tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post1487475484997977600..comments2023-12-29T11:39:14.271-06:00Comments on 4RV Reading, Writing, & Art News: Striving to Be a Better Writer by Writing MoreVivian Zabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-24151031607737801682016-09-06T20:18:12.019-05:002016-09-06T20:18:12.019-05:00Find out how 1,000's of people like YOU are wo...Find out how <b>1,000's</b> of people like YOU are <b>working for a LIVING online</b> and are living their dreams <b>TODAY</b>.<br /><br />Get daily ideas and instructions for generating <b>$1,000s per day</b> FROM HOME for FREE. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://syntaxlinks.com/money/?promotion=blogspot" rel="nofollow">GET FREE ACCESS INSTANLY</a></b>Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287821785570247118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-1759180475369173672013-01-07T18:07:07.301-06:002013-01-07T18:07:07.301-06:00Joylene, Thanks so much. You put a smile on my fac...Joylene, Thanks so much. You put a smile on my face!Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-651490013149034302013-01-07T18:05:27.145-06:002013-01-07T18:05:27.145-06:00Vivian, you're absolutely on the mark. Imagine...Vivian, you're absolutely on the mark. Imagine practicing a music piece with the wrong notes!Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-45989391156422922822013-01-07T18:04:24.232-06:002013-01-07T18:04:24.232-06:00Allyn, it's so good to see you here! I try to ...Allyn, it's so good to see you here! I try to limit my social networking. While it's important, it's more important to keep limits on it.<br /><br />Since my daughter and her dog have been living with me (from Sandy) I can sweep 10 times a day and still see dog hair! :)<br /><br />Wow, two hours of reading a day! That's ambitious.Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-7899531136761428162013-01-07T13:10:17.432-06:002013-01-07T13:10:17.432-06:00Yes, writing is so important. As is reading. Thank...Yes, writing is so important. As is reading. Thanks for another great post, Karen. You do a lot to help others and that's a great legacy. Happy New Year. Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-41247890470998610862013-01-07T13:04:32.879-06:002013-01-07T13:04:32.879-06:00One problem, practicing incorrectly does not make ...One problem, practicing incorrectly does not make perfect. If one practices while improving, then one can finally work toward being perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-34456822722769693292013-01-07T12:45:44.857-06:002013-01-07T12:45:44.857-06:00Thanks, Karen...you're right, the longer the p...Thanks, Karen...you're right, the longer the piece the easier it is to lose focus. If you've never tried a novel, go for it someday! I write picture books, too, (one is slated to be my first 4RV book) but there's a joy in creating an entire world big enough to let characters stretch their legs and surprise you. I've got one finished MG manuscript and one nearly finished. Lots of fun, but they take LOTS of time!Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-64755881049047208052013-01-07T12:01:19.958-06:002013-01-07T12:01:19.958-06:00You are so right Karen. I work from home but find ...You are so right Karen. I work from home but find it really hard to get my writing time in after answering emails, checking facebook and all my other social networks, and sure enough... I'm always seeing dirt to clean up in my house! And before I know it, the day is over. Last year I really struggled with all of that but am determined that in 2013 I will try my best to devote 2 hrs a day to writing and if possible, 2 hrs. to reading. I'm just going to have to learn to ignore the dirt once in awhile!Allyn Stotzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00125021589041199877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-66336420037922625182013-01-07T11:58:20.052-06:002013-01-07T11:58:20.052-06:00Hi, Susanne, I think a lot of writers struggle wit...Hi, Susanne, I think a lot of writers struggle with focus and balance and the longer the piece the more struggle. Self-editing and critique groups are helpful in keeping focused. Another useful tool is an outline - with an outline you'll know if your straying. And, I read somewhere that when in the editing stage you should try to read the piece once through as a reader, not the author. Not sure how you can do this though. :)<br /><br />I write shorter children's works, pbs and mgs, so focus is a bit easier. <br />I think it's that 'long piece' struggle that keeps me from doing a full novel. One day . . .Karen Cioffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492421057039326702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-85789222944093965982013-01-07T07:52:30.796-06:002013-01-07T07:52:30.796-06:00Hi Karen, I love your analogy comparing story to a...Hi Karen, I love your analogy comparing story to a road map. After driving endless highways this holiday season, I had to balance focus on the destination with a few unexpected turns, scene changes, speed bumps and local characters to keep it lively. <br /><br />I struggle with the balance, though, in my writing. Karen, how do you tell if you're adding interest to a scene or meandering away from the focus?Suzanne Cordatoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456536184016933556noreply@blogger.com