tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post1229246230044703718..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: 31 Books and CountingHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-44505522301463747552010-05-03T09:28:47.731-05:002010-05-03T09:28:47.731-05:00I've always looked on his 111 rejections as a ...I've always looked on his 111 rejections as a milestone. My first novel was rejected 76 times, so I think of it as 35 rejections short of a Pulitzer.Mark Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746027017657987261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-10027037524148859432010-05-02T09:19:05.022-05:002010-05-02T09:19:05.022-05:00111 rejections, I admire his determination. It pai...111 rejections, I admire his determination. It paid off, 31 books is a grand number to write.<br /><br />Inspirational post, thanks Helen.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-30253829664625492412010-05-01T22:05:12.039-05:002010-05-01T22:05:12.039-05:00True Maryann. Set a limit on being depressed about...True Maryann. Set a limit on being depressed about rejection and move forward.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-69087014181224403462010-05-01T20:40:42.857-05:002010-05-01T20:40:42.857-05:00Enjoyed this story about Burke. Especially like hi...Enjoyed this story about Burke. Especially like his 36 hour rule. I remember learning something like that a long time ago when I was doing a lot of freelance work. It is so easy to get dejected about the rejections and not do anything for a week or longer. Can't do that when you need to sell a story to pay the light bill.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-77861611126186488252010-05-01T18:54:45.630-05:002010-05-01T18:54:45.630-05:00Same here, Lee. I do many partial and full read-th...Same here, Lee. I do many partial and full read-throughs.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-34898921100081534842010-05-01T15:18:37.511-05:002010-05-01T15:18:37.511-05:00Great tips from one who knows!Great tips from one who knows!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-59244721842834034662010-05-01T14:26:32.249-05:002010-05-01T14:26:32.249-05:00Rejected 111 times and not giving up, that's i...Rejected 111 times and not giving up, that's impressive patience and endurance. I've never read James Lee Burke, but appears as worth checking out >:)<br /><br /><a href="http://cold-as-heaven.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cold As Heaven </a>CA Heavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558100567878233142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-52547478992242636082010-05-01T13:41:18.447-05:002010-05-01T13:41:18.447-05:00I haven't any hard and fast personal rules wit...I haven't any hard and fast personal rules with regard to my writing, but I do have some habits that I guess one would call rules, that is, I always keep a pen and notebook handy for any ideas that spring up. My work flow may be 250 words one day, 5000 the next. It just depends on what else I have going on.(I wear a lot of hats: writer, artist, real estate assistant, mother, wife, book reviewer/promoter.) And I'm like you, I edit as I go, but that's not to say I dont' go back to the beginning and revise/edit several times more when I'm done.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933301194042602307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-49633684206663049552010-05-01T13:28:17.678-05:002010-05-01T13:28:17.678-05:00And here I thought Texas was God's country, Le...And here I thought Texas was God's country, Les!<br /><br />My husband just bought an iPad. I think I'll download a Burke for him (that way I get to read it if I can ever have access to the iPad).<br /><br />Les, the way you acted at Burke's signing? That'll be me if I ever get to one of your signings. When is the next one due out?Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-90516397878895960022010-05-01T11:39:51.822-05:002010-05-01T11:39:51.822-05:00I LOVE James Lee Burke, Helen. I have every single...I LOVE James Lee Burke, Helen. I have every single one of his books and consider him the contemporary Faulkner. (This isn't an original thought--lots of others think this, too.)<br /><br />I turned on a writer I privately coach to him recently, and she became an instant fan, devouring every one of his and his daughter's <br /><br />Burke is the contemporary Faulkner. (This isn't an original opinion--lots of people think this.)<br /><br />I met him at a booksigning years ago at Borders in Ft. Wayne, and wanted so much to talk to him, but to be honest was intimidated. He wore his cowboy hat and was as laconic as his Dave Robicheaux character. I did get to shake his hand and mumble something incomprehensible about being a writer too and then slunk off. (Or is that "slinked?") Anyway, one of my all-time favorite writers. None better. And, it rocks we're both from the same part of the country--Placqemine, Houma, Opelousas--God's country.Les Edgertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997858985904932554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-50209540696749668822010-05-01T09:38:59.953-05:002010-05-01T09:38:59.953-05:00I'm a bit like him. I read what I did before a...I'm a bit like him. I read what I did before and edit, then move on to new material.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73073510698221696472010-05-01T08:09:11.522-05:002010-05-01T08:09:11.522-05:00Wow - 31 is a lot of books :)
I don't have ru...Wow - 31 is a lot of books :)<br /><br />I don't have rules for myself - life is just too chaotic. I just try to do what I can when I can.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-30910620854960675312010-05-01T08:04:05.500-05:002010-05-01T08:04:05.500-05:00I admire someone wiht such discipline. I don't...I admire someone wiht such discipline. I don't edit as I go but rather do a first rough and then go back and completely rewrite it. <br />I don't have a 36 hour rule but I try to have a manuscript out to three places at any one time unless someone has asked for an exclusive opportunity.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-64100224005919211842010-05-01T07:59:40.321-05:002010-05-01T07:59:40.321-05:00This is inspiring. Sometimes I think we all need t...This is inspiring. Sometimes I think we all need that push to keep going. This story certainly did that for me. Thanks.Lauritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03688820247531607677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-28000269690926128202010-05-01T07:43:26.927-05:002010-05-01T07:43:26.927-05:00Attitude is so important, and I love Burke's. ...Attitude is so important, and I love Burke's. What positivity, and to turn a work around in 36 hours? That's determination. I don't set an actual word count, but do set weekly goals with whatever project I'm working on, and give it my all to complete those goals to keep moving forward.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-25668845561715767622010-05-01T07:32:30.597-05:002010-05-01T07:32:30.597-05:00One hunded and eleven rejections!? It's a bloo...One hunded and eleven rejections!? It's a bloody good book, too. I suppose self publishing wasn't so easy then!Paul D Brazillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12881642426845398389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-66939446303164643092010-05-01T06:48:39.295-05:002010-05-01T06:48:39.295-05:00Good rule, Talli. Do you edit as you write, like B...Good rule, Talli. Do you edit as you write, like Burke, or wait until it's done to go back and begin an edit phase?Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-80838733421830184042010-05-01T04:09:11.096-05:002010-05-01T04:09:11.096-05:0031 books! I'm amazed. What great advice! Thank...31 books! I'm amazed. What great advice! Thanks so posting, Helen.<br /><br />My own writing rules? I aim for 2000 words a day, whether it's rubbish or not. I might take one day on the weekend off, but I try to keep the flow going as much as possible.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.com