Friday, March 5, 2010

First Drafts & Fabulous Friday

Okay, I know that today's blog post is generally reserved for my recap of the best publishing blog posts of the week, but before we get there I just wanted to drop a little note about first drafts, and that is, don't be haters people. Love your first drafts. Sure they're unruly, but that's nothing that a good edit can't solve. Remember, first drafts are the bones of your story. The soul in born out of the revision process. So edit, edit, edit, grow, grow, grow and voilĂ ! your story will be beautiful.

Okay, and now for the fabulous Friday posts... um, actually there's only one this week and it is Eric's post "Having What it Takes" from his blog Pimp My Novel. According to Eric, he believes that all writers must have discipline, a desire to learn and improve, skill and luck in order to succeed (or at the very least, to set oneself up for success) in this industry. What do you think? Is Eric right? Or is there something else writers need in order to succeed?

For me, I'd add support. I need the support of my husband, friends and family in order to keep writing. At times when the negativity mounts too high, it's nice to have someone rooting for me in my corner. A little bit of positivity from the right person goes a long way.

What about you? What would you add to the list?

6 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I would add determination and thick skin! :-)

Have a great weekend.

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'll second the vote for support. I know without Paul I wouldn't get through those days of 'what the hell am I doing to myself'. Writing is hard work and takes courage. The support I get from my husband keeps me buoyed.

Not to mention he's a hard task master. There isn't a day he doesn't call me on my procrastination. He comes home and the first question out of his mouth is, "How many words today?"

And no I haven't killed him yet.(Hugs)Indigo

Shannon O'Donnell said...

P.S. I'm giving you an award on my blog tomorrow. :-)

Suzette Saxton said...

Perseverance. Lots of it.

And I don't think you have to have support, but it sure is nice if you do...

Stephanie Damore said...

Shannon, you definitely need determination. Sometimes I think I have too much of it! Thick skin is nice too. Some days I'm better with dealing with rejection than others.

An award you say? I'll have to pop over and check it out. THANKS!

Stephanie Damore said...

Yeah Indigo, support balances my scales. I love when friends and family want to read my latest novel, or ask when one will be ready. It's a good feeling. Like Suzette said, she doesn't think you have to have support, maybe that's true for some, but I know that I do--without it, my family wouldn't function.