tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post4695120138342875197..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: Loneliness and writingLaurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-38358886186829902572012-05-20T15:23:13.661-04:002012-05-20T15:23:13.661-04:00I don't get lonely when I write because I am t...I don't get lonely when I write because I am too absorbed in what my characters are experiencing. Sometimes they even come with me when I go for my run!D..J. Kirkbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00505496527818181395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-5935761810542389172012-05-20T10:48:52.422-04:002012-05-20T10:48:52.422-04:00I think the link he draws between our motivation t...I think the link he draws between our motivation to write and how engaged we are with the characters rings very true.<br /><br />Thanks for coming by!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-5426882990185295072012-05-20T10:47:17.848-04:002012-05-20T10:47:17.848-04:00Fun. I like the writing twist.Fun. I like the writing twist.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-61332138431856430722012-05-20T10:46:39.126-04:002012-05-20T10:46:39.126-04:00I think he's definitely onto something when it...I think he's definitely onto something when it comes to motivation. Love the characters and you can't help but commit to a manuscript.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-4656622905871130542012-05-20T10:44:57.092-04:002012-05-20T10:44:57.092-04:00His book points out in a few places how writing ca...His book points out in a few places how writing can be therapeutic, and how the big stories one feels called to write are a way of bringing healing to parts of ourselves.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-34483739987498455232012-05-20T10:43:03.630-04:002012-05-20T10:43:03.630-04:00I'm especially intrigued by your second commen...I'm especially intrigued by your second comment. I have a friend who's my "alpha reader"--she doesn't critique, but I share my drafts and she cheers me on. I think why I need her in the process is what you mention here--I feel less lonely/crazy when someone else knows my written world a little.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-24557462358161589632012-05-20T03:53:50.295-04:002012-05-20T03:53:50.295-04:00I find I only get lonely when I'm bored. If I&...I find I only get lonely when I'm bored. If I'm writing or daydreaming a new project, there's no loneliness there at all. :)<br /><br />Also, congrats on getting a RAOK shoutout this week!Miriam Forsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08773194271144793485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-61793417671100864482012-05-19T16:27:03.412-04:002012-05-19T16:27:03.412-04:00I bought a magnet for my refrigerator years ago th...I bought a magnet for my refrigerator years ago that said: "She likes imaginary men best of all." The image shows a woman who appears to be talking to an invisible person in a chair. I liked it...almost. Finally, I changed one word. It now reads: "She likes imaginary people best of all." Now it's perfect!Sherri Lackeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12574448009541412249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-80641877019531067382012-05-18T18:41:52.411-04:002012-05-18T18:41:52.411-04:00Let's put it this way: When I'm not writin...Let's put it this way: When I'm not writing, I miss my characters greatly. :D<br /><br />I totally agree with Steven!Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-36503433853070913182012-05-18T16:34:18.971-04:002012-05-18T16:34:18.971-04:00I am never lonely when I write, for I am engaged e...I am never lonely when I write, for I am engaged either with characters or other thoughts of some kind. Steven's quote is interesting; I'll toss that one around in my head for a while. :)<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-9441816538791106882012-05-18T14:20:45.752-04:002012-05-18T14:20:45.752-04:00I think the really great characters we write are p...I think the really great characters we write are people we want to spend time with. I used to smile ear to ear when one character would show up in a scene. I'd think, "Oh, today's going to be fun!"<br /><br />They really do quickly become like real people. I think maybe the only time I feel lonely is when I realize no one else knows them yet. Then I'm just the crazy lady talking to invisible people. :)Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-23631690479091004092012-05-18T12:56:03.593-04:002012-05-18T12:56:03.593-04:00For sure. If we aren't connected deeply with o...For sure. If we aren't connected deeply with our characters, readers surely won't do so.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-13803703703502958652012-05-18T12:40:04.602-04:002012-05-18T12:40:04.602-04:00Absolutely, I agree. I think once you start feelin...Absolutely, I agree. I think once you start feeling bored or lonely with your writing, then your reader will probably feel the same way.Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-3843501308180324162012-05-18T10:28:45.485-04:002012-05-18T10:28:45.485-04:00Thanks so much! Words of appreciation always do a ...Thanks so much! Words of appreciation always do a heart good. :-)Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-61749983398712492322012-05-18T10:20:09.127-04:002012-05-18T10:20:09.127-04:00I'd say that you're interested in the natu...I'd say that you're interested in the nature of power and what it does to people--and that could just as easily be a fear of it as a desire for it. (Freud would probably say fear=desire, but I've always been more of a Jungian).Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-73066164981436904522012-05-18T10:15:19.942-04:002012-05-18T10:15:19.942-04:00True, the interwebs can help us find like-minded f...True, the interwebs can help us find like-minded friends, which is especially helpful when our characters become ornery!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-5758834451884295862012-05-18T10:14:03.497-04:002012-05-18T10:14:03.497-04:00I think you're right that many job settings do...I think you're right that many job settings don't actually provide the kind of deep connection we long for.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-17017581990672285402012-05-18T10:12:27.085-04:002012-05-18T10:12:27.085-04:00I guess the sociability of writing isn't like ...I guess the sociability of writing isn't like other kinds of work. But as we turn our inner grapplings into story, part of the beauty is it can speak to others.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-14638720564223234732012-05-18T10:08:39.390-04:002012-05-18T10:08:39.390-04:00It seems like a good litmus test of whether a manu...It seems like a good litmus test of whether a manuscript has potential--can I as author engage deeply?Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-20878298839846594812012-05-18T10:07:50.577-04:002012-05-18T10:07:50.577-04:00The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indi...The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference, so the strength of your frustration when they seem to work against you is a sign of being enthralled.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-19147363508629343412012-05-18T10:06:33.063-04:002012-05-18T10:06:33.063-04:00Interesting. I, too, struggle to stick with books ...Interesting. I, too, struggle to stick with books with a protagonist who has some less than admirable qualities. But that is also what fiction can and should do--wrangle with the dark stuff. But it's probably better to pour more of those struggles into a villain.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-46848679366379123472012-05-18T10:03:09.003-04:002012-05-18T10:03:09.003-04:00If the engagement that Pressfield mentions is ther...If the engagement that Pressfield mentions is there, the time you do give to your characters feels very full, though, don't you think?Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-74342477923207890522012-05-18T09:57:09.674-04:002012-05-18T09:57:09.674-04:00Hey I just gave you a small shout out on my blog p...Hey I just gave you a small shout out on my blog post today for the Random Acts of Kindness Blitz! I hope you are having a great weekend!Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-43613030801706100932012-05-18T06:57:45.672-04:002012-05-18T06:57:45.672-04:00I get what you mean. When it comes down to it, wri...I get what you mean. When it comes down to it, writing involves wresting through things, and as much as our characters can be companions, they can also make what we're wrestling through more difficult at times.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-64219943616684658672012-05-18T06:52:39.369-04:002012-05-18T06:52:39.369-04:00I think Pressfield's reasoning of why our char...I think Pressfield's reasoning of why our characters are more interesting than IRL people rang true--that they are helping us work through some issue or idea that intrigues. People IRL usually have their own agendas.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.com