tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post5149296573062701778..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Idle hands!!!!!!!!!!!Missy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-58983966919579678702020-07-31T09:46:06.537-04:002020-07-31T09:46:06.537-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Tony Starkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10716865011677671610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-317743133899018642019-09-07T08:34:26.121-04:002019-09-07T08:34:26.121-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-6458488422398733772019-08-07T07:48:03.663-04:002019-08-07T07:48:03.663-04:00Hi Mary,
I hope you are having a nice vacation! ...Hi Mary, <br /><br />I hope you are having a nice vacation! Use your 1000 words a day to write something different than your chosen genre, maybe a secret baby story or a regency. I know you like to read those. It would be fun....<br /><br />Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13204825452278877186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-8092481260252233672019-08-06T22:14:18.511-04:002019-08-06T22:14:18.511-04:00Saying a prayer for you.Saying a prayer for you.Lucy Reynolds https://www.blogger.com/profile/14634010131101221224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-54214500906326416052019-08-06T15:35:58.676-04:002019-08-06T15:35:58.676-04:00Seems like it can be feast or famine in the writin...Seems like it can be feast or famine in the writing life, can't it? Either you're buried in contracts and deadlines, or...crickets. <br /><br />Take a bit of time to refresh. Read. New ideas always come to you when you read other stories and history books. <br /><br />Pretty soon you'll be up to your eyeballs in ideas and things to write. :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-81228814934344293772019-08-06T12:30:50.337-04:002019-08-06T12:30:50.337-04:00This post was so interesting to me--I love to hear...This post was so interesting to me--I love to hear how other writers' processes work--probably because it's so reassuring to know that we all have the same struggles! I'm like you--I need to set aside a story for a while and then read it with fresh eyes. It's amazing how things leap out at you then--things that were so invisible when you were in the thick of it! Hope you enjoy your months of not-so-busy, and that when those deadlines heat back up, you're ready and energized!!Laurel Blounthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479732916775792745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-48300820693817173462019-08-06T09:56:57.154-04:002019-08-06T09:56:57.154-04:00First, make sure that you have a wonderful and mem...First, make sure that you have a wonderful and memorable vacation. Prayers for you heading your way. When I get like this with my quilting, I step away and pray about it. God will eventually fill in the details for me so I can go back and start work in earnest again. I know that there are times that I get like this because I need to focus on something else at the time. So I will clean the house extra and I usually find things that I have neglected too long or need attention now. Or I will temporarily go to another craft project. I also find that when I dont obsess about it God will lead my thinking to positive pastures and I become more productive. Best of luck. This may just be that God wants you to focus elsewhere right now. Whatever it is, I guess my advise is pray. HugsLori Smanskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17324730038327894401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-24575440759033638082019-08-06T09:20:58.554-04:002019-08-06T09:20:58.554-04:00I am not a typical author in that I have never had...I am not a typical author in that I have never had to write to a deadline. I have about six manuscripts on my computer now, waiting for edits and submission. But I can tell you down time is great for me. I can let ideas stew and simmer while I deal with being a mommy to two preschoolers as well as a crafter who always has a project going on. And yes, crafting in other ways helps me with being creative in my writing. Good luck on allowing your fingers to have a rest from writing for a while, Mary. Just remember, even God said we need to be still at times. :-)Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-64538268752855232322019-08-06T07:53:54.686-04:002019-08-06T07:53:54.686-04:00What should you do? Is that really a question, Con...What should you do? Is that really a question, Connealy? You should write more indies!!!!!! I loved the Garrison series! :) <br /><br />Enjoy your vacation! Sorry we missed each other in MN this year. Beth Jamisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10957921850212217241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20712423674853320872019-08-06T00:11:06.298-04:002019-08-06T00:11:06.298-04:00That sounds great, Melanie! Great way to update th...That sounds great, Melanie! Great way to update the story!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-81749368689295623222019-08-05T21:27:47.808-04:002019-08-05T21:27:47.808-04:00Mary, to be honest, I wrote that book 30 years ago...Mary, to be honest, I wrote that book 30 years ago! Long before I was saved, for one thing. ;-) It will become an updated Christian romance, part of a series, using the same hero and heroine and one big idea from it, but otherwise, it will be a whole lot different. And, yes, I think I will be able to tell the story much better now. :)Melanie Pikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-11251169079862942342019-08-05T19:05:44.090-04:002019-08-05T19:05:44.090-04:00Melanie, when you say that story was YOU and it re...Melanie, when you say that story was YOU and it really hurt, what jumps to my mind is, it's probably a GREAT story, but you need to tell it better. As you learn the craft and gain the skills, you'll do a better job of telling that special story.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-62938682428358996682019-08-05T19:03:55.986-04:002019-08-05T19:03:55.986-04:00I love finding stories within stories.
