tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post6233660060680883266..comments2024-03-25T22:38:39.934-07:00Comments on THERESA'S TALES: Creative WritingTheresa Milsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-86160689225532001172010-08-11T07:14:28.324-07:002010-08-11T07:14:28.324-07:00@ Anonymous, what do you mean?@ Anonymous, what do you mean?Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-82973676356317406112010-08-11T07:12:22.106-07:002010-08-11T07:12:22.106-07:00I would like to exchange links with your site ther...I would like to exchange links with your site theresamilstein.blogspot.com<br />Is this possible?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-41923525388865847152010-08-04T16:31:16.269-07:002010-08-04T16:31:16.269-07:00@ Sandy, I'm also glad you didn't get a gu...@ Sandy, I'm also glad you didn't get a guy like that!<br /><br />You get to the heart of it. If we'd believed in our writing abilities back then, and made time to just write, where would we be now?Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-19051684185689863912010-08-04T14:57:26.452-07:002010-08-04T14:57:26.452-07:00This is such a great post!
I have taken a creativ...This is such a great post!<br /><br />I have taken a creative writing course last term as well, after much deliberation, because I want the experience. Luckily, nobody in the class was as bad as the guy you've described.<br /><br />I "found" my fledging love for writing the first year of high school. However, I never tried and stopped writing for years until last year. I wish I had kept up writing, even if badly. I wouldn't have been ready, but I think my writing now would be <i>more</i> ready if I had continued writing. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-8231591162751716112010-08-04T05:16:03.609-07:002010-08-04T05:16:03.609-07:00@ Jackee, mothers do plenty. You are superwoman!
...@ Jackee, mothers do plenty. You are superwoman!<br /><br />Your story about the jerk who disappeared from your writing class strengthens my assertion these guys are insecure, projecting a false bravado. <br /><br />@ Sharon, I didn't save any assignments but I have a diary from junior high and when I was 19 floating around. The junior high one was illuminating.<br /><br />In college, I wrote about my husband's grandmother who was a WWII refugee. I still have it, but I wish I still had the tape from when I recorded her.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-41441483622596237842010-08-03T21:11:56.440-07:002010-08-03T21:11:56.440-07:00I look back to when I started writing at about 12....I look back to when I started writing at about 12. I wish I had kept all of my diaries. I had so much going on in my life and I know that my entries were full of emotion that I could use now in my writing. I also wish I hadn't thrown away essays I wrote in college...There was one I wrote based on my husband's grandmother's life during the depression...I could kick myself for tossing it!Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-48885835839505288352010-08-03T20:52:10.978-07:002010-08-03T20:52:10.978-07:00I DO wonder about what if? But I know I wouldn'...I DO wonder about what if? But I know I wouldn't change anything. I love all three careers I've chosen and wish I was Superwoman to do it all, be it all.<br /><br />I had a jerk like that guy in an online writing class. He lasted exactly one critique before he disappeared. And that was a constructive critique from a group of peers and one published author.Jackeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351019926958000627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-78066716812838995922010-08-03T20:37:42.159-07:002010-08-03T20:37:42.159-07:00@ Words A Day, I'm sorry nobody in your class ...@ Words A Day, I'm sorry nobody in your class challenged your arrogant guy. We got hard on our guy when he read his pieces because they needed a lot of work.<br /><br />I think a few of us could've used more self confidence back then.<br /><br />@ Shelley, he was worse in real life. I couldn't convey the tone, facial expressions, and stance in a short post. Shortish post.<br /><br />I couldn't have written in my teens because I didn't have the knowledge yet. Maybe if I'd been driven and knew I wanted to write, it might have been different.<br /><br />Malcolm Gladwell calls us "Late Bloomers". Teens are the "Prodigies". That's not us.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-74432655911904604822010-08-03T15:50:57.025-07:002010-08-03T15:50:57.025-07:00How amusing about that classmate of yours. Just y...How amusing about that classmate of yours. Just your descriptions of him made him sound irritating. I bet he was worse in real life.