tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post4125547653687183232..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: WSG 12: When the Journey Is LongJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-25671027276248599152012-05-25T01:46:23.858-04:002012-05-25T01:46:23.858-04:00I wish I could be where Stacy is, but I'm not,...I wish I could be where Stacy is, but I'm not, and after ten years I feel like I'm stuck in this limbo nexus where as much as I might be a better writer, I'm not selling yet and my writing of new stuff has slowed extensively, and reading fiction with joy is now a rarity when before it was an integral key to my process. <br /><br />But for me it's hard to enjoy reading (Especially in my niche) when you feel inferior to the best of what's out there, with no one getting (i.e. respecting) how you do it, and not knowing what to do.<br /><br />Sometimes I really wonder what my writer friends see in my work that no one else seems to think is there, most of them are further along in careers than I am, and they too had a hard climb to achieve their differing levels of success, but I feel stuck in neutral, and I don't mean that entirely in a negative way, but it's truth.<br /><br />For me, finding the next story, when past ones failed to get interest, is often harder than any hook,query, or synopsis I'll ever write, and you know that's saying a lot, Jill.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-45510231727522697932012-05-24T21:23:37.413-04:002012-05-24T21:23:37.413-04:00Love the analogy, Jill! I'd add all the mirage...Love the analogy, Jill! I'd add all the mirages in the desert. Those hopeful signs you're making progress only to see they're an illusion when you get up close.Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-83721128659071595212012-05-22T13:21:44.223-04:002012-05-22T13:21:44.223-04:00I think we can all relate to parts or all of it, H...I think we can all relate to parts or all of it, Heather. It's a fun but challenging career choice!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-82902902128978875932012-05-22T10:20:16.502-04:002012-05-22T10:20:16.502-04:00You described so much of my journey in this post, ...You described so much of my journey in this post, Jill!Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-27698204927863223002012-05-22T09:17:06.630-04:002012-05-22T09:17:06.630-04:00Yeah, how could I have forgotten the narrow, twist...Yeah, how could I have forgotten the narrow, twisting mountain roads? Where your heart jumps in your throat and you fear for your life? Scary!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-27464963171548698932012-05-22T09:16:25.759-04:002012-05-22T09:16:25.759-04:00Agreed. I'd high-five you if I could right now...Agreed. I'd high-five you if I could right now!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-14492824657421704122012-05-22T09:16:02.615-04:002012-05-22T09:16:02.615-04:00Maybe it's a 4-way stop, right? :) Ha!Maybe it's a 4-way stop, right? :) Ha!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-45504241861469139022012-05-22T09:15:36.440-04:002012-05-22T09:15:36.440-04:00Thanks, Loree!!Thanks, Loree!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-58110132205521942152012-05-22T09:15:24.521-04:002012-05-22T09:15:24.521-04:00I'll ride shotgun, Patrice! You've definit...I'll ride shotgun, Patrice! You've definitely made my journey more of a fun summer ride than a slog through winter. :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-63281502466601425522012-05-22T09:14:42.781-04:002012-05-22T09:14:42.781-04:00Absolutely--each hurdle brings a fresh batch of ne...Absolutely--each hurdle brings a fresh batch of new ones. I don't think many writers reach a point where they feel like they've made it. Maybe making peace with our progress is the best we can hope for at times?Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-77631382219055882792012-05-22T09:13:35.829-04:002012-05-22T09:13:35.829-04:00So true! We all think OUR journey is the longest a...So true! We all think OUR journey is the longest and worst ever--ha, ha!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-66315790463084090462012-05-22T09:13:08.520-04:002012-05-22T09:13:08.520-04:00Good point. I'm with you--it's important t...Good point. I'm with you--it's important to have realistic expectations and look at how each step we take affects our future. Smart!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-8979912373108226522012-05-22T09:12:20.071-04:002012-05-22T09:12:20.071-04:00What a great way to look at it, Wendy. I know I...What a great way to look at it, Wendy. I know I've grown so much, not just in writing, but in patience and humility since starting this journey. :)Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-48847516672058124312012-05-22T09:11:06.254-04:002012-05-22T09:11:06.254-04:00Prayer pit stops--love it!! Ha!Prayer pit stops--love it!! Ha!