tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post4355010652999744621..comments2023-10-26T10:23:13.539-04:00Comments on Shauna Roberts: Interview with first-time author Therese FowlerShauna Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-56731541010514071422008-02-12T13:20:00.000-05:002008-02-12T13:20:00.000-05:00Wow, Shauna, thank you. I will bookmark that site...Wow, Shauna, thank you. I will bookmark that site and I'm sure there will be lots of useful info. I'll be going to see Mom and Dad next week (they live in AZ, I'm in CO) and will pass it along to them as well.<BR/><BR/>Namaste,<BR/>YogamumYogamumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736784200874589271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-41857520561221409902008-02-12T13:17:00.000-05:002008-02-12T13:17:00.000-05:00YOGAMUM, thanks for visiting, and I'm glad that yo...<B>YOGAMUM</B>, thanks for visiting, and I'm glad that you enjoyed the interview and found it useful. I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Here is a link to resources I found useful when my mother had lung cancer: http://nasw.org/users/ShaunaRoberts/diseases.html#Lung. I also joined an online lung cancer support group. It was extremely useful; I learned all sorts of tips to make her more comfortable that her callous doctor didn't bother to tell her about. I'm a medical writer, so if you need any help deciphering what the doctor says, feel free to contact me at ShaunaRoberts @ nasw.org.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-4109929853685641032008-02-12T12:41:00.000-05:002008-02-12T12:41:00.000-05:00I was just popping over to say hi in the spirit of...I was just popping over to say hi in the spirit of mutual delurking, and was so thrilled to see this interview and the Q&A. I have been a bit "stuck" on my current WIP due to life circumstances (my father recently received a lung cancer diagnosis and is not doing well) and due to simple "underpreparedness" as Therese says. Today is the big day to get back on track, and I was really happy to see this inspiring discussion!Yogamumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736784200874589271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-71421043542559246542008-02-11T16:05:00.000-05:002008-02-11T16:05:00.000-05:00Blend of spontaneity and organization, I guess. I ...Blend of spontaneity and organization, I guess. I had in mind to visit the Moore exhibition for months, and as I have taken photographs at Kew over a long time, I knew the terrain in advance.<BR/><BR/>Beyond that, I go with what catches my eye - but if I have the time am more selective now over what would make a good photo - as opposed to a good painting - when I'm actually in situ.<BR/><BR/>Suppose there is an interesting twist here as to whether writers are more prone to 'block' if the terrain is less or more familiar to them - or whether a block is actually a 'chrysalis' phase...?virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-76666867183457910082008-02-07T13:56:00.000-05:002008-02-07T13:56:00.000-05:00SPHINX INK, there are sad moments in the book (tha...<B>SPHINX INK</B>, there are sad moments in the book (that's why the British edition had a tissue warning), but there are also moments of great fulfillment , so I do think you would enjoy it. <BR/><BR/><B>RAE ANN</B>, I wondered why you were now writing just children's books. I hope that is your true niche that will make you happy (and published). Like you I love redemption stories, while my husband prefers revenge stories—always makes for a challenge choosing a movie at the video store or theater.<BR/><BR/><B>JULIE</B>, I thought those writer's block tips were useful even if one <EM>didn't</EM> have writer's block. I particularly liked the idea of just sitting down and writing a letter to yourself about your book. That probably sparks a lot of insights and ideas. I mean to try that one. <BR/><BR/>Do you do any preplanning for what you'll photograph on a trip, or do you just look for what makes a good picture once you're there?Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-32905200061364001292008-02-07T13:27:00.000-05:002008-02-07T13:27:00.000-05:00Another thoughtful and thought provoking interview...Another thoughtful and thought provoking interview....enjoyed the insights into the writing process, and tip on dealing with writers block.<BR/><BR/>Suspect this idea of pre-preparation could be expanded helpfully...?<BR/><BR/>Feel like this post is going to stay with me as something to mull over.virtual nexushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955335598875413324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-66011921294950955662008-02-07T09:25:00.000-05:002008-02-07T09:25:00.000-05:00Souvenir sounds very interesting. I love redempti...Souvenir sounds very interesting. I love redemption stories. As a writer who has written for several different age levels and groups until recently, I appreciate Therese's comment to "Write what feels true to you." I hope I am doing that now. Thanks for a great interview, Shauna & Therese.Rae Ann Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10844280766504375384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-84391434912116502592008-02-06T20:32:00.000-05:002008-02-06T20:32:00.000-05:00Terrific interview, Shauna. Therese has some fasci...Terrific interview, Shauna. Therese has some fascinating ideas and suggestions on writing. I'll look for her book. Sounds like something I'd like.Sphinx Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429797402360703839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-29954058842559516902008-02-06T20:26:00.000-05:002008-02-06T20:26:00.000-05:00Thank you, CARLEEN, for both the condolences and t...Thank you, <B>CARLEEN</B>, for both the condolences and the compliment. Isn't it odd how people who <EM>aren't</EM> in our lives can influence us as much or more than people who are in our lives?<BR/><BR/><B>LISA, LARRAMIE, CHARLES,</B> and <B>LANA</B>, thanks for stopping by. <BR/><BR/><B>THERESE</B>, what you said to Lisa about choosing to write the stories that are true to her is so important. I've never heard it expressed that way.