Welcome!
Lots going on for February 1!
Today is the Crit My Blog blogfest!
- Appearance: Does it appeal to you? Is it too busy, or too plain?
- Layout: Is it difficult to navigate? Is it cluttered, or sparse?
- Frequency: Does the blogger post too often? Not often enough?
- Content: Are the posts interesting? Unique? Are they focused, or all over the place?
- Quality: Are the individual posts too long, too short, too sloppy, or too generic?
THANKS! I will be out there critting too =)
And the Insecure Writers Support Group - meeting is in session...
This month, I question my talent. Some writers have a natural ability - I read it! Some have connections and land an agent via recommendation. And some just have the luck to find that special agent/publisher they click with. All these published authors have a wide range of talents. I keep telling myself I'll get my agent when it is my time, or I'll self pub. But as I wait, I doubt.
I wonder if I should be on this show, "You Can Do Anything!" a skit from SNL (with host Daniel Radcliffe). It was the inspiration for my IWSG post this month. (I actually embedded a video!)
Am I really good enough? Or are you all just being nice? Am I just a housewife filling a void? Is there room for all of us on the shelves? (or in the nook, kindle, ibook, etc) The real question is, Would you buy my book? I have a lot of good stories and I love writing them and want to share them. But when I read others' works, I feel inadequate. This community is so nice and encouraging, but is it real? Silence is the biggest negative. No comments. Do you feel obligated to say something positive? I admit I do sometimes. I hate hurting people's feelings.
I'm not going to give up because I love writing and love this community. I just wonder if I'll ever be good enough to get published traditionally. Guess that's why I will eventually self-pub, if necessary. My goal is not the money or notoriety, it's to entertain as many as will read my stuff.
Ever have those doubts? Do you think you have what it takes? I don't know!
And to summarize my point, here is this Wednesday's Sensational Haiku on craft.
The Writing Craft
Choosing words with care
It sounds wonderful to me!
You read and decide
Colorful comments
Of admiration with slight
Exaggeration
Encouragement felt
Now send off to critiquers
For the ugly truth!
You brave soul! I am considering a crit but I'm a sensitive soul. It might drive me straight to chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI like your header. The winter picture in the window is so cool I would be ok if the main background of the whole blog was a solid color or simple pattern. Then it would be like while on your blog I'm exploring your world. We are both drinking tea and enjoying the fire. I'm not sure I explained my thought well.
I find your blog easy to navigate and enjoy your page for your posting schedule. I always enjoy your posts and your including graphics, pictures and/or videos is a great enhancement.
I know I'm being all positive but I'm a pretty easy blog reader to please. :-)
Your blog is great. Leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteAs if we don't get criticized enough now we have to change our personal blogs to please other people?
Nu uh.
I think you have talent. I think I have talent. How far will we get? I don't know. Only the Universe does. We have to keep trying. Or what else do we have?
Keep writing.
HMG
1. Your blog looks wonderful. I love your header, and your site is easy to navigate. The only crit is the sidebar gets a bit busy as you scroll down - - but it's not terrible.
ReplyDelete2. Are you a good enough writer? Only you can decide that!! But, I highly recommend good crit partners (the harsher the better). You don't have to agree with them, but it's a great way to open your eyes to way COULD be improved. And, stick with it. The harder and longer you work at this craft, the better you will become.
:)
Happy writing!!
I think if you're a housewife, you have every right to fill whatever void might come from taking care of your family (thanklessly - I'm just guessing - no one tells me 'thank you for cleaning the bathroom' ever). You need something for yourself, something you love. Great that you found writing. No one can magically pop out an excellent novel without working hard on it.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love the SNL clip.
First, your blog looks great. And that's the honest to goodness truth. Second, I have been busting with doubt lately. I think all those same things. And man is it hard at times to buck up and keep at it. But I do and you better too!
ReplyDeleteI like your blog, so don't change it cause I said anything (but don't take that as a "You cannot change your blog" either; it's yours).
