Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writers and Support

How much support do you get for your writing?

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What kind of support do you get from those around you and in your circle about your writing?

When I started on this path, my first encounter was with a new group out of a local library. There were seven of us, six being librarians. I even kid if I needed to be a librarian to be in the group.

But from that group came so much information, support, and help in a way I didn’t have before and didn’t know I needed until I met the ladies.

It was eye-opening and amazing at the same time.

How many of us have such support? Do we get it from our friends who aren’t writers? Do we get it from our family members?

If we get any support apart from other writers, that is huge and just welcoming. Some of us get most of our support, if not all, from other authors.

But when our relatives and friends purchase our books and support us in any way, that just is added boost to our mental and writing state.

As I have said repeatedly on this site, writing is a solitary profession. One has to have discipline and motivation, to name a few, to write when it is up to you to get it done. So, when one has support, regardless of where it comes from, that helps.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

How do you feel about reviews that don’t require text?

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    A small while ago, Amazon changed how a person can review one of the many products on the site. Now instead of writing a review, you can leave just a star. At the moment, the rating is up to five stars.

    As an author and a consumer, I am not a fan.

    As a consumer, I look at reviews to determine if I should spend my hard-earned money on something. But if someone gives it a three or less with no text on how am I supposed to judge that. Is it a personal reason that you did not like it? Is there something wrong with it that would be helpful to me?

    As an author, not seeing any text means no constructive criticism of my work. All one will get is the rating.

    It gives people a way to rate anything in any way with no regard to it being unhelpful. A person out of spike can leave any star they choose. A troll can go on a tear with any product as well.

    It is a shame but also something that will not be going away anytime soon. If one gets a bad rating with no text, all one can do is move on. One can get mad, scream and cry, but that is about it.

    When I give a review on anything, I will continue to leave a reason for my rating. It is only fair to the person or company that is on the site.

    I won’t leave a person wondering or seething at a review that only involves clicking on what star they should get.

    A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

    If you are fortunate to get positive feedback from people, it is a true win for you

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    A few years ago, a grandfather bought volume one of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series. It was to be a Christmas gift for his grandson.

    According to granddad, his grandson, after opening the gift, sat down and placed his electronic toy beside him, and began reading the book. He sat there and read it all in one sitting.

    His grandfather asked him what did he think. The young boy asked for volume two.

    Hearing that did make me smile in real life. I have been told over the years other stories of children who have enjoyed my book.

    Writing a book is so much more than writing a book. I want the readers to enjoy it, to put the book down after, and just had a good time doing so. Interacting with fans is so important.

    If your books are not being read or enjoyed, then a big part of writing is lost. For while it is wonderful to write, and we can write book after book, at what point do we say to ourselves, “What is the point?”