tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post7677935141648093233..comments2023-06-19T04:31:25.636-07:00Comments on Bobbye Terry - Mystery Happens: Living with WritingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-33281558294294555212010-11-26T02:42:57.678-08:002010-11-26T02:42:57.678-08:00I found your article most informative and it under...I found your article most informative and it underlines the point that one is never too old to learn.jack59https://www.blogger.com/profile/05382530929537194592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-61989815388066883812010-11-21T21:30:00.048-08:002010-11-21T21:30:00.048-08:00I don't think it matters how you got there, as...I don't think it matters how you got there, as long as you continue to improve your craft by whatever means necessary. I studied theater directing, acting and playwriting in college, and then went to Law School, became an ADA, then quit and wrote my first novel. It took a very long time, I will say.<br /><br />After I wrote a first draft, I took an online writer's workshop that I credit with my eventually getting published. I also take screenwriting courses online, (I also write screenplays), and have found these courses have tremendously helped my novel writing. While the immediate goal of the two mediums is different, the bigger picture of the end result is the exact same, wanting to write an exceptional story.<br /><br />Good luck doesn't hurt, though. <br /><br />Holli Castillo<br />Gumbo JusticeHolli Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15976235735822063166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-1062532272818338872010-11-21T15:08:15.241-08:002010-11-21T15:08:15.241-08:00Clark,
In all honesty, this is one of the most i...Clark,<br /><br />In all honesty, this is one of the most interesting articles I've read in some time. Your comment, "If getting published all depends on luck, why write? One answer: Because we have to write. We have to express ourselves," sums it up for me.<br /><br />I never had the opportunity to go to college, but I think I would have enjoyed the discussions and work that you outline here.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing, and welcome to Oak Tree.<br /><br />Marja McGrawMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04683888030155879214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-8942305512326543092010-11-20T20:50:08.671-08:002010-11-20T20:50:08.671-08:00Hi Clark,
You make your own luck. In this case yo...Hi Clark,<br /><br />You make your own luck. In this case you did it by writing a great manuscript. Sunny was the net that appeared after you jumped.<br /><br />Welcome to Oak Tree.<br /><br />Mike OrenduffMike Orenduffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09390940407971455613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-71051438861842649712010-11-20T12:49:56.877-08:002010-11-20T12:49:56.877-08:00I am an MFA, and I teach creative writing at the c...I am an MFA, and I teach creative writing at the college and university level. What I’ve found in myself and my students is that if you want to write, you will. You’ll keep it up and keep writing. It’s true what he says about having to string out lessons over an entire semester. Clever students can learn in five weeks what is often taught in sixteen or eighteen weeks, so most college level instructors, if they’re good, turn the last ten to twelve weeks into work. Students need to write and a good teacher will do one on one instruction. <br /><br />Most of my students have not gone on to be writers. Almost no one in my graduating MFA class did either, but mostly this is caused by the fact that they were young, and weren’t sure what they wanted to do. They tried writing and then tried something else. Maybe some time in the future, they’ll come back to writing.<br /><br />I love what Mr. Lohr says about the practicality of journalistic writing. That’s the lesson just about every writer needs to learn. I love the advice that you’ve given here, Mr. Lohr, all the way through. The one that I like the most is the story about the pots. There’s only so much that a writing student can get out of a class. In the end, he or she needs to just write and write a lot.<br /><br />Thanks for the blog,<br />John BrantinghamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-37180301821180640462010-11-20T10:13:57.922-08:002010-11-20T10:13:57.922-08:00To clarify, kismet and luck was a factor of in fin...To clarify, kismet and luck was a factor of in finding Clark's book for publication. I came in as acquisitions editor for Oak Tree and faced a stack of unanswered queries. I rejected many--and then I found Clark. It was simply the right editor stumbling across the right manuscript at the right time. He put his "luck" into play by writing a terrific mystery with compelling characters in a setting I was interested in (the Southwest). <br /><br />I, too, started out as a journalist. Creative writing certainly has its place, but for dealing with the real world of writing as a business, nothing beats being a reporter. Low pay, the occasional kick-in-the-teeth by the public, criticism by the editor--yep, it prepares you for the world of publishing!<br /><br />Very worthwhile interview, Clark. Welcome to the Oak Tree family. And Bobbye, again, thank you for hosting authors so graciously.Sunny Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03693884364418711551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-41071586059647711122010-11-18T13:08:02.389-08:002010-11-18T13:08:02.389-08:00I can understand why. Both you and Clark have made...I can understand why. Both you and Clark have made sound arguments for and against it. It was something I'd never considered.<br />Thanks, Jacquie!<br />BobbyeBobbye Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01401035901042338480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108060139934179296.post-26368808628374201202010-11-18T12:58:40.490-08:002010-11-18T12:58:40.490-08:00I tried to comment earlier and will try again now....I tried to comment earlier and will try again now. I taught Creative Writing, Expository Writing and Technical Writing at the university level. Creative Writing was probably the least practical course of the three, but it gave the students much personal satisfaction.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.com