tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8751003604455174257..comments2024-03-29T00:35:40.557-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: No One Ever Said The Writing Life Would Be EasyJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67790314509699664732010-01-13T15:50:36.185-05:002010-01-13T15:50:36.185-05:00PS - Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I en...PS - Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I enjoy reading your posts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63800593014382242672010-01-13T15:49:28.954-05:002010-01-13T15:49:28.954-05:00If being a writer doesn't actually KILL me, I&...If being a writer doesn't actually KILL me, I'll be in it for the long haul. It is hard, but it's also fun, exciting, growth-inducing, and... worth it. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-85370750548475066792010-01-13T02:37:08.089-05:002010-01-13T02:37:08.089-05:00wow. more difficult, yet more exciting the closer ...wow. more difficult, yet more exciting the closer you get to your release date. sorry it's harder and sometimes disappointing, but i guess you have to trust that the editors know how to make your wonderful book that much better. good luck with everything!<br /><br />jeannie<br /><a href="http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Character Therapist</a>Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89991742107961052322010-01-12T17:18:58.239-05:002010-01-12T17:18:58.239-05:00After staring at my blank computer screen for 10 m...After staring at my blank computer screen for 10 minutes, I can atest to the fact that writing is definitely WORK!! Today I mapped out approximately how long it will take to complete the first, in a series of 9, devotionals. Three & a half to four months! I'm in it for the long haul and I'd better get busy! <br />God bless you, Jody!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11475395753533265087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26284790946460057372010-01-12T16:46:28.031-05:002010-01-12T16:46:28.031-05:00I love how you skipped the "very pleased"...I love how you skipped the "very pleased" portion of the conversation! I would totally do that too! <br /><br />I was so clueless when I started writing. It's like when people try to explain the sleepless nights of a new baby--I didn't quite get it until I went through it!<br /><br />Your book is going to be amazing! I can't wait to read it.Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12540064254463960352010-01-12T13:54:06.521-05:002010-01-12T13:54:06.521-05:00Wow, I can't imagine how busy you have been! ...Wow, I can't imagine how busy you have been! You are such an inspiration and I'm so excited to read your book that is coming out later THIS year:)<br />I really had no idea how tough it was when I first started writing, but I guess nothing worthy is ever that easy:)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43145657637246992632010-01-12T13:53:54.468-05:002010-01-12T13:53:54.468-05:00Whining over. We'll see if I have any creative...Whining over. We'll see if I have any creative energy tonight. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.workfromhomeindia.biz" rel="nofollow"> Work from home India </a>sanjeethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04043304632873778108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65239347768479882612010-01-12T12:42:00.396-05:002010-01-12T12:42:00.396-05:00Did I know how hard it was? No. I was eighteen, fr...Did I know how hard it was? No. I was eighteen, fresh out of high school. Am I in it for the long haul? I have no choice. It's what I do. I eat and breathe words. They are my life's blood. To give up would be to die. Dramatics aside, yes, I'm here to stay. Good luck with those rewrites!<br /><br />JenJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45721834020068999952010-01-12T11:24:05.924-05:002010-01-12T11:24:05.924-05:00Jody, each time I revise my work, I see my stories...Jody, each time I revise my work, I see my stories improve, which is rewarding.<br /><br />I feel certain you'll do an outstanding job on this round of revisions and know you'll make <i>The Preacher's Bride</i> even better than it already is. Can't wait to read it.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80714370792535604772010-01-12T10:11:06.247-05:002010-01-12T10:11:06.247-05:00It's not that I gave thought to how hard the w...It's not that I gave thought to how hard the writing life might be, but I never started with the thought that it would be easy. Resolved to stay with it for the long haul? Oh yes. My belief about anything we choose to do in life ... "Own it."Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88850280171547245582010-01-12T09:57:07.143-05:002010-01-12T09:57:07.143-05:00LOVE the excerpts you posted from JSB's book. ...LOVE the excerpts you posted from JSB's book. <br /><br />I'm not at the same level with my writing as you are, but trying to find time to finish my novel between working a full-time job, family, church, and other writing obligations is a challenge! <br /><br />God promises to give us the strength we need to do our tasks. I have three deadlines this week, so I'm leaning on Him for those moments of peace I need to accomplish my tasks.<br /><br />I really appreciate your transparency, Jody. Those rewrites will help your novel to be better and stronger, plus you're allowing readers to see your true heart. Thanks for that. :-)Lisa Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16334253815212707025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65680282025836244572010-01-12T09:34:28.774-05:002010-01-12T09:34:28.774-05:00I'm so glad you posted this. I found it very m...I'm so glad you posted this. I found it very moving and it helped me through my own rough patch. I can't wait to read your book. I was intrigued by the story from the first, and knowing the path you took to get there makes it even more exciting.<br /><br />Good luck with the second round of revisions!Portiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13435815819572442582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53945525434008832732010-01-12T09:18:48.920-05:002010-01-12T09:18:48.920-05:00No, and Yes.
