Wednesday, May 3, 2017

#WritersLife Survey 6 Results & Trying new things


Meets 1st Wed of Month

Teens are clueless, reckless, and thoughtless. I ought to know, I'm an 8th grade teacher and I live with 3 teens myself! But they can't help it. Their brains don't get enough exercise because their bodies are going through so much change. So I try to cut them some slack.

Teens are also great to write about because of all the turmoil - they're dramatic, unpredictable, and funny!

But teens aren't the best audience. They're very judgy, relentless teasers, and hard to impress. And most of them don't like to read. So it's going to be tough doing a presentation for them next week... Wish me luck!

Well, that's my IWSG post for this month. I'm facing a daunting group of traumatizing teens. It's going to be worth it as it should lead to more presentations and more books sold!

I hope you are trying new things too!
Thanks to Alex and his Crew for giving us insecure writers this supportive venue.


And now for the results from Writer's Life Survey #6 - Inside a Writer's Head

Which of these describes you?

Do you keep a journal?

How do you deal with writer's block?

With which character do you identify most?

  • Specifically, can't think of one, but any that suffer great loss, are feel isolated or alone can hit triggers. Loved Harry Dresden, Harry Potter, Dallas J.D. Robb.
  • Pippin from LOTR
  • Anyone who's bookish and quiet
  • Alanna the Lioness (from a quartet of books by Tamora Pierce)
  • geeky heroes
  • Hmm. I never thought about that. I tend to write characters who can be what I'm not.


How did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don't know that I thought it I have just always done it. I did think maybe I want to be a professional writer and began the journey to learn what it takes in 2011--was already deep into learning and taking writing craft courses and reading about since the in high school, writing since age 9 stories.

Didn't ... it happened late in life

It's my earliest childhood desire

When I picked up a new book called The White Dragon, it hit me - I want to be an author.

I've been doing it since age four. It's just something I've always done.

I wanted to be the one making the magical things on the shelves that I loved.

I've been writing stories since before I was five! I didn't want to be a writer, I have always been one.

I like writing stories...

Just always have.


Awesome responses! I enjoyed hearing what makes my author friends tick. I hope you did too! Join me in a couple of weeks when I put out the next Writer's Life Survey - Dealing with TIME!

Can't believe it's May!

25 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Too bad you can't do the presentation through text. That would hold their attentions.
Interesting answers to the questions. So, people don't read to cure writer's block?

Crystal Collier said...

I'm wishing you the best with the teens! They definitely can be a rough audience. Thankfully, the only ones I've presented to physically were all very courteous. Here's hoping the same for you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you for using two of my lines. I really would love to hang out with Pippin for a day. I'm probably one of the only extroverted writers, too.

Good luck with the teens. Been there, done that.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Yikes! Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do great. Me, not so much. :)

Christine Rains said...

Good luck with your presentation! Teenagers scare me a little. Hehehe! I'm surprised to see as many extroverts as that.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

You'll do great with those teens. I find teens can be easier than the elderly. Now, there's a tough crowd! They're like teens with focused brains.

M.J. Fifield said...

Another cool survey. I'm bummed I keep missing them. But I love reading the results. It's great that Pippin from LOTR made the list. :)

Best of luck with the teens. That is a tough crowd to be sure, but I know you'll do great!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Good luck with those teens. :)

emaginette said...

Good Luck. Teens are a fickle group to be sure. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the presentation!

Laura Clipson said...

Good luck with your presentation! You'll be fine :)

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Darling, good luck with your presentation. As an 8th grade teacher, if you can't do it, there's not much hope for the rest of us. Think positively. I KNOW you can do this. You are a great writer and have experience with teens, both in the home and in the workplace. Good luck!

Chemist Ken said...

Teens don't like to do homework either, if my two kids are any indication. It's hard to imagine how you put up with them as a teacher.

Juneta key said...

Interesting results, always like reading those.
' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

The Silver Fox said...

My "granddaughter" (not really a blood relative, but her mom's like a daughter to me) isn't like most teenagers. She just turned 16, and she loves to read! I just gave her a 1976 edition of The Annals of America, a 21-volume set, and she freaked out (in a positive way).

Heather R. Holden said...

Best of luck with the presentation! I had been an avid reader as a teen, and I knew others who were, too. So, even if they don't end up being the majority, here's hoping there's more readers than you expect in that audience!

Liz A. said...

For a long time, I've considered 8th graders to be evil. Something about that age... (And yet, I cover 8th grade classes quite a lot.)

dolorah said...

Just when you think you know a teenager, they change. Either for better or worse. I love teenagers, but also love when they move past that phase.

I cry a little when I get rejected, have some wine and ice cream, and move on. Sometimes life throws us lessons.

LD Masterson said...

Interesting survey results. No one picked read to deal with writer's block. I'll love to hear what came up under "other". And I can't figure out if you used one of my answers or if someone else identifies with characters the same way I do.

Deniz Bevan said...

Interesting survey results. Good luck with your presentation!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Teenagers can be a challenging audience but they are fun. Let us know how it goes. I enjoy reading your survey results.

Rhonda Albom said...

Good luck with your presentation. I work with 5-6 year olds, they are a tough crowd too, but adorable. Thanks for sharing the survey results.

New Release Books said...

All the best to you! You will do great!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm certain you rocked your presentation! Teens are all those things, but they like to be engaged and interested in something when someone gives them that chance. I hope it was fun, and not so stressful!

Anonymous said...

Wow...how great you are. Thanks for sharing!
บาคาร่าออนไลน์
บาคาร่า
gclub จีคลับ

Popular Posts