tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8293071251044219799..comments2024-03-28T08:33:25.566-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: My Emotional Reaction to My First RewritesJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-11792963500106087772009-10-26T20:07:20.311-04:002009-10-26T20:07:20.311-04:00Not sure how I missed this post. It sounds like y...Not sure how I missed this post. It sounds like you have a good support system around you. Lean on them when you're having your doubts. I know you'll do a great job!Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79435042398115825162009-10-24T23:53:23.352-04:002009-10-24T23:53:23.352-04:00Your writing friend and your agent sound great! I&...Your writing friend and your agent sound great! I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job! Hang in there. :)Dawn Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667675689038435581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84823975298336212782009-10-24T16:57:12.909-04:002009-10-24T16:57:12.909-04:00I so appreciate your honesty and willingness to sh...I so appreciate your honesty and willingness to share this difficult journey. These blogs are truly a gift to other writers. I am going through the pain of editing myself, working with a freelance editor--I'm struck by the irony of having PAID someone to bring me such pain!!(grin). I take comfort in knowing, as your agent said, that I'm not doing it under contract and deadline. I guess that counts as counting my blessings, right? PatricePatrice Kavanaughnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60677414895631126892009-10-24T14:55:29.868-04:002009-10-24T14:55:29.868-04:00I have doubts all the time. I keep the negative at...I have doubts all the time. I keep the negative at bay because I can't imagine not writing and feel I am meant to do this, regardless of how bad the WIP may seem at the moment. Keep your head up. You wouldn't have a contract with Bethany House if you weren't a good writer. But, the editing process can stink at times. I highly recommend a bowl of chocolate close at hand at all times.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62557766689495016052009-10-24T08:27:24.496-04:002009-10-24T08:27:24.496-04:00I'm late to the post. I agree with a lot of wh...I'm late to the post. I agree with a lot of what's been said. Your agent and your publisher bot beeived in you enough to want to publish your book. Given how few people actually get published, they know you have the talent to do the job. You'll get it done.Walt Mussellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252729944233200374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63021303493273392752009-10-24T00:48:44.487-04:002009-10-24T00:48:44.487-04:00I think, unless a new writer is totally arrogant, ...I think, unless a new writer is totally arrogant, there will be doubts. You've got a huge stamp of approval already! Just keep reminding yourself... You've ALREADY passed the test!Lillian Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488638666900705015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79154006133861409512009-10-24T00:19:29.154-04:002009-10-24T00:19:29.154-04:00Dear Jody ...
Oh, honey, move over!! :) I have cr...Dear Jody ...<br /><br />Oh, honey, move over!! :) I have cried buckets on each of three books and now I'm crying on the fourth, so YES, as your very good friend, Jill, said, pages and pages of revisions are NOT unusual and more the norm than not, at least in my experience.<br /><br />And, it's not just revisions that can suck you under and tell you that you can't write. I hit the wall on book three, A Passion Denied, 3/4 of the way through because I was reading another author who was SO good, that I wanted to puke on my keyboard whenever I read what I wrote. <br /><br />"Go back to book 1," my husband said, "the book that won you a 3-book contract from your publisher -- surely you will see you can write after rereading that." Well, I did and guess what? It was awful too! So I fasted and prayed and finally figured out that my faulty mindset was distorting the facts.<br /><br />And those facts are: big publishers like Bethany House and Revell do NOT ... I repeat ... do NOT offer a 3-book contract unless they think you can write pretty darn well and believe in you enough to invest time and money. So take a deep breath, pray your heart out for wisdom and anointing, and give it to God. It's His book, after all ... :)<br /><br />Hugs,<br />JulieJulie Lessmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406395645316139292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13313804347111585572009-10-23T23:27:19.797-04:002009-10-23T23:27:19.797-04:00I left you an award at my blog....as a fellow writ...I left you an award at my blog....as a fellow writer, I just want to encourage you; you inspire those of us who long to be published authors some day.:) Hang in there!Mel at Adventures of Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07258299279417348511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60595059695622478532009-10-23T23:20:16.234-04:002009-10-23T23:20:16.234-04:00Jody, thank you for your honesty. This is a great ...Jody, thank you for your honesty. This is a great help to those of us who have not gotten to where you are. Knowing that the feelings of inadequacy are normal is helpful.<br />Thank you for being willing to take us with you on this journey.<br />DianeDiane Marie Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365346835912314686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17459320998107020792009-10-23T22:41:26.675-04:002009-10-23T22:41:26.675-04:00Jody,
