tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8156059569227297781..comments2024-03-29T03:42:04.742-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Surprises Of The Writing LifeJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-25808883593089863962009-12-02T00:44:16.815-05:002009-12-02T00:44:16.815-05:00What has taken me by surprise is the plots of my b...What has taken me by surprise is the plots of my book. No matter where I think they are headed, they always take their own twists, leaving me typing as fast as I can in order to keep up.Suzette Saxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401538008029407734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58806127376133995992009-12-01T14:26:46.986-05:002009-12-01T14:26:46.986-05:00I love that you identified surprise as one of the ...I love that you identified surprise as one of the big feelings about your writing life. Everything about this journey surprises me, starting with how much I love being here. The sting of rejection letters has been a surprise, because I thought I was prepared. The wonderful support of this community. And of course the never-ending surprise of what happens when I open my heart onto a page.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-35101890519363204832009-12-01T08:54:04.611-05:002009-12-01T08:54:04.611-05:00Yes, I've been surprised by how much periphera...Yes, I've been surprised by how much peripheral work there is in building a platform. I thought writing was simply that: writing. The "paperwork" required to get your writing published is overwhelming at times. <br /><br />Thanks for asking!<br /><br />Jen<br />Audience of ONEJeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88278302226138421232009-12-01T08:33:20.870-05:002009-12-01T08:33:20.870-05:00I think what surprised me is the vast knowledge ab...I think what surprised me is the vast knowledge about writing and the industry that I didn't have at first, but has grown with each written essay, manuscript, query, blog visit, you name it. It seems an industry where there's something to learn, or some wisdom to gain, each and every day.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68279748595562102432009-12-01T01:11:23.604-05:002009-12-01T01:11:23.604-05:00The surprise of my life came just a few weeks ago....The surprise of my life came just a few weeks ago. A famous artist offered to do the artwork in my book, and help me publish it, wow!Desertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15468706620075612245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-75226931405637736082009-11-30T20:29:35.511-05:002009-11-30T20:29:35.511-05:00Robyn,
That is a great question! How do I balance ...Robyn,<br />That is a great question! How do I balance homeschooling and a writing career? When I figure that out, I'll be doing good! Seriously, it's tough! I was hoping my older kids were getting old enough to work a little more independently, but I'm dealing with a lot of their chattering during "work" time, especially when I'm distracted like I was for a little while today when I was sending my rewrites back to my editor! It is truly exciting, but daunting all at the same time!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36056839028008905012009-11-30T19:57:11.799-05:002009-11-30T19:57:11.799-05:00My dream said that once I had a book deal it would...My dream said that once I had a book deal it would be easy street. Not true? crap! Seriously, I can't wait. But I don't work well under pressure. Guess I'd better get to work on that lousy trait today, huh?<br /><br />What fun to think about when I'm wearing your shoes. I have told my family the same thing about when I'm offered a book deal. They're really rootin' for me too. :) Go figure.<br /><br />But how do you balance home-school and the journey? It gets harder when you get the deal. Yet so exciting. :) I can't wait Jody. *grin*Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32406736401985114162009-11-30T19:01:29.855-05:002009-11-30T19:01:29.855-05:00Like you, Jody, I'm flabbergasted by the highs...Like you, Jody, I'm flabbergasted by the highs and lows. I had a long stretch of real highs. I started writing in January and was agented by August of that same year. Then, a huge nosedive. I'm still nosediving, but I'm hanging on. <br /><br />Have a great Monday night!Gwen Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00062502118990955905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-7251195048778989932009-11-30T18:46:51.097-05:002009-11-30T18:46:51.097-05:00You're right about the peaks and valleys in th...You're right about the peaks and valleys in the writing life.<br /><br />I continue to be pleasantly surprised by how helpful and encouraging the writing community is.Dawn Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667675689038435581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-48138011141004788342009-11-30T17:40:16.899-05:002009-11-30T17:40:16.899-05:00110% gusto should work. Breathing in your lesson ...110% gusto should work. Breathing in your lesson of the day.Ellie Kingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711249217634726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-47956091041280063332009-11-30T16:44:17.201-05:002009-11-30T16:44:17.201-05:00Oh, this post scares me a little bit. You mean, it...Oh, this post scares me a little bit. You mean, it doesn't get easier? Crud.<br /><br />I'm not being sarcastic or joking .. I had always thought it would be easier once on a publishing schedule. Why did I think that? Geeze.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77410984096206235632009-11-30T16:11:16.205-05:002009-11-30T16:11:16.205-05:00Truthfully, I'm convinced that should I ever g...Truthfully, I'm convinced that should I ever get a book deal I have to quit my day job! It doesn't feel possible to manage both, I struggle now to the point of having a fit.<br /><br />Jody, I always glean so much from your posts. I wait to have the most quiet part of my day to relish in your insight. Thanks for always being a blessing.Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30503875266213812152009-11-30T14:55:43.562-05:002009-11-30T14:55:43.562-05:00Hi Jody -
Thanks for not only giving us facts abo...Hi Jody -<br /><br />Thanks for not only giving us facts about your writing journey, but also the emotional side.<br /><br />Head knowledge and experience are two different things. It's a picture of a lion versus seeing a live one at a safari park or zoo.<br /><br />As a writer, I was surprised by how difficult it was to get published.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45597931954044422192009-11-30T14:47:10.911-05:002009-11-30T14:47:10.911-05:00My niece and nephew love Great Wolf Lodge.
