evoke them in our readers. How's that for a positive spin? :-)Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33138828085969761562010-09-29T13:13:16.203-04:002010-09-29T13:13:16.203-04:00I'm really excited for you. I can understand b...I'm really excited for you. I can understand being nervous, having those mixed emotions. But try not to get so bogged down in the nervousness that you forget to live in this incredible moment that you won't ever quite get to have again.Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-5264058716951073122010-09-29T12:41:49.511-04:002010-09-29T12:41:49.511-04:00Anne's "I'm-terrified-but-loving-it&q...Anne's "I'm-terrified-but-loving-it" roller coaster comparison made me laugh! All of life is an adventure so I wouldn't expect publication to be any different. What I'm learning from others, though, is it's more personal than I thought -- more like the emotions connected to sending our first born off to kindergarten. <br /><br />Thank you once again for sharing your journey with such honesty and openness. Your experiences are helping to prepare me for the exciting adventure that I hope is in my future.<br /><br />P.S. Just one more day!!! Congratulations, Jody!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-319729907189150342010-09-29T12:38:17.061-04:002010-09-29T12:38:17.061-04:00As I wait for feedback on my novels that are out t...As I wait for feedback on my novels that are out there. I'm wondering what the person I sent them to will think of them. Will she fall in love with them? Does one outshine the others? Will the manuscripts themselves reveal I'm a horrible writer, or will this lead to something wonderful? I'm right there with you Jody. I think it's only natural. BTW, I LOVED The Preacher's Bride!!~~ I'm passing on my copy to my girlfriend and I have another copy on the way and plan on passing it along too. I'll be reviewing your novel for the parents at my children co-op group as well, via the monthly newsletter. =)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15316082826499067592010-09-29T12:23:47.230-04:002010-09-29T12:23:47.230-04:00There are a lot of mixed emotions in the writing l...There are a lot of mixed emotions in the writing life... I go from excited to stressed (so much to do) to overwhelmed and back to excited. But, you're right, the feeling I have most often is gratefulness... I'm so incredibly grateful that God has given me this opportunity and to the people who have helped me along the way.Erin MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11665098986271579372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87392946558416212692010-09-29T12:06:39.637-04:002010-09-29T12:06:39.637-04:00I can understand, to some extent (haven't publ...I can understand, to some extent (haven't published a book yet:) - the writing road is an adventure. As far as my opinion and review of your book, it's all true! It is a wonderful book. Thank you for allowing me to feature you this week on the blog. So many good things yet to come for you!<br />Blessings,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-33194706494557303142010-09-29T11:43:59.251-04:002010-09-29T11:43:59.251-04:00Jody, I have to tell you - with complete honesty a...Jody, I have to tell you - with complete honesty and deep sincerity - that I LOVE your book! LOVE IT! Last night my husband told me that I either needed to put the book away or go sleep on the couch, because I was keeping him up. I am so in love with Elizabeth and John. You have created something powerful and beautiful and utterly suspenseful. <br /><br />If I don't finish tonight, I just might sleep on the couch until I do!! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.com