tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post5106847843234295711..comments2024-03-18T08:33:25.907-04:00Comments on Inkwell Inspirations: I AM Worth It!Lisa Karon Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02175430876079208723noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-46350256375707504512010-01-08T12:12:36.655-05:002010-01-08T12:12:36.655-05:00Wenda asked if I had any advice for smiling throug...Wenda asked if I had any advice for smiling through adversity. If you see me smiling when things go wrong, it's usually because I'm thinking about how best to use it in a book.<br /><br />This reminds me of the time my husband and I traveled to Paris. On a beautiful moon-lit night we decided to take a boat ride along the Seine.<br /><br />As our boat came out from under a bridge a groupMargaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-1448997180449256172010-01-07T21:09:11.913-05:002010-01-07T21:09:11.913-05:00Suzie,
Bless you. I look forward to reading your...Suzie,<br /><br />Bless you. I look forward to reading your review.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-64842928530942481632010-01-07T21:07:52.175-05:002010-01-07T21:07:52.175-05:00Jill,
Everyone writes at a different speed. I nee...Jill,<br /><br />Everyone writes at a different speed. I need 6 months to write a historical. Any longer than that and I tend to overwrite. I can't write a synopsis without first writing a first draft. For that reason, I had to write the first draft of book one. I submitted only blurbs on the other 2 books. But again, everyone writes at a different speed and in a different way.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-35341474095575100492010-01-07T21:07:14.629-05:002010-01-07T21:07:14.629-05:00Margaret, welcome to our Inkwell! Your book sounds...Margaret, welcome to our Inkwell! Your book sounds AMAZING, as is your story!!!!!<br /><br />PattiPatti Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687666130404407814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-8143339292697320772010-01-07T19:50:52.429-05:002010-01-07T19:50:52.429-05:00Hi Margaret. I'm so glad you joined us today. ...Hi Margaret. I'm so glad you joined us today. So sorry I couldn't comment sooner. I've been working all day and I live on the west coast. I really enjoyed reading about how your daughter was inspired by you following your dream.<br /><br />Welcome back to western historicals, and welcome to inspirational fiction. I highly recommend A Lady Like Sarah to all who are reading the commentsSuzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-58695637197503104712010-01-07T19:47:14.711-05:002010-01-07T19:47:14.711-05:00Margaret,
If you do multiple revisions, how long d...Margaret,<br />If you do multiple revisions, how long does it take you to write a historical for your publisher? I know that the publishing business is notoriously slow, but it seems that publishers want you to write books fast. How do you decide how much time you need to complete your books?<br />Were all your books written for The Rocky Creek Series before you sold the series?Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-58770002905889874682010-01-07T18:42:03.245-05:002010-01-07T18:42:03.245-05:00Jill,
Do I outline? No! I find outlines restricti...Jill,<br />Do I outline? No! I find outlines restricting. Multiple revisions? You bet! But I love the process of discovery and it doesn't bother me. I can hardly wait to get to the computer each morning to find out what's going to happen next.<br /><br />Whether you outline or not, the most important thing is to do what works for you.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-4536578586372340182010-01-07T16:25:44.605-05:002010-01-07T16:25:44.605-05:00Thank you, Margaret,
I'm still not published a...Thank you, Margaret,<br />I'm still not published and I've been a member of RWA since my first child was born 20 years ago. I admit though that I spent more time raising my little ones those first 10 years and learning the craft, but there wasn't much writing going on. Now that the kids are 20 and 17 I hope I can produce more.<br />I would have been heartbroken if I'd sold and Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-27145139887226102052010-01-07T15:07:43.742-05:002010-01-07T15:07:43.742-05:00Isn't that how it seems sometimes, that not on...Isn't that how it seems sometimes, that not only will we never succeed, but that the gods are out to get us if we get close.<br /><br />That's where Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind comes in!<br /><br />I do admire your perseverence and your great sense of humor in every situation. <br /><br />Along with your other advice, any secrets of smiling through setbacks?Wenda Dottridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086728367896516923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-2399801586817918422010-01-07T14:10:50.081-05:002010-01-07T14:10:50.081-05:00Jill,
I can't remember exactly how long it too...Jill,<br />I can't remember exactly how long it took me to publish my first book, but I'm sure it was at least7-8 years. Maybe more. The resources available today weren't available when I was first starting out. I never even heard of RWA or any of the other writing groups. Then, too, I was working full time and raising a family. <br /><br />I also had some bad luck along the way. Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-50645717937286118072010-01-07T13:57:36.217-05:002010-01-07T13:57:36.217-05:00Oh Margaret,
You're good! Five days a week. Ok...Oh Margaret,<br />You're good! Five days a week. Okay. I'll take a good book to the gym at work and ride the bike. I know if I don't schedule this and actually write it in my planner something else will sneak in and gobble that time period up. <br /><br />How long did it take you to get published and what surprised you about how it all came about?Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-80606345797556698652010-01-07T13:13:00.507-05:002010-01-07T13:13:00.507-05:00Hi Dina,
