tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post5709617337872714540..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: Jack of all tradesDThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-76353153011501367542009-07-19T17:56:32.064+01:002009-07-19T17:56:32.064+01:00Thanks WriteWoman - glad you like the site! I used...Thanks WriteWoman - glad you like the site! I used to work in an NHS complaints department dealing with ill/irate people too and I think that's partly what has put me off using the phone! <br /><br />You're right -it's very exciting when someone actually answers an email!Caroline Rhttp://writingandallthat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-1314956367127784862009-07-19T12:56:19.679+01:002009-07-19T12:56:19.679+01:00Write Woman, i used to be a doctor's reception...Write Woman, i used to be a doctor's receptionist in another life, and i reckon that's helped me on the telephone - i think dealing with ill/irate members of the public prepares you for anything, telephone-wise!Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-79260275269340134682009-07-19T09:32:35.305+01:002009-07-19T09:32:35.305+01:00PS - I love your website!PS - I love your website!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-47521702860176382252009-07-19T09:31:18.188+01:002009-07-19T09:31:18.188+01:00Caroline, I feel so much better after reading your...Caroline, I feel so much better after reading your post! I've always hated making phone calls too - even after spending almost my entire working life as a medical secretary, dealing with calls from anxious and irate patients (or maybe because of that??). I learned to cope: I was even told I was good at it. I can do patience and sympathy, but what I find really hard is self-promotion, especially over the phone. Like you, I prefer e-mail, but you're right - most of them get ignored! But isn't it exciting when once in a while we actually get a REPLY! xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-66668029162566816912009-07-17T13:48:12.805+01:002009-07-17T13:48:12.805+01:00I've never phoned anyone, ever, about anything...I've never phoned anyone, ever, about anything book related - much too scary. I do letters or e-mails (mainly letters) and get nowhere. Or with bookshops I just go in and ask for an appointment to speak to a manager. Face to face I can do!<br /><br />But it's the 'cold calling' aspect of lifting the phone that I hate - if someone rings me I am happy to burble away - and can manage radio interveiews similarly, without too much panic.<br /><br />But - lift the receiver and dial an agent's number, Casey (or a festival organiser's number, Caro) and get coherent words out when someone answers? As Emma says: respect.Rosy Thttp://www.rosythornton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-13121564453128061692009-07-16T23:12:47.568+01:002009-07-16T23:12:47.568+01:00The remote radio thing is weird, though, isn't...The remote radio thing is weird, though, isn't it. It makes you realise how much you depend on visual cues to make a conversation smooth, doesn't it, when you don't have them. It sounds as if it worked really well.<br /><br />I don't mind the public speaking thing at all but I haven't been brave enough to phone a festival organiser yet. And I don't think I could ever, ever have phoned an agent. Respect to everyone who does!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-20897249692507340232009-07-16T19:34:59.826+01:002009-07-16T19:34:59.826+01:00That reminds me, I was going to contact the radio ...That reminds me, I was going to contact the radio station to ask for a copy of the programme, but I forgot!Caroline Rhttp://writingandallthat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-76164757578408883122009-07-16T16:51:21.104+01:002009-07-16T16:51:21.104+01:00I heard Caro being interviewed on the radio - she ...I heard Caro being interviewed on the radio - she really is very good at this 'speaking' thing. I think she could give us all lessons...a whole new venture!<br /><br />Sarahsarah foxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-57671304241149562592009-07-16T13:43:45.474+01:002009-07-16T13:43:45.474+01:00Caro, I'm in awe of your public speaking and t...Caro, I'm in awe of your public speaking and tech competance...and, hmm, then there's the brilliant novel... I hate you! Now let me have some of that gin :-)<br />Great post!Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-73086223644290329782009-07-16T13:20:24.122+01:002009-07-16T13:20:24.122+01:00Well, the website said you had to phone before sub...Well, the website said you had to phone before subbing. Quite a good idea, really - avoids wasting time all around.<br /><br />It's like anything, i suppose - once you've done it, it doesn't seem so bad.Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-39327467171074527302009-07-16T12:59:00.499+01:002009-07-16T12:59:00.499+01:00Sam! You phoned an agent?!
(Can I have some of w...Sam! You phoned an agent?! <br /><br />(Can I have some of what that girl's having?) !Fionnualahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12275984316414726884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-6900990281384332022009-07-16T12:11:29.574+01:002009-07-16T12:11:29.574+01:00I think it is the lack of visual cues that are the...I think it is the lack of visual cues that are the problem with phoning, because my hearing isn't brilliant so I try to lip-read a bit when talking face-to-face. I did, however, manage a radio interview by phone for 35 mins recently and it went better than expected - probably because the interviewer was experienced at knowing when to speak and when to listen.<br /><br />I'm really impressed at you phoning an agent, Sam!!Caroline Rhttp://writingandallthat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-47383300932657957202009-07-16T11:21:05.611+01:002009-07-16T11:21:05.611+01:00Caro - when we met I don't think you said more...Caro - when we met I don't think you said more than half a dozen words. (Too busy drinking!) But you did smile a great deal which made up for it! So I can see that phones might be a bit of an ordeal because they won't be able to see your smile. <br /><br />I admire your techno ability, being totally rubbish at anything like that but I can see how all this stuff might get in the way of actually writing!Geraldine Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575892095296317266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-72129140718089850512009-07-16T10:41:33.842+01:002009-07-16T10:41:33.842+01:00I guess writers have to be multi-skilled to begin ...I guess writers have to be multi-skilled to begin with: creative enough to come up with ideas, tenacious enough to keep at it, punctilious enough to watch the small details, bold enough to express the terrifying. But oh, the telephone. I'd much, much rather write a novel than pick up that blessed thing and actually connect with some stranger. Which is weird, because the though of standing up and giving a reading isn't half as scary. <br />Would love to try Toastmasters.Susie Nott-Bowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428000582406338267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-32851818804138569162009-07-16T10:33:09.303+01:002009-07-16T10:33:09.303+01:00I am useless with the computer, but quite like pub...I am useless with the computer, but quite like public speaking (thank god i re-read that, i'd written pubic speaking which sounds horrific...)<br /><br />I recently rang an agent to pitch my novel - first time - and put the phone down realizing i'd forgotten to tell them the title or that it was part of a series.<br /><br />I suppose it's all a steep learning curve - yet another - and practise is the only way to improve.<br /><br />All sounds very impressive, Caro!Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-35313036746758019492009-07-16T09:45:08.691+01:002009-07-16T09:45:08.691+01:00I hate talking on the telephone too! I'm parti...I hate talking on the telephone too! I'm particularly bad when it comes to answer phones. I really hate then as I forget what I'm supposed to be saying; I stutter; I mix my words up, and I can never remember my own telephone number!!<br /><br />As for giving a talk in public aaaarrrgghhhh!<br /><br />Julie xxJulie Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06546678603569056691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-38894529056872754732009-07-16T09:11:55.351+01:002009-07-16T09:11:55.351+01:00See it all sounds fab Caro! Now that I know you ca...See it all sounds fab Caro! Now that I know you can do it all, if/when I get published I'll pay you to design my web page! Mates rates of course... And you could give me a mini course on public speaking? I, too am crap on the phone so I may have to feel my own way through that one.<br />But hey, post publishing problems are still somehow a tad more interesting than the submission trail which I begin again in September. So - where do I get my hands on one of those mini gin bottles????Fionnualahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12275984316414726884noreply@blogger.com