Comments on: Can I Tell You a Story?

By: Memarie Lane

Memarie Lane — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:26:00 +0000

i say noooooooo! the writing process is way too gut-wrenching to involve a spouse. if you need help with your voice, and writing prompts, i highly recommend the book pen on fire by barbara demarco-barrett. Memarie Lanes last blog post..Guns n’ Baseball

By: Smart Mouth Broad

Smart Mouth Broad — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:03:15 +0000

I really shouldn't dish out advice but OK, you did ask. If your husband's critique gives you fits, then I would say no. Is it possible that he could give you the prompts to get your creative juices flowing but hold back the comments? Like, "Hey, Tricia, why don't you write about the time we...... Just a thought. Smart Mouth Broads last blog post..I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

By: HeatherPride

HeatherPride — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:11:13 +0000

Tricia, I can't wait to hear your story of surrogacy! I have been curious about it. I don't know anyone who has gone through the process myself, so I would love to learn about it from you. HeatherPrides last blog post..Your Vote Counts on The Short Bus

By: Tricia

Tricia — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:18:05 +0000

I think you are all wonderful and your ideas and comments gave me some honest moments of reflection, and some ideas. Thank you! I have several stories rolling around inside my head and I just need to pick one and start writing rather than spending so much time thinking about not writing. I’m not sure how much will end up on the blog, but the story of how I became a mother and our journey through surrogacy is probably the most compelling narrative I want to get on paper. It may help clear my head if I can capture it outside of my mind and run my fingers through the details.

By: thistle

thistle — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:27:58 +0000

huh...steenky bees comment really hit home with me just now. I had a EdPsych prof in University that ran a tight ship, covered the material in a professional manner, clear, concise and always on track. But she never really connected with us until she shared some personal details about the struggles her little boy was having in school, and that marked a turning point in the class. She opened up, we opened up, and a really good class became a fabulous class and an amazing learning environment. I find your blog posts intellectually challenging and thought provoking. And beautifully, professionally written. If what you mean by 'voice' is the emotional connection, i don't think adding another level of professionalism, ie by having your husband act as an assignment editor would help, unless he stayed out of it after making said assignment...i don't think it would be possible to not project his thoughts and feeling onto yours. Writing from the heart doesn't require editing, only fearlessness and passion and commitment to the topic at hand. You already write about the things that you feel a connection too, try not worrying too much about your audience's reaction or a possible rejection slip. Just write. Chances are they will love it. thistles last blog post..Wordless Wednesday

By: HeatherPride

HeatherPride — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:11:42 +0000

Ung. Tough question! I both love it and hate it when my husband reads my blog. I don't think - no wait, I know I could not work with him on my content. Tricia, I appreciate your writing style even if you are still working on it. You come across to me like someone who is even-keeled, professional (yes, I can tell you are a business woman, but that is not a bad thing at all!), introspective, and intelligent. You have a lot of qualities that I wish I could channel more often! Maybe you feel like you need to let your hair down sometimes, but I wish I could learn to zip my huge yaw and be more concise sometimes. Anyway, I think we all go through these spells where we feel like we're writing a bunch of junk and wonder where our voice ran off to. At least, I'm going through that kind of a phase right now. And at any rate, I love being a regular reader of Shout! HeatherPrides last blog post..You Always Trick the Ones You Love

By: steenky bee

steenky bee — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:16:11 +0000

I love this post. I love when bloggers open up and share that they are human and they are struggling with their writing. Not because I'm mean, but it comforts me in that we all have the same struggles and that I'm not the only one trying to find my own voice. Who do you write for? Who do you imagine your audience is? My "audience" has changed in my mind countless times. But if I imagine my audience as me, the future me, then I find that my stories flow easier. I would definitely talk with your husband and use him as a sounding board. I have to say, this post and your post about where your parents would go in the event that they needed care are my favorite posts from you. I feel like those posts let me in and know you a little better. What ever path you take with your writing, I'll still be here. I'd read you if you just posted what you ate for dinner. I like it over here that much. steenky bees last blog post..This Post Was Supposed to be About How I Wanted to End Memes, But Then a Really Cool Chick Tagged Me So I Chickened Out.

By: thatcoolbroad

thatcoolbroad — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:46:50 +0000

My husband's criticism hurts the worst for me too (even if it's constructive), and as a result, I tend NOT to show him my writing because I haven't figured out how to handle it. Now, if I thought for sure that he could take my writing to the next level, I might try to endure the pain...but he's a business guy so I can't say that's a given. I guess you could try it for a while and see how it goes. Mucking thru the pride and emotion might be a big payoff for you. thatcoolbroads last blog post..Be proud of your roots…just not the grey ones growing out of your head.

By: kristy

kristy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:53:37 +0000

p.s. I also think that you are strong and can take the spanking to the pride. That isn’t the issue, I don’t think you would like to be told what to write about on a personal level. You have to take direction at work on what to write. Let him be your sounding board for ideas and he can inspire you that way.

By: kristy

kristy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:49:27 +0000

My take on the hole thing is that you wouln’t be posing the question if you thought it was a great idea. I think that your husband would be incrediably helpful to bring out your creativity but lets face the facts…. You have never been the kind to be inspired by being told what to write about. You always have been the type to jump right when told left and to challenge the authority of fact and fiction. You work from home and are an amazing writer and self proclaimed buisness woman for a reason. You work well alone!! I can see the prescribed story plots working for a little while but then soon you would be bored and he would give you a assignment that you didn’t want to do and the entire thing would be down the drain. I hope this doesn’t sound harsh, that isn’t my intent. You are an amazing writer and we all know what you are capable of. I know that you can find what you are looking for you just haven’t found the right path in the maze yet. Keep looking because it is there. You have all the potential in the world to complete the quest you are on.
Your loving sister.