tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post1194542276799930493..comments2023-06-28T06:36:14.559-06:00Comments on Tess Hilmo: Looking Back and Laughing at My Idiocy....Tesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-22484634083884815732009-06-20T10:48:38.464-06:002009-06-20T10:48:38.464-06:00Suzanne - now that's funny!
KarenAmanda - goo...Suzanne - now that's funny!<br /><br />KarenAmanda - good for you, that is such an important quality. I'm pretty good at taking critique as well and see it as a blessing. What's funny is that I laughed at myself way back in '03 and hope I continue to do the same today :D My brain seldom works at capacity and is often on overload - lol.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-30519656527843965842009-06-20T10:09:53.176-06:002009-06-20T10:09:53.176-06:00I've learned that I'm DAMN good at taking ...I've learned that I'm DAMN good at taking criticism and feedback. My betas now know to be brutally honest with me because I won't cry or yell at them. Instead, I thank them and offer to include them in my acknowledgements because their feddback made my story so much better. :)<br />And yeah, I kinda knew familiar meant stale. But its okay. I know how hard the adrenaline pumps while at conference. Your brain isn't working at full capacity because its on overload. :)kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-49667280200112030072009-06-19T15:48:35.286-06:002009-06-19T15:48:35.286-06:00Tess:
The journey is a laugh riot isn't it? ...Tess:<br /><br />The journey is a laugh riot isn't it? At least we have to think about it that way... right? To avoid either giving it all up, or figuiring out what pipe in the basement would be strong enough to hold our weight.... ;)MUCH better to laugh!<br />Thanks so much for sharing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556206184198452490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-70114041934594360222009-06-19T15:23:48.693-06:002009-06-19T15:23:48.693-06:00Joyce - I think it is the journey of writing...rat...Joyce - I think it is the journey of writing...rather than the destination that is where we should find the most joy and laughter :D<br /><br />Paige - pants? I'm wearing a skirt...whatever are you talking about, friend?Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-21892669854502248312009-06-19T11:36:41.107-06:002009-06-19T11:36:41.107-06:00Mistakes? What mistakes. Oh, and by the way--nic...Mistakes? What mistakes. Oh, and by the way--nice pants.superpaigehttp://paige.ericksonfamily.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-4864886637656097242009-06-18T22:14:31.991-06:002009-06-18T22:14:31.991-06:00I have yet to go to a conference...but I'm pre...I have yet to go to a conference...but I'm pretty sure I would've done the same thing. I look back at what I thought was brilliant in my first draft and cringe. I'm sure in six years I'll be mortified at what I'm writing now. You're right - it is a path we are on....and we determine its end.Joyce Wolfleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078785682731583178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-27108954372561656742009-06-18T22:00:43.777-06:002009-06-18T22:00:43.777-06:00Sarah - caffeine, eh? Excellent idea! Really, tha...Sarah - caffeine, eh? Excellent idea! Really, that is a very cute story...you should journal it so it is not lost. And, yes, I am much humbler now. Much.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-74169473577002564122009-06-18T21:56:36.347-06:002009-06-18T21:56:36.347-06:00I agree, Tess. Conferences are wonderful! My first...I agree, Tess. Conferences are wonderful! My first conference was hard- but only because I was so overwhelmed and unreasonably nervous. I was certain someone would look at me ... look again ... and then announce to everyone that I wasn't a REAL writer. <br /><br />As far as embarrassing stories...<br /><br />The first time I first buckled down and started writing was an elating, amazing experience. I'd fix myself a cup of cocoa and start writing at 11 or so at night. I'd be so engrossed that I'd write till 2, and be thinking about it till 4, then get up for work at 6:30.<br /><br />The ability to write so late and long was a sign of blossoming genius. I was sure of it. (Though I never would have said so.) <br /><br />Then the friend who gave me the cocoa mix e-mailed a note warning me that she'd put coffee in the cocoa. She knew how caffeine affected me so watch out. Yeah, my genius was caffeine. <br /><br />Still helps sometimes. : )<br /><br />I think this newbie euphoria's a good thing, Tess. The problem comes when our 'genius' and pride in the 'timeless familiarity' of our work continues past the first six months of writing.