SquawkRadio Comments

The first thing we want is for Connie to learn how to use her spell-check ...

Anonymous

heeheee… Spell-check and grammar check for Connie.

how about a forum? I know expression engine has a forum that you can add. 

Or a “post-it-notes” for when you want to announce something exciting that you have found out about the squawkers and guest squawkers.

A complied list of suggested reads and music by the squawkers.

I love Squawk just as it is. You guys have put together an funny, warm, inviting place to come hang out. I love the questions you guys are prone to asking. Seeing everyone’s answers is always fascinating, and more often than not, good for a laugh too.

The one thing I would love would be author chats. I know they consume a lot of time and work to set up, but it would be so much fun to be able to chat with you guys realtime once in a while. Maybe once a month? That would mean only 2 appearances a year for each of you, and would give all of us 12 huge events to look forward to and a chance to ask you as many questions as you ask us.

Andi,
Authors Chats are definitely on our wish list for this year.  Excellent suggestion!

I forgot! I have an author chat this Sunday at Writerspace at 9ET, 6PT. http://www.writerspace.com/chat/ The chat is in honor of the re-release of CANDLE IN THE WINDOW, but we talk about everything. Everyone, come over!

I love SR as it is. The best parts are that its simple and ya’ll visit everyday!

A Q&A about the Squawkers books that are pre-Squawk Radio could be fun for those of us who love them and good for those who haven’t read them. I find myself researching everyone’s backlists lately!

Book recommendations from all the squakers listed on a side link might be nice.  Who are the authors you read?

Spell check for me too!!!

I also like the fact that the squawkers visit every day.  And a list of your book recommendations - of all sorts - would be great.  I read a wide variety of fiction and am always looking for new books.  I always want to tell everyone when I read something I just love and I assume everyone else does, too!

I don’t think you should bother too much about spellcheck, Connie; it just makes the rest of us feel better when we don’t bother to use it either!

How about a links page so we can find the Squawkers homepages, and thus backlists of titles we haven’t devoured yet.

I am so completely impressed with the blog as a whole.  Something new and different everyday.  Appeals to a wide range of readers

While I’ve found some success blogging, I seem to only be able to blog about NASCAR...go figure

Bettysbounce, if you click on the name of a squawker at the top of the SR page it will take you directly to their website.

Love the new SR site.  I like the “what’s happening this week” feature that lets us catch up with all the squawkers, where they are and what they’re doing.  I think author (squawker) chats are a WONDERFUL idea.  Love the visiting non-squawker author blogs too.  Y’all have introduced me to some mighty fine authors that I hadn’t read before.

Haha nice icon PJ

Anyway, back on topic, I think the site is wonderful as it is.  :D

I love SqUaWkRaDiO as it is!  Love it and check it everyday! 

But if it had a wish list, on it would be, as previously mentioned, book recommendations, definitely, and maybe games of some sort....I love the game on Eloisa’s BB, the Monday Puzzler, the sample of a book and we have to guess who and what....I wish we could do that every day or twice a week...and other games.....ah, I have started to babble..

good day all!!

kate-o

I am definitely all for guest authors and interviews.  I love to learn about new authors.

I too have to nominate book recommendations. Maybe more music recommendations? I loved the ones about Pink last week. I dug out all those CDs and listened to them all day. I read 6 blogs a day and this is the best maintained one. I can’t wait to get over here every morning and have a look around!

Oh one more thing, Cara mentioned a Q&A discussion about Squawkers books that had been released. I love that idea! I’m currently working my way through Teresa’s backlist and would love a discussion on any of her books!

Well, I think, if “We’re all ear!” as Connie says, we should maybe invest in another ear.

keep the ideas flowing! I’m making one list so anything you want, add, even on a lark… Terri’s top ten pics of russell crowe? Navigation links to research sites?

Liz and Christina can ... do things to their own anatomies

I’ve missed Teresa’s posts about TV. I know we’ve been in repeat land, but it’s all coming back this month and I hope she’ll pick back up and chit chat about tv again soon. I mean, is she going to watch The Dresden Files? Battlestar?  This inquiring mind wants to know. 

