tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post9152511690028734078..comments2024-03-25T22:38:39.934-07:00Comments on THERESA'S TALES: InstinctsTheresa Milsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-69661320173624772702011-05-03T03:17:42.660-07:002011-05-03T03:17:42.660-07:00@ Nas, thank you! All the best to you too.@ Nas, thank you! All the best to you too.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-25958006841166916662011-05-01T16:17:30.505-07:002011-05-01T16:17:30.505-07:00Congratulations on your draft. That's huge!
A...Congratulations on your draft. That's huge!<br /><br />All the best!Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-7745287547349176912011-05-01T08:36:06.694-07:002011-05-01T08:36:06.694-07:00@ Cleemckenzie, it's good to know your instinc...@ Cleemckenzie, it's good to know your instincts have served you. I hope they're serving me now!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-69868071114684439372011-05-01T07:48:29.750-07:002011-05-01T07:48:29.750-07:00Write the way you want to write--great advice. And...Write the way you want to write--great advice. And I pay attention to my instincts more and more. They've served me well.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-54666302819867368672011-05-01T04:44:29.155-07:002011-05-01T04:44:29.155-07:00@ India, thank you. It is a fantastic feeling!
@...@ India, thank you. It is a fantastic feeling!<br /><br />@ Medeia, thanks! "...whatever works and whatever yields the best work possible." Agreed!<br /><br />@ The Words Crafter, glad to hear from you!<br /><br />There are too many do's and don'ts. Like you said, we have to experiment to see what works for us.<br /><br />@ Nicole, I wish more how-to authors called them guidelines. Maybe nobody would publish their books. All these rules take some of the artistry out, eh?<br /><br />Thank you!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-89191428590546968832011-04-30T15:02:31.365-07:002011-04-30T15:02:31.365-07:00You're so right - the rules are only guideline...You're so right - the rules are only guidelines. No two writers work the exact same way. Writing is an artistic process, it's unique for each individual.<br /><br />Congrats on finishing your rough draft!Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-72564218819641955102011-04-30T13:29:22.498-07:002011-04-30T13:29:22.498-07:00I LOVE this post! You're right; there's a ...I LOVE this post! You're right; there's a lot of do's and don'ts' out there, as well as 'this way, not that way' and it gets overwhelming. <br /><br />I try to just do the best I can. It's all I can do. If it works, great. If not, I'll try something else that closely fits me, but if it still doesn't work, well, at least I tried.<br /><br />Congratulations on the finish!The Words Crafterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520267901489487512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-32894994308222535992011-04-30T10:53:38.035-07:002011-04-30T10:53:38.035-07:00Congrats on finishing your draft!
We all write di...Congrats on finishing your draft!<br /><br />We all write differently, plotting or pantsing, and at a different pace. We also approach critiques differently. Hey, whatever works and whatever yields the best work possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-72398930103172436762011-04-29T03:59:59.600-07:002011-04-29T03:59:59.600-07:00Well done on finishing your manuscript! What a fan...Well done on finishing your manuscript! What a fantastic feeling!India Drummondhttp://www.indiadrummond.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-87240649254234306462011-04-29T03:12:06.460-07:002011-04-29T03:12:06.460-07:00@ Jai, thanks. How different that you feel like G...@ Jai, thanks. How different that you feel like God pulling the strings. I feel like my characters figure out the story and it's my job to copy it down correctly.<br /><br />@ Writing Nut, I've missed you. Glad you came from under the writing revisions mountain. I'm impressed you're so dedicated. I can find plenty of ways to distract myself from revising.<br /><br />@ Missed Periods, thanks. Good to know some of my advice works for other people. Maybe I should write a how-to-writing book... maybe not.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-31098144932140885802011-04-29T00:50:43.876-07:002011-04-29T00:50:43.876-07:00Congrats on finishing the first draft of your manu...Congrats on finishing the first draft of your manuscript. I agree with you about the reading, writing, revising and instinct. That's the best advice yet.Missed Periodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10343265071637032284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-81427934516812349992011-04-28T19:09:20.775-07:002011-04-28T19:09:20.775-07:00Congratulations on finishing your first draft!!! ...Congratulations on finishing your first draft!!! That's wonderful news! :)<br /><br />I'm sorry I haven't been around for a while... I'm deep in the middle of revisions right now, and although it's been a lot of work, it's been kind of fun too.<br /><br />And you're right.. Tahereh is awesome :)...WritingNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326756274887055685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-46973899758715196562011-04-28T16:08:24.512-07:002011-04-28T16:08:24.512-07:00Oh yes, and congratulations on finishing your manu...Oh yes, and congratulations on finishing your manuscript!<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-49564756137447458042011-04-28T15:55:29.443-07:002011-04-28T15:55:29.443-07:00I plot my stories before I write them, it helps me...I plot my stories before I write them, it helps me to focus my energies and know where I'm going. I like the certainty of steering my story in a direction I want, like I'm God pulling the puppet strings of my creation.