<br /><br />I think there are always "What ifs". Though I've been writing stories since I was a little kid, I wasn't really serious about pursuing writing until a few years ago, in my early 20s. That's fairly young, but then I hear about teenagers who are published these days, and I wonder if I could have spent my high school years learning the craft and gotten published before I was 20. But I suppose if I ever get published, it will be at the right time in my life.Shelley Slyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981620646634240160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-46188826189301893132010-08-03T14:53:21.592-07:002010-08-03T14:53:21.592-07:00oh I really enjoyed this post - that man was on my...oh I really enjoyed this post - that man was on my last course! There must be a link between pompous flowery prose and arrogance! And everyone was so reluctant to challange him, no matter how rude he was. I still don't understand it! My what if is what if I started writing for publication earlier, I feel I've come late enough in life (late thirties when i started). And I would change that, why not, I'd be a little further along now... or maybe thats a myth, life doesnt always progress in a linear fashion, maybe I'd be burnt out with a nice whiskey nose! I would keep the workshops I've done, the writers I've met...the whole lot! I'd take back the self doubt though. Great post! You always get me thinking!Words A Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04423263654771820182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-73376031655752057922010-08-03T13:36:31.929-07:002010-08-03T13:36:31.929-07:00@ Shannon, hopefully there aren't too many peo...@ Shannon, hopefully there aren't too many people like my fellow student out there.<br /><br />We probably all try to avoid What if's but aren't too successful!<br /><br />@ Barbra, it's nice you got such positive feedback. <br /><br />You can still try to get published.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-7102873237547384562010-08-03T12:50:13.660-07:002010-08-03T12:50:13.660-07:00It was told by my college professor I should write...It was told by my college professor I should write. Although I got really good grades in English and grammar I didn't like implementing it in my writing. It was overlooked by many of my college professors because they said they really liked my writing. I was told my style was much like the author, Tim Robbins.<br />I guess it's more an earthy charm.<br />I always wondered what it would have been like to be published. <br />I tend to write letters to people rather than talk....I have always felt more confident writing.Barbra The Bloggesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05865022092066354784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-58787610547969938342010-08-03T10:57:34.440-07:002010-08-03T10:57:34.440-07:00I try really hard to avoid "what if's&quo...I try really hard to avoid "what if's" (but I'm not very good at it - ha ha). The man in your class is exactly what I try to prevent in my writing classes. I know I'm going to end up with a student like that one of these days, but so far I've been lucky. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-14237736073264985222010-08-03T10:32:54.199-07:002010-08-03T10:32:54.199-07:00@ Aubrie, I sometimes wonder what happened to that...@ Aubrie, I sometimes wonder what happened to that guy.<br /><br />As far as the other blog goes, it's only for queries and beginnings of manuscripts, so I won't be putting much up there.<br /><br />@ Helen, I'm making sure to save some of my kids' stuff so they don't have the same regrets about our missing writings and us writers.<br /><br />@ Susan, if we don't cringe at our first attempts, we haven't learned anything, right?<br /><br />@ Talli, great way to put it. We learn by doing. Otherwise, what would we write about? And you're doing so well. It's awesome!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-70907070227053255272010-08-03T08:57:30.104-07:002010-08-03T08:57:30.104-07:00I love this post, Theresa, because I think you'...I love this post, Theresa, because I think you're so right. It's all part of the process. Do I wish I'd known more when I wrote my first novel? Yes. My second YES! And on and on. But I learned by doing and actually, I'm not sure I'd change that.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-21526037801033838532010-08-03T06:24:44.074-07:002010-08-03T06:24:44.074-07:00I cringe when I think about the first thing I wrot...I cringe when I think about the first thing I wrote when I decided (as an adult) to really give writing a try. It was a rhyming picture book and it was so, so bad.<br /><br />I do wish I'd allowed myself to be serious about writing in college, but I thought I'd never make a living at it so I studied engineering instead.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-31706972676734502382010-08-03T05:31:33.643-07:002010-08-03T05:31:33.643-07:00I wish I had kept my early writings. I wrote novel...I wish I had kept my early writings. I wrote novellas in high school, but I don't have any of them because friends would take a page as soon as I finished it and pass it around. They never got back to me. I'm sure they were sappy and awful, but I rather wish I could read them.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-5336053273050231012010-08-03T05:02:44.544-07:002010-08-03T05:02:44.544-07:00Oh boy! Another blog of yours to follow! I'll ...Oh boy! Another blog of yours to follow! I'll be going over after I finish this comment.<br /><br />If I could change something, I'd have started writing earlier. I took a bunch of English classes in college, and then did nothing with them for years. But oh well. I don't think I was ready to write until I'd had enough of flute.<br /><br />Too bad that guy in your class was so immature. Maybe he'll grow up later?Aubriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884036126491922530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-64393216364204569102010-08-03T04:22:28.855-07:002010-08-03T04:22:28.855-07:00@ Bossy Betty, that must've been a hard pill t...