tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post1205645504520894343..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Stretching YourselfElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-75659979498027245352014-01-29T06:45:03.847-07:002014-01-29T06:45:03.847-07:00What haven't I done? Call me Gumby. (I'm s...What haven't I done? Call me Gumby. (I'm still trying to "find" my true self and I've been doing this for years too.)Kim Van Sicklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957877837203134260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-80151351549666308932014-01-28T13:33:03.817-07:002014-01-28T13:33:03.817-07:00It seems like every book has stretched me tons. I ...It seems like every book has stretched me tons. I usually have to think about them for a few months before writing so I can get up the guts to finally tackle them. I'm rewriting a book right now with a completely different setting. It's stretching me to let go of some plot elements and characters from the original that just won't fit in this reimagined world. Yes, definitely a stretch. And my next novel ideas will be huge stretches for me. But writing a novel in verse? You take the cake!Kathryn Purdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18337488365098780737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-22087296888824133172014-01-27T18:52:34.816-07:002014-01-27T18:52:34.816-07:00Hi Elana, just stopping by to say how delightful y...Hi Elana, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris<br />http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04371079442081063376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-78196360370438836392014-01-27T15:30:24.657-07:002014-01-27T15:30:24.657-07:00Writing historical fiction was a stretch for me. I...Writing historical fiction was a stretch for me. I didn't think I could pull of a period piece -- until I tried it. I ended up writing six historical fiction novels, two of which were published.<br /><br />Then, when I got an idea for a fantasy, I didn't think I had the world-building skills to do it -- until I tried it. The book I wrote became my first 3-book deal.<br /><br />So, at this point, I have to conclude that I can pull off anything if I really want to do it -- even if it's risky and a stretch. But I still have moments of massive insecurity and have to remind myself of those past risks that paid off.Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20388843358024504222014-01-27T10:51:49.558-07:002014-01-27T10:51:49.558-07:00Geesh, I don't know. I feel pretty stretched t...Geesh, I don't know. I feel pretty stretched to the limit right about frickin' now! ;( *angry mood*Jessie Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096043821002254348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-6020157285504527202014-01-27T09:25:47.784-07:002014-01-27T09:25:47.784-07:00Stretching. What a great way to describe trying so...Stretching. What a great way to describe trying something new. I'm currently trying a new genre and it's definitely pushing my ability to the edge. I've been close reading authors . I examine several books from their body of work for style, common themes and unique voice. I always find that it teaches me so much and it spills over into my writing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02953440041536434213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-58887586603200857682014-01-27T09:14:55.076-07:002014-01-27T09:14:55.076-07:00Awesome you could stretch yourself to write in ver...Awesome you could stretch yourself to write in verse. I don't think I could go that far with my own writing.<br /><br />But yes, it's good to stretch and grow as a writer no matter where we are in the publishing process.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-90881362462005569212014-01-27T08:46:23.889-07:002014-01-27T08:46:23.889-07:00Thinking about writing a novel in verse scares the...Thinking about writing a novel in verse scares the crap out of me. I do have one book that I have to work on in shifts because the voice is really hard but so powerful...that's my stretch right now.ilimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17899071063752311737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-50338131428528356562014-01-27T08:04:14.648-07:002014-01-27T08:04:14.648-07:00I think stretching is a great thing - for our writ...I think stretching is a great thing - for our writing and our lives. I like to try different writing styles and exercises. Like you, I'm always a little surprised at how much I learn.Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-33454282738889451652014-01-27T06:53:26.738-07:002014-01-27T06:53:26.738-07:00I have to say those periods where 'some force&...I have to say those periods where 'some force' pushes us to stretch irritate me. However, I know they're necessary. I always find I've learned something new about the craft and about myself after those periods. I had a similar 'stuck' experience with my current WIP. So, for some odd reason, I started writing a short story in another genre--one I'd never written in before. Glad I did, because it's being published soon.S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-59949146008420174922014-01-27T06:42:03.579-07:002014-01-27T06:42:03.579-07:00I agree, definitely. Whether it's a new and co...I agree, definitely. Whether it's a new and completely different character or a genre, I think renewing our style and voice is one of the perks of being a writer. in what other jobs can you just decide to up and change how you do things?Creepy Query Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-88134478777276298302014-01-27T05:55:23.977-07:002014-01-27T05:55:23.977-07:00yes, I do enjoy trying new styles, new genres or n...yes, I do enjoy trying new styles, new genres or new approaches to the same genre. I think i grow the most as a writer during those times.Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.com