I think the site is pretty good the way it is and I love that it is updated so frequently.  The only thing I can think of is to second the suggestion for research links.  I always find those sorts of sites interesting.

Oh, and I wouldn’t mind those Russell Crowe pictures.  That would definitely make me stop by more often.

First can I through a little kudos to you all for all that Christmas gift-giving you all did, that was cool! (even though I didn’t score, my book list is waaaay long now)..
Also, I appreciate the attitude here. I read several other craft-y, book-y blogs and the book blogs, in particular can get pretty snoberoon! Much romance bashing goes on!
- I second the chat idea, also what about a few of the squawker’s fav. links? I know most of you have them on your web site(s) but maybe a few here too..(book related or not..)
Like most have said, I do enjoy Squawk!

I love the QA on backlist idea.  I’ve read big chunks of backlist for all the squawkers and would love to discuss.

I sometimes wish we had a Q and A day . . . so that we could ask questions we are thinking about, like where you guys learned to write or did you take any special classes - stuff like that. 

I agree this is by far the best blog - so well maintained and you all participate in it.  It’s the only blog I read consistently. 

I certainly have spent a lot of money on books because of this henhouse

Lynn

How about special quotes of the day?

You give us the “Caption This”, but how about a “Complete this Sentence”.  This is a funny group and I’m sure we can come up with some doozies (i.e. J Perry and her love of monkeys.)

Deb

Another blog I belong to sends an email out to members to notify them in advance when a special guest is joining them. Also, for those aspiring writers out there, maybe some agent and editor guest days so we can pick their brains, find out what the trends are - or maybe your advice....

Well, for me-since my career is in data information-it’s all in the details.  I find myself researching terms I’m not familiar with (I had no idea what a fichu was the first time I read it).  You must have had to research for years, even vampire lore before you ever put pen to paper.

I would love to have a discussion of what life was like during the Regency period. Or any other historical period for that matter. Was it really scandalous to touch bare hands?  Why was kissing your own spouse in front of others wrong?  Did women wear underwear under all those skirts?  Did men really get turned on by a glimpse of a stockinged ankle?

I am thoroughly loving all these historical romance novels (as well as all the comtemporaries), but the more I read, the more I’m blown away by the way these people lived.  I could research all on my own, but there’s no fun in that.  I love SR, and visit everyday.  All of you are terrific!

I love Squawk Radio like it is. The idea with the live chats is good, but maybe you could do them earlier for your oversea readers. Let’s say afternoons on the weekend, so that everyone has a chance to join the fun.

My only suggestion would be to give us the option to edit our comments.  Otherwise the sight is great.

I think some of the suggestions that have been tossed out are great (such as a monthly chat), but this site is great as it is. You wouldn’t have so many of us showing up every single day if it wasn’t. 

This isn’t a suggestion, but it’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while. On the Archives page it’s said for about four months (or in Connie’s world: for “for months” ) that old blogs and art from Blogger are Coming Soon. I was just wondering if that is truly the case, or if it’s just an idea someone’s thinking about tackling eventually. I know I’d definitely have fun going back through some of the old blogs (and comments).

I would like to be able to view the archives as well. In the old system I often went back and re-read some of the blogs. I’d like to do the same here. 

Also, I was thinking it might be fun for the readers of this blog to become a guest once in a while. Maybe put on a contest or something like that and if there is a guest who’d like to host they could enter the contest and if they win they can host for a day?

-- Sepi

I always find myself wishing for a place, other than the daily post, to ask a writing question, because no one wants to read through a dry writing question when penises are hoping about.  And anyone could answer it, too.

The other thing is SPELL CHECK. 

And WRITE OUT your contact emails (as opposed to links) on the author info page because when I clicked, for example, on “Liz’s email” my computer said it could not start Microsoft outlook.  How am I going to ask her about the Xtacy 3000, for example?  Surely I can’t do that here? In this public place?  Where it isn’t appropriate to ask about crimson-colored, battery operated toys? 

What else?  Nothin’!  This is my favorite place.

And also, I’d like an answer to this pressing question.....Connie!

WHICH CELEB CHEF DID YOU BASE STEVE JAAX??????

