Wednesday, July 6, 2016

IWSG & The Best Thing Anyone Has Ever Said About My Writing


Happy IWSG day, friends!

The IWSG administrators have come up with a new feature for our monthly meetings that starts today. Each month, they will announce a new question that members can choose to answer in their IWSG posts. The question to kick things off is "What's the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?"

I admit, this question made me smile from ear to ear when I first read it, because it immediately brought back a wonderful memory. It's an easy one for me to answer!

I have taken part in a few classes taught by a friend of mine at the university where I work. The class focuses on local authors and the students have read one of my books each time I have participated. One year the students read The Ghosts of Aquinnah and I met to discuss it with them after they had finished the book.

The students all told me they loved the book and they were eager to discuss it, so I was thrilled right from the start. As the discussion went on, one of the students commented on the fact that the story is a tragedy. Another raised her hand and said "I thought it was Shakespearean." 

Once I picked my mouth off the floor I wanted to ask her to say that again so that I could record it for posterity. ;)

I didn't record it but it is a memory I access any time I need a pick-me-up or a dose of inspiration. That woman and that entire class will always have a special place in my heart.

So that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my writing. I'm looking forward to hopping around and seeing what wonderful things people have said to all of you.

I'd also like to say thanks to the admins for coming up with this new feature! I've really struggled with thinking of topics to write about lately, not because I'm no longer insecure but just because I can't think of anything I haven't said already. So thank you, wonderful admins!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and meets the first Wednesday of every month. Visit Alex's site to join in, see the monthly co-hosts, and view a list of members.

47 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't imagine how amazing it must've been to have your book compared to one of the greats like that. Congrats!

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  2. Such a great memory! Yes, that would help you keep moving forward, and I hope it has. So well deserved too. You are an amazing writer!
    The IWSG outdid themselves with this positive question, I'm enjoying each and every post! So inspirational!

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  3. Nice! That certainly is a great memory. I can see how it would act as a pick-me-up, or a source of inspiration.

    I can't imagine what I would have done if that had happened to me. Hide under the desk, probably. Of course, I can't even imagine myself willing going into a classroom filled with people who read and were eager to discuss my book. :)

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  4. I don't think you'll ever forget that one. Now you know your work is timeless.

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  5. I'm glad they added this feature too...and just in time for me to rejoin :)

    What a wonderful thing for you to hear. I'd revisit that memory too, it's no wonder it's such a cherished one for you. It's a beautiful compliment. I'm glad you got to hear it.

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  6. Wow, that's a FIRST-CLASS comment!
    You should ask her to mail it to you, then print it and put it up above your computer.
    You ARE an amazing writer. For sure.
    Happy IWSG Day!
    Writer In Transit

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  7. What a wonderful compliment and memory! Very cool. :)

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  8. Shakespearean. Talk about a kick-trash compliment. Love and love!

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  9. Hi Julie,

    Yes, it has been ages. So crazy with life and THE PUPPY!!!!!! You can't imagine how much of my time he takes. He's still having minor health issues, and needs tons of attention. Poor boy. But, he is a HAPPY and ACTIVE pup and keeps me going.

    It's nice to be writing again, even if it's for an intro and in the blogosphere. Hopefully some day soon I will get back to writing. I just haven't had the desire really. Too much going on in life with this and that. You know how it is.

    Otherwise all is good. Putting on the finishing touches to the loft. I think I might sell it when it's done. It's a great space and neighborhood, but it's a bit to noisy for me and Hamlet. Most of his issues stem from overexcitement. When we were at the condo in Orlando, he was much calmer and healthier. Downtown Chicago is a bit to stimulating for him. LOL Buses, people, and tons of other dogs. Way too much excitement. lol

    Hope all is going well for you. Any new projects?

    Congrats on that amazing comment. I would be framing that one. LOL

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  10. I am finding that people have had more than one compliment in just one session or sentence and you have also...first that they all enjoyed reading your book and loved discussing it but also that great quote relating your book to Shakespeare...that's wonderful!

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  11. Silly me, I didn't see the question. But the nicest thing I ever heard about Secondhand Shoes was that it was like a trashy reality show.