I am sending a mountain of hugs your way. Ca...Jody,<br />I am sending a mountain of hugs your way. Can you feel them? Every thought you described after you finished with the editor was so close to home. Your very description and my being able to identify with every emotion tells me you ARE and excellent writer.<br /> Remember they have so much faith in you, they wanted 3 of your books. No test runs here... but instead, an undeniable belief in your God-given ability to tell a story. Send the devil of doubt out the door forevermore!Ava Walker Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968305681481056689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91725359005181384372009-10-23T19:44:06.994-04:002009-10-23T19:44:06.994-04:00Hi Jody. I'm enjoying browsing through your po...Hi Jody. I'm enjoying browsing through your posts -- my mom (careann.wordpress.com) reads your blog and recommended it. :) <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your honest reactions about rewrites. I recently did a major rewrite for my agent, and for sure I could relate to some of your thoughts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37052093901698868722009-10-23T18:45:33.009-04:002009-10-23T18:45:33.009-04:00Jody, I would have had the same doubts as you. Isn...Jody, I would have had the same doubts as you. Isn't it amazing how soon we can deflate? Writers rise and fall on the words of others all too often. I think you are going to rise to the occasion and shine. SO many wonderful people believe in you, hone in on that. Jill really said it best.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-82236758159568573542009-10-23T18:42:32.562-04:002009-10-23T18:42:32.562-04:00Great! Now I'm scared!
Just kidding.
Serious...Great! Now I'm scared!<br /><br />Just kidding.<br /><br />Seriously, though, you are amazing. If you weren't, Rachelle wouldn't have taken a chance on you. If you weren't, Bethany House wouldn't have taken a chance on you. And they certainly wouldn't have offered you a three-book-deal. They read your novel before they offered you anything. They knew what they were getting into and they still wanted you.Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83109541263982986412009-10-23T16:05:26.423-04:002009-10-23T16:05:26.423-04:00I didn't read all the comments (too many :) mo...I didn't read all the comments (too many :) most likely someone has already said this... You are going to make it! Believe it! You do have what it takes! And to answer your questions, re:doubt/fear? I actually posted something along those lines today... guess we were on the same train of thought.<br />Big Hug for whenever you need it!Ellie Kingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711249217634726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91252478030673020012009-10-23T14:50:03.833-04:002009-10-23T14:50:03.833-04:00Hi Jody -
Do I ever doubt my abilities? How about...Hi Jody -<br /><br />Do I ever doubt my abilities? How about every day? I'm on chapter 14 of my new manuscript and wondering if this is any good at all. <br /><br />Then, I hit my head. Of course I can't do this on my own, but only by His grace. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20653821755460203702009-10-23T14:19:58.759-04:002009-10-23T14:19:58.759-04:00Remembering my life outside of and beyond writing ...Remembering my life outside of and beyond writing is what helps me the most. This must be why William Zinsser says, "make sure you're living the life you want to live."<br /><br />Your life should be strength for your writer's bones. Recently,I have started having two quiet times a day instead of one. It's nothing fancy. Just a second quiet space, a pause in my afternoon, where I stop to acknowledge God and speak with him. I have noticed that my relationship with him and my creativity both flow from my heart. <br />That's where the strength to endure and the ability to hope comes from as well.Cassandra Frearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16564236561567663914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66600305834811130982009-10-23T14:17:39.228-04:002009-10-23T14:17:39.228-04:00Thanks so much for sharing all that you did about ...Thanks so much for sharing all that you did about the rewrites and your emotions. I have doubts all of the time and I am scared to death when I think about trying to find an agent and publisher. I just keep reminding myself that I love the writing process and then I get back to work! <br /><br />Best of luck to you on your rewrites. You can do it - just picture your book when it is sitting on the shelf! ;-)Tamara (TC) Stapleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00633350990983632539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68316808493342316982009-10-23T14:10:47.940-04:002009-10-23T14:10:47.940-04:00Jody,