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-40664639958557683472009-06-18T20:32:58.992-06:002009-06-18T20:32:58.992-06:00Jeannie - laugh away! that is my point in all of t...Jeannie - laugh away! that is my point in all of this.<br /><br />like Danyelle said - it helps and it's all good and I know about word counts now...so no problem :D<br /><br />TereLiz- typo-schmypo. They'll still love your work.<br /><br />Jill - writerly sisters....I like that.<br /><br />Amy - loved your post on your blog. it's fun to be entertainment for others, right??<br /><br />Liana - at least it was ALMOST you....for me, it actually was...lol.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-65401899835059941692009-06-18T19:43:16.578-06:002009-06-18T19:43:16.578-06:00okay....i laughed. sorry. but if we can't/co...okay....i laughed. sorry. but if we can't/couldn't laugh at our own ignorance, we would be in a sad state. great story...thanks for sharing your enlightenment. :)Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-10129703549360909762009-06-18T18:06:19.701-06:002009-06-18T18:06:19.701-06:00You know, learning about everyone's mistakes a...You know, learning about everyone's mistakes and laughing with each other, really helps what could otherwise be a painful process. My worst moment was realizing I hadn't changed the date (much earlier) on my query before I sent it. >.<<br /><br />I'm nerdy online, and worse in person, so it's probably best if I steer clear of face to face agent stuff--at least until I've signed with one. ;-)Danyelle L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10366276085080565870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-58157423179069273622009-06-18T16:49:47.774-06:002009-06-18T16:49:47.774-06:00Oh gosh... that was almsot me.
I finished my fir...Oh gosh... that was almsot me. <br /><br />I finished my first novel in HS. Typed it up after college, and started hunting agents in the area so I could go down to their office and show them my beautiful manuscript.<br /><br />Eeek!<br /><br />Lucky me, I ran into some good advice on the internet before I found myself black-listed and blogged about from here to Kingdom Come. <br /><br />It's been several years, and several novels, since then and I still cringe thinking about how close I was to jumping off a cliff without realizing it. But I did learn, I think. <br /><br />I'm doing my editing, and my homework. And one day I'll try that query idea again.Liana Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14587774916354749190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-20901831138944993272009-06-18T16:40:12.456-06:002009-06-18T16:40:12.456-06:00I embarrass myself ALL THE TIME! I shouldn't ...I embarrass myself ALL THE TIME! I shouldn't be allowed out by myself. I'm short a blog today, so I'll post my most recent (non-writing related) gaff there.Amy Allgeyer Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02918884239971760853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-5490576000440466602009-06-18T15:25:54.373-06:002009-06-18T15:25:54.373-06:00Oh Tess, I'm shaking my head because we could ...Oh Tess, I'm shaking my head because we could be sisters. I'm constantly embarrassing myself. I mean--all the time. There aren't enough hours in the day... <br /><br />Thanks for the smile!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-25536988508640420422009-06-18T13:13:20.293-06:002009-06-18T13:13:20.293-06:00Um, I just sent out another five queries with a ty...Um, I just sent out another five queries with a typo in the first page of my mss. Just another mistake (I hope) I learned from.Tere Kirklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562750950130316280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-50749644661575409322009-06-18T11:44:15.092-06:002009-06-18T11:44:15.092-06:00Life with Kashion - welcome! I clicked over to you...Life with Kashion - welcome! I clicked over to your blog and got a serious belly laugh. Yes, we play with fire here too :D<br /><br />lotusgirl - thanks, friend. Yes, I have learned some and still have much to learn. When we look at writing as a journey instead of a destination, it makes for a great adventure.<br /><br />Davin - you must go to a conference, you must! you will be inspired, educated and meet all sorts of wonderful writerly people. you are the type of person I hope to meet when I go to those conferences! And, I'm excited for where I am but try not to stumble on the rock called pride - it will land me right on my butt , lol.