tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post7053817025538889256..comments2024-03-18T16:17:37.995-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How Important is Talent in Reaching Writing Success?Jody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4670784833304267862014-09-07T12:21:06.050-04:002014-09-07T12:21:06.050-04:00Maybe "talent" is a bit too vague a term...Maybe "talent" is a bit too vague a term to capture what's really going on with authors at the beginning of their careers? It might be helpful to consider that every writer has certain "sensitivities" -- to language, story, humor, dramatic tension, larger meaning, and many more. Of these sensitivities, each writer tends to lean in the direction of one or more but not others or all, and this is where the education of the author/writer begins. The effort is to cultivate the main sensitivities while compensating for the ones that are less natural but necessary. In my experience, those writers/authors who ultimately succeed (I work as a book coach, developmental editor, +ghost) are those who want to be the best writer/author they can be, and so they are willing to go through a period of learning basic things (much like piano lessons but more fun). The ones who give up are more interested in instant gratification, alas, and don't feel the need to get better and better over time. So in the end, perhaps that's what talent really is: a talent for learning and getting better at a chosen art, by first practicing its craft.Laurel Marshfieldhttp://www.bluehorizoncommunications.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68444682193499520012014-09-01T06:59:21.148-04:002014-09-01T06:59:21.148-04:00Thank you for this thought-provoking post which I,...Thank you for this thought-provoking post which I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed. I tend to think that a bit of talent is helpful, but that a lot of WORK (while ignoring the internet! :) ) is the component that's necessary for a good book or series of books. Thank you for for the encouragement.Elisabeth Allenhttp://www.hopescribbles.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90932641050502366112014-08-31T19:21:58.117-04:002014-08-31T19:21:58.117-04:00I think talent can play a role in success- but tho...I think talent can play a role in success- but those who are the most successful are those who keep trying and working. We don't give up and we don't stop learning. It is SO important to be open to advice from other people in the writing field. I know I had lot to learn and I am still learning every day. :) <br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32004016945115349392014-08-28T09:46:43.483-04:002014-08-28T09:46:43.483-04:00I think most aspects of a successful writing caree...I think most aspects of a successful writing career can be learned. Natural talent is, of course, a fabulous thing to have, but it won't be the main reason a writer find themselves with a lucrative career in publishing. I've never worked so hard in my life for something as I have worked to publish a novel.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41778524335735609042014-08-26T16:09:34.481-04:002014-08-26T16:09:34.481-04:00I think some talent--coupled with desire to write-...I think some talent--coupled with desire to write--definitely help. The rest can be learned.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30213390962793259622014-08-26T11:50:00.363-04:002014-08-26T11:50:00.363-04:00I think that one reason some writers have an infla...I think that one reason some writers have an inflated view of their talent is that it's a result of the "everybody gets a trophy" culture. As a teacher, I occasionally get criticized if I provide constructive criticism to my students, and often it's their parents who criticize me. Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2466253652885065812014-08-26T07:56:18.863-04:002014-08-26T07:56:18.863-04:00Thanks for the much needed perspective!! It defini...Thanks for the much needed perspective!! It definitely helps to hear that today's authors went through multiple rejections!!Jodie Hoklashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00854063127322210628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86323346675175776782014-08-26T06:25:54.367-04:002014-08-26T06:25:54.367-04:00In my opinion, it's a crapshoot. I've seen...In my opinion, it's a crapshoot. I've seen bestselling writers who use the same phrases to distraction, whose works are loaded with passive terms like "there was," "it was," who noticeably go out of their way not to use the dialog tag "said," use unnatural-sounding dialog, tell rather than show, and other writing no-no's. I've also seen writers who write lyrically, with metaphors and sensory details, who don't make gas money. It's the arts, and there's no guarantee. As the Hyman Roth character said in The Godfather Part II: "This is the business we've chosen."bettye griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457387770524295498noreply@blogger.com