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-37431578246636078032012-05-21T18:10:25.174-04:002012-05-21T18:10:25.174-04:00This is so true. I didn't notice going through...This is so true. I didn't notice going through the mountains.(Literally) Those uphill twists and turns have never been my friends.quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-34693900775456170682012-05-21T12:36:31.727-04:002012-05-21T12:36:31.727-04:00I think you hit them all. It is SUCH a long journe...I think you hit them all. It is SUCH a long journey!!Johanna Garthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515478890074610814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-41316733766028788292012-05-21T11:59:07.614-04:002012-05-21T11:59:07.614-04:00Like Katie, I'm learning that the big TBP--To ...Like Katie, I'm learning that the big TBP--To Be Published--is not an end in the road. It's like a pit stop, or a celebration party. And then you re-group, and ask the Lord what direction to take next. <br /><br />You are so wise, and funny! Thanks for this.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-56922507736497380922012-05-21T11:38:35.788-04:002012-05-21T11:38:35.788-04:00Loved this, Jill! Just loved it!Loved this, Jill! Just loved it!Loree Huebnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845600356878587780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-38588866571193040512012-05-21T11:26:23.675-04:002012-05-21T11:26:23.675-04:00What a great post, Jill. Love the extended metapho...What a great post, Jill. Love the extended metaphor. Really fun to read and reflect on what you've said. I so agree with those who say it's important to try and enjoy both the journey and the destination. Because there is ALWAYS a new destination. Oh, and sometimes, picking a good travel partner who can help with the driving or navigation makes the journey more enjoyable. Want to travel together?????PM Kavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18158084685117474279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-19077427612873293932012-05-21T10:49:03.781-04:002012-05-21T10:49:03.781-04:00What I'm learning is that getting published is...What I'm learning is that getting published is just one stop along the journey. It's definitely not the destination, because after publication, the pressure is intense and the insecurity off the hook. Prayer becomes a lifeline.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-85414792689532001822012-05-21T10:14:05.427-04:002012-05-21T10:14:05.427-04:00These are such good points. Everyone's journey...These are such good points. Everyone's journey is different, but no matter how long it takes, it feels like your own is the longest most circuitous route.<br /><br />Road Trip Buddies make it better though. :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-36269212988632701902012-05-21T10:07:07.424-04:002012-05-21T10:07:07.424-04:00I don't think there's such a thing as a sh...I don't think there's such a thing as a short journey, either, but I also think the rapid changes in publishing have helped shorten the wait to have that first book published. We've got so many choices now that it's possible to get out there a bit sooner, as I'm doing. However, that's just stage 1 of about 950. I know my book is good, but I don't expect huge sales with it. I just want to start to gain a following and continue to learn. I'm bracing myself for those reviewers who don't like it and the inevitable bad egg. I think the biggest key is to remember our dream and learn from our mistakes.<br /><br />Great post!Stacy Greenhttp://stacygreenauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-21144369387563197202012-05-21T10:00:37.419-04:002012-05-21T10:00:37.419-04:00You are a water machine. And you come from such a ...You are a water machine. And you come from such a place of knowing--empathy! <br /><br />Think of the character we're all developing. :D<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-10689121246862236122012-05-21T09:18:31.465-04:002012-05-21T09:18:31.465-04:00Good stuff, Jill. I like what everyone has said so...Good stuff, Jill. I like what everyone has said so far. Those pit stops of prayer ARE important, and it's also great to meet other writers we can commiserate with. Maybe this would happen at truck stops? ;)Lindsay Harrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379628592162011068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-37330679081168482062012-05-21T09:04:39.805-04:002012-05-21T09:04:39.805-04:00True, Shay. The destination just changes as our ca...True, Shay. The destination just changes as our career takes off! Good point!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.com