I confess I haunt a lot of blogs (and just started one of my own: http://maggierobinsonmeansromance.blogspot.com...and yes, my delusions of grandeur were a complete mistake with the name...I was just fooling around and didn’t know the thing had set up...ANYWAY...) but you ladies have an insouciant flair all your own. I’m very fond of Squawk Radio as it is, but book recs would be welcome. Maybe some sort of “coming soon” sidebar for guests. Maybe some sort of motivational quote of the day. Your personalities already shine through so brightly you don’t have much need to improve!

I also love this blog! I would love to see the Squawkers chat more about what they’re reading...both old and new. That always prompts the readers to mention their own favorites, and I think we all enjoy finding authors that other people love who are new to us.

I second the motion about discussions of the time periods you all write about, especially the Regency era. I think it would be interesting to hear your experiences while writing your books.

Stacy

We’ll try this again.

http://maggierobinsonmeansromance.blogspot.com

Please forgive me.

What about a “Man of the Month?” And not our tried and true regulars.  Yes, we love Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman, and Johnny Depp, but there are always others who need our attention.  ( I know I left other regulars out.)

I’m suggesting the undiscovered by paparozzi, not overexposed, women-love me man.  Remember the first time you saw Clive Owen before he really was recognized?  I know I do. 

The kind of man that makes you go “OH *%$#!”, but not yet truly famous.

This is just an off the cuff suggestion.  I know I’ll read no matter what.  I love what you write, both books and blogs.

To be honest, I’m happy with the way things are. But, all the suggestions are amazing!

Yes...please please.  I think something like a “reference encyclopedia” describing such things as phaeton or a pelisse would be awesome.  I google terms frequently so I can picture them during my read.

Great idea from Prudence!

I think the Squawkers are absolutely perfect just as they are and each word that falls from their lips is a flawless and sparkling gem and nobody is more eloquent or lovely than that chicken with the fluffy blonde hair whose every utterance is a miraculous…

Oh wait...I was trying to post this anonymously.  Can you still see my picture???

Ok Connie, you may be sorry you asked, but here’s a suggestion for something that I personally, would love to see on SR…

I’m a huge lurker and a (what else?) wannabe who has just gotten her 2nd (sniff!) rejection. But it was a nice rejection. A good rejection. A short but constructive rejection that didn’t scream “You Suck!” and/or “What are you thinking sending me this drivel? You can’t write so give it up already!”

The problem was my characters. And for what it’s worth, I don’t disagree. They weren’t ‘popping’ off the page. I thought they used to, but apparently they don’t anymore. I think what happened was that in my quest to impress with the most-perfect partial-ever, I edited the darn(insertstrongerlanguageherebecauseIsuredid) so many times that I think I may have actually written the life out of those poor people.

So, am I depressed?  Yeah, but only slightly.  Am I disheartened? Well, kinda.  But am I ready to give to all up and go get that tempting job at my local grocery store? (And you know, I noticed yesterday they are actually advertising for help right now.)

No. I stand firm. I will stay the course.  Why? Because the other day I read somewhere that Eloisa’s first book was rejected 26 times. Heck, (insertstrongerlanguageheretoo) I’m only at 2. 

So what am I doing besides eating all the 70% cocoa-content chocolate I can find?  In short, this: I’m leaving my poor characters’ overwritten, lifeless bodies by the wayside and starting something new, exciting and well, a little bit scary. Something that I’ve never done before… a departure from ‘Comfortville’, where my writing has been living for far too long.  And this time, my characters aren’t going to be so… dull.

So my point? Um, I did have one, didn’t I? Oh, right. I remember. My point is that
in answer to Connie’s question, what I would like to see on SR is an oh, I don’t know, monthly (?) blog by an unpubbed like me who can relate the highs and lows of her struggle to join the rarefied ranks of the published. 

And I think it’s a good idea just because it seems that so many of us who visit here do so to find more than mere entertainment. We come looking for inspiration. At least I know I do. I come here because this is a place where I can actually relate on various levels with Published Goddesses (ha-- how’s that for straight-on sucking up?) who, dare I say it, were once kind of like me? In short, I look to the ladies of Squawk for motivation. I find myself identifying with anecdotes of early-career and even pre-published woes and with those daily struggles that you all still seem to go though and that you so graciously share with all of us. And I’ve learned the scary truth that those stuggles never really end. (But hey, if you’re lucky enough, you may actually get paid to go through them!)

