tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post7395682940606628867..comments2024-03-28T06:28:49.282+00:00Comments on Picture Book Den: The Ups and Downs of Writing, by Abie LongstaffUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-1210956115089422892013-03-03T21:47:54.704+00:002013-03-03T21:47:54.704+00:00A touching and balanced view that many authors wil...A touching and balanced view that many authors will I'm sure share, Abie. Thank you. My approach is to have several things going at one time, so that when you get stuck - whether on your own or because of someone else - you can flip your enthusiasm into one of those other areas. As you say, the highs can be really high, even if you find out later they are an intermediary step in a long-running writing saga involving multiple drafts.Alison Boylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15661814505803840167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-87427848044611146622013-02-27T09:32:19.891+00:002013-02-27T09:32:19.891+00:00Fab post. I tend to have my low points when a book...Fab post. I tend to have my low points when a book is not going well. When I'm struggling to make it work. Having it rejected is part of the game. It's rejected, I make it better, I send it to another publisher and so on. <br />Lynne Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05697330164705623835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-76415933813905406722013-02-26T17:31:45.358+00:002013-02-26T17:31:45.358+00:00It's because these stories we write are person...It's because these stories we write are personal ... and that's the power of them for others as well as their power to hit us up or down. <br />Wishing you lots of picture book ups!Pippa Goodharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17709422048047155208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-2724625566896322032013-02-26T15:06:04.905+00:002013-02-26T15:06:04.905+00:00Most writers I know feel the same way, I know I do...Most writers I know feel the same way, I know I do, that rollercoaster of emotion. <br />Rejection is also never easy, because of all the time, energy and 'self' we put into writing, but I think the best lesson is not to let it stop you. Make it work for you, taking note of any suggestions and reworking to make it better. Linda Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354324158228109351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-56669563282727788442013-02-26T12:57:25.886+00:002013-02-26T12:57:25.886+00:00Whether it's picture books, early readers or f...Whether it's picture books, early readers or full length novels, I think that for the author, the self-doubts and highs and lows are perhaps the same. That book is a piece of you, a small piece of your heart and your soul. You've poured yourself into it, exposed yourself to the world and asked for the world's approval. A rejection or criticism is therefore personal and hurts so much. Impossible to distance yourself - but of course, that's why praise and approbation feel so very good too! I really love your work, Abie. I can't wait to have grandchildren and share your books with them. Kit Berryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747077148847756149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-61180316757728268642013-02-24T21:09:26.209+00:002013-02-24T21:09:26.209+00:00Thanks for sharing, Abie. A few year's ago, wh...Thanks for sharing, Abie. A few year's ago, when writing essays for a qualification that didn't give grades (just a pass or fail), I found it truly liberating to be able to use words without worrying about publication or being judged. When I told others I was having FUN writing essays, they thought I was weird! Writing picture books is also uplifting and fun, but there's always a nagging voice that says it won't be good enough.Paeony Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129555451791248798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-5685666299806887732013-02-24T16:39:16.797+00:002013-02-24T16:39:16.797+00:00I feel much the same way about performing on stage...I feel much the same way about performing on stage - I guess it's because we pour so much of ourselves into creative projects.<br /><br />Good to know I am not alone!Tamsyn Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08041502244181924265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-2348335335963033132013-02-24T15:02:44.153+00:002013-02-24T15:02:44.153+00:00Was nodding my head all the way there. Am exactly ...Was nodding my head all the way there. Am exactly the same. I think we invest a part of ourselves in our fiction. Great post Abi!Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758609568631190155.post-86076849967709089062013-02-24T14:24:14.426+00:002013-02-24T14:24:14.426+00:00Thank you for sharing this Abie. It is good to kno...Thank you for sharing this Abie. It is good to know that published authors feel this way too. My latest WIP has taken a completely different turn since I had it critiqued but it's taken me a while to get back into it and not take the comments too personally. I know that I have lots more to learn about writing picture books but even well meaning, constructive criticism (for which I am extremely grateful!) can take a while to bounce back from :o)Catherinehttp://storysnug.comnoreply@blogger.com