#1 Best thing...READERS! Readers are awesome. And smart. I swear, they know the books they read better than the writers who wrote them. I love talking to readers. I've learned more from readers than any how-to book I ever, um, read.
#2 Best Thing...WRITERS! Hanging out with other writers- either online or in real life, is a pretty amazing way to spend time. I giggle a little when I call it work.
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| At the WV Book Fest Tara Tyler, me!, Ahley Chappell |
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| At the WV Book Fest Mary Russell and me! |
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| WV Book Fest me and Dreama Denver (widow of Bob Denver, AKA Gilligan) |
Best thing #3... Creating without heavy lifting. Who doesn't love creating an alternative reality without picking up a shovel?
Best thing #4....Odd behavior is CREATIVE (not insane). Normal is over-rated anyhow.
Best thing #5....dreaming BIG. One day, Steven Speilberg could be stuck in an airport with nothing to do and a copy of your book could be laying on the seat next to him...(feel free to dream-in the blanks.)
Co-Hosts:
Joylene Nowell Butler
Jen Chandler
Mary Aalgaar
Lisa Buie Collard
Tamara Narayan
Tyrean Martinson
Christine Rains
Sign up for the IWSG here
I can dream that last one!
ReplyDeleteWow, you met Bob Denver's widow?
I did! Super sweet lady. I got her book and his book- now I will know all the inside dirt about Gilligan's Island.
DeleteWonderful post Elizabeth, enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne.
DeleteAll great reasons. That last one sure works for me. Being crazy works fine too haha
ReplyDeleteThere are very few of our odd behaviors that can't be chalked up to the creative process.
DeleteOh, a walk-in library! I have so many more books than shoes....
ReplyDeleteAnd ha! on the "normal" ship sailing without us. :)
Me too! While at the book fest, my husband called to remind me- sell more than you buy, got it? He just doesn't get it.
DeleteYour answer to this month's question is brilliant! I especially love the one about earning a paycheck to buy books. I can relate :-)
ReplyDeleteBooks are portals to new worlds- that's worth the pay out, right?
DeleteHeck, an upstart indie with a twinkle in his/her eye would be all right with me!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, dreaming is what we do best.
Great post. I guess I qualify as a reader, right? You know I love your books. Yes, definitely dinosaurs. Great post.
ReplyDeleteYou most certainly qualify as a reader! One of my very most favorites.
Delete(You're also a writer. Blogging counts as writing.)
Hi Elizabeth, I agree with you that we learn more from our readers than from anything else.
ReplyDeleteThey're feedback is golden.
DeleteGreat post! I love to dream BIG, too. I can't help it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll never stop. I've been dreaming my whole life.
DeleteYup, I like the concept of dreaming big and it's only when I'm sick of editing that I think writing is heavy lifting. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just have to walk away from edits and wait for the brain to refresh. That is definitely some heavy lifting at times!
DeleteSuper post, Elizabeth. My dream is to have a walk in library in my house. I have a corner in the living room with two filled book shelves an armchair and a lamp, which is my favourite place to just...be and read. Glad you had a great time at the WV book fest. Have a super November.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a library/office filled with all my Gone with the Wind trinkets and posters. I have it all imagined in my mind.
DeleteI've long been guilty of #5. As a preteen, I had all these detailed plans for my books being made into various TV shows, as preteen soaps and gritty series. I also would love to see some of my books made into films, so long as I had a high amount of creative control.
ReplyDeleteMy ultimate dream is to someday win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
When it happens, be sure to give me a shout out. That's the writer code, right?
DeleteWhat a riot this post was! Thanks for the laughs on this first Wednesday of November.
ReplyDeleteGlad to make you laugh-- it's the best medicine.
DeleteGreat post. Love the pictures. Dream big. Oh, yeah!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane!
DeleteForget 'We got Young Blood' (a song by some female...person). Let's go for Dinosaur blood instead. *Roars* My dream came true. Having others who support me in writing. It might sound small but it means the world to me. Thanks all of you! *Online group hug*
ReplyDeleteYeah. The rest of my family is on that normal ship. Mom's the captain. I'm just going to keep reading and writing on the island. IT'S ALL MINE! Anyway, loved this post Liz. You are a lady of your own nature. Be proud.
It would make a great theme song!
DeleteYou should never give up your writing dream. It's part of who you are. That's hard for non-writers to understand.
