tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088040542346517696.post898226244277510165..comments2023-04-07T08:54:10.601-06:00Comments on Squidink | SM Robertson: Let's NOT venerate writing booksSM Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07399333030834943893noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088040542346517696.post-40985736703407261752011-04-13T12:57:55.240-06:002011-04-13T12:57:55.240-06:00*shrug* Not much I could do about the title. I'...*shrug* Not much I could do about the title. I'm starting to think this post was just a big blob of misunderstandings. Maybe I didn't articulate myself very well?<br /><br />Also, please elaborate. I was trying to refer to people that have read 20+ writing books, so I'm curious on how naivete falls into this. :)Sarah Robertsonhttp://squidinksarah.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088040542346517696.post-8760443109844207912011-04-11T11:52:12.630-06:002011-04-11T11:52:12.630-06:00When I read the title, I thought writing was a ver...When I read the title, I thought writing was a verb, not an adjective. That left me a little confused. And I know you and I have talked about this stuff a lot. And I still agree it can be helpful, and can be troublesome. <br /><br />Kate also makes a really good point about fear. But I also think that there is a naivete in there as well.Brenna Braatenhttp://twitter.com/brennabraatennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088040542346517696.post-81800080590423809982011-04-07T16:56:05.703-06:002011-04-07T16:56:05.703-06:00Actually, that was what I was trying to say, but i...Actually, that was what I was trying to say, but it must have not come out very clearly.<br /><br />What I meant was that I think some people use writing books as an excuse for their fear. They fear rejection/failure and so they endlessly put off that rejection/failure by making the excuse that they don't know how to write. Yes, there are other fears inherent to this process but many of them tie back to rejection/failure and the desire to avoid that.<br /><br />I believe that writing books are helpful, but only to a certain point. If someone has a question about executing dialogue, then yes, a book on dialogue will be able to help. But if someone has read 20+ writing books and still refuses to make progress under the assumption that they "can't write," they are using those books as an excuse. I want people to realize this, to put their writing books aside and simply write. There is no writing book that can replace the practice of writing itself.Sarah Robertsonhttp://squidinksarah.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1088040542346517696.post-89205320651794303762011-04-07T16:42:52.862-06:002011-04-07T16:42:52.862-06:00You left one big thing out FEAR.The reason there a...You left one big thing out FEAR.The reason there are so many writing books out there is because they sell. There are millions of people wanting to write books, who afraid to do so, who don't know how. Their fears cover any number of areas. You've been writing since your were four so you have not had the experience. My favorite writing books are;<br /><br />If You want to Write Brenda Euland<br />Writing down the Bones Natalie Goldberg<br />Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont<br />Writing FIction by Gotham Writers Workshop<br />Page by Page Heather SellersKate Robertsonnoreply@blogger.com