Thanks for sharing this experience so open a...Jody,<br />Thanks for sharing this experience so open and honestly. I can not imagine the pressure you felt. I've begun major rewrites based on crit partners feedback, and I'm overwhelmed. I put it off for weeks because I felt incapable of doing it. I finally started, though, and I'm finding myself much more capable than I thought.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12357568544043393122009-10-23T13:45:36.164-04:002009-10-23T13:45:36.164-04:00I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in sha...I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your experience about your rewrite challenge. I also appreciate the fact that you shared it since it is a bit of an insight for me into the world of rewrites, since I am not yet a published author. Thanks for sharing this.Wendy Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593979032502581434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88827181198476333042009-10-23T13:42:59.355-04:002009-10-23T13:42:59.355-04:00You're almost there. Just think of it as a dia...You're almost there. Just think of it as a diamond ring that needs a little dip and scrub in the cleaning solution. The diamond isn't flawed, but we just need to find its inner brilliance. They wouldn't have signed you if they didn't think you could do it. <br /><br />You can do it! :)Erika Robuckhttp://www.erikarobuck.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-62060626516490957452009-10-23T13:34:37.818-04:002009-10-23T13:34:37.818-04:00Hey Jody,
I've never been agented or had to g...Hey Jody,<br /><br />I've never been agented or had to go through an editorial revision process. But I do know that many times, I have finished a novel to realize it needs major revisions. I understand how intense the discouragement can be. <br /><br />After your question about how we handle doubts and revisions, the first thing that came into my mind was, I focus on the vision. These editors have a passion and vision for where they think your book should go. If you can see the vision for yourself, of bringing your book to that next level, it will help drive you. This is what I always do. It makes it exciting again, as if I'm working toward something, not against it.<br /><br />I hope that little nugget helps you someway. God bless, miss Jody.<br /><br />-MandyCreative Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02960292977608812418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56702850351169560222009-10-23T12:50:55.687-04:002009-10-23T12:50:55.687-04:00Jody: You have a wonderful way of expressing yours...Jody: You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself on paper. I pray that you would find exactly the right words to replace what needs to be changed. God knows your heart and He is our help in times of need. Ask, seek and knock and He will respond to your heart's question."What do I write here...Mary's Placehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08749330217956357314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39482536177889127422009-10-23T12:49:47.206-04:002009-10-23T12:49:47.206-04:00Jody, I can completely relate. One afternoon this ...Jody, I can completely relate. One afternoon this very week I was completely doubting my abilities as a writer, even questioning the desires I feel God's given me to pursue writing. <br /><br />A few friends--mostly writers--came around and helped buck me up. I tried to remember all the compliments I've been given in the last few years where my writing's concerned--from writers and non-writers alike. Those that knew where my struggles were coming from advised me to take a break for the rest of the day. I did. And the next day, I finished my 6th draft. :) <br /><br />It's hard to remember all the good things when you feel like you're at the bottom of a well. It's great to have fellow writers--and in your case, an agent!--to surround you and remind you of your strengths even when faced with major hurdles that challenge you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072706769675479529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10895146172462024392009-10-23T12:45:52.445-04:002009-10-23T12:45:52.445-04:00Thanks for sharing. Doubts often creep into my mi...Thanks for sharing. Doubts often creep into my mind. They're hard to push away, but I try and stay focused.<br />For you, I'd say focus on the fact you have a contract - people like what you wrote, even if they need it changed a little. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-21265835329588086842009-10-23T12:40:02.981-04:002009-10-23T12:40:02.981-04:00Doubt? All the time. I have shamefully even let it...Doubt? All the time. I have shamefully even let it cripple my writing for a time. <br /><br />Your post is very timely for me. I've just faced the fact that my novel needs a complete rewrite before it will be query-ready. I am up to the task. Now if only I could nail down the structural and narrative voice issues, all would be good.<br /><br />Best of luck with your edits and revisions. People in this business wouldn't believe in the value of your work if it didn't deserve it. You can do this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com