Friday, June 15, 2012

The Most Interesting Thing: Even the Best Among Us Struggle


Have you read these books? Despite the fact they are neither contemporary nor historical realistic fiction, I devoured them. Before I dove into Bitterblue this past weekend, I'd read this PW article about Kristin Cashore's three year struggle to get the first draft written and the subsequent feedback she received from her editor.

This particular "birthing a book" story made the struggle I'm having with my WIPs pale in comparison. People always say that being published doesn't make things any easier and this tale of woe exemplifies that truth. But in the end, persistence paid off. And so I persist. Will you?

Are you struggling with your writing? Take courage. Even the best among us struggle. Don't give up!
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32 comments:

  1. Jaye Robin BrownJune 15, 2012 at 5:01 AM

    I haven't read Bitterblue yet, but those first two.....oh yum, yum, yummy. I also read that story about her drafts and how long it took her to get to the story. It is hopeful. It takes a village to make perfection.

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    1. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 6:48 AM

      And in my case, a steady supply of Pepto-Bismol.

      Delete
  2. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    No, I haven't read them yet. Why? I'm not sure! Look forward to reading the PW article about Cashhore. I could use the encouraging words at the moment. Thanks for the nudge, I've been meaning to pick Graceling up.

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  3. AnonymousJune 15, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    Thank you, Angelina.

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  4. Ghost Girl (aka, Mary Ann)June 15, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    That's where I am right now. Slugging through. Got feedback from my agent, and I'm tearing down, rebuilding, and pumping it up. I guess I don't feel quite so bad that I've been at this over a year now. (nearly 2). I need to get these off my "to-be-read" list! Thanks, Angelina!

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    1. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 6:50 AM

      It's comforting to be living parallel writing lives, Mary Ann. Thanks for all your encouragement.

      Delete
  5. Emily R. KingJune 15, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    I just finished Graceling and am waiting on the other two from the library. I am unabashedly in love with Po. :)

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  6. Jeanne RyanJune 15, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    I so need to read this series. Comforting to know that even authors who've made it have to work their tushies off.

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    1. UnknownJune 16, 2012 at 6:12 AM

      Talent + really hard work= success, right?

      Delete
  7. L.S. TaylorJune 15, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    I'm not a fan of the Graceling series (I know! Shock and horror!) but I get the struggle. Right now, the struggle is with revisions. Making a few little fixes early in Part One has led to ripples and even waves for Part Two. And it's got me frozen like a deer caught in headlights. It could just be exhaustion and the end of the week ... and I'm about to tackle it with a rant soon. (Yes, sometimes anger *is* the solution. When I'm ranting to myself. In a blank Word document. Yes, I *am* silly like that.) I can do this. Technically, I've been working on this story since November 2005 (though it mostly got a respite for a little while). I am *going* to get this right.

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    1. UnknownJune 16, 2012 at 6:13 AM

      Sometimes when we're exhausted it's good to step away and clear our heads for a bit. I love the rant idea. ^_^

      Delete
  8. Shari GreenJune 15, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Thanks for the link -- heading over to check it out. I could definitely use a persistence-paying-off story right about now....

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    1. UnknownJune 16, 2012 at 6:14 AM

      I think a lot of us are there right now. . .

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  9. lissajeanJune 16, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    I love that series! I haven't read BitterBlue yet, but it's on my must-read list! I'm close to finishing my first draft of my first manuscript, so it's good to see all the possibilites and challenges ahead. It doesn't really scare me, but it is helpful to have a more realistic perspective before I jump in. Perhaps that will help with the 'just keep swimming' thing necessary to actually get published... Thanks for sharing!

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    1. UnknownJune 16, 2012 at 8:06 AM

      You're welcome and congratulations on getting close. Can't wait to hear when you've reached THE END. I appreciate your level-headed approach. It will serve you well. ^_^

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  10. Golden EagleJune 17, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    That's one of my favorite Fantasy trilogies of all-time. :)

    Thanks for the link!

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  11. Barbara Davis-PylesJune 18, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    Thanks so much for the Monday morning inspiration! Back into the fray!

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  12. Ruth SchiffmannJune 18, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Thanks for this encouragement, Angelina. I'm clicking over to read Kristin's story now.

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  13. M PaxJune 18, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    I love those persistence pays off stories.

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  14. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyJune 18, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    I read Graceling and totally loved it. I haven't read the others yet. I think every piece I write is a struggle, but it always pays off if I don't give up.

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  15. LisaAnnJune 19, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing this! (Wow, I can't imagine writing a 800 page novel!)

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  16. UnknownJune 24, 2012 at 12:40 PM

    Thanks, Angelina! Your encouragement, blog-buckshot though it may be, hit me right where it counts. I needed that :D *Hus*

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