tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post116481170440186401..comments2023-10-30T10:03:21.741-04:00Comments on BETH CIOTTA: The Heart of a Writer's CareerBeth Ciottahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1165350780681150142006-12-05T15:33:00.000-05:002006-12-05T15:33:00.000-05:00Whether the post was just for you or not--it is co...Whether the post was just for you or not--it is completely relevant to any author. Published or not.<BR/><BR/>Right now, I could list pages of what is getting in the way of more writing. All of them excuses (even I know that). But the whole idea of physically writing them down so you can stuff them away really might help me move on. Gonna give it a shot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1165016890701070262006-12-01T18:48:00.000-05:002006-12-01T18:48:00.000-05:00Megumi, I also like to hear from other writers--th...Megumi, I also like to hear from other writers--the ups and downs. It's always nice to know that we are not alone in our troubles and triumps. Good luck pinpointing what's 'holding you back'. Knowing is half the battle. :)Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1165009899424318632006-12-01T16:51:00.000-05:002006-12-01T16:51:00.000-05:00It always makes me feel better to know that strugg...It always makes me feel better to know that struggling to write and keep a certain pace is normal for all writers. At first, I thought it was just ME. Thanks for putting up this post. It made me realize I'm not alone, and that I should really look at what's holding my writing back.Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03375626649089998707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164910725735128832006-11-30T13:18:00.000-05:002006-11-30T13:18:00.000-05:00Thanks Beth! That would be 'faced' with a writing ...Thanks Beth! That would be 'faced' with a writing challenge. Thanks for deciphering my spelling mistakes. *ggg*Jordan Summershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00437563784716604402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164904584564349212006-11-30T11:36:00.000-05:002006-11-30T11:36:00.000-05:00Hello, Ellen! Welcome and thank you for chiming in...Hello, Ellen! Welcome and thank you for chiming in. Does my heart good to know I have inspired someone. *g* I'll think positive thoughts regarding progress on your story. You sound determined and that is a huge part of the battle right there. Now go slay those 'stoppers'!Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164903302181620412006-11-30T11:15:00.000-05:002006-11-30T11:15:00.000-05:00Excellent-thanks for sharing. I am struggling here...Excellent-thanks for sharing. I am struggling here also-producing the story! I haven't figured out all my stoppers yet, but everything you have written holds true. And, it has helped me to realize I must get past my stoppers and write The Story! <BR/>I've copied and printed this out and am keeping it as inspriation.<BR/>Ellen in MI :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164842557361282622006-11-29T18:22:00.000-05:002006-11-29T18:22:00.000-05:00Jordan, sounds like you and I are in the same boat...Jordan, sounds like you and I are in the same boat, my friend. Ditto to all you said! Yup. Scary stuff. My money's on you though. You'll conquer that writing challange. You have the fire and heart!Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164842379227365612006-11-29T18:19:00.000-05:002006-11-29T18:19:00.000-05:00Sounds good, Cynthia. Yep. Sometimes distance REAL...Sounds good, Cynthia. Yep. Sometimes distance REALLY helps. Good luck! <BR/><BR/>Glad you got something out of my anxiety attack, Anna. :) Cheers!Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164836401922894522006-11-29T16:40:00.000-05:002006-11-29T16:40:00.000-05:00Great post, Beth. I'm sure I fear success and fail...Great post, Beth. I'm sure I fear success and failure in equal measures. *g* I don't think they are what is holding me back. I certainly participate in WAY too many time sucks. Need to fix that and fast. Right now I think the biggest thing is being fast with a writing challenge that I'm not sure I can surmount. Scary stuff, my friend.Jordan Summershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00437563784716604402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164835705926935402006-11-29T16:28:00.000-05:002006-11-29T16:28:00.000-05:00Oh, beautiful, timely post, Beth. Thank you.And B...Oh, beautiful, timely post, Beth. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>And Brava.Anna Louise Luciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164819042707896922006-11-29T11:50:00.000-05:002006-11-29T11:50:00.000-05:00Actually sitting down Monday night with my outline...Actually sitting down Monday night with my outline and highlighting what I have written helped a lot. I didn't see the huge hole I'd left in the outline before. It's taking me a little time to get back in the characters heads, but I'm nearly there and once I am the words will come. <BR/><BR/>I am very proud not only of the outline but the pages I have. Now I just have to put but in chair and write.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799204222499263351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164818606330939742006-11-29T11:43:00.000-05:002006-11-29T11:43:00.000-05:00You're ahead of the game, Cynthia, in that you hav...You're ahead of the game, Cynthia, in that you have determined what's slowing you down. "Fear of success" is more common than we may think. Everytime we succeed at something, like selling that first book, it puts us on another plane--more challenges, more issues. More is expected of us. More stories. Consistent or higher quality. Accelerated productivity. It's enough to spur an anxiety attack... or to cause one to delay success by dragging one's feet. <BR/><BR/>Know that you are not alone in your fear. Celebrate the fact that you tackled that outline and have 91 pages of the manuscript under your belt. Don't focus on the future. Focus on NOW. And write your heart out :)Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10109540.post-1164815528739373182006-11-29T10:52:00.000-05:002006-11-29T10:52:00.000-05:00But I know what's keeping me from producing more p...But I know what's keeping me from producing more pages (or any pages) on my writing. I'm afraid to actually succeed at it. I love the whole process of this, but when I know the writing is good I scare myself and everything gets put on hold. I'm just now trying to get back into a manuscript I spent all summer honing into a wondeful outline. It's been sitting at 91 pages for . . . two months now.<BR/><BR/>So today, like most days, I'm fighting my own little demon and trying to write. The good news is, the manuscript is open, I've re-read most of it, the outline is out and I have someplace to go with it. Now I just have to get to it. Once I've tackled the monster that is the morning internet routine. Yeah, I read too many blogs too.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799204222499263351noreply@blogger.com