Hello everyone! I’m sorry for the late post. I saw this quote and I loved it because it rang so true. I felt a need to share it. I had my book, The Fall of Lilith critiqued by an editor which I trust very much and it turns out that I have some structural issues to work on. Just when I thought I was done with this book. Ugh! She said I have some strong writing and great action scenes. She likes much of the dynamics between my characters. She also said she loves my imagination and the way I envision conflict. But I have some structural elements to work on if I want this book to have a strong storyline. So It’s back to the drawing board for me.
At first, after the critique, I was overwhelmed with fear. Could I pull this off? Will I ever get this book to where I want it to be? Then it went downhill from there. Am I a good enough writer? Will I be able to make this work? I wanted to pull the hair out of my head and scream.
Then I realized I needed to sleep on it. Today I’m feeling differently about the critique and my abilities. It’s going to be a lot of work to restructure this book but it’s a matter of taking the elements and scenes I have and using them in a slightly different framework. I can do this. I’m not going to allow my fears to stop me from making this book great. I do have the ability to do that. I just need to focus and get it done. I still feel like crying but I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get to work. That’s what it means to be an artist.
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“Remember: It costs nothing to encourage an artist, and the potential benefits are staggering. A pat on the back to an artist now could one day result in your favorite film, or the cartoon you love to get stoned watching, or the song that saves your life. Discourage an artist, you get absolutely nothing in return, ever.”
~Kevin Smith
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“The artist lives to have stories to tell and to learn to tell them well.”
~Criss Jami
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Colleen Chesebro is a writer, poet, and book reviewer. She hosts an inspiring event every Wednesday on her blog, Silver Threading, called Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge. Anyone can participate by choosing a quote by a favorite writer and combining it with a poem, story or excerpt and posting it on your blog.
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The Writer Next Door | Vashti Q 
I’m sure you can make it work. Judging by what I’ve read of your work you have nothing to worry about. We always have to step back to jump farther forward. All the best, Vashti
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Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, Olga. I could always count on you. 🙂 ❤ xx
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How can you understand Lilith unless you too have fallen… but here is a good quote for a dark night: “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”
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You’re right! 😉 Aw, Frank that’s a great quote. Thank you! ❤
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Oh Vashti, I’m so sorry for your experiences and feelings you’ve been going through. I know it must be tough to hear the critique and then to go through the thoughts that you had. Great choice for your first quote though. YOU GO GIRL!!! My husband told me once that when he fears something, he deliberately does that said thing, so that the fear doesn’t control him. It’s all about taking action, my friend, and not letting the fear control you.
Hope you are having a nice day.
🙂 ❤
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Hi Staci! I completely agree with your husband. That’s the kind of attitude I try to have also. I feel better about things today. Yesterday I was too emotional about it and today I’ve thought it through more rationally. It’s going to be a lot of work but I don’t mind the work as long as the final outcome is a stronger story. Thank you for the kind words and I hope you’re having a great day. ❤ xx
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You’re more than welcome Vashti. I’m sure that the outcome will be stronger.
Have a wonderful Thursday, my friend.
🙂 ❤
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Thank you! You do the same. 😀 xx
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♡
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I have the same fears, Vashti. Remember, none of what the editor said is bad. It took J.K. Rowling 7 years to write the first Harry Potter book. We are learning and getting better every time we write. Go to that website I gave you and see if you can get some structure from that outline: http://www.betternovelproject.com/blog/master-outline/. I actually have given my draft to a couple of trusted writer friends for them to review. Sometimes our own peer group can get us going in the right direction. Hang in there. ❤
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Hi Colleen! I don’t consider any of the editor’s critique as ‘bad’ because I know it’s for the betterment of my book and for me as well and she actually said some things that were encouraging. Basically, I freaked-out and I have the tendency to bash myself sometimes. I’m going to check out that link. Thank you so much! ❤ xx
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Vashti, I am exactly the same way. I bash myself too. You are an amazing writer. I feel like I have so much to learn that who am I kidding trying to write a book! I have to keep reminding myself that it is a process and it takes times. I refuse to just write something and put it out there. Bravo. Now help me pick myself up while I balance you! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Ha, ha. I feel the same way. We’ll just keep picking each other off the floor. 😀 xoxo
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Deal! Hugs to you! 💖
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That seems to be the way it works. Have that knee jerk reaction away from the keyboard. Sleep on it, then roll up your sleeves. Sounds like you handle it well.
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Thank you. That’s great to know. 😀
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Great, inspiring quotes! I have faith in you, Vashti; you’re going to do an excellent job! 🙂
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Aww. Thank you so much, Greg. Your encouragement means a lot. 🙂
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Wow great quotes and thoughts shared. Good luck for restructuring your book 🙂 I am sure you will do a great job !
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That’s so sweet. Thank you! 😀
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Sounds like you’re more than half way there, the story is already yours.You just have to do some juggling. Good luck, hang in there!
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I am trying to look at the glass half full. I’ve already started juggling. It’s a scary process but I’m moving forward. Thank you for the kind words. 🙂
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When I first started blogging 4 years ago, I was so frightened. I imagined trolls just waiting for an opportunity to strike, and critics waiting for a chance to blast my writing. The opposite has proven to be true. I’ve never known people more supportive than other writers, and your post is a great example.
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I felt the same way when I started blogging, especially when I began to post my short stories and poetry but you’re right, I have gotten far more good and encouraging comments than anything else. I have met so many kind and supportive online friends most of which are writers. Thank you! 😀
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Vashti,
We always want to bash ourselves but we must all remember that in the end we can do it, we can make it better. I know without a doubt you can do this. It may take longer to get the book out there but it’ll be better than it is now. And you’ll learn a lot by going through all this extra work. Writing a book is very difficult, but it’s all worth it in the end.
You’re a great writer but we all need a second set of eyes to see what we can’t see. You’ll get the job done. You just have to be determined and I know you’re that. And don’t rush. Take your time, but be persistent.
All the best.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
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Hello Sunni! Thank you for the kind words and great advice. I sure appreciate you. ❤ xx
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Like said in one of the quotes, “You will tell them well”! 🙂
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Aww. Thank you Prekash. 🙂
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Hi Vashti, this is a strong and powerful quote, it really strikes a chord with me too as so often it is easier not to try, but when you overcome something it is empowering! I have every faith in you, you have the right tools to accomplish your book to where you want it – hugs Jennifer X X X
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You’re so right, Jaye! There’s no better feeling than the one you get when you accomplish something in which you had to overcome many obstacles. Thank you for believing in me. Everyone’s faith in me will drive me forward and keep me accountable. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤ xx
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Vashti, I love your honesty in your story and the beautiful quotes. I am so glad you’ve rolled up your sleeves and moving forward. We’ve all gone through those struggle of some sort as writers. I remember tearing my own hair out last year when I wrote a book and it wasn’t sitting right with me before it even reached my editors hands. I tore it apart chapter by chapter for a few months, had 2 author friends read it for me to help me find what it was that wasn’t jiving with me, and with persistence, I managed to get it published later in the year. Nobody said it was easy, but it’s the accomplishment in the end that is so gratifying. You go girl!!!! ❤
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Congratulations on your book, Debby! That’s the kind of inspiration that I need to get this done. And you’re right, the accomplishment in the end is ‘everything’. 😀 xx
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