So for me, a once-in-a-while peek into the ongoing trials of a serious unpubbed like me would fit certainly the bill. 

(And oh, did I mention that I’m available for the gig? I mean, you know, whatever.  Just a suggestion… because hey, it’s my idea!)

Yes Teresan, you are all goddesses among women and authors and we love you the way you are.

NOW GIVE ME A NEW BOOK! 

(tiptoeing away now)

I’ll take a spellcheck please.

Squawk Radio is a daily must for me.  I’d love to be able to read the archives - there are some book suggestions I’d like to revisit.  And I miss Kitty - will she be back anytime soon?  I don’t want Squawk to have spellcheck - it’s heartening to know that writers aren’t perfect and that writing isn’t as easy as it seems to be when you’re reading the finished product!  I love the blogs about the craft of writing and would like to see more of that.  Especially because I haven’t a creative gene in my body (but I’m a great appreciator!) Oh yes, hooray for more eye-candy!

I love it just like it is, but I especially enjoy the book recommendations/discussions, and reports of booksignings, conferences, etc., and all things book related. 

But as Billy Joel would say (sing?), “I love you just the way you are...”

"nina said…
for those aspiring writers out there, maybe some agent and editor guest days so we can pick their brains, find out what the trends are - or maybe your advice...”

Ask and ye shall receive, Nina. Check back with us later this month. My Harlequin editor, Wanda Ottewell, will be visiting with us on the 23rd. And she’s FABU!

I love SR just the way it is.  I visit every day and every day I am amazed at how much effort you ladies put into this.  I’m sure it is not easy coming up with something interesting to say every day.  So how about an idea forum?  A place where we can list suggestions for topics we would like to blog about. 

I love the idea of a live chat and a spell check and a backlist area.

Could we also get the actual Russell Crowe and not just a picture of him?  Or Gerard Butler?  He did win our contest, maybe he could be persuaded to be a guest contributer.  (oh please, oh please, oh please)

Really?

Four Months!

Time does fly when you are having fun!

It’s nice the way it is.....If you want there are a few good suggestions in previous comments.

I’m happy with things at squawk just the way they are.  I get my daily dose of chuckles here and love all the bantering.

I haven’t found any other blog where the discussion is of walking penises or hot dish recipes or the sexiest guys in movies dead or alive… You’re unique and I like it that way.

I too love the way that Squawk is set up. It really is pretty Simple to navigate the site. I agree with other’s who have said that SR feels fun and homey. Without feeling forced or phony! And it always seems that a Squawker is “at home”. Ready to answer questions, or ask a titillating question, or just make me laugh. I have No Doubt that it takes a lot of time and dedication on the part of the Squawkers to run this site. Because… well…it shows.

Spell Check and Grammar Check.

Edit! Oh how I wish …more often then I would like to admit… that I could change what I wrote. Or ERASE it altogether.

A complied list of suggested reads and music by the squawkers

Plus I would like a list of books recommended by Squawkettes.

Oh Yes Connie to The Navigation Links for easy research!

I am with Prudence on research and more interesting bits of information. Remember the Blog that Eloisa did on swearing? That was hysterical!

I like finding out about new authors and new books. But I also like how SR will feature an old book by an established writer that I might have missed. Backlist lists are a great idea.

Hey I’m the Queen of I Read; I’ll give any Writer a try once…might do it twice. So just to show you Unpublished Writers that I really am kinda nice….and I feel for you plight too, all right? I second Chickie’s idea.

How about a Help category under the Members section?  I still can’t figure out how to make my font BIGGER (this is a Subtle hint) bigger on the post page. Can I even do that? Enquiring chicks want to know…

I love the banter and everyone’s sense of humor. Heck, I even enjoy a good typo so forget the spell check lol. The occasional contest is always fun too So I guess I really don’t have any suggestions and just wanted to say I like it as it is.

