tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post8907330249048919581..comments2023-10-30T09:00:07.439-05:00Comments on A Walk In My Shoes: Better To Look Good Than To Feel GoodSusan R. Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-26999429698515972932010-02-03T15:28:35.638-06:002010-02-03T15:28:35.638-06:00Ohmygosh! I'm 5" too, and it's so tr...Ohmygosh! I'm 5" too, and it's so true! People seem to think I'm too young to have kids. Granted, I probably have a baby face, but I have to think my height has something to do with the "kid factor". Add a prego belly in there and I can't hardly even wash my hands at the sink! <br /><br />Anyway, I think you're right in sticking to your heart. Like your height, it is who you are, and changing to suit the industry will never release the passion to the world for it to come back as blessings. Who you are is a gift to those around you, so in my opinion, your writing is the same. (Still eager to read this book...:)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729691287229935563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-26934800209339471402010-02-01T17:39:53.587-06:002010-02-01T17:39:53.587-06:00There are times I worry about if there is a market...There are times I worry about if there is a market for the stories I want to tell. If not, then I'll write for myself. I don't want to conform so far that it takes the joy away. As long as I can tell my story, I'll change what I have to change to make it work.Lillian Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488638666900705015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-32692360626163214422010-01-26T06:43:59.145-06:002010-01-26T06:43:59.145-06:00My mother never taught me how to really walk in he...My mother never taught me how to really walk in heels! LOL So I wear short ones but wish too for longer legs:)<br />As to writing, I know I have had to conform on many aspects to get published, but not on the big things. I write from my heart, then edit it as needed.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-29012509812986192192010-01-25T21:12:01.815-06:002010-01-25T21:12:01.815-06:00I think you're superwoman for wearing heels ev...I think you're superwoman for wearing heels every day! I tried wearing jeans today and gave up... too uncomfortable for me. I like my skirts, shorts, and sweats. :0) <br /><br />Hmm... I want to be me. I want to be published. Most of all, I want to be published as me. :0)Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-73677567377714857852010-01-25T20:46:15.286-06:002010-01-25T20:46:15.286-06:00I agree with you, follow your heart and what you l...I agree with you, follow your heart and what you love. Always seems to work out best. :O)<br /><br />www.dianeestrella.comDianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07604687906788800639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-81133706814937266732010-01-25T20:16:02.497-06:002010-01-25T20:16:02.497-06:00I love wearing heels, but they have to be comforta...I love wearing heels, but they have to be comfortable. I'm glad they now make heels that look nice and are comfortable too! About the writing, I think that there's always a new trend coming up right around the corner, so there's always the chance that the next trend is going to start with my novel! But I agree, too, that flexibility is important, so as long as I'm not sacrificing my core story, change is fine by me.Bellehttp://msbookish.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-33105975355327272212010-01-25T20:14:02.816-06:002010-01-25T20:14:02.816-06:00I am very tall, and it isn't much fun either. ...I am very tall, and it isn't much fun either. I like wearing heels, but not towering over everyone. It sucks trying to fit the norms, doesn't it? I write what I like. My stories are first for myself.Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-9471740922030853622010-01-25T20:01:29.457-06:002010-01-25T20:01:29.457-06:00I think, for me, there's a very distinctive li...I think, for me, there's a very distinctive line in the sand. And I'll go right up to it, but I won't cross it. No, not ever. Market or not. And each step from where I am to the line is uncomfortable, but like I said, I'll go right up to it.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-41810478710744993972010-01-25T19:54:32.774-06:002010-01-25T19:54:32.774-06:00I totally agree with you. Sometimes you have to ch...I totally agree with you. Sometimes you have to change even if it's a bit uncomfortable. Great topic! ;)B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-40975766822019395902010-01-25T17:45:59.058-06:002010-01-25T17:45:59.058-06:00Breaking in is so hard. Unfortunately, I think we ...Breaking in is so hard. Unfortunately, I think we have to be very careful breaking too many rules as we try to capture the attention of those in the industry. But at the same time we can never stop listening to our hearts. Great topic of conversation, Susan!Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-68542685617708698852010-01-25T17:00:12.501-06:002010-01-25T17:00:12.501-06:00I love that you are opening this up for discussion...I love that you are opening this up for discussion. I feel really strongly about writing what is in your heart. I just don't understand those who study trends and rules and then write everything according to it. Where is the you in the writing if in fact the writing is geared for everyone but you? Reading is personal taste. It stands to reason that so is writing. I say write what you love and make it the best it can be. :)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-72330903326617683432010-01-25T16:40:20.362-06:002010-01-25T16:40:20.362-06:00frankly, i think it's sad that we have to conf...frankly, i think it's sad that we have to conform at all. good stories should sell. bad stories shouldn't. if your story is the best it can be and they still don't like it, it's their loss, as well as the public's loss. too bad it doesn't work that way. there's no accounting for the everchanging whims of readers.Michelle Gregoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747275507200268417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-40776259972948823872010-01-25T16:30:29.740-06:002010-01-25T16:30:29.740-06:00Oh, what a sassy shoe!