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-53376523925343828602011-04-28T15:27:11.218-07:002011-04-28T15:27:11.218-07:00@ Talli, thank you! My blemish issue is clearing ...@ Talli, thank you! My blemish issue is clearing up.<br /><br />So sorry about your blog. I hope they can retrieve it!<br /><br />@ Angela, it probably will be the same amount of time either way. The question will be what way works better for you. Good luck!<br /><br />@ Jess, how cool you've tried different methods. Hope it works too!<br /><br />@ Rachel, thank you. Before I wrote this post, I wondered if anyone did. Now I know!<br /><br />@ Shannon, thanks for the cheers. I'll look for you again during revision blues, querying woes, and rejection nightmares. ; )Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-57434725538342621202011-04-28T14:22:55.925-07:002011-04-28T14:22:55.925-07:00Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Th...Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Three cheers for you, Theresa. Way to go! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-57975174450986111202011-04-28T08:51:31.099-07:002011-04-28T08:51:31.099-07:00I do what you do! Every time I sit down to write I...I do what you do! Every time I sit down to write I read over a few pages from my last writing session (and yes, I correct things too!) and then I carry on. And for exactly the reason you said: it helps me get back into the zone so that the words will flow seamlessly from where they ended off the day before.<br /><br />PS. Congrats on finishing the first draft!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-13175699213619003522011-04-28T07:05:54.736-07:002011-04-28T07:05:54.736-07:00Congrats on finishing your draft! My process seems...Congrats on finishing your draft! My process seems to change with each manuscript. This time I did a lot of research up front, so by the time I started writing, I knew where I wanted the story to go. Hope it works :)Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121018905141253640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-11332701534120551052011-04-28T05:57:18.495-07:002011-04-28T05:57:18.495-07:00I've been exploring my own writing process and...I've been exploring my own writing process and mixing it up a bit. <br /><br />My first novel was total pantsing, and while I wrote almost 190,000 words in four months. The whole thing was such a tangled mess that it took me two years to finish revisions and knock it down to 85,000 words.<br /><br />Now I'm working with a different model, having the outline in my head first and critiquing as I go. <br /><br />Truth is, it's a heck of a lot slower to write. But I wouldn't be surprised if the time it takes isn't any longer than doing it the other way when you add in all those revisions.<br /><br />I guess we'll see.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-56107869340941808792011-04-28T05:43:51.967-07:002011-04-28T05:43:51.967-07:00Fantastic post, as usual, Theresa! I hear you on t...Fantastic post, as usual, Theresa! I hear you on the blemish thing, ergh. <br /><br />Congrats on finishing!<br /><br />I think you need to do a bit of trial and error to find what works best for you. Or at least, I did!<br /><br /><a href="http://marshawrites.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">My blog's disappeared so my temporary home is here!</a>Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-46461374845867459422011-04-28T03:09:25.748-07:002011-04-28T03:09:25.748-07:00@ Lynda, thanks for the congrats. It's intere...@ Lynda, thanks for the congrats. It's interesting to read what works for each person.<br /><br />@ Lydia, it does sound like you're a plotter with panster tendencies. I bet each writer's outlines run the gamut too, from sparse to detailed.<br /><br />@ Niki, I'm so relieved. Now I'd like to get the beginning shiny for the conference I'm attending on 05/13.<br /><br />@ Her highness, Samantha Vérant, yeah, I can't even achieve half my writing and liquid requirements! <br /><br />Yes, my friends gives me good feedback. It's not all pats on the back.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-58088997903783238552011-04-28T02:56:19.846-07:002011-04-28T02:56:19.846-07:001,000k a day??? And 8 glasses of water? Ouf. I'...1,000k a day??? And 8 glasses of water? Ouf. I've got to get back on track! Happy you finished your MS! It's such a relief. And I don't think there is a problem giving your MS to a friend---if that friend provides honest, no-holds-barred feedback...Samantha Véranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446488761214047647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-30432085288804462022011-04-27T23:58:47.265-07:002011-04-27T23:58:47.265-07:00Well done Theresa, you must be very proud and reli...Well done Theresa, you must be very proud and relieved! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-72597930223977867382011-04-27T17:46:12.759-07:002011-04-27T17:46:12.759-07:00I always reread what I just wrote before writing t...I always reread what I just wrote before writing too. I always outline. I need the structure to know where I'm going, but I pants the scenes. I get the best of both worlds, I think.<br />:)Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3801207462566510326.post-79603422508297013462011-04-27T15:52:24.313-07:002011-04-27T15:52:24.313-07:00Schedules, outlines, minimum word counts per day w...Schedules, outlines, minimum word counts per day work for me.<br /><br />Huge congrats on completing your rough draft! It's a fantastic milestone.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.com