Another idea for you: I know that book recommendations were suggested above, but perhaps you can provide lists of books with similar themes.  I don’t mean paranormal or Regency, but more like “books in which friends become lovers,” or “books in which overcoming abuse is a central element.” I like to read my favorite authors, of course, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a certain topic and have trouble finding recommendations for worthwhile reads which specifically involve second marriages, rags to riches stories, heroes with disabilities, etc.

You might also consider enabling tagging for entries, so that it would be easier for readers to find previous posts (i.e. TV discussions, parenting, posts about bras =).

For your marketing efforts, you might want to look into search engine optimization.  Also, maybe a poll or two?  Quizzes to test our knowledge (kind of like that quote idea)?

Finally, perhaps you could update the Events page.  I’m hoping to eventually get to meet one of you! =)

Good luck!

First and foremost I’d like a link to Teresa’s tighty whitey shot of Russell Crowe.  Not that I’m obsessed or anything.  It’s for research, ya know.

Seriously, I love hearing from non-Squawker authors and would like an archive or link that lists the author and their backlists or would links to those sites work?

Spellcheck works for me.  I am sure Connie’s wants it but, shy dear that she is, doesn’t want to come out and say it.  Fear not, I’ve got your back.

More agents and editors.  Glad to hear Liz’s editor will be stopping by.  And agents.....who are they and, well, what exactly do they DO?  And I mean that respectfully.  I don’t just want to know, I need to know.

Did I prattle on?  Forgive me.  You guys know I adore this site.  It’s one of the easiest to navigate.  I love the way you’ve divided up the types of posts so they can be accessed in the archives.  I love to hear the updates of what you guys are up to.  But it’s the real sense of community that I love the most.

I am still in amazement that I can actually read comments from my favorite authors; and they answer back too!

I love history; so I would like to know more about the real “rakes” from the historical/regency time period. Other interesting facts about their way of life.

Book recommendations.
Book reviews.
Spell check.
Discussion of squawkers books.
Author chats.

And please keep up the banter. You all
make me laugh, and I look forward to seeing what is happening every day!  I truly love squawk radio.

I’m not sure if this comes under Q&A, but it would be nice to have some way of asking questions or making comments that don’t require adding a comment to a topic. Other than creating my own blog, of course - I tried that and failed miserably! Otherwise, its fine the way it is, the only complaint I have is that it takes sooo long to download graphics on a slow dialup. I know, I could tell my browser to drop the graphics, but then I’d miss all those pix of Dead Hunks.

I like Avery’s idea.  You ladies should get the sexiest man alive winner to guest blog.  That would be totally awesome!  I know you all have “connections.”

I love this website.  I like the idea of a glossary sort of thing because I do have to get visuals when I am reading. 

A book of the month or movie of the month (or 2 weeks, whatever) would be cool.  It would give me time to read it or see it before we discuss it. 

Thanks for such a great website!

The idea about having a blog by an unpublished writer sounds like fun! Maybe several of them could take turns talking about their experiences. I also like the idea of a place where we readers can suggest topics for discussion.

Stacy

BILL MURRAY???

I thought a combo of these two:

Anthony Bourdain
and
Hugh Laurie

Did you say a chef??

I’m so glad I know.  I love him as the Indie king.

I LOVE Squawk.  It’s the only blog I visit.  I know I can come here on a good day and gush and on a bad day vent a little.  I’m among friends here in the henhouse.  I love how we chat about a wide variety of topics - from vibrating chairs, to the sexiest man with one foot in the grave, to music, to pirates, etc.  I love how Christina, Connie, Eloisa, Lisa, Liz and Teresa stop by every day to share pieces of themselves, have fun and shamelessly promote themselves and each other!  What a fabulous group of women and I’m proud to be a chickie. Rah!  Rah!  Ziz-boom-bah!

Some changes I’d like to see on the site itself: 
- spell check
- bold/italic buttons.
- Not have the box next to “notify me of follow-up comments” automatically checked for me.

Connie, it deserves a WHOLE post, particularily about your hero-creating process.

Ok, I’m a confirmed lurker, but I love SR just the way it is.  Easy to navigate and Teresa’s pics of Russell are the best part
With that said, I like the idea of an author chat and non-writer guest bloggers… people like me! 
Keep up the great work ladies!

