tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post5134020134167215378..comments2024-03-18T09:40:52.281-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Good Vs. DoneElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20885128640826990512010-03-03T02:20:59.966-07:002010-03-03T02:20:59.966-07:00My love dithered about the color of the house for ...My love dithered about the color of the house for years and then finally slapped something on and declared: "Done is good." I think there's something to that, too, if we don't want to get overcome by clouds of navel lint.Murr Brewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422638986410813520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-32939386354805862232010-03-01T19:55:59.071-07:002010-03-01T19:55:59.071-07:00I almost didn't comment, because there are alr...I almost didn't comment, because there are already so many insightful splashes of life, but I can't help it. Totally agree, I know exactly what you're describing. I've never gotten to DONE, though. I've only thought I had, until I realized I hadn't.Diana Pazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04368186068872293410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-83464162516352406472010-03-01T07:00:06.973-07:002010-03-01T07:00:06.973-07:00Wallow...wallow...
I've been there recently, ...Wallow...wallow...<br /><br />I've been there recently, with a revision that my beta readers complained lacked some things from the first version, and I am ready to tear my hair out.<br /><br />So I am thinking of applying the antidote: another novel. LOLJewel Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614039445924074306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-3841582632961266422010-02-28T21:51:10.781-07:002010-02-28T21:51:10.781-07:00Thanks for all the links to awards, people! You gu...Thanks for all the links to awards, people! You guys rock.<br /><br />And I'm glad to hear that I've got all this company in the pool of writing funk. Who knew? It's like WALL-E where those people didn't even realize there WAS a pool, you know? <br /><br />I definitely agree that sometimes we over-write because it is entirely possible to go over something so much that you want to die. It is important to have crit buddies and other to tell you to back away slowly.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-21103589661996314372010-02-28T20:54:21.184-07:002010-02-28T20:54:21.184-07:00I think it's done when I can't look at it ...I think it's done when I can't look at it anymore. I have an old manuscript right now that's not horrible, and I know I should take it out and polish it up, but I just can't get back into it. Maybe it's not done, I'm just done with it.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-42362411081137876852010-02-28T19:04:39.481-07:002010-02-28T19:04:39.481-07:00I totally understand what you mean. My second manu...I totally understand what you mean. My second manuscript was not sucktacular, but it can use a bit more work, and it's that "not done" feeling that weighs me down like a Mob victim in the East River.Lorel Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749366331989131894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-35149832182630349292010-02-28T13:05:56.331-07:002010-02-28T13:05:56.331-07:00My skin has been wrinkly for about a week, but I&#...My skin has been wrinkly for about a week, but I'm starting to come out of it.<br /><br />I absolutely agree that a book can be good before it's done. Writing, I think, is like an art, and can easily fit in with that old saying that art is never finished, only abandoned. The trick is to abandon it when it's the best you can make it.<br /><br />Then your agent can help make it better, and your editor can help you make it best. At least, that's the hope. :)Samantha Clarkhttp://daybydaywriter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-27892920080583123002010-02-28T12:46:50.565-07:002010-02-28T12:46:50.565-07:00Yaeah, the one I'm writing now is my best! LOL...Yaeah, the one I'm writing now is my best! LOL But NOT done!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-51960867752502024792010-02-28T10:46:44.666-07:002010-02-28T10:46:44.666-07:00I think its a process of writing toward the donene...I think its a process of writing toward the doneness!Jan Markleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317561950719847803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-77131883611343947122010-02-28T09:22:03.928-07:002010-02-28T09:22:03.928-07:00Elana, hope you have time to come and pick up your...Elana, hope you have time to come and pick up your Award - <a href="http://lauramonicacucu.blogspot.com/2010/02/and-sunshine-goes-to.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. :)Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01412146742072723407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-74186732558452642982010-02-28T05:55:21.922-07:002010-02-28T05:55:21.922-07:00Yep, I understand this acutely. After working for...Yep, I understand this acutely. After working for 6-7 years on the same novel (still working)- the writing of which encompasses countless drafts, one complete rewrite, more edits than should be allowed for one piece of writing, and a lot of hair-pulling, I understand something being good- at moments even great- but still. NOT. DONE. Perseverance is essential.Melissa Baniganhttp://www.brooklynreject.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-2920847885621676232010-02-28T01:54:43.033-07:002010-02-28T01:54:43.033-07:00"So I came to the conclusion that just becaus..."So I came to the conclusion that just because something (my latest WiP) isn't DONE doesn't mean it isn't GOOD."