Stepping into the forest of my mind

Stepping into the forest of my mind
Just as every journey begins with a first step, every story begins with the first word.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

The Write Game's Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome everyone, to Adventures in Writing.  Thank you so much for visiting.  I hope you find my blog helpful and interesting.

I'm trying
 C. Lee McKenzie's blog hop for the first time and hope I do it correctly.  I decided to look at two famous quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt because I think they can be of use to writers.  

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  

Sometimes when writers send their manuscripts out for critique or to be published, they can feel inferior when they receive negative comments or rejection letters.  

Notice I didn't say I feel crushed, although sometimes I do.  I try to rise above a feeling of inferiority to allow the comments or rejection to sink in, to notice if the comments pertain to the story I'm trying to tell, to see what revision needs to be accomplished to move from the rejection pile into the publishable pile.   

Another nugget of wisdom I've gleaned from Eleanor was to “Do one thing every day that scares you.”  

Okay, so maybe I can't do something scary every day, but maybe most days I try to stretch out of myself and submit my manuscripts, hoping not to feel inferior if negative comments come in.  I try to learn from every instance.

Do I succeed?  ...Mmmm, sometimes.  

But this leads to my own personal quote for writers:

Don’t let a blizzard of activity keep you from writing.
http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com
The things I do to be alone to write.
I got all the way out to the chairs
 and forgot my computer. Can you believe it?

Fellow writers, this means cast out your manuscript into the sea of publishing to see if you can catch a contract.

All the best, in 2016!





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44 comments:

  1. You picked a wonderful woman to quote. Wishing you all the best sending your words out there. I like your quote too.

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    1. Hello and welcome, Susan, to Adventures in Writing. Yes, Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong and inspiring woman for sure. Thank you so much for your kind words. Hope to see you again here on Adventures in Writing.

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  2. Hi Victoria.
    I love the quote: “Do one thing every day that scares you.” It's all about being brave enough to venture into the unknown. Which can be scary. But also exhilirating. When we can do this, then we'll spread our wings...grow.
    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    New follower.

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    1. Hello and welcome, Michelle! Eleanor Roosevelt knew what she was talking about. Writers can sometimes be fearful to send their manuscripts out into the world. But you are correct. The only way for people to grow is to take a chance and try something scary. Thank you so much for becoming a new follower. Hope to see you again here on Adventures in Writing.

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  3. When I look back over all of the criticisms I've gotten on my writing, I realize that those were what made me a better writer. Even the ones that were way off the mark. You learn so much through that feedback and it helps you grow as a writer. It's just hard to see it in the moment, when it stings!

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    1. This is true, Stephanie. All criticism of our writings allows us to step back and consider the possibilities. We need to lock inferiority in the closet and move into revision. Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!

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  4. Sometimes criticisms can be cruel, but you have to consider the source. A critic can only tell how THEY would write your book. Sometimes you just have to go with your instincts, right? Thanks for visiting me and Denise on her blog! :-)

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    1. Yes they can, Roland. Writers should always consider the source when applying any critique notes to their work. Then also take time to consider what is being said in the critique. I agree some times the writer's instinct is correct. Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing. Hope to see you again here!

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  5. Once I took a bit of criticism over the first few pages of a manuscript hard. I thought the critics had to be wrong my character was just fine, they just didn't see the potential. But then I took time and thought about it. They were actually right and I got back the somewhat thick skin I always had with a bit of a lesson added in. While criticism can sting sometimes it opens your eyes to mistakes you can't see on your own.

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  6. Unfortunately, many times I take the criticism hard. I always want to explain why I did what I did. But like you say, Sheena-Kay, many times what they say is true if only I step back and consider the possibilities. Thank you so much for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog. Please stop by again.

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  7. LOL. I hate it when I settle in and remember something I've forgotten.

    Eleanor Roosevelt was quite the classy lady. So wise.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. Hello and welcome, Elizabeth! Yes, Eleanor was; wise enough to allow her wisdom to be found to pass down to descendants of a fine country. Thanks so much for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog and leaving a note. It is greatly appreciated.

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  8. Never give up, never surrender, the show must go on!

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  9. I ALWAYS loved that line from Galaxy Quest. Thanks so much for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog and leaving a note. It's appreciated more than you realize.

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  10. Great quotes! Never give up, always take criticism in stride, and if it doesn't scare you.. well, you don't care enough. :)

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    1. Thank you, Madilyn. You have the mantra for all writers: Never give up. All criticism should be taken in stride. And always be brave. Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again!

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  11. Love the quotes. And thanks for visiting at my blog. I have returned and followed you.
    I'm confused about this bloghop. I thought it didn't start until Feb 29? Have I made a mistake?

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    1. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Denise! My understanding was that the blog hop ENDED on Feb. 29, but now I'm not sure. Since I've been hopping around, I think I remember something about March. I'm not sure if there are several hops going on or if they extended it or what. Thank you for following my Adventures in Writing blog. It is truly appreciated.

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  12. I love Eleanor Roosevelt quotes! Those are two good ones.
    Best of luck with your writing.

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    1. Eleanor Roosevelt had such insight and could phrase it well. Thanks so much, Yvonne, for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again. Thank you for your good wishes. All the best in 2016!

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  13. Great quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt. Both are so true.

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  14. Yes they are, Natalie. Thank you so much for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog. It is appreciated more than you realize. Please stop by again! All the best in 2016.

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  15. Hi Victoria! I'm visiting by way of Juneta Key's blog. I've always liked those quotes. It's all in the attitude. Book marketing and social media have always been scary to me, so in that sense I do something scary every day. Best of luck with your writing!

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  16. Hello and welcome, Lori! Thanks for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog. I love Eleanor Roosevelt's insight. It is an attitude, or maybe mindset, for writers to overcome the fear of marketing and social media. Yes, I have this fear as well. Thanks for helping me to see that I do something scary just by attempting to be social online. All the best in 2016.

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  17. Love these quotes! It was so interesting to read what you had to say about each of them. So glad I stopped by and look forward to more posts! :)
    ~Jess

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  18. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing. Thank you so much for your kind words. They are my favorite quotes, too. Yes, please stop by again.

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  19. Awesome quotes Victoria! And all the best with all your goals!

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  20. Thank you so much, Nas, for your good wishes. They mean the world to me. And thanks for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog. Always a pleasure to see you.

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  21. That was fantastic! And I'd be the one going out in all the snow then forgetting my laptop. Hehehe! Thanks for participating in the blog hop. :)

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    1. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Christine! I'm always in a rush to get away to write--even in extreme weather. Luckily, I like snow. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a note. I enjoyed the blog hop! Connected with many new and interesting people. Thanks for hosting it!

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  22. Eleanor was/is such an inspiration! OMG! That little picture, trucking through the snow... too funny!

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    1. Isn't it though! Luckily I love snow. But it's difficult to type on a computer in such cold. Eleanor is an inspiration to many people. It's good for all of us to learn from those who came before. Thanks so much, Bish, for visiting my Adventures in Writing blog. Your kind words mean a lot.

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  23. I actually saw a dozen folks ice fishing on a pond yesterday--while I road by on my bike. It was above 60 degrees. I guess ice melts slowly.

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  24. I hope so! Where do you live? Perhaps it had been cold for an extended period of time and this was the first warm day? Thanks so much, Tamara, for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. It is greatly appreciated. Please stop by again!

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  25. These are a couple of excellent quotes. I don't do too many daring things these days--sometimes, but not every day. I don't know too many people who don't have some hint of insecurity, but we can't let those fears keep us from pursuing our dreams. If we believe in ourselves strongly enough, what others say shouldn't deter us permanently. Gotta keep moving on and keep trying to be better.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out


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    1. Thanks, Lee. I agree. Writers need to believe in themselves--always. I'm not talking about being cocky. I'm talking about feeling that what we are writing is important to both us and others. Keeping fears in check is difficult to do for anyone, especially writers. But as you say, IF we are strong enough we will survive. Thank you so much for visiting my Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. Always a pleasure seeing you here.

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  26. Your quote was my favorite, lol, "Don’t let a blizzard of activity keep you from writing." Great Meme too!
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  27. Welcome to my Adventures in Writing blog. Thank you so much for your kind words, Juneta! I love snow, but it is tiring to trudge through. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again.

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  28. love the quotes and inspiration and pictures to go with them - great job!
    thanks for playing with us!

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    1. My pleasure,Tara! This is a great way to connect with fellow bloggers online. Thanks so much for hosting it. And thank you for your kind words. I think Eleanor knew what she was talking about. Please stop by again at Adventures in Writing.

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  29. Great meme! I'd do that to be alone to write. And yeah, I'd forget the laptop and power supply. Ha ha ha.

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  30. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, J. Lenni! Thank you for your kind words. As for the power supply, I could only use my battery. The power cord wouldn't reach. I told my husband to move the chairs closer to the deck, but he wouldn't do it.
    Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. Please stop by again.

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  31. Those are all great quotes! I'll have to remember not to let a blizzard keep me from writing. ;-)

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  32. Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Sherry! Yes, Eleanor Roosevelt could deliver keen insight in pithy little nuggets, couldn't she? Thank you so much for saying my blizzard quote is worthy. Your comment is truly appreciated. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again.

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