tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post8585516879486047555..comments2024-03-06T05:24:11.328-05:00Comments on Kelly Hashway: Read, Read, ReadKelly Hashwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-86030619358782197562012-04-20T22:14:41.705-04:002012-04-20T22:14:41.705-04:00Yeah, I know what you're saying.Yeah, I know what you're saying.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-16327708338965911242012-04-20T13:08:21.536-04:002012-04-20T13:08:21.536-04:00Thanks Kelly. I don't want to quit. I just wis...Thanks Kelly. I don't want to quit. I just wish I knew where I belonged, you know?Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-71420090458177791732012-04-05T18:14:19.742-04:002012-04-05T18:14:19.742-04:00Taurean, I'm glad you find talking with me hel...Taurean, I'm glad you find talking with me helpful. I don't want to see you quit. You'll find what works for you. I know you will.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-17595391729404202482012-04-05T18:01:58.948-04:002012-04-05T18:01:58.948-04:00I know, and I guess this is a good time to come cl...I know, and I guess this is a good time to come clean, I watched the first two HP movies before I started reading the books, it was easier for me to embrace the phenomenon by watching it first, and the books followed after, I still haven't read the last one yet, but this year I will finish the books and than catch up on the movies, I stopped following it after movie 4/book six because Gabriel and the blog needed so much of my time.<br /><br />Plus, I was neglecting my craft study, and I'm still trying to find a new story to get excited about. A non-animal fantasy, and that's as much to strech myself creatively as it is finding more receptive avenues in fiction.<br /><br />As much as I love MG in particular, and writing my animal fantasies, it'd be nice to find a story that's less inherently stigmatizing to agents o editors that I still love, which is why I feel torn about not being able to write YA or simpler stories for readers younger than MG, since nonfiction's just not my best thing, and early readers and YA are such in-demand markets right now.<br /><br />It's not just the market that's influencing my wanting to stretch out. <br /><br />I personally feel like I'm plateauing right now. When you told me in an e-mail last month about how you discovered YA's your best thing, yet you started your journey with picture books, some magazine pieces here and there, and now your debut YA next year, it got me thinking about where I am.<br /><br />Probably more dramatic than in your experience, but you get the idea, and you clearly still struggle with this too, as you've shared here, and with me in private.<br /><br />So, after what you said in an earlier post about being open to new experiences, I thought it was time to find a new path in what I was writing that I still love, but didn't have the stigmas attached to animal fantasy, if not MG all together, especially the more you stray from being contemporary or "National Geographic" accurate about everything...<br /><br />Take Care and thanks for the support. It has kept me from quitting more times than I care to admit.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-50699341703848712632012-04-01T06:06:43.023-04:002012-04-01T06:06:43.023-04:00I think I read faster with ebooks too. I still rea...I think I read faster with ebooks too. I still read a lot in print though. I've never tried reading on my phone. I think my eyes would hate me if I did. ;)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-45515365101842794042012-04-01T02:30:45.938-04:002012-04-01T02:30:45.938-04:00I read faster with ebooks, and I read on my phone ...I read faster with ebooks, and I read on my phone when I'm out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-20692610258025410122012-03-31T10:54:41.345-04:002012-03-31T10:54:41.345-04:00LOL. I wouldn't do that to you. And, yes, I...LOL. I wouldn't do that to you. And, yes, I'm sure there is a match for you. :)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-65714385693736171602012-03-31T10:50:06.488-04:002012-03-31T10:50:06.488-04:00Glad that didn't come off weird. Don't sic...Glad that didn't come off weird. Don't sick your husband on me! I'm sure there's a match for me somewhere.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-89161837351763021802012-03-31T08:06:19.930-04:002012-03-31T08:06:19.930-04:00Keep in mind that feedback is also subjective. Tha...Keep in mind that feedback is also subjective. That's the person's opinion. You don't have to follow it or agree with it. The hard part about getting feedback is figuring out what to use and what to politely pass on. Stick to what you believe is right for you. Your CPs are trying to help you, which is great, but in the end, it's your story and you know what's best for it.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-11719342703550789012012-03-31T07:50:45.321-04:002012-03-31T07:50:45.321-04:00Oh, that's EXACTLY my point!