@ Bossy Betty, that must've been a hard pill to swallow. My guy (obviously) did not. I never understand the people who have to put down others to make themselves feel better.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-76783215928499764522010-08-02T21:33:25.749-07:002010-08-02T21:33:25.749-07:00Oh, I suffered through some jerks in my creative w...Oh, I suffered through some jerks in my creative writing classes too. Jeez. What really bugged me was when some of the jerks really had talent. That was a hard pill to swallow.Bossy Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568355839499622409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-57778924429341845962010-08-02T18:07:44.305-07:002010-08-02T18:07:44.305-07:00@ Jen, I couldn't tell if he was delusional ab...@ Jen, I couldn't tell if he was delusional about his writing or really insecure. <br /><br />It's been a big year for you.<br /><br />@ Walter, I'll put in sex scenes or curse words if it's right for the characters. I stand by my writing.<br /><br />I haven't tackled aliens yet.<br /><br />@ The Words Crafter, that sounds like an intense teacher. I hear you, what if you believed in yourself. I had a problem with that. Still do sometimes. I hope you believe in yourself now.<br /><br />Thanks for the nice words about the query.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-42781672089036119702010-08-02T17:08:36.653-07:002010-08-02T17:08:36.653-07:00A creative writing class is the one thing that I w...A creative writing class is the one thing that I want to take after I get my degree. It's the only reason I'd stay in college at this point. My junior year, I had an English teacher who didn't believe in giving A's. Our class was a GT class and she decided to do a semester on Hemingway. I can still see her sitting in front of the class, hands shaking and speechless. Every one of us got an A on a particularly difficult assignment and she read each of them aloud. At the end of the year, she cried....which brings me to my 'what if's' ... I'd have to say mine are really recent in that I wonder what if I actually believed I could do it? What if I applied myself? I'd like to make that teacher proud...<br /><br />I read your query letter and it sounds fantastic!!! What a unique and deep struggle! Good luck!The Words Crafterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520267901489487512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-33012088542409005782010-08-02T16:40:10.525-07:002010-08-02T16:40:10.525-07:00When I write I do not put in swear words just to m...When I write I do not put in swear words just to make the conversation sound realistic, because I know that my eventually my friends, neighbors, family, and local newspaper may read my books, and who wants to cringe in embarassment about unnecesessary four letter words. Besides, Science Fiction isn't real, anyway.<br /><br />So, all swear words are artistically driven, absolutely needed, and / or add substantually to the plot. <br /><br />I have met authors on these blogs who are afraid to show what they have written. My advice to write what you can be proud of. If you are proud of your writing, then it does not matter if some do not like it. Some will always not like it. Hopefully, most will like your work.<br /><br />And then there is my human / alien sex scene, not graphic, but artfully written and plot related.Walter Knighthttp://www.waltknight.yolasite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-35137878984922554942010-08-02T16:09:52.953-07:002010-08-02T16:09:52.953-07:00Got to love the arrogance of some people. I guess ...Got to love the arrogance of some people. I guess he was finally knocked down a few pegs, and when they are they can't take the heat, sad really, since he could have eventually been a good writer, but if you already think you're great then you already lost!<br /><br />I don't look back and wonder what if, at least if I do it doesn't last very long since I can't recall a moment. I think I've always known I wanted to write I just never put it into play until this year, and so far I've learned a lot. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-13260570023022432502010-08-02T15:01:00.473-07:002010-08-02T15:01:00.473-07:00@ Saumya, you're still early on in your journe...@ Saumya, you're still early on in your journey. I wish you the best finding your own way.<br /><br />@ Lindsay, I was going to pursue art/fashion design first so you sound a bit like me. It took me awhile to figure out I loved and had the right to write.<br /><br />@ Liz, it was a pretty good course. I don't have any other college writing courses with which to compare it.<br /><br />@ Old Kitty, I know you've taken several writing courses. Your second paragraph would make a helpful post for writers. You should consider writing one.<br /><br />It's good your comfortable with where you are in your writing journey. Hope you find that ooomph!<br /><br />@ Katie, what great advice. I recently heard from someone that Maurice Sendack had to fight with his editor to leave the line, "And it was still hot." The editor wanted to change "hot" to "warm". Would've changed the whole thing, don't you think?<br /><br />@ Surfie, what a wonderful story. You should turn this into a post. I wish you saved the paper too.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.com