tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post426709828373438190..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: Strictly DeterminedDThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-29818557856089553532009-09-20T11:39:28.630+01:002009-09-20T11:39:28.630+01:00That's why I specifically referred to 'pre...That's why I specifically referred to 'previously unknown novelists', Rosy! :) Jordan et al were already known for non-writing-related things before their books were commissioned. The same is not true for the hundreds of new writers who, happily, <i>are</i> getting published in spite of the challenges.<br /><br />I do think, however, that the prevalence of celebrity books is an understandable reason why people try to explain away others' publication. It's a confusing business and I don't blame people for trying to make sense of it, but their assumptions undermine the genuine talent and effort that went into the vast majority of books on the bookshop shelves.Caroline Rhttp://quackdoctor.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-21391476630192742582009-09-19T22:27:15.602+01:002009-09-19T22:27:15.602+01:00I don't agree with this at all, I'm afraid...I don't agree with this at all, I'm afraid. Not through having a problem with anyone else but simply by seeing the disproportionate numbers of books by celebrities that are out there whether they can write or not. <br /><br />How can you argue this when Jordan is one of the top-selling children's authors? <br /><br />There are heaps of celebrities lending their brandnames to books (as it were). If you are a person with a lot of platform you are far more likely to be published.<br /><br />Did Jordan spend a couple of decades "learning her craft". Come on people!<br /><br />Lots of love from the Dreadful Old Cynic. xxx<br /><br />:) I just wish this post WERE true.RosyBhttp://www.rosybarnes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-65915484164601248302009-09-19T19:46:57.780+01:002009-09-19T19:46:57.780+01:00Really good post, thank you.
I'm not a fan of...Really good post, thank you.<br /><br />I'm not a fan of SCD - usually because it clashes with X factor on which I am hooked. But you are so right about it all being down to damned hard work and perserverance. <br /><br />My favourite writing quote, though it applies to any art - I practised until I got really good, then perservered until I got really lucky.Kath McGurlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02526923882402757423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-74441406410981116242009-09-19T15:20:37.840+01:002009-09-19T15:20:37.840+01:00OOh, yes, i'd like all the sparkly posts attri...OOh, yes, i'd like all the sparkly posts attributed to me, Rosy:)<br /><br />Well i watched last night and felt that Arlene's comments, based on years of experience in dance, were sorely lacking.<br /><br />Did anyone notice how they've made Alesha over to look like Cheryl Cole?Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-30205949654620004552009-09-19T12:55:30.062+01:002009-09-19T12:55:30.062+01:00Hmmm... thought provoking.
Hardwork produces the ...Hmmm... thought provoking. <br />Hardwork produces the goods but networking, contacts and timing all play their part too. Take comedy writing; if you're not in London, Manchester, Glasgow or Bristol, best think about moving. I think for writers, the successful marketing and sale of our goods is a bit of a dark art.DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-37020795208216394612009-09-19T10:13:27.958+01:002009-09-19T10:13:27.958+01:00Great post, Caroline! And yes, very true. I'...Great post, Caroline! And yes, very true. I'm so grateful that my writerly stumbles and falls are not being filmed and broadcast - though critiques can sometimes have a similar effect! <br />I watched Strictly last night, but found it curiously unexciting, compared with previous years. Perhaps it's because they're all new (and, as you say, mostly unknown). It still irritates me to see Arlene replaced by a young, glamorous woman. And whatever happened to Darcey Bussell??<br />SusiexSusie Nott-Bowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428000582406338267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-21879340910838320522009-09-19T07:09:51.480+01:002009-09-19T07:09:51.480+01:00What I love about Strictly (W, not CD) - and Ilm s...What I love about Strictly (W, not CD) - and Ilm sorry that this is a complete sidetrack -is that it doesn't say at the top who is posting. This means we get to play the game of guessing who's writing the post as we read down. <br /><br />I had this one down as Sam for about a paragraph, and then decided it was Caro - yay, me!