I love it when you ladies dish on craft, so I’m always up for reading more of that.

Love the Squawker Blog.
This is more or a technical suggestion:

When there’s 112 comments and I just want to read the most recent 10, I wish that when I clicked on comments, it would go directly to the last comments not start at the very beginning and have to scroll all the way thru 112 comments each time    

Another favorite blog does this and it’s much more *inviting* to continue reading the new posts thru the day.

It would be great to be able to post a question or comment separately, rather than in a blog.  I can’t visit the site everyday, and sometimes I want to ask something, but it seems to get lost.  It would be nice to have a place to get clarification on something, kind of like the Avon forum.  However, since not all of the Squawkers are Avon authors, I don’t know where/how else to post.

Dear Chickie,
You wrote a heartfelt, interesting post. So I did what I always do when I am intrigued and I want to know more about the person behind the words. I looked further. But you weren’t anywhere to be found!  Not in the Members List … not Anywhere in the Hen House …What? Am I supposed to run around the net yellin’ “Here Chickie, Chickie, Chickie”… Darlin’ I wanna smack you over the head with a rubber chicken. You wrote something. AND I became interested. In You… YOU The Writer. I wanted to know more about You
…and you blew it.
Jeez
Of course this is The World of Romance, Chickie. So ya know that I’m gonna give you another chance at a Happy Ending. 
Register. And then take the time to tell me, and the rest of the readers, a little something about yourself. 
In fact I Think that ALL of you wanna be Writers out there should post something about yourselves.
…
Santa said: And agents.....who are they and, well, what exactly do they DO?  And I mean that respectfully.  I don’t just want to know, I need to know.

I’m glad that you brought this up Santa. Because it is similar to a question that I have been pondering ever since the New Squawk Radio opened up its doors. My question is Why? Why haven’t you Unpublished Writers taken the time to fill out your personal information? You people are missing an opportunity to Tell me who you are and why I should want to read your stories. And why are so many of you just “lurking”? Really, I don’t understand it. This is a Rare Opportunity for you to show me… A Reader…a buyer of books …what your work is like. This is your chance to get me excited about becoming Your Reader. A buyer of Your Books. 

Heck who knows…there could be someone a little more…well a lot more… important than me…like an agent, an established writer, even a publisher who might take notice of an Unpublished Writer with an interesting, heartfelt story too tell.

My verification word is: foot54
Yeah, you’ll never get your foot in the door if you don’t have the courage to stick your toe in the water. Post you lurking writers you!

Julie,

Uhm, wow.

Thanks so much. I am flattered and flushed (or flushed and flattered?) that my post caught your attention. For an unpubbed like me, I can’t tell you what it means to have something-- anything-- you wrote catch someone’s interest, especially someone you don’t even know (my family and friends are always way too nice! )

What an amazing feeling.

You’re right, you know. We unpubs shouldn’t just be lurking about and hiding in corners. And certainly, we aren’t all doing that. But there are probably some, like me, who have been.  And while I certainly can’t speak for all the other unpubbed lurkers that frequent Squawk, I can say that for me there has always been a certain level of comfort involved with just… lurking. Hey, if I’m only lurking, no one will really notice me. And if no one notices me, then I don’t have to worry I’ll put my foot in something (like my mouth, perhaps?) if I post a thought or opinion about something. That’s part of the reason I’ve been so quiet. The other part is that my Mom taught me that the good Lord gave me two ears but only one mouth and that means I should listen twice as much as I talk. So I’ve been doing that, too. Listening when I’m here. Listening & gathering inspiration and motivation and hurrying ‘home’ to tuck them away like a little squirrel with a cache of nuts. 

Because, to be honest, I need all the inspiration and motivation I can get. It’s… I don’t know, hard I guess, and not just for me but for many others I have no doubt, to put myself and my writing out there. Really hard. I mean, good Gawd, who in their right mind is going to want to read something that what I wrote? With the way the market is now, with so many really gifted writers out there already, and with incredibly fierce competition to catch the attention of agents & editors, it gets… hard… to keep at it.  ("Oh, poor me,” she wailed! I know, I know, suck it up, buttercup!)