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-35842353142026317432009-06-18T11:35:36.110-06:002009-06-18T11:35:36.110-06:00I'm still too scared to go to a conference. Bu...I'm still too scared to go to a conference. But I'm getting closer and closer to it. I laugh at my old writing these days. What's sad is that sometimes I look at it and think it was better than what I write now. I think with experience, I've started to overthink things. <br /><br />Your story was great, Tess. It shows how far you come, and I think you have a really healthy view of your growth and experiences. You're doing so wonderfully now. I hope you're proud of your accomplishments!Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-24992110278832333542009-06-18T11:30:41.537-06:002009-06-18T11:30:41.537-06:00Aw, Tess! The thing is that you learned and your w...Aw, Tess! The thing is that you learned and your writing now is delightful. See, you even have an agent. So, you've come a long way! Writing can be a bumpy road. I'm not sure how well I laugh at myself yet. I'm trying.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-33970734867144164272009-06-18T11:21:04.892-06:002009-06-18T11:21:04.892-06:00This made me smile! Look how well you are writing ...This made me smile! Look how well you are writing now though! I have to laugh at myself! It would bbe crazy not to : ). I clicked over here because I saw your comment at Zook book nook and I adored your little picture. So sweet!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07874897254332872367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-10333049470342198682009-06-18T09:45:44.845-06:002009-06-18T09:45:44.845-06:00Tricia - what a great comparison to consider how o...Tricia - what a great comparison to consider how other artists work...you are so right. And, I don't consider it brave because I truly find it hilarious :D<br /><br />Jody - it's those humbling experiences that - in the end - teach us about humanity and make us better writers (I hope!)<br /><br />Wendy - yes! I agree...much to learn at every step of the path (in life as well as writing :D)Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-58376385446763061602009-06-18T07:10:30.612-06:002009-06-18T07:10:30.612-06:00As you can probably guess, I LOVE to laugh at myse...As you can probably guess, I LOVE to laugh at myself. I am my own best material! :D I also cling to the knowledge that I have much to learn now and in 40 years, I will still have MUCH to learn.<br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-12555986857392575672009-06-18T04:28:26.807-06:002009-06-18T04:28:26.807-06:00Great story,Tess! I definitely thought I was God&#...Great story,Tess! I definitely thought I was God's gift to the writing world when I first started writing! It only took a couple of rejections to land me back on earth!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-53388288728639907712009-06-17T23:40:25.827-06:002009-06-17T23:40:25.827-06:00Great post and brave of you, too! Every time I sta...Great post and brave of you, too! Every time I start writing something new I have to stop myself from calling up friends and saying, 'Listen to this.' I get so excited in the first flush of writing. Then I look back in a day or so and go, 'Um, well there's potential, with some work.'<br />Considering how long an architect designs a building or a composer works on a new score, I don't know why I should think the first words I pour out are ready for public consumption. But you know what? I enjoy the learning, growing process--critique groups, conferences, articles, all of it. It's great to have other writers with whom to share highs and lows.<br /> And,the laughter (after the cringing).Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-49364709975129366632009-06-17T23:15:09.092-06:002009-06-17T23:15:09.092-06:00L.T - No rush, friend. I swear, for the first six ...L.T - No rush, friend. I swear, for the first six weeks I kept thinking, "Maybe he has two meanings for familiar...one means stale and the other means timeless". Honestly, I tried to convince myself of that. I really tried.<br /><br />PJ - now it's you making me chuckle. I think I had a hair brushing scene in that early work as well. too funny!<br /><br />L&L - Yes! It is healthy. That's spot on.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-56240850699830610472009-06-17T23:02:39.385-06:002009-06-17T23:02:39.385-06:00Love it! And we are constantly making fun of ourse...Love it! And we are constantly making fun of ourselves. Life is too short to take yourself all that seriously. We are always looking back at our manuscripts and poking holes in the plot, making fun of our characters, etc. etc. It's healthy! And it leads to some great revisions.lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.com