<br /><br />(Great post, too.)Rosy Thttp://www.rosythornton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-26842187755943603002009-09-18T22:10:36.525+01:002009-09-18T22:10:36.525+01:00I think it doesn't help that the media stories...I think it doesn't help that the media stories we all angle and pitch for tend not to go on and on about the boring hard work, but on the neat story of the publishing friend or the inspiring Italian retreat or the heart-breaking death of a husband now transmuted into...<br /><br />Tho' I've seen one or two recently which did, more or less say, 'I sent it out and it was crap, and then I sat down and spent a decade learning how to do it properly'.<br /><br />And as WriteWorders will know, I have my own personal beef with the attitude that it's who you know or who you are that will get you success, not the fact that you knuckled down and learnt your craft in boring obscurity.Emma Darwinhttp://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-69852388698732909612009-09-18T20:01:15.762+01:002009-09-18T20:01:15.762+01:00Thanks all! Last night I sat near a very famous pe...Thanks all! Last night I sat near a very famous person, so I think I've absorbed enough fame to be invited onto Strictly Come Dancing next year!<br /><br />Your comment really sums it up Helen, and I don't think people usually search for other explanations out of jealousy or spite, but because they're trying to make sense of their own situation.Caroline Rhttp://quackdoctor.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-14999681492641913112009-09-18T17:32:23.861+01:002009-09-18T17:32:23.861+01:00All true!
I think it's just too easy to belitt...All true!<br />I think it's just too easy to belittle another writer's work.<br />Far less painful to assume they knew someone, or they've sold loads because of clever marketing than to ask serious questions about why your own work isn't selling.<br />HB xHelen Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00266205672947750373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-31552104963409588782009-09-18T17:19:07.233+01:002009-09-18T17:19:07.233+01:00Great post, Caroline. I can't remember which a...Great post, Caroline. I can't remember which author it was, but she said, 'It's taken me 20 years of hard work to become an 'overnight success'.<br />I think with anything, it takes practice and patience. A sportsman/woman doesn't automatically become an olympic winner, it takes years of dedication and hard work, the same goes for writing. Persevere and keep working hard and you will get that medal in the end.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10371523973050040197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-77186425338076274502009-09-18T12:34:46.188+01:002009-09-18T12:34:46.188+01:00I read your post with interest, Caroline. I have n...I read your post with interest, Caroline. I have never actually seen the show! Nor the ice one! Crawls away....Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-33414979297777362302009-09-18T11:27:18.001+01:002009-09-18T11:27:18.001+01:00What a great post, Caroline, and so true - i think...What a great post, Caroline, and so true - i think people lose sight of the fact that some z-list celebs have nevertheless had to work very hard to get where they are - a bit like the unpublished authors amongst us; just because we aren't published, doesn't mean we don't work hard.<br /><br />Of course, writing would be even more fun with a few spangly dresses - maybe that's where i'm going wrong!Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-12334279429593016162009-09-18T11:20:47.911+01:002009-09-18T11:20:47.911+01:00Well said Caro. I don't watch SCD often but yo...Well said Caro. I don't watch SCD often but you're right - it's hard work that makes it all look effortless.Susannah Rickardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14533371458667245083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-31407873770533354622009-09-18T10:01:17.098+01:002009-09-18T10:01:17.098+01:00Great post Caro.... although I am the only person ...Great post Caro.... although I am the only person in the entire country who doesn't watch SCD. Does that mean I'm not allowed to blog any more :(Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-37949732437011584722009-09-18T09:28:28.320+01:002009-09-18T09:28:28.320+01:00Yes, good stuff!
EmmaYes, good stuff!<br /><br />EmmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-64323043557924212432009-09-18T08:18:43.102+01:002009-09-18T08:18:43.102+01:00Great post, Caroline.Great post, Caroline.sarah foxnoreply@blogger.com