tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post729276989801497945..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Professionally DevelopedElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-19894674006738398422009-10-25T01:25:02.924-06:002009-10-25T01:25:02.924-06:00Thanks, Elana, for this. Yes, when we're stret...Thanks, Elana, for this. Yes, when we're stretched we grow into something amazing. I'm going to tell myself this all week.I Must Be Offhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12148155129334288438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-12511998466489866602009-10-24T20:45:34.049-06:002009-10-24T20:45:34.049-06:00I really like this post, Elana. Sometimes it feel...I really like this post, Elana. Sometimes it feels like the stretch is too much....kind of feeling like that now with many things.....but hoping for the beautiful, amazing foliage. Or even just orange. I'd take orange.<br /><br />Shelleystoryqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039684494823420722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-71251305522113207112009-10-24T19:17:25.255-06:002009-10-24T19:17:25.255-06:00Stretching is good. Growing is good. Change is goo...Stretching is good. Growing is good. Change is good. Great analogies, Elana!<br /><br />I love writing and the challenges it brings with it. It such a such a rewarding sensation when you get the right word, the right sensation, the right reaction. And you only get it when you stretch!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-69591981699295261232009-10-24T19:10:03.921-06:002009-10-24T19:10:03.921-06:00I definitely improve when being stretched, but I d...I definitely improve when being stretched, but I don't know that I'm to glorious fall foliage yet. Working on it, though. :)Jaime Thelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12442679809704484650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-89369356052840173472009-10-24T07:57:52.772-06:002009-10-24T07:57:52.772-06:00Most definitely. I switched from YA paranormal to ...Most definitely. I switched from YA paranormal to YA contemporary (something I thought I'd never do) and my writing improved big time. Now I'm not focused on the fantasy elements of my plot. Now I'm focused on my characterizations, and my story's better for it. I've also used other techniques in writing, such as flashbacks, that have helped enrich the story. <br /><br />Remember, trees that don't change and lose their leaves, are prone to break when the snow falls.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-45887147830632695672009-10-23T19:34:02.099-06:002009-10-23T19:34:02.099-06:00Yes, I've been stretched. And while it wasn...Yes, I've been stretched. And while it wasn't very much fun at the time, it was well worth it. I hope to be stretched again sometime soon. :)Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-16766944578225902442009-10-23T12:28:59.691-06:002009-10-23T12:28:59.691-06:00There are times I thought I broke but I didn't...There are times I thought I broke but I didn't. I stretched further than I knew I could. When I was willing to look at it seriously, I saw how much growth there was.<br /><br />A beautiful, inspiring post, Elana.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-91191442574178415032009-10-23T12:19:14.781-06:002009-10-23T12:19:14.781-06:00Beautiful image -- the picture, and the idea of us...Beautiful image -- the picture, and the idea of us growing and changing as writers.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-44579734266034750432009-10-23T12:19:00.434-06:002009-10-23T12:19:00.434-06:00Yes, Growth for me as a writer has come from being...Yes, Growth for me as a writer has come from being challenged. The results feel amazing to me because twice when I thought my book was finished,i.e. ready for querying and submission, I got feedback that helped me push the book to another, and then another level. It was sort of like climbing a mountain and reaching false summits and choosing to keep going rather than turning around. I'm still on the mountain but am committed to continuing toward the top.Northwriterhttp://paulgreci.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-69807079511283146952009-10-23T11:45:25.068-06:002009-10-23T11:45:25.068-06:00That picture is absolutely gorgeous. It's the ...That picture is absolutely gorgeous. It's the perfect visual for how we change and grow as writers. Love it.lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84661715372730948342009-10-23T11:08:22.662-06:002009-10-23T11:08:22.662-06:00awesome post Elana!
I hope I've stretched and ...awesome post Elana!<br />I hope I've stretched and grown. I really, really hope so.<br />I'm glad you have a good principal. I think that makes a huge impact on the success of a school.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-91103076908887722432009-10-23T10:43:23.323-06:002009-10-23T10:43:23.323-06:00I love my writer and bloggy friends because you...I love my writer and bloggy friends because you're all very good at motivating me through the challenges, but also cutting me down to size when I need it. It's the perfect balance of support and necessity.<br /><br />As for the challenges, they have made me a stronger writer, less afraid to tackle things I wouldn't have before. Good post. :)L. T. Hosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448176940211118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-75976494365865256202009-10-23T10:26:44.051-06:002009-10-23T10:26:44.051-06:00I LOVE that painting (that's a painting?!) and...I LOVE that painting (that's a painting?!) and fall in general. Too bad we don't get that season here.<br /><br />I definitely think you need to stretch to grow, and I think it's the advice that stings the most that's forced me to develop my skills the most. I'm grateful for those who stretch me, even if they have to give a good yank now and then.Melanie Hooyengahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08781235493983907234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-13881621128127979302009-10-23T10:16:21.544-06:002009-10-23T10:16:21.544-06:00I grow with every word I type, every time I sit in...I grow with every word I type, every time I sit in front of a blank page and doodle mercilessly until the words come screaming down my arm and flood the paper with ink and anguish.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this and the beautiful painting!<br /><br />Happy weekend!<br />JenJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20572312250396899002009-10-23T10:12:50.619-06:002009-10-23T10:12:50.619-06:00Such a profound post! Love the positive vibes you&...Such a profound post! Love the positive vibes you've been spreading. <br /><br />And stretching, yes. Someone ... (ahem ;D) said they could totally see the growth between my first and second novels and I found amazing inspiration in that. So I guess I have grown and stretched with all that I've learned since I began writing.Windyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07684298115679477705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-26468971828924206262009-10-23T10:07:34.056-06:002009-10-23T10:07:34.056-06:00Uhggg. This is too deep for me today. Yikes. Min...Uhggg. This is too deep for me today. Yikes. Mind. Breaking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556206184198452490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-56704425207875613962009-10-23T09:37:28.689-06:002009-10-23T09:37:28.689-06:00Oh yes. Growing, stretching, it's all painful ...Oh yes. Growing, stretching, it's all painful but good for you in the end, I suppose, pray and hope ;)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-57070253704566454782009-10-23T09:20:36.430-06:002009-10-23T09:20:36.430-06:00As you mentioned at the beginning of your post, it...As you mentioned at the beginning of your post, it's so important to surround yourself with inspiring people. I feel that I thrive and grow most when those who support and encourage me also push me to do more. <br /><br />That picture is beautiful and I've realized that fall is my most motivating time of the year. I wrote my first book last fall (MG) and just finished my first YA book this fall. If only I can stay that motivated the other seasons of the year. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05255908019822363456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-58397840705229269192009-10-23T09:10:00.720-06:002009-10-23T09:10:00.720-06:00Yes, I think everyone does better when they are pu...Yes, I think everyone does better when they are pushed. That's why people get personal trainers at the gym :) And it's totally the same with writing. We need someone standing over our shoulder saying "just five more!"Corey Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883689227283545602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-46810421712909730802009-10-23T09:03:14.697-06:002009-10-23T09:03:14.697-06:00Really nice post, Elana! This is a great analogy a...Really nice post, Elana! This is a great analogy and observation.Annie Loudenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13008836459417708235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-15233088512345502522009-10-23T08:33:51.213-06:002009-10-23T08:33:51.213-06:00I don't feel broken... I'm not to a beauti...I don't feel broken... I'm not to a beautiful fall yet, but I feel like I've learned so much. There are things I didn't want to do (like learning how to critique someone), but doing so has certainly made me a better writer.<br /><br />I love your analogy to the trees. We do grow during times of change and when we stubbornly refuse to, we are giving up that awesome chance. Wonderful post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08616276555920544920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-62236148977019431072009-10-23T08:33:36.221-06:002009-10-23T08:33:36.221-06:00What doesn't break us makes us . . . drink mor...What doesn't break us makes us . . . drink more margaritas!<br /><br />I'm a firm believer that if we accept life as it is, status quo, and all that jazz . . . then we stagnate as individuals. We stop growing.<br /><br />I feel the same way about my writing. If I don't challenge myself, if I just accept how I'm currently writing is 'good enough' then, eventually, I'll stagnate as a writer.<br /><br />I love to experiment with my writing. I love to try new things.<br /><br />Yeah, it's great when a writer develops a style/format and all their books are done in this way. I want something better than 'great'. I want to challenge myself . . . and my readers as well.<br /><br />So, I'm growing as a writer, day by day, as I think of new ways of interpreting from The Beginning to The End. : )<br /><br />SScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.com