I felt like I wa...Oh, that's EXACTLY my point!<br /><br />I felt like I was getting pressured for the opposite of what you're saying.<br /><br />I love Tor Seidler's books, and despite the mixed feelings I might give, I love Redwall too (Still have to re-read to first one) but I don't at all try to mirror them, because no one can truly emulate another author or book, but I wish I was better at executing my own ideas so people don't feel copying someone else is the only way out.<br /><br />I'm always me in my books, but some of the feedback seems to shun me for that, and I don't get why.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-90885892572339979172012-03-31T07:50:30.900-04:002012-03-31T07:50:30.900-04:00I completely get the expense thing. Conferences co...I completely get the expense thing. Conferences cost a lot. This is why I don't go to the NYC one even though I really want to. It's just too much. <br /><br />Yes, I am married, but that's very sweet of you. I'll take the compliment. :)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-5314929960981666902012-03-31T07:44:34.295-04:002012-03-31T07:44:34.295-04:00I did do WriteonCon last year, but I hope to be mo...I did do WriteonCon last year, but I hope to be more into it this year, I was certainly too wound to get much out of it their first year, as you may remember.<br /><br />I appreciate that you get that I'm not anti-conferences offline. If I could, I'd go to at least one every couple years, but if it's not the expensive of the admission, and the panels workshops I NEED to be part of,adding the hotel fee on top of that sends it to Pie in the Sky territory.<br /><br />I've even begged my grandma to help me pay for it, even the hands and knee thing, and I didn't do that often, even as a child. But we're all tight on money right now, so I try to learn what I can on my own, and for some things, like query letters and major revisions, it's been a trying experience. Am I glad I did it? Yes, since I do see some noticeable improvement, but some days I wonder...<br /><br />I guess some people feel like since I don't have kids to support, spouses to work with, and millions of student loan debt, that I'm coming off like some conference snob, given some of the private feedback I get on my writing. You don't do that. I can't thank you enough for that. If you weren't already married (I think...) with child, I'd want to ask you out. Hope that doesn't sound creepy since we've shared much outside this blog.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-14773096544459098642012-03-31T07:08:00.554-04:002012-03-31T07:08:00.554-04:00Yes, I do cry. I can't help it. It's me wa...Yes, I do cry. I can't help it. It's me wanting my dream so bad it hurts sometimes. I also think about what the author must feel knowing they've made it. That's so intense to me. <br /><br />Oh, Harry Potter. Loved the books, loved the movies (though some are slightly different than the books). The Hermione punch was pretty awesome. :)<br /><br />As for audiobooks, I agree the narrator is so important. But I don't see why people would consider audiobooks as anything other than books. Books are books, no matter what the medium. Even the Harry Potter movies are books. Just different ways of reading them.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-69496934176848482512012-03-31T07:03:25.652-04:002012-03-31T07:03:25.652-04:00Taurean, this is why I think it's good to some...Taurean, this is why I think it's good to sometimes read books that aren't really your thing. Reading is subjective. Not every book is for every person. In fact, it's definitely not. By reading books I don't necessarily care for, I have hope that even if someone doesn't like my book, others will. <br /><br />As for big name authors, good for them, but they aren't you. Don't try to be the next "Big Name Author". Strive to be you. Make people want to be the next Taurean years from now. That will keep you from going crazy. At least it works for me. ;)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-90482617297085087942012-03-31T06:59:56.501-04:002012-03-31T06:59:56.501-04:00Taurean, I'm a firm believer in different thin...Taurean, I'm a firm believer in different things work for different people. I did read craft books a few years back, but then I saw how many authors broke the rules and succeeded and honestly, I wanted to do the same and felt I could learn more from those authors and their novels than the craft books. So that's what I do. It works for me.<br /><br />As for conferences, there is an online one that's free. It's called Write On Con and it's in August. I always do that one because conferences are expensive. I do my local one because I don't have to pay for a hotel. It's 10 minutes from my house. Still, it's expensive. No one can blame you for not going to a conference because of travel or money reasons.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-81561044945762641512012-03-31T06:54:26.752-04:002012-03-31T06:54:26.752-04:00Taurean, you can still learn techniques from these...Taurean, you can still learn techniques from these books, even if it's what not to do. You can learn from the characters, too. Do they have redeeming qualities? Are they consistent throughout or do they act out of character? Those sorts of things.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-3670716648426467862012-03-31T06:00:53.411-04:002012-03-31T06:00:53.411-04:00Glad you understand, and that ad
