tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post5467282995124931726..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: The Write TimeMarta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-50646906939763257892008-03-05T22:10:00.000-05:002008-03-05T22:10:00.000-05:00Marta,I'm in awe of your stamina and devotion and ...Marta,<BR/>I'm in awe of your stamina and devotion and how much you are willing to share with others. You are a true inspiration.<BR/><BR/>My writing life is a lot more simple. I do freelance writing by day and write my stories most nights and weekends. Somewhere in the mix I socialize and do the house cleaning and a bit of cooking.<BR/><BR/>Once in a while like yesterday I play hookie and write a story in the middle of the day. I believe in giving myself treats like that, particularly when some negative person tries to dampen inspiration.<BR/>And hookie was fun. I wrote a new mermaid story. I highly recommend olaying writer hookie every now and then.<BR/><BR/>Julie Ann ShapiroJulie Ann Shapirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06613501007582494658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-76364688538932155452008-03-05T20:29:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:29:00.000-05:00Marta - great piece. Amazing how similar our lives...Marta - great piece. Amazing how similar our lives are. I got the bug when my father died, when I was 44, ten years ago. At this point my three daughters were rather self-sufficient and needed a bit less from me than earlier years. I've given up night time television for good - but I still love my movies. ;o) And yes, SW, we are indeed all insane. And completely obsessed.Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-30157274178135655992008-03-05T20:22:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:22:00.000-05:00No offense, but I think denying luck has anything ...No offense, but I think denying luck has anything to do with writing success is a bit disingenuous. Certain towering talents don't need it. Everyone else should always keep in mind there are writers as good or better who aren't published, or aren't particularly successful, because their timing was off, or they didn't catch the right editor or agent. Competition is too stiff for anyone to catch a break without a little luck. <BR/><BR/>Luck doesn't mean anything was handed to the writer, or that he didn't work at it; I'm a big believer in the adage, "The harder I work, the luckier I get." It just means there are others just as deserving who don't make it.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-9941337234924119822008-03-05T09:10:00.000-05:002008-03-05T09:10:00.000-05:00And … SW … isn’t insanity great? :)Liz, I was in m...And … SW … isn’t insanity great? :)<BR/><BR/>Liz, I was in my late 40s before I became interested in fiction writing. At times, I’m envious to read posts written by young authors who have found their passion and are enjoying success at such an early age. I often wondered, “what if?” What if I had started writing when I was in my 20s or 30s? How much more could I have accomplished by now? The answer is nothing. At that age I neither had the skills nor the determination (to say nothing of the interest) I have now. My focus was completely on my family and I wouldn’t trade the time spent with my husband and our children for anything in the world. Last Christmas our daughter and son (21 and 19) gave us a family scrapbook. It’s about 4 inches thick filled with wonderful snapshots of the things we did as a family, time spent with grandparents, birthday parties, recitals, vacations – things I had totally forgotten about. Those memories are absolutely priceless. Just keep at it, your day will come and not a minute before its time. ;()Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-4238549959175013982008-03-05T08:45:00.000-05:002008-03-05T08:45:00.000-05:00aww Liz, you are such a dear! and believe me, your...aww Liz, you are such a dear! and believe me, your time in the sun is coming, girl. <BR/>those kids are the bomb and you just enjoy every second of them~!<BR/>thanks for stopping by~!<BR/>kKim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-89003120297974161332008-03-05T08:44:00.000-05:002008-03-05T08:44:00.000-05:00We are all insane...;-)We are all insane...<BR/><BR/>;-)s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-78294631644967199312008-03-05T08:42:00.000-05:002008-03-05T08:42:00.000-05:00Marta, what an inspiring post. I have to say, my w...Marta, what an inspiring post. I have to say, my writing life right now is totally driven by the kids' schedules. But, I know that these years with them are precious and life has an ebb and flow. Next year I will have one in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary. I've threatened to spray paint a wall in the kitchen with chalkboard paint because calendars just aren't big enough to hold everything.<BR/><BR/>Over the years, Kim has held my hand as I lamented the lack of time and even offered wonderful suggestions on how to squeeze a bit of writing time into my day.<BR/><BR/>Hats off to both of you for making 'it' happen. Your dedication and perseverance are fantastic. You both serve as a constant reminder that writing, raising a family and staying sane are all do-able!EYRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11673360522772196654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-82595031693821714012008-03-05T08:33:00.000-05:002008-03-05T08:33:00.000-05:00We’d be nuts to subject ourselves to the sacrifice...We’d be nuts to subject ourselves to the sacrifices, deadlines, and frustrations if we didn’t LOVE what we do. You and I both know how fickle this business is. What a blessing to have someone believe enough in our work to take a chance. <BR/><BR/>I’ll never forget the feeling of holding SILENCED CRY in my hands for the first time. And nothing picks me up more than to get an e-mail from someone who has just finished reading it and asks for the next book. What a fantastic high!Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-66154100419044279242008-03-05T07:28:00.000-05:002008-03-05T07:28:00.000-05:00WOOT! Amen sister! My schedule and life sort of mi...WOOT! Amen sister! My schedule and life sort of mirrors yours, and your post made me acutely aware of how much a writing life is similar across the board. We all have families, homes, kids, and a -- well, regular life. But it is our creative natures that take us out of that norm, and put us in the chair to create worlds that are far removed from it.<BR/><BR/>It's nice to know others just say no to housework sometimes!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for this one, Marta!Kim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.com