I hate to burst a hole in your son's ...Hi Dina,<br />I hate to burst a hole in your son's dream but I know someone married to an Asian woman and she ain't waiting on no one. She's too busy following her dreams.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-61798673430258818892010-01-07T12:59:21.929-05:002010-01-07T12:59:21.929-05:00Good morning! It's wonderful to have you here,...Good morning! It's wonderful to have you here, Margaret! Thanks for your encouraging post. Your new book sounds wonderful, and I'm going to have to go get it. I'm captivated by the blurb (and I'm paying attention to it! Blurb writing is so hard for me...).<br /><br />I appreciate your commitment to your family, as well as your dedication to your craft. It blessed me to learn your Susanne Dietzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710634601407161821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-83929099861484188782010-01-07T12:43:04.504-05:002010-01-07T12:43:04.504-05:00Hi Jill,
Good question. Taking care of one's h...Hi Jill,<br />Good question. Taking care of one's health goes side by side with following your dreams. <br /><br />It took me so long to get published, I figured early in the game I better live to 150. That meant buckling down and getting serious about exercise. I'm on the treadmill 5 days a week. If that doesn't get me to 150 I don't know what will.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-51855018246139740652010-01-07T12:41:23.622-05:002010-01-07T12:41:23.622-05:00mary(dot)aalgaard(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks!mary(dot)aalgaard(at)yahoo(dot)com<br /><br />Thanks!Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-44381306283589168652010-01-07T12:37:15.884-05:002010-01-07T12:37:15.884-05:00Debra,
I don't know what this says about me, b...Debra,<br />I don't know what this says about me, but it seems like I've met a majority of my friends in a food line.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-75605580759100101472010-01-07T12:35:35.708-05:002010-01-07T12:35:35.708-05:00Okay, Margaret, after your return comment I have t...Okay, Margaret, after your return comment I have to share something very funny.<br /><br />My twelve-year-old son loves to be served. I do it sometimes because I know it's important to him, but just as often he'll get the old, "What's wrong? Are your fingers broken? Did you forget how to use the microwave?"<br /><br />So now he always jokes around and says he plans to marry Dina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-47085620676944718932010-01-07T12:29:39.653-05:002010-01-07T12:29:39.653-05:00It's amazing how the appreciative things your ...It's amazing how the appreciative things your adult children say to you can make all those years of struggle worth it.<br /><br />The hardest task is to be a servant but not a doormat - especially for women. It's an important role to model for our children.<br /><br />Margaret, I met Wenda in Denver too, and also met you --in the food line, I think! What a wonderful time it was.Debra E. Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17853387871623424853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-29490597297893004432010-01-07T12:17:07.154-05:002010-01-07T12:17:07.154-05:00Hi Margaret,
Thanks so much for being our guest to...Hi Margaret,<br />Thanks so much for being our guest today. You've written a lot of novels in the early morning hours. In keeping with our theme of Taking Care of You this week, can you share how you stay healthy while writing? Sleep, fitness, etc. Did you make any resolutions or set any specific goals for 2010?Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-45308182925704475182010-01-07T12:15:10.276-05:002010-01-07T12:15:10.276-05:00Hi everyone and welcome Margaret!
I'm so thri...Hi everyone and welcome Margaret!<br /><br />I'm so thrilled to have you here and echo the comments by posters about your post. <br /><br />Didn't we have a discussion once, Margaret, about virtue and vice? Or maybe it was Donald Maas who said in fiction the best way to layer our characters is to give them a virtue that taken to the extreme becomes a vice. <br /><br />I think we can do Wenda Dottridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086728367896516923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-32621599390319801062010-01-07T11:46:26.011-05:002010-01-07T11:46:26.011-05:00I LOVE that turkey line. I'm going to memoriz...I LOVE that turkey line. I'm going to memorize it!!!Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-65467043387156638272010-01-07T11:30:44.389-05:002010-01-07T11:30:44.389-05:00Hi Dina,
You're so on the right track with yo...Hi Dina,<br /><br />You're so on the right track with your daughter. I don't think mothers stop to think what their self-sacrificing teaches their daughters(and sons!). When I was teaching creative writing my class met on Wednesday nights. Every year, on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, the women stayed home to prepare dinner but the men all attended class. We can all learn a Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-14895438256410948982010-01-07T11:09:04.435-05:002010-01-07T11:09:04.435-05:00Hi Debra,
Wenda's been an email friend for a ...Hi Debra,<br /><br />Wenda's been an email friend for a couple of years. I met her for the first time in person at the ACFW conference in Denver (after a wild two day search) and she is every bit as lovely and delightful as I imagined her to be.Margaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-24037826113048303132010-01-07T11:05:53.226-05:002010-01-07T11:05:53.226-05:00Howdy Lisa,
I'm a big believer that every drea...Howdy Lisa,<br />I'm a big believer that every dream can come true if you want it bad enough and are willing to go after it tooth and nail.<br /><br />Keep writing!<br /><br />MargaretMargaret Brownleyhttp://www.margaretbrownley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-36295793092102225512010-01-07T10:56:55.507-05:002010-01-07T10:56:55.507-05:00Thanks so much, Margaret. This confirms something ...Thanks so much, Margaret. This confirms something that I've always believed, that fulfilling our own destinies is the best way to teach our children to fulfill theirs. <br /><br />I only have one daughter, but I don't want to accidently teach her to put everyone else first at the expense of herself and God's plans for her life. I try to teach each of my children to follow His guidanceDina Sleimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214446103057806111noreply@blogger.com