Haha, great quotes! Especially the 'ship has sailed one'. =)
ReplyDeleteI like that one too.
DeleteSign me up for the walk-in library:) My wife's been asking for one for years:)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be nice? I keep buying my husband power tools. I'm just waiting for him to break them out of their boxes and start on the home improvements.
DeleteMe too, walk in library! Who needs clothes! I love your list, and agree completely. Normal? What is that?
ReplyDeleteOverrated. Hehe.
DeleteI love the way you presented this. Readers are awesome. They make a writer's journey worth it.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat
It would be pointless without readers.
DeleteHa! love those! And the pictures of you are awesome, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks SP!
DeleteThis is such a great post, Elizabeth! I ditto all the reasons you mentioned. And I love your graphics, especially the one where the little girl is whispering in the other's ear. Too cute.
ReplyDeleteThe WV Book Fest looks like a lot of fun! I don't think that one would be too far from me. I might have to check that one out next year. ;)
Thanks Kristen!!
DeleteI would love to see you at the WV Book fest. That would be so great. We should look and see if there are any between here and North Carolina too.
LOL, all very excellent reasons! Writing is a true joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Yolanda!
DeleteWriting is joyous and it's great to dream big. It's calorie free too.
ReplyDeleteAnd can really save you money when you have no time to go to the mall on the weekends.
DeleteLove it! I think you got those in the right order too. Man, can I just second everything you said then sit down and eat cheese? I think it's a plan.
ReplyDeleteI think a cheese platter is totally in order.
DeleteI totally agree--writers are the best!!! And I have always said that about creative people and eccentricities. I figure as I get older, I can get away with being that old lady with long hair and flowy skirts because I'm artistic!
ReplyDeleteYep, there is no pressure for us to conform to rules.
DeleteOh my gosh! When I need a good laugh, I'm coming back to this post!
ReplyDeleteYay!! That is what I'm here for.
DeleteWhat a top notch post! Something tells me you reeeeeeally love writing, lady. (See how clever I am to pick up on your subtle hints like that?) Something also tells me you had a lot of fun putting this post together, too. (Remarkable! I did it again...)
ReplyDeleteYou're just like, a total clairvoyant. LOL. If you ever get bored with writing, you can buy a crystal ball and set up a tent.
DeleteLove all 5 reasons, Elizabeth! You rock, lady!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, thanks Tyrean! Right back at ya!
DeleteGreat post, Liz!
ReplyDeleteGive me that WALK-IN LIBRARY! *eyes shining*
I'll take it!!
Wouldn't that just be awesome.
DeleteBEST post...ever!! I've always dreamed big, even before I started writing. I guess deep down I was always gonna be a writer, right? lol
ReplyDeleteOh... and yes I also dream of a walk-in library next door to my walk-in closet ;)
Suzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
Dreams keep us going.
Delete(I'll take a walk-in closet too. I'd love for you to be the clothes shopper filling it up for me.)
That's cool that you met Dreama Denver. I'm sad, though, that Gilligan passed. I didn't know. She looks very kind. And your answer is great - we write for our readers. You fully appreciate this, and you're appreciated for it.
ReplyDeleteShe was so very nice. Topnotch sweetheart. It is sad that he's gone. I think the only one left is MaryAnne.
DeleteWhat a great list! Definitely good to embrace the weird.
ReplyDeleteMay as well...it's too hard to change. :)
DeleteThat was awesome! Love the memes, especially the little chick with dino DNA. So true.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that cute? We all just need to tap into our inner dinosaur.
DeleteAwesome post and love the pictures. Great quotes too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nas!
DeleteI LOVED this post, especially the dinosaurs meme. :) I do try to explain my odd behavior away by being a writer. "I'm just mumbling dialogue to myself, dear."
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! There are reasons for our madness.
DeleteHa! These were amazing best things and I have to agree with all of them. Great post. ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks Loni!!
DeleteYes to all of this! I'm actually pumped to write now after reading this. Also, with that meme, "I just wanted a paycheck so I can buy books," I just made the realization that whatever we make off of selling books we pretty much just put back into buying other books. I think that's a fair trade, though.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about that! I go to book events and my husband will always call and remind me that I'm there to sell books, not buy them. Figured out a great solution...book swaps. You can trade other writers book for book. I found the loophole!!!
Delete