<br /><br />Makes perfect sense. I think my book, Immortalis went through 15 or so revisions before it was good. That was a whole year and a half after it was done.Katie Salidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159923761047042193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-64977262505155057122010-02-27T20:39:40.017-07:002010-02-27T20:39:40.017-07:00It totally makes sense. Something can absolutely b...It totally makes sense. Something can absolutely be good while it is still a work in progress. Sometimes we just have to swim across the pool of writing funk, get out and finish work we started.Kerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09850852586149578236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-21959156225639722332010-02-27T19:06:52.469-07:002010-02-27T19:06:52.469-07:00This was an awesome post. I've been swimming ...This was an awesome post. I've been swimming in that pool. Luckily I'm currently sitting on the side dipping a toe or two but no swimming so that's good. Something can be good if it isn't done..it's all about point of view and attitude. Sometimes we're up and sometimes we're down. <br /><br />BTW- another great word (although sucktacular is awesome) is craptastic...it's in my dictionary, I swear. :DMelonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12316592864979427722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-5852057289430909312010-02-27T17:26:54.670-07:002010-02-27T17:26:54.670-07:00Hi, Elana. I have a blog award waiting for you on...Hi, Elana. I have a blog award waiting for you on my blog. http://sharifwrites.blogspot.com/2010/02/only-alien-on-planet-kristen-randle.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-80663425434589868942010-02-27T15:18:20.175-07:002010-02-27T15:18:20.175-07:00Yes, I know what you mean. Althought I wallow in t...Yes, I know what you mean. Althought I wallow in the sucktacular phase more than you do, probably!Lydia Kanghttp://lydiakang.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-29416234983934576302010-02-27T13:33:18.552-07:002010-02-27T13:33:18.552-07:00You're hilarious - yet also quite guru-ish. K...You're hilarious - yet also quite guru-ish. Keep this up and your face will be on t-shirts some day. And maybe coffee mugs too.Kimberly Vanderhorsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653757517652257445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-30988614454575911792010-02-27T12:38:38.498-07:002010-02-27T12:38:38.498-07:00Is awesomesauce like applesauce but tastes a whole...Is awesomesauce like applesauce but tastes a whole lot better? I usually like to roll around in that sludgy pool of self doubt until it funks me up pretty good. Then, like now, i get on these random highs that I think I'm like, the bomb, but it won't last long so I enjoy it when I can. Because next week, when I'm coming off my high, I will look at the same work and go "what is this crap?"Dana Elmendorfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07130309062939542854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-67231597520603974322010-02-27T09:56:53.379-07:002010-02-27T09:56:53.379-07:00Loved this post and your non-sucktacular vocab!! :...Loved this post and your non-sucktacular vocab!! :)Tiffany Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13843374938222817346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-712294585538147082010-02-27T08:55:15.604-07:002010-02-27T08:55:15.604-07:00Great thoughts. And I think most of us are never t...Great thoughts. And I think most of us are never truly done, because you always want it to be perfect and perfect is pretty tough to reach since, you know, since I swear it's a mirage. All you can do is your absolute determined best and then, make it better!Windyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07684298115679477705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-14356177888004778402010-02-27T08:51:30.105-07:002010-02-27T08:51:30.105-07:00It makes perfect sense to me that it can be good b...It makes perfect sense to me that it can be good but not done. We tend to go one of two ways on our writing, either we see it as way better than it is (the beginners) or as way worse. When you've read something over and over you get so familiar with it that you can't see it clearly any more. It's like if you say a word over and over again until it doesn't sound like a real word anymore.Lisa Nowakhttp://lisanowak.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-68948977742784258282010-02-27T00:46:20.096-07:002010-02-27T00:46:20.096-07:00True! But it's kind of rewarding comging back ...True! But it's kind of rewarding comging back to a piece and making it better and better. I like to keep my first drafts and then compare. WOW!Christina Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-89381522340984307552010-02-26T21:52:42.239-07:002010-02-26T21:52:42.239-07:00You've always got something great at your blog...You've always got something great at your blog, Elana. I've left an award for you at my blog.<br /><br />http://justifiedlunacy.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-awards.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01677563505368503476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-88157948684543614072010-02-26T20:57:16.796-07:002010-02-26T20:57:16.796-07:00I wonder if my work is ever done...I guess when I ...I wonder if my work is ever done...I guess when I scratch my head because I can't figure out what else to do with it it's done.??Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18309290456114717562010-02-26T20:32:48.581-07:002010-02-26T20:32:48.581-07:00So, um, now do we call you the query AND comment q...So, um, now do we call you the query AND comment queen?! You so totally rock. Which leads me to why I'm here - I have an award for you on my Saturday post. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.com