Thanks...My niece and nephew love Great Wolf Lodge.<br /><br />Thanks for this post, there are a lot of highs and lows, and its nice to know I'm not the only one who experiences them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32857391976094103892009-11-30T14:44:19.541-05:002009-11-30T14:44:19.541-05:00I think my biggest surprise has been how much writ...I think my biggest surprise has been how much writing has taken over my life. I've always written -- journalling, poetry, occasional short stories and regular articles for magazines -- but when I started writing novels I moved into "my zone". I love the noveling process and can't wait to get to my desk each day to bury myself in the story. I could so easily become a writing hermit it's scary!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81155475692182788792009-11-30T14:18:15.830-05:002009-11-30T14:18:15.830-05:00Looks like you guys had such a super time. I am ne...Looks like you guys had such a super time. I am nervous of the unknown surprises awaiting me. Always wanting to be a planner and "in control" at times it's hard. :O)<br /><br />Hope to see you over at my new blog home www.dianeestrella.comDianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07604687906788800639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-50686815635462425572009-11-30T13:21:20.188-05:002009-11-30T13:21:20.188-05:00As a homeschooling mom of four and a busy wife I s...As a homeschooling mom of four and a busy wife I so look forward to that challenge. Am I naive or what? Maybe, but it's my hearts desire to write as well as all my other responsibilites. I'm just certain the Lord put that desire on my heart. Each time I ask him to take it away if it's not from him, it gets stronger. Jody, I cannot wait until the day I can commiserate with you! *sigh* Off to do the laundry and daydream ;)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-32195565698679770992009-11-30T13:09:01.358-05:002009-11-30T13:09:01.358-05:00I think you hit it on the head. Writing is not eas...I think you hit it on the head. Writing is not easy and I've been thinking about that lately since I work part time. How will I keep up with everything if I sell my book. <br /><br />I love when after so much effort words come together, but then I always wonder why couldn't I have thought of that sentence 20 tries ago.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87356507033004987572009-11-30T13:01:20.228-05:002009-11-30T13:01:20.228-05:00Writing is no easy task. I constantly feel as if I...Writing is no easy task. I constantly feel as if I am drowning in a pool of never-ending words. Especially the editing process. I didn't expect the editign to be so tedious, it was a real surprise for me.<br /><br />Your post was very easy to relate to and it's nice to see that other writers out there are not alone in our imagination madness.V. Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406440235719919992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-61017579470933774872009-11-30T12:59:11.379-05:002009-11-30T12:59:11.379-05:00A woman who mentored me for years would say to me,...A woman who mentored me for years would say to me, "Remember: although you may be surprised, God isn't. He was expecting it. He's ready." <br /><br />That has been such comfort to me through the years. (I don't like surprises much.)Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-31235323570409114702009-11-30T12:57:44.694-05:002009-11-30T12:57:44.694-05:00Caroline,
As a matter of fact, I DO live in Michig...Caroline,<br />As a matter of fact, I DO live in Michigan! We went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. Was awesome!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12447335991919700802009-11-30T12:33:58.241-05:002009-11-30T12:33:58.241-05:00Do you live in MI? I used to live in Battle Creek ...Do you live in MI? I used to live in Battle Creek and was in Mason for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Small world!Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-29384898363301179122009-11-30T12:30:48.282-05:002009-11-30T12:30:48.282-05:00Thanks Jody. I like your concept of the higher the...Thanks Jody. I like your concept of the higher the highs, the lower the lows. <br />One surprise for me is how many drafts is actually takes me to get a novel to a certain level of quality. I'm glad I didn't know that when I started writing. And, I love the revision/rewriting process. I think it's challenging no matter where you are in the publication process. You can feel overwhelmed at any stage.Paul Grecihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340974339238587138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2332313205563141782009-11-30T12:21:57.954-05:002009-11-30T12:21:57.954-05:00This was great Jody. I'm glad you had a fun l...This was great Jody. I'm glad you had a fun little vacation. (It sounds like you needed it!) I've been surprised by how difficult it's been to write this book. I think I'm doubting my writing ability more now than I did a year ago, even though I feel like I've improved so much and I have an agent and great writer friends who give me constant encouragement. Writing a novel is hard. I'm wondering if it will ever get easier.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24728642121918462312009-11-30T12:00:58.637-05:002009-11-30T12:00:58.637-05:00I like your promise to take your children on a get...I like your promise to take your children on a getaway. We joke with our daughter that "when Mom becomes a bestselling author" we are going to buy a farm. :-) HA! More like a single chicken.Rosslyn Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304732306399786236noreply@blogger.com