Almost all the mainstream ...Oh, what a sassy shoe!<br /><br />Almost all the mainstream authors I've interviewed pretty much say the same thing about writing toward industry standards- don't. (of course, they have the luxury of saying so- they're already "in the club" lol) Writing outside the norm is a gamble, especially if unpubbed. It could pay off and it might not. I guess we just have to follow our instincts. <br /><br />Keep The Faith, Love the Craft,<br />Sarah<br />ps- I'm on the short side, too. Thank goodness I married a giant. lol He can get the stuff from the top shelf. *wink wink*Sarah Simashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03702070733137961412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-22934812618987788362010-01-25T15:11:55.982-06:002010-01-25T15:11:55.982-06:00"How important is it to conform to industry p..."How important is it to conform to industry preferences when we are writing?"<br /><br />It's probably very important, but it's impossible to write that way. I think if you try to write like "they" want you to write it will show and that's not good.<br /><br />Paulstrugglingwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04895062852286494753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-70777314811905985632010-01-25T14:56:26.832-06:002010-01-25T14:56:26.832-06:00I come from a short family. My grandparents had to...I come from a short family. My grandparents had to put pillows in their car to see over the wheel! Feeling your pain...Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-18789201444745869072010-01-25T14:53:09.341-06:002010-01-25T14:53:09.341-06:00Yeah, you have to follow your heart. That's wh...Yeah, you have to follow your heart. That's where your "voice" is really going to shine anyway.Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-28984402112581295042010-01-25T14:08:59.721-06:002010-01-25T14:08:59.721-06:00I agree, follow your heart. It will lead you where...I agree, follow your heart. It will lead you where you want to go.Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-62046382001220504002010-01-25T14:02:13.460-06:002010-01-25T14:02:13.460-06:00I definitely think it's important to follow yo...I definitely think it's important to follow your heart. If you're having to conform and it feels wrong then it's not worth it. However, I do believe we have to broaden our minds and take chances and be willing to try something new within the boundaries of our beliefs or we might not be able to break into or thrive in a particular career.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-78914219797510302842010-01-25T13:41:07.103-06:002010-01-25T13:41:07.103-06:00I'm 5'2" and I'm quite happy to w...I'm 5'2" and I'm quite happy to wear either high heels or flats. It depends on whatever it is I am doing at the time. I can't drive wearing heel, so I keep a pair of flats in my car, but comfort always comes first!<br />As for anything else, well, I'm really shy by nature, although I wish that I weren't! How I would love to say what I mean, if that makes any sense!<br />Anyway, I just love your writing and I was always told to write about what you know and not try to make things up as you go along, because someone will point out your mistakes.<br />I agree on the theory of it's a fine line that you follow though, and there is just some things that I wouldn't write either.Alice in Wonderlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15068858292644394838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-66123525962533457332010-01-25T13:37:58.183-06:002010-01-25T13:37:58.183-06:00At 5'10" by the age of 12 I worried about...At 5'10" by the age of 12 I worried about being too tall. Heels were never an option for me. Back when I grew up it was very uncommon for girls to be so tall. My height certainly affected my personality and influenced much of who I am today. Being too tall can be as much a problem as being too short.Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858158707328118375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-71156943076669261472010-01-25T12:14:35.334-06:002010-01-25T12:14:35.334-06:00I agree with folks who've said whe should stic...I agree with folks who've said whe should stick to stories and characters we can write about with passion, rather than trend-chase. But we need to be aware of what's out there so that our work doesn't seem a pale shadow of someone else's. There's also a danger that "follow your heart" can lead us to break the wrong rules and stubbornly resist digging into the hard work of craft. The best innovation happens within form, as any jazz musician will tell you.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-28043881271710482842010-01-25T12:06:01.779-06:002010-01-25T12:06:01.779-06:00There are things I will not write. But then I too ...There are things I will not write. But then I too have changed parts of my writing to satisfy the industry.<br /><br />It's a fine line, isn't it? I try to write the way I think something should be written, but in the end, I realize that becoming published is my ultimate goal. So I revise to meet a publisher half way, so to speak. <br /><br />Love those heels btw. I use to wear shoes with heels almost that long. Crazy wasn't I? At least the next weekend you were more comfortable, Susan. And no one can put a price on comfort to me these days. <br /><br />I used to dress up to take Christopher to the hospital. NO MORE. I wear sweats. The four hour drive one way and all day being uncomfortable taught me that sweats were definitely the way to go. :-)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-25630214697357742152010-01-25T12:05:28.133-06:002010-01-25T12:05:28.133-06:00I'd say making changes is kind of like exercis...I'd say making changes is kind of like exercising. If it isn't too painful, then remember that it's good for you and get through it. If it's really painful, then you shouldn't be trying that. Stop, step back, and try something you're more ready for.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-61419427188563145292010-01-25T12:01:17.314-06:002010-01-25T12:01:17.314-06:00I just said to my husband on Sunday that I was gla...I just said to my husband on Sunday that I was glad I was 5"8 so I didn't have to ever wear heels. <br /><br />I agree that you need to follow your instincts and what you want from your writing.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-68525903631628723682010-01-25T11:20:20.410-06:002010-01-25T11:20:20.410-06:00I have to follow my heart and write what interests...I have to follow my heart and write what interests me. I can't even <i>read</i> a vampire book, let alone write one!Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.com