I know lots of p...Glad you understand, and that ad<br /><br />I know lots of people believe that real writers need to actually read the books on the page, whether paper or electronic to count, since audiobooks can feel like "cheating."<br /><br />But there are many books I never would've taken a chance on, and enjoyed despite reservations, if I didn't have the option to get the audio version.<br /><br />The only thing is you have to groove on the narrator(s), and I've been lucky that all my favorite books with audio editions (Unabridged, of course) had great readers, in my opinion.<br /><br />You cry at every movie based on a book you've watched, even if it's not bad? <br /><br />I don't have that problem, well except for the third Harry Potter movie, I hated how some of the scenes and plot was switched around, and after two fairly accurate adaptations of the first two, it was a slight letdown. <br /><br />Still, seeing Hermione deck Malfoy mostly made up for it. That was the best part of the trailer for that movie, too. I became a fan after that.<br /><br />I liked her before, not ashamed of being smart and all, but I respected her more after that, she showed the backbone I wish I had when I was younger, hopefully without decking someone, but <br /><br />In the book, I think it was more a ladylike slap across the face like in those old school dramas from the 50s, so the roundhouse jab to the jaw caught me off guard when I first saw the trailer.<br /><br />Still, as much as I don't condone violence to settle disputes, Malfoy asked for it. If someone dissed my family like that, I'd be just as ticked. For what it's worth, I would've tossed him off the hill, the thirteen year old me would. Plus, I'm touchy about the racist mindsets. Intriguing to read about, but H*** to live.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-83570886795028775792012-03-31T05:32:20.970-04:002012-03-31T05:32:20.970-04:00On good days, it's like that.
On the not-so-g...On good days, it's like that.<br /><br />On the not-so-good days, they feel like the notches of excellence I have to equal, if not rise above to be taken seriously.<br /><br />It's easier to feel good about doing my thing when Charlotte's Web, Hunters, or Redwall aren't being lorded over my head. I've nothing bad to say about them, or their authors, I just wish more people would not use these books an their authors as a yardstick all the time.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-70325277698261015522012-03-31T05:30:52.181-04:002012-03-31T05:30:52.181-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-52989480512828665252012-03-31T05:24:21.233-04:002012-03-31T05:24:21.233-04:00Well, I wish all the writers who preach otherwise ...Well, I wish all the writers who preach otherwise would read this and get that, because frankly, they need to be reminded more than me.<br /><br />So you never read craft books anymore?<br /><br />I feel like the bulk of the advice I get insists me reading some craft book, and like you, I'm sick of it, but seriously, if not for some gems in craft books (Like in Writing YA for dummies, as hard as her blunt delivery is to look beyond) I'd still be writing the most boring plot-free query letters the world ever knew. <br /><br />You've seen many of them, Kelly, you KNOW quite well what I mean.<br /><br />But yeah, in general, I never want to buy another craft book again, but just because books I love do something doesn't mean it's right for mine. That's why I don't like to "dissect" the novels I love because it makes me the meanest, overly self-critical writer snob.<br /><br />But I am tired of being "commanded" to read one book versus another, like it'll make all the problems I'm having with any given story magically go away, and I know no one says that word for word, but that's how it feels the way it's shoved in my face. If it didn't I wouldn't be spilling my guts out here now.<br /><br />On the other hand, being lectured to attend writer's conferences and workshops I can't afford and can't travel to is the final nail in the proverbial coffin. I get they can help. I get they're informative. Please, no more!<br /><br />It's not snobbish resistance if I can't AFFORD it or can't TRAVEL TO IT! <br /><br />Is it?!!!!!<br /><br />I wish people other than you would believe that.<br /><br />Okay, that's my only off-blog rant for this week.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-54226955896660834672012-03-31T05:19:15.204-04:002012-03-31T05:19:15.204-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-65273360679863812022012-03-31T05:01:27.625-04:002012-03-31T05:01:27.625-04:00Aside from learning what you don't want to wri...Aside from learning what you don't want to write, don't see what other good it does. Maybe that's just me, or if it's not, no other writer I know admits to feeling torn.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-22696398203413276152012-03-30T07:11:57.201-04:002012-03-30T07:11:57.201-04:003 books? Wow! And that's less for you? How do ...3 books? Wow! And that's less for you? How do you do it?Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-24317562234554490852012-03-30T07:11:24.881-04:002012-03-30T07:11:24.881-04:00I know what you mean about being in awe of other w...I know what you mean about being in awe of other writers. There's so much to learn from them.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-4782883545907933982012-03-30T07:10:50.732-04:002012-03-30T07:10:50.732-04:00I read more than I revise sometimes, but not more ...I read more than I revise sometimes, but not more than I write. My writing takes over my brain until the draft is done.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.com