I guess what it is, is that when there isn’t anyone (and what I mean by ‘anyone’ is an agent or an editor) waiting with bated breath (ha- or a cheque!) to snap your work up when you’re done, it makes it all the more difficult to persevere and believe that there could be someone there one day, anxious to read your baby. That kind of belief in one’s self can be really hard to come by, especially if you’re like me & prone to serious bouts of self-doubt. But then, always there, fighting an ongoing battle against that self-doubt is this scrappy little bit of determination, driven by a raw, elemental need to express oneself through the written word. It’s almost a damned if I do, damned if I don’t kind of situation.

Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just a damned if I don’t situation. Because if I go ahead and really, really do, then I can’t be going far wrong, can I? 

I guess it’s just all about your own level of fear and pushing past that fear. That, and and just plowing ahead and writing as though there really is someone there, at the end, waiting for you to finish with that bated breath (and a nice cheque wouldn’t hurt, either!).

Anyway Julie, you can put down your rubber chicken, because I’ve gone and done it. I’ve registered. And I’ve decided to lurk a little less and participate and post a little more. Ok, maybe even alot more. (You may well be sorry!)

And as for me telling you a little about myself, there isn’t much to tell really, (oh the pressure to be interesting!) but if all the other unpubs who hang around on the site wanted to get together somewhere & intoduce ourselves, and maybe talk about what we write and that sort of thing, I’d be glad to chime in.

I owe you thanks for the second chance, not to mention the kick in the @$$, (or the thwack on the head with the rubber chicken, whatever it was). I think I needed that.

Welcome to The Uncomfort Zone.

In all sincerity, in all honestly, I cannot tell you how happy I am for you Chickie. Whether you realize it or not, you have taken a huge step towards becoming a Writer with a capital “W”.  Posting your words and Showing the world what you can do Takes a lot of Courage!  I know! 

Chickie said: iif you’re like me & prone to serious bouts of self-doubt.
…I think what happened was that in my quest to impress with the most-perfect partial-ever, I edited the darn(insertstrongerlanguageherebecauseIsuredid) so many times that I think I may have actually written the life out of those poor people…

Julie said; I don’t know any creative person who doesn’t have moments of self doubts. And I think that the more you care about the quality of your work the more you obsess that “it can always be better”. The trick is knowing when to stop trying to “improve” something.
Here is a visual example: When an artist applies paints to a canvas, they must be careful not to overwork the painting. Mixing the paint colors together too much will lead to…a muddy boring grey.  I have a suggestion for you Chickie… or anyone else who has a tendency to overdo their work. Make imprints of your hands on paper with paint. On the first row use primary colors…red, blue, yellow. Next make hand prints using the 3 secondary colors….green, purple, and orange. In the next row make hand prints of the 3 tertiary colors ( mix two of the secondary colors together. Like purple & green.  Etc…) Then go ahead and mix the tertiary colors together and make one final, mucky looking, hand print..

Congratulations: you now created a Visual Reminder of what happens if you overwork/over write something. Instead of a bright, vibrantly “colored” story you will have… Crap… that last color can best be described as looking like CRAP. 

Chickie said: then I don’t have to worry I’ll put my foot in something (like my mouth, perhaps?)

Julie said: Like I HAVEN”T Done that WAY tooo, tooo many times? I swear, I might as well start brushing my teeth with foot powder.

Chickie said: oh the pressure to be interesting

Julie said: Screw The Pressure. Let it go in one of those ears that God gave you and out the other. How about being sincere? Or quirky? Or pick out any of your favorite self descriptive adjective. Then Let me decide for myself if you are interesting or not. You do realize Chickie, that Most People live rather boring lives. THAT’S why we read. Heck, I just found out from my CPA that because I don’t have any credit cards, debt, etc.  I Don’t even exist. At least not on paper! So Go ahead and be honest people. You have to be more interesting than a Non Existent Person like me

My Final Thoughts on Reading and Writing
For me the most important aspect of a writer’s work is that I can “relate” too the story on a basic “human” level.  We all Feel the same emotions. And We all experience the same things. You struggle. I struggle. You love. I love. What makes “a story” interesting is the telling of how we all “do” the same things a little bit differently.