Comments for Melissa Blue

Comment on I Knew More When I Knew Nothing by Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:48:22 +0000

The only good thing about being a self-taught writer who had no contact with other writers until after signing the first contract was not having to listen to this.

Sadly, I invited everyone in when I first started writing. I was very insecure and wanted to make sure I was doing it “right”. So I gobbled up “how to” books until I couldn’t write anymore. I learned very quickly there is a DON’T for everything and then those DON’Ts are contradicted with DOs of the same kind.

I think the trick is to be very selective about who you let meddle with your writing process, and why.

Exactly. The mantra I try to go by is don’t put the rule before the story. That way when I finally take a step back I can see whether or not the rule is working against the story.

Most of the time the advice sounds great but it generally falls apart when I try to put it in action.

I’m nodding. I think that comes from knowing how you work and accepting it.

Comment on When I used to be funny, part 1 by Kristina

Kristina — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:54:47 +0000

... ?? ...

Comment on I Knew More When I Knew Nothing by Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:02:25 +0000

Then someone comes along and says “You have to color within the lines.”

The only good thing about being a self-taught writer who had no contact with other writers until after signing the first contract was not having to listen to this. By the time all the “You have to . . . ” people converged on me I had finished twenty-eight coloring books with exactly what I wanted, how I wanted, no lines except the ones I drew in myself.

I think the trick is to be very selective about who you let meddle with your writing process, and why. What advice out there resonates with an ongoing problem of mine? Who is offering it, and why? I’m always interested in a method a writer has come up with to address a specific problem versus all that global-sounding advice. Then even if it sounds interesting enough to try, it has to pass a practical application test while I test drive it and see if it works for me. Most of the time the advice sounds great but it generally falls apart when I try to put it in action.

Comment on The Scene I Never See by Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:00:51 +0000

Jill, “over the boulder shoulder holder” needs to be on a T-shirt. Lol. Let me know when that book comes out. I have to see how that scene turns out.

Comment on The Scene I Never See by Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:58:40 +0000

E-bookpushers, EXACTLY! I think that’s why it puzzles me there has never been a scene. What a writer can do with that potential.

Comment on The Scene I Never See by Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:51:24 +0000

Taking off the over the boulder shoulder holder is my favorite part of the day…

And you have a point. I’m in the middle of a book and I WILL put a scene in this one just for you …

Comment on The Scene I Never See by e_bookpushers

e_bookpushers — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:47:21 +0000

Hilarious! I know when I get home from work I know I am really home when I can remove that contraption!

Comment on The Scene I Never See by Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:43:54 +0000

A day later and I still can’t come up with a book that had a bra scene like this. I’ve worn bras that are pure torture by the end of the day and taking it off is just OMG wonderful. But not one book I can think of…

Comment on The Scene I Never See by Cynthia

Cynthia — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:14:35 +0000

Oh sure, get my writer brain going before I’m awake enough to finish my first cup of coffee.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bra scene like that.

Comment on “I Reject Your Reality…” by Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:33:53 +0000

so why do people think that by simply reading a book they’re educated enough in the publishing business to offer advice?

Because most people (not in the business) believe it’s only a matter of putting words on a page of getting a book deal. Also, that all ways of getting your book in your hand is the only end goal of being published.