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-19881630390500784592008-02-06T16:20:00.000-05:002008-02-06T16:20:00.000-05:00Another interesting interview. Thanks for the info...Another interesting interview. Thanks for the info!Lana Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06975996208260144558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-57825402485977368372008-02-06T14:23:00.000-05:002008-02-06T14:23:00.000-05:00Hi Carleen--I remember you saying you, too, lost y...Hi Carleen--I remember you saying you, too, lost your mother. It's hard...but I feel I'm putting the experience to use in ways my mom would approve of. She was a wonderful advocate for my writing dream.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Larramie: I have to say the sociological element to my work--and my having chosen the field in the first place--is really just a function of who I am. <BR/><BR/>For good or ill, I can't seem to write anything that doesn't have a social critique working in the background of the story.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Charles, what you say about your father's journals intrigues me; there's a story in how a character would feel about having that kind of unrevealing part of his or her parent, and of why a parent who wrote about some things didn't write about others.<BR/><BR/>Some of my UK readers and advance readers here in the US have said they've begun keeping a journal as a result of reading <I>Souvenir</I>; I think that's one of the best things to come of this experience so far.Theresehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01915740239016736614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-14203341058453419132008-02-06T13:38:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:38:00.000-05:00Great interview. I like how Therese worked the mo...Great interview. I like how Therese worked the mother's diary into her book when it's clear from her comments that she wishes could have found such a thing from her own mother. I have my father's journals, after he died when I was 13, but they really aren't personal ones. They talk about cattle and crop yields but there really isn't anything about how he felt. I don't think my mother has ever kept a journal at all, but fortunately she is still living at age 90 and we talk frequently about old times.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-110750500896978132008-02-06T13:27:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:27:00.000-05:00P.S. The time noted is obviously PST. :)P.S. The time noted is obviously PST. :)Larramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788910637361812265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-11854374973018491452008-02-06T13:25:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:25:00.000-05:00Your response to Lisa's dilemma was so simple and ...Your response to Lisa's dilemma was so simple and true, Therese. Of course you've described yourself as a "student of life" and -- as a fellow sociologist -- I see that in your writing. How aware are you of that background or is it just natural perspective?Larramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788910637361812265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-89473355464008522552008-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:002008-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:00Shauna and Therese, I'm sorry to hear about both o...Shauna and Therese, I'm sorry to hear about both of your moms. I too lost my mother (when I was 28), and my relationship with her seeps into my writing.<BR/><BR/>Great interview!!Carleen Bricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433203126527081458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-38426976245692048352008-02-06T08:29:00.000-05:002008-02-06T08:29:00.000-05:00Wow Lisa, aren't you the early bird? :)In discuss...Wow Lisa, aren't you the early bird? :)<BR/><BR/>In discussions elsewhere, you and others have observed the frustration of feeling unable to write anything like the works of authors you most admire. I went through a phase like that in grad school after reading Nabokov.<BR/><BR/>I'd advise trying to look at the issue NOT from the angle of "how can I ever write like him/her" but instead, "what kind of stories and writing are true to ME?" Once you've answered that, you can use the answer as your writing target.<BR/><BR/>Jenny Crusie, who writes romantic comedy, is a very well-read, highly educated woman who gets asked why, then, she doesn't write "serious" fiction. Who we are as readers really doesn't determine who we are as writers. Especially not when you read very widely, as she does, and I do--and you do. She's a funny, lively person and she enjoys writing funny, lively stories.<BR/><BR/>The story ideas that occur to you are another good indicator of your writer-identity. It's like this: I love reading literary science fiction, but I never have those kinds of story ideas. So I don't try to write that kind of fiction.<BR/><BR/>Really, it all comes down to self-knowledge. Write what feels true to you, and you'll find like-minded readers in due time.Theresehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01915740239016736614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8629757467521843286.post-59902780349213788002008-02-06T04:03:00.000-05:002008-02-06T04:03:00.000-05:00What a great interview! As you know, I read and lo...What a great interview! As you know, I read and loved Souvenir back when Larramie was kind enough to get ahold of a UK edition and send me an early Christmas gift. <BR/><BR/>Therese, you know I'm a big fan of your work and of your approach to writing as a business. You seem to have searched a little before finding the type of story you wanted to write. What advice would you give to aspiring novelists who aren't quite sure what their style is yet or who their reading audience might be (not that I know anyone like that)?Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.com