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, the talent thing. I doubt myself all the time. Patience, practice, and lots of work. It's the only way I know how to get anything I really want, so I'm hoping it works in publishing too.
Love how you wove "craft" haiku within your questionnaire of your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visit, and see your header, it never fails to bring a smile ... and that was before I read today's post!! :-)
One thing I love about your blog is that you change it up. I think that is fun :)
ReplyDeleteRemember, when one person makes a good comment, there are many more who are thinking it. And don't always take silence as a negative, sometimes I just am not able to write, get in a a bad mood, etc. Keep your blog as it is, that's who you are, it's great.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your blog!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really believe if you have the passion and dedication then you will become the writer you dream to be. I've seen it with so many students who don't think they have what it takes to be a great skater because of their body type, but they work harder than anybody else and they achieve great things!
You go girl! :)
I like your blog just the way it is. Awesome header and it's easy to navigate. The posts are fun and informative, and never too long. You have the talent and passion. You're a great writer and I mean it. I have the same doubts. You're not the only one who feels that way.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog looks good.
ReplyDeleteI write for myself. If others like it or can relate to it, it's a bonus.
There is room for everyone and yes I will buy your book!
ReplyDelete*hugs* Its good for us to question ourselves, just don't let it pull you down too far. I've enjoyed everything of yours that I've read.
ReplyDeleteBlogwise, I like the way the pictures in your sidebar help it not look as cluttered. Mine is mostly lists and it feels busy. Thanks for the idea!
Ah yes, critics ~ haiku is good expression of feelings ~ we tend to be our own worst critics as a rule ~ thanks for coming by haiku weds ~ am sure your book will be great! ~ namaste,carol (Share the Creative Journey)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is fine as it is... and I love the way in which you've used the haiku to wrap up the post!
ReplyDeleteWe must always question our abilities a little. Otherwise we become complacent.
ReplyDeleteYou're good enough. Finding an agent, let alone the right one, is a daunting task. I think it's all about ending up on the right desk on the right day.
ReplyDeleteI have doubts all of the time. I often tell them to shut up and go be bold.
I like your blog. I think it's laid out well.
Great haiku.
The header has all kinds of great personality and I like the winter background too. I'd say maybe move your profile up!
ReplyDeleteTara Tyler...
ReplyDeleteNothing to criticize!
You Rock!
I echo G-Man. Lovely blog and THREE haikus? You are a wonderful overachiever!
ReplyDeleteI love your header! I see that you have hidden your bio at the bottom (please put your bio at the top for all of us to see!) I like your poll. I suggest that you move “Looking for something” closer to the top so that its easy to find. I look forward to reading posts from you!
ReplyDeleteI love love love that header!
ReplyDeleteyou all are so nice! see what i mean?
ReplyDeleteand it's been great meeting new bloggers =)
hope i've been helpful!
Love your snow scenes. I haven't seen anything else like it.
ReplyDeleteGreat sidebars. I like seeing what sites you follow and when they posted last.
Not too busy. Easy on the eyes.
great colors. Your comments are succinct (which I especially favor).
Superb blog!
Tara, love your blog header!!! Your Haiku on The Writing Craft is so true, loving it. :)) I think as writers, we all tend to doubt ourselves from time to time, we're only human. Well some of us are! Some days, I think I rock, and other days I feel like a spent rose bloom, scattering my wilted pink petals all over the ground!
ReplyDeleteHi Tara, I love your header I think it's amazing, it gives an immediate warmth and friendlyness to your blog. I don't like the background quite so much, too me it feels cold compared to the header, although I think it's clever how they work together. Your poetry is really good. I love the short sweetness of haikus. I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHeya, finally getting around for a critique! I'm liking what I see. Love the winter background, especially as where I live we never get any snow ;) Your banner is cute, and definitely speaks of your personality!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking your little bio could go up a bit higher, so we know immediately a bit more about you. I do like how your sidebars are arranged. I like that there's not a huge amount there to have to scroll through.
I don't really have much to criticise. ;)