Tuesday's Inspiration - Janet's thoughts on a Quote by Judith Krantz

First it's sort of my own inspiration. I have an interview about developing characters up here. http://sheilaclaydon.com/2012/11/05/casting-couch/

Now to the quote. " Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by the work of other authors." Judith Krantz.

 This really made me think especially since I've let this happen a time or two. Sometimes a book I read is so good I wish I'd written it. Envy is an important ingredient in this feeling. After a while I laugh at myself because the book and author I've been so envious of isn't one I could have or even would have written. Having passed this roadblock, I then am able to look at why I felt this way and ask questions. Many times what I've really envied is some element of the novel like the character development, the descriptive passages or some other element. Then I can sit back and see if I can change some of my current work to I've learned. Sometimes I can and other times not.

After envy, there's jealousy. I've been bitten by that bug. Probably you have too. My book is similar to one written by writer X. Why did hers get more play than mine? This kind of thinking isn't good for a writer's soul, not to mention production. But looking back at my story doesn't help. It's been published and has sold. There's nothing I can do. Reaching this point can be hard. So what I do is start an analysis comparing two similar stories and seeing what I could have done to make my story fly. That can be brought to the next WIP.

How about you? Do you let the work of others intimidate you and keep you from doing the best you can? If so you could stop reading or you could look at this stories and add depth to your own writing.

3 Blog Visit Sunday - discoveries by Janet Lane Walters

http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/2012/10/07/writing-inspiration-for-writers.aspx?ref=rss  I quite envy one who can do all these pictures so cleverly.

http://www.petitfoursandhottamales.com/2012/10/10/valerie-bowman-guest-chef-ton-and-trousseau/ Info about common words in Regencies

http://taoofliz.blogspot.com/ interesting quote about trust