tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post5914488143849138959..comments2023-10-20T09:04:45.829+01:00Comments on My New Notebook: Crisis of confidenceCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103529618681254875noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-9796805315087096942008-11-24T12:35:00.000+00:002008-11-24T12:35:00.000+00:00It is a very positive thing to talk to other paren...It is a very positive thing to talk to other parents who have already been through the mill, so to speak. <BR/><BR/>CJ xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-39653705178297488782008-11-22T17:49:00.000+00:002008-11-22T17:49:00.000+00:00Glad to hear you're feeling comfortable about how ...Glad to hear you're feeling comfortable about how things are going with the novel. That's the most important thing really.HelenMWaltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182100572365505905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-51687312418581028182008-11-22T14:11:00.000+00:002008-11-22T14:11:00.000+00:00I'm sure what you are feeling about the way to wri...I'm sure what you are feeling about the way to write your novel is correct. I think that in exercises etc we can try on all sorts of voices and techniques, but when it comes to a sustained piece of work like a novel, you have to be true to yourself otherwise it just won't work at all. And, that's such good news about Son 1. He's really moving forward! xoSue Guineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556228394020314560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-67794560407378080172008-11-22T11:19:00.000+00:002008-11-22T11:19:00.000+00:00Lacer- I've not read a lot of Stephen King, but wh...Lacer- I've not read a lot of Stephen King, but what I hae was very well written And oh to be that successful!<BR/><BR/>Anne - thank you :)<BR/><BR/>Flowerpot - my thoughts exactly! But unfortunately creative writing academics don't always see things that way ;)Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103529618681254875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-21223220957484644372008-11-22T09:58:00.000+00:002008-11-22T09:58:00.000+00:00There is absolutely nothing the matter with 'comme...There is absolutely nothing the matter with 'commercial' fiction. All this really means is that it sells well - and why? Because people want to read it. Which means that it's lively, interesting and well written. (Well, most of it.) What's the matter with that?! Go for it.Flowerpothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14102679179201725732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-42903882662157960822008-11-22T08:51:00.000+00:002008-11-22T08:51:00.000+00:00Sounds like the writing crisis has led you to new ...Sounds like the writing crisis has led you to new and good decisions, Cathy - so that's fabulous. Well done you. And also well done to your son on all he's doing.<BR/><BR/>Love & hugs<BR/><BR/>AxxxAnne Brookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982495677389302410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-67345912434721635652008-11-22T08:19:00.000+00:002008-11-22T08:19:00.000+00:00Sorry to hear about your low OU mark, I too strong...Sorry to hear about your low OU mark, I too strongly believe that a well written book can also be commercial, after reading Stephen King recently, who I had previously ignored out of some slightly snobbish prejudices and the fact I'm not that keen on horror, but after reading his On Writing book, I thought I'd give his fiction a go and I was amazed about what good quality the writing was. The stuff I write is definitely more on the (hopefully one day) commercial side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-91752903668171470282008-11-22T08:14:00.000+00:002008-11-22T08:14:00.000+00:00Oh dear. It's too early in the morning. I didn't m...Oh dear. It's too early in the morning. I didn't mean to write 'room' twice. My TMA was not littered with typos, honestly!Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103529618681254875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-19688857003999930742008-11-22T08:10:00.000+00:002008-11-22T08:10:00.000+00:00Removed my original comment due to spelling errors...Removed my original comment due to spelling errors!<BR/><BR/>Thanks Caroline :)<BR/><BR/>Yes you're right B, there is time for improvement and that is my aim now, because my reason for doing the course was to learn new writing skills. What rocked me most was that I, and the fellow student who had critted my story, both thought it was not too bad and would have anticipated a slightly higher mark (though I can see plenty of room room for improvement too!) My mark was, I think, my lowest ever from the OU.<BR/><BR/>A slight concern is that I intended doing fiction for my ECA, but now I'm wondering if that will be wise. <BR/><BR/>As for the genre thing, there does seem to be a backlash, both in this course and when I did A215, against anything aimed at the womens mag/romance/chick lit/humour markets, however well written it is. My story this time didn't fall into any of those categories, but a friend was caught out. I guess a lot depends on the background and the interests of individual tutors too. For example, I hardly ever read or write sci-fi/fantasy, therefore I would not feel qualified to mark pieces in those genres, where there are certain conventions.<BR/><BR/>Onwards and hopefully upwards for those of us who were disappointed!<BR/><BR/>CxCathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103529618681254875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-83169757596307740822008-11-22T07:50:00.000+00:002008-11-22T07:50:00.000+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14103529618681254875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-40452283369559322472008-11-21T23:44:00.000+00:002008-11-21T23:44:00.000+00:00There seem to be quite a few of us around that got...There seem to be quite a few of us around that got lower marks than we expected. This is only the first one - plenty of time to improve (in OU terms at least) - IF you want to. <BR/><BR/>And if it's helped you realise your priorities it's all to the good, really. <BR/><BR/>I've never found that the writing tutors want highly literary writing only. Might be something your tutor can help with?Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12523875341438470968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35619589.post-58789074204826843272008-11-21T21:42:00.000+00:002008-11-21T21:42:00.000+00:00You go girlie! Be true to you and stay focused. An...You go girlie! <BR/>Be true to you and stay focused. And, above all else, don't let the OU course strip away your confidence and belief.<BR/><BR/>xCarolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04470638074202676460noreply@blogger.com