This whole...I love finding stories within stories. <br />This whole string of comments from everyone is encouraging. It's making my imagination hum.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-57031963683551234252019-08-05T19:03:10.331-04:002019-08-05T19:03:10.331-04:00I love all the WORK you did to be ready when your ...I love all the WORK you did to be ready when your chance came. YAY!!! And I can't wait for the book. SEPTEMBER! IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-8211804597246670382019-08-05T19:02:30.567-04:002019-08-05T19:02:30.567-04:00Cate saved me, Kaybee. My post was there but it di...Cate saved me, Kaybee. My post was there but it didn't load. Almost certainly MY FAULT. So you weren't late I WAS. IN fact, as a rule, when things go wrong it's usually best to blame me. Rule of thumb.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20993406708974478662019-08-05T19:00:07.344-04:002019-08-05T19:00:07.344-04:00Vince, when you consider that Huck Finn is the nex...Vince, when you consider that Huck Finn is the next thing to BANNED these days, it does make you wonder. Still, a talent and wit like Twain, he'd find plenty to write about in this modern era.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-43015721995144268662019-08-05T18:58:59.401-04:002019-08-05T18:58:59.401-04:00I'm sorry your son was hurt, Jeanne. And I rem...I'm sorry your son was hurt, Jeanne. And I remember how busy those days were, with all the kids growing up around me.<br />Now, I have ZERO excuses for being too busy and life being hectic!!! :)Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-478190442463724002019-08-05T18:57:33.561-04:002019-08-05T18:57:33.561-04:00Maybe I can hope for the detox thing, Samantha. I ...Maybe I can hope for the detox thing, Samantha. I can try being human again, Kaybee. :)Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25176594280036825862019-08-05T18:56:29.927-04:002019-08-05T18:56:29.927-04:00I'm trying to do this, Missy. And not feel gui...I'm trying to do this, Missy. And not feel guilty!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-40374156120059580012019-08-05T18:56:03.933-04:002019-08-05T18:56:03.933-04:00Connie, I've got some ideas but I'm not ex...Connie, I've got some ideas but I'm not exactly excited about any of them. But I do have a proposal for the next cowboy series that's catching my imagination. It's just a little early to pitch it to Bethany House.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-79168994224712293932019-08-05T18:55:04.649-04:002019-08-05T18:55:04.649-04:00I'm on vacation this week, Sandy, which is why...I'm on vacation this week, Sandy, which is why I'm slow checking into Seekerville. I have been here since Saturday and haven't written a word. It's so WEIRD.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-43694692858080185502019-08-05T18:54:10.666-04:002019-08-05T18:54:10.666-04:00Kaybee a dystopian middle grade novel would probab...Kaybee a dystopian middle grade novel would probably be huge...if I could figure out how to write one!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-76916520177621943312019-08-05T15:25:14.097-04:002019-08-05T15:25:14.097-04:00Awww, thank you, kaybee! You are an encouragement!...Awww, thank you, kaybee! You are an encouragement!Jeanne Takenakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07409533877632020738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73417446915236109572019-08-05T14:25:06.052-04:002019-08-05T14:25:06.052-04:00To funny, Melanie, about the eating. I eat when I&...To funny, Melanie, about the eating. I eat when I'm nervous. Okay, I eat when I'm not nervous too!<br /><br />Loved your word "restless" for that time between stories. I'm mentally brainstorming a new idea that has been perking much too long, yet it still hasn't gelled. So I'm restless!<br /><br />Seems Mary is restless too. She wants to sit back and enter into the family vaca without writing, but...<br /><br />I wonder if she could go an entire month without writing. I doubt it! :)<br /><br />Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-10438049919873633742019-08-05T13:58:46.298-04:002019-08-05T13:58:46.298-04:00Interesting read, Mary! :) Downtime, for me, hur...Interesting read, Mary! :) Downtime, for me, hurts. It has hurt for a number of years. I started writing when I was in 7th grade, wrote a novel in 9th grade, and didn't want to stop. I kept writing when I was supposed to be doing other stuff, which hurt the other stuff, of course. I wrote a novel when my kids were very little, sent it off to a publisher, and rewrote it at their request, with a final rejection. That sent me into a downward spiral because that book was me, not just some random words. Yeah, I needed a thick skin...which I still do not have. I've written on-and-off for the past 30 years. Mostly off, although my head would say "Hey, how about this for a scene for such-and-such project?" because I have so many projects waiting to be finished/written.<br /><br />My oldest sister has my latest project in hand/computer for editing. It's over 86,000 words. And just a few minutes ago I finished Chapter One of a new-ish project (it's "new-ish" because the original idea was a long story/novella written in college), but now I don't know where to go with it.<br /><br />All this to say that when I am not writing these days, I get restless. Make that RESTLESS. I recognize the symptoms because I used to get like this; if I wasn't writing, I would get fidgety and agitated. That was tough when our kids were growing up. But we're empty nesters now, and I don't have a paying outside job (I do a ton of stuff for our church though, usually here at home).<br /><br />Thankfully I have a very understanding husband! The house can look like a tornado came through about ten times, supper can be late, laundry can back up...but he says if I am doing something that makes me happy, he's fine with it.<br /><br />BTW, if I don't write, I eat. And I DO. NOT. NEED. TO. EAT. Well, except for staying alive...<br /><br />I've also noticed that more ideas are trying to crowd my head. Maybe *I* need a "hollow head"...<br /><br />;-)Melanie Pikenoreply@blogger.com