I just heard a story of a young man...No, and Yes. <br /><br />I just heard a story of a young man who finished his first novel, attended ONE writers' conference, asked ONE seasoned writer to look at it, heard, "It needs some work," and is feeling discouraged. I can understand that. When I started writing THIRTY YEARS AGO, I was unprepared for rejection, rewriting, revising, and realignment of my life. <br /><br />Accomplishing nothing is easy. Who wants that to leave their kids?Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4917127107522350912010-01-12T09:13:54.765-05:002010-01-12T09:13:54.765-05:00All I can say is..."May the Force be with us ...All I can say is..."May the Force be with us all, to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, and never give up!Desertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15468706620075612245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59155798127527164242010-01-12T05:52:39.468-05:002010-01-12T05:52:39.468-05:00I did my first set of critiques last week, of publ...I did my first set of critiques last week, of published authors works, and I'm not even there yet. I was wondering how I would react if I were to get the same sort of feedback. Would it crush me? Would I be discouraged? Would it be helpful? Would it excite me?<br /><br />It was a little lesson for me in not so much learning how to have a thick skin, which I think is important for the long haul, but remaining teachable, flexible, open. <br /><br /><br />I'm in it for the long haul for sure!Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71587823200323639082010-01-12T03:22:52.824-05:002010-01-12T03:22:52.824-05:00Although I've muttered recently about tiring o...Although I've muttered recently about tiring of one of my mss because of all its revisions, I do find the actual work exhilarating. Did I know when I started my first novel that it would entail this much work? No, and the more I've learned, the more work subsequent novels have required. But getting it right is a challenge and I look forward to the day when there will be agents and editors helping me in that process. I have the time and the will to stay in it for the long haul. I can't imagine not writing!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68513263307178951002010-01-11T23:34:53.587-05:002010-01-11T23:34:53.587-05:00Well I just sold to Steeple Hill and two days late...Well I just sold to Steeple Hill and two days later I received my second set of rewrites (first were done prior to selling). I have to tell you, the story only gets better and better. Which is a pretty cool thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-19789370921053044252010-01-11T23:07:56.843-05:002010-01-11T23:07:56.843-05:00Yes, yes, yes. It is harder than I thought it'...Yes, yes, yes. It is harder than I thought it'd be. I am not the most driven or disciplined person, so it makes the journey all the harder. I'm creative though, and need to learn the discipline in order to be successful. I am trying to just enjoy the journey for what it is and let God lead me where he wants. (I so love your blog! And I haven't heard about Bell's new book!!!!)Sherrinda Ketchersidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74148211288481137682010-01-11T22:00:50.823-05:002010-01-11T22:00:50.823-05:00Having babies was so much tougher than I expected,...Having babies was so much tougher than I expected, but I had four more after the first. It's that thing about "payoff"! <br /><br />So, I know you'll be able to endure the labor to birth your books and watch them develop into treasures.Christa Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620389675433700944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53092485686465998162010-01-11T20:27:52.719-05:002010-01-11T20:27:52.719-05:00I can't wait to read your book, Jody! I know t...I can't wait to read your book, Jody! I know that it is going to be a beautiful story told in your lyrical voice. You hang in there. I'm excited to hear more on Wednesday. You teach all writers so much with your insight. Thanks for your willingness to share.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87306628000718424382010-01-11T18:53:22.431-05:002010-01-11T18:53:22.431-05:00I can't wait to hear about your second set of ...I can't wait to hear about your second set of rewrites. I'm sure it's not that bad!<br /><br />I think I'm in for the long haul, but I've never had an editor tell me that I need to make a whole lot of changes to a manuscript I've already spent years on. When that happens, I might question that long-haul thing.Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-11380948972023735682010-01-11T17:57:04.289-05:002010-01-11T17:57:04.289-05:00I'm in it for the long haul, buuuut taking a b...I'm in it for the long haul, buuuut taking a break while I have a newborn. :) Well, not really "breaking" from writing, just breaking from queries and submissions. Not like I'm going to get a contract any time soon, but in the event that I did, I think I'd pull my hair out with full time work, a newborn, and deadlines! :) Not to mention youth kids from church coming over every other day to raid my Snickers candy jar! :)Jaime Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768583469408522818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-70895295373243624402010-01-11T17:03:07.643-05:002010-01-11T17:03:07.643-05:00I'm hanging in there by my baby pinky fingerna...I'm hanging in there by my baby pinky fingernail, Jody. And it's fraught with self-doubt, discouragement, uncertainty...it's horrible. It's really hard.<br /><br />Whining over. We'll see if I have any creative energy tonight. :)<br /><br />Take care and hang in there!Gwen Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00062502118990955905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14880713380596210972010-01-11T17:01:43.227-05:002010-01-11T17:01:43.227-05:00I would have read that email the same way. I would...I would have read that email the same way. I would have thought 'overall?' why not totally? and then I would have missed the 'very pleased'. Sounds like you are doing wonderfully Jody. Keep us posted this year. I enjoy watching all that happens as you share :)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-7044484174418246062010-01-11T16:45:20.889-05:002010-01-11T16:45:20.889-05:00Nope, I had no clue. If it makes you feel better, ...Nope, I had no clue. If it makes you feel better, I endured FOUR in-house rewrites for An Irishwoman's Tale ON TOP of dozens of Patti house writes.<br /><br />It helps me to remember that I'm toiling for God (Do all work as if for God, not man).<br /><br />patti<br />www.pattilacy.com/blogPatti Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687666130404407814noreply@blogger.com