Comments on: The Hardest Part of Being a Writer

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 18:35:11 +0000

In reply to Glenna.

Thank you, Frederick for this article. I read so many travel memoirs and fell in love with many, Under the Tuscan Sun being my favorite. Then I read Frances Mayes’ A Year in the World – a far cry from her other excellent book. And it was then I told myself, “If she can publish that, then I can write my own travel memoir.” I did & I’m happy I did. And yes self-worth often comes from comparing ourselves with others.

By: Ralph Erik Schnackenberg

Ralph Erik Schnackenberg — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:57:08 +0000

I’ve almost completed my novel after a gazillion rewrites, checking spelling, resources, etc. My problem is finding someone who can retype my manuscript properly, using the correct format. A three year slog has produced forty five thousand words without pagination. Other than that, I’ve more or less completed the ordeal !
How do I find a professional to help me ?

By: Frederick Meyer

Frederick Meyer — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:24:39 +0000

In reply to Violet Oldenski. Thank you, Violet! I appreciate you sharing those challenges. We're working to strengthen the publishing support we offer, and this is helpful for that.

By: Violet Oldenski

Violet Oldenski — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 02:55:02 +0000

Thank you so much for this in-depth explanation of all the factors that are holding me back. The most important for me is the fact that I am 83 years old and doubt that an agent will even take me on. I am probably never going to be a money maker for an agent or publisher. They are looking for someone who can crank out story after story and has years to do it. I am not that person. I have been published in an anthology with my writing group and working on a second but my dream is getting my current manuscript about the Vietnam War published. (The Vietnam War–whose interested? And written by a woman. Where’s the draw?) Those questions have held me back for the last few years.

By: Glenna

Glenna — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:22:45 +0000

In reply to Frederick Meyer. I was glad to see this issue addressed. What we all need, in order to grow, is constructive feedback. Reading our written words, out loud, can help us recognize when punctuation is lacking. If the reader has to stop and reread a sentence several times, that means the sentences needs work.

By: Frederick Meyer

Frederick Meyer — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:42:44 +0000

In reply to Shirley Woods. Thank you very much, Shirley! :)

By: Frederick Meyer

Frederick Meyer — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:41:50 +0000

In reply to Stacie R Santangelo. Hi Stacie, Yes, I really share that fear—for me, it creates temptation not to write what's most important, because then others can't disregard it. I know many other writers have mentioned the same worry. Thank you for your comment!

By: Shirley Woods

Shirley Woods — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 02:37:35 +0000

Thank you, Frederick, for your supportive, honest and kind words. Great article. I’m looking forward to my next class with writers.com in September.

By: Frederick Meyer

Frederick Meyer — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:24:33 +0000

In reply to Hazel Teal. Hi Hazel, Thank you for your beautifully written comment. :)

By: Frederick Meyer

Frederick Meyer — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:24:07 +0000

In reply to Rozanne Charbonneau. Thank you very much, Rozanne!