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  12. I love the monthly question too. It make posting less sad and more positive for me. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  13. A comparison to the Bard! It doesn't get better than that! Well done:)

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  14. That is a good compliment! I always liked Shakespeare; the fact that people continue to study and perform his plays shows that his writing resonates. So it's definitely a good thing to be compared to him.

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  15. WOW!!! Now that's a fantastic memory!!!! Whenever you feel those writing doubts filtering in, think of that memory!!!

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  16. Tragic and Shakespearean, it doesn't get better than that! So cool, Julie. It must have been fun to discuss it with students, too, they can be so insightful.

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  17. I think the question idea is brilliant for IWSG. That was a really good comment to get, I bet you were ecstatic!

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  18. I missed the memo about the monthly question but will try to get on it next month. What a fab comment! But even better for so many students to be into your book. Congratulations!

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  19. That is such a wonderful thing to hear. That also sounds like a fun program to participate in.

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  20. The program sounds amazing and a compliment like that get carried in your heart forever.

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  21. That's why I love this month's question. It forces us to think happy thoughts. Your comments are awesome! So glad you like the question, Julie!

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  22. Shakespearean is a great compliment. I would've committed that to memory, too. :)

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  23. that's a great activity--to read a local writer and then have her/him there in class. What an experience. And that is a memory worth hanging onto.

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  24. Woohoo! That's some pretty good praise! Great choice to keep near and dear to your heart.

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  25. How wonderful! I may have fallen on the floor to have someone comment on my work like that :)

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  26. It doesn't get much better than a fan comparing you to The Bard himself! And it's great to hear that the IWSG questions make it easier for you to find a topic for a post. :)

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  27. To have a class read and discuss your book is amazing enough - and then to be called Shakespearean! So, so cool.

    Man, I missed the memo on the question. Love the new initiative though and will be sure to find next month's.

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  28. This new question once a month is an awesome one. And how great that you heard your name and Shakespeare in the same time frame!

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  29. The question is a cool idea. Where is it found? I'm so out of it these days...

    Cool experience for you. That would make me smile too.

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  30. Having something you've written described as Shakespearean is sweet! The compliment coming from a student had to be doubly awesome.

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  31. I rather enjoyed reading The Ghosts of Aquinnah myself. I hadn't thought of it as Shakespearean at the time, but I certainly got that tragic feeling and was lost in the beauty of the story. You really pulled me in with the story :-)

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  32. A comparison to the Bard! There is no higher praise for a writer.

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  33. Wow, what a wonderful comment! Definitely a memory to be treasured.

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  34. Wow! That's an awesome compliment - Shakespearian! Love it! And, it's deserved. You write beautifully.

    Happy Writing!

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  35. Hi Julie, I will never forget such compliments. Awesome. You deserve such praise.

    Rachna Chhabria
    Co-host IWSG
    Rachna's Scriptorium

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  36. That was really a great compliment. Shakespearian! I would probably have fainted. Very happy for you. Remember that compliment because it is in the dark moments of our lives that words like that have a tremendous effect upon our lives by shining light into our dark tunnel.
    All the best.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

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  37. Thanks, all for your comments! I am still on cloud 9 just thinking about this compliment. :)

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  38. Wow, what a super compliment to treasure. Comments like this are real pick-me-ups aren't they Julie?

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  39. You know, I can kick myself. I missed the new question feature, but now I know for next time lol

    . . . And Shakespearean? What an awesome—well deserved—compliment!!!! :D


    ~~~
    S.K. Anthony: The Decline in Ebooks — It’s Not What You Think

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  40. Julie, what a wonderful compliment. Hold the memory close and you'll always be encouraged.

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  41. That was a wonderful comment-- and I'm sure absolutely well-deserved!

    Damyanti

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  42. What a wonderful compliment! That one definitely belongs stored away to always look back on when writer blues set in.

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  43. It's so wonderful to have memories like that. Yours is perfect. And you're right to thank those who came up with the idea for a question of the month. It does help.

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  44. Ooo, that is an awesome compliment! I can see why it comes to mind. :)

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  45. Though no one has read any published books from me, this situation reminds me back in High School during creative writing classes. My stories always had the comments coming back of, "Great Writing". Or something similar to that. Those sort of remarks certainly give us a smile. Don't they?

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  46. That is a wonderful compliment. You are very deserving of it. That